名词从句的简化与其他词类的从属从句相同,都是省略主语与 be 动词,只留下补语。因为主语与主要从句中的元素重复,或主语原本就没有明确的内容(像 someone, people 等),所以将主语省略。而省略 be 动词是因为它只是连缀动词,本身没有意义。由于省略主语与动词之后,已经不再需要连接词,所以名词从句的连接词 that 也一并省略。如果名词从句是由疑问句演变而来的,以疑问词(who、what、where 等)充当连接词,那么疑问词就要保留,因为它和 that 不同,是有意义的字眼。
针对名词从句,其简化后,剩下来的补语有两种常见的形态:Ving 与 to V(分别称为动名词与不定词)。这两种形态都可以当名词使用,所以可以取代原先的名词从句,不会有词类上的冲突。至于第三种常见的补语 Ven(过去分词),因为是形容词,不能取代名词类的从句,所以不能使用。因此名词从句中如果是被动态(be+Ven),简化时不能只是省略 be 留下 Ven,而要在词类上进一步改造,这部
分详见后述。现在分别就 Ving 与 to V 这两种补语形态来探讨名词从句的简化。
简化后剩下的补语是 Ving 形态时
和形容词从句简化的做法相同,如果名词从句中没有 be 动词,也没有助动词,一律把动词加上 -ing。以下就名词从句常出现的位置分别举例说明。
主语位置
That I drink good wine with friends is my greatest enjoyment.(和好友一起喝美酒是我最大的享受。)
宾语位置
动词的宾语
doing the cooking
[简化名词从句].
介系词的宾语
2.He worked late into the night.
补语位置
His favorite pastime is that he goes fishing on weekends.
省略名词从句的 he,动词加-ing 而成为:
His favorite pastime is going fishing on weekends[简化名词从句].
针对从属从句的主语,其不能省略时
有时省略名词从句的主语,其将会造成句意的改变,这时要设法用其他方式来处理。以下几种方式较为常见:
改成 S+V+O+C 的句型
用所有格来处理
加介系词来处理
that my son lies all the time
[名词从句].(我很发愁我儿子老说谎。)
that my son lies all the time
[同位语(名词从句)].
如何处理被动态
被动态中若省略主语和 be 动词,剩下的补语 Ven 是形容词类,无法取代原来的名词从句,所以必须进一步修改。
That anyone is called a liar is the greatest insult. (任何人被叫作騙子都是最大的侮辱。)
1、I am looking forward to something.
2、I am invited to the party.
invited
[形容词] to the party.(误)
名词从句简化成 Ving 的形式,如果是被动态时,以 being Ven 的形式就可以表示,并仍以名词的形式保留下来。
动词是单纯的 be 动词时
若名词从句中是 be 动词,后面接一般的名词或形容词作补语,则须加上-ing 成为 being:
That one is a teacher requires a lot of patience.(做老师的人就得很有耐心。)
[简化名词从句] requires a lot of patience.
That he was busy is no excuse for the negligence.(”他很忙”并不能构成疏忽的借口。)
简化后剩下的补语是 to V 形态时
名词从句简化,若其中有语气助动词,含有不确定语气,就会成为不定词(to V)。
The children expect that they can get presents for Christmas.(孩子们期望圣诞节能得到礼物。)
不定词即“不一定是什么词类”,可当名词、形容词、副词,所以不必顾虑词类是否符合的问题。唯一要注意的是,不定词不适合放在介系词后面,这时要改为 Ving 的形式。
I[s] think[v] it[o] strange[c] that man should fear ghosts.(我觉得人竟然怕鬼是很奇怪的事。)
主语不适合省略时
名词从句的主语如果和主要从句不重复,又不是空泛的字眼,省略时往往会改变句意。这时就要想办法改变这个主语,将它保留。在有些句型中可以把主语放入宾语位置,变成 S+V+O+C 的句型
I want that you should go.(我希望你去。)
在大部分的句型中,不定词原来的主语可放在介系词后的宾语位置以保留下来。
That the Clippers should beat the Lakers was quite a marvelous feat.(快艇队竟然击败湖人队,真是相当了不起的。)
[简化名词从句] was quite a marvelous feat.
代表疑问句的名词从句简化
名词从句有两种:
- 一种是由直述句外加连接词 that 而形成。这种名词从句简化时,无意义的 that 要省略。
- 另一种是由疑问句改造,通常以疑问词来充当连接词。
1、What should I do?
2、I don’t know the question.
如果是 Yes/No question,没有疑问词,要制造名词从句时,就得添加 whether。
1、Should I vote for Mary?
2、I can’t decide the question.
whether to vote for Mary (or not)
[简化名词从句].
to V 与 Ving 的比较
语法书论及 to V 和 Ving 出现于动词后面的宾语位置的选择时,会列岀几份动词表,要求读者背哪些动词后面该用哪一个,以及意思是否相同。这种死背方式不值得推荐。了解简化从句之后,读者便可发现这个区分是顺理成章,不必死背。
不定词与动名词都可以当成名词类使用,两者之间有时不易区分。可是从简化从句的角度来看,就很容易区分清楚。
He forgot that he should see his dentist that day.(他忘了他那天应该去看牙医的。)
He forgot that he saw the man before. (他忘了以前见过这个人。)
I love driving on the freeway[简化名词从句].(我喜欢在高速公路上开车。)
下面这个例句则又不同:
I would love to drive to work in my own car(简化名词从句).(我很想能够开自己的车去上班。)
I avoid being late to any appointment.(任何约会我都避免退到。)
I hope to get to the concert on time.(我希望能赶上这场音乐会。)
若名词从句中有助动词,自然会简化为不定词。
应用
Test
练习一
将下列各句中的名词从句(即画底线部分)改写为简化从句:
1.That he sends flowers to his girlfhend every day is the only way he can think of to gain her favor.
2.That the legislator was involved in the fi~aud is rather obvious.
3.The student denied that he had cheated in the exam.
4.The researcher is certain that he has found a solution.
5.The residents were not aware that they were being exposed to
radiation.
6.1consider that this is a most unfortunate incident.
7.That John comes to school late every day cannot go on much
longer.
8.That he was named the new CEO came as a surprise to everybody.
9.1would like that you can look after the kids for me this evening.
- It is a privilege that one can live in these monumental times.
练习二
请选出最适当的答案填入空格内,以使句子完整。
354
8.The decision to emigrate does not necessarily mean in the country.
(A)cutting off all ties
(B)that cuts off all ties
(C)that ties cut off
(D)cut off all ties
9.You can count on the election even before all the results are in.
(A)winning
(B)to win
(C)won –
(D)that you will win
I
10.I never expected in this mess.
(A)involving
(B)involved
(C)to be involved
(D)involve
练习一
1.Sending flowers to his girlfriend every day is the only way he can think of to gain her favor.
2.The legislator’s being involved in the Gaud is rather obvious. 或 The legislator’s involvement in the fraud is rather obvious.
3.The student denied having cheated in the exam.
4.The researcher is certain about having found a solution.
5.The residents were not aware of being exposed to radiation.
或 The residents were not aware of their exposure to radiation.
6.I consider this a most unfortunate incident.
7.John’s coming to school late every day cannot go on much longer.
8.His being named the new CEO came as a surprise to everybody.
9.1would like you to look after the kids fbr me.this evening.
- It is a privilege to. live in these monumental times.
356
练习二
1.(B)
原为名词从句 what you should do,简化为 B。
2.(C)
原为 They are treated with respect.,简化为 C 以维持被动态,并以动名词形状置于介系词 to 之后。
3.(B);一 r
lie (说谎)是不及物动词。“别人对我说谎”要这样表示:People lie to me.
改成被动态是:
I am lied to (by people).
这个句子再简化为动名词就是 being lied too
4.(B)
原为 about the possibility that he will fail in the exam,简化为 Bo
5.(A)
原为名词从句 that you must give me a call,简化为 Ao
6.(A)
原为名词从句 that they will get married,简化为 Ao
?.(B)
选择不定词 to say 以求和前面的 to say 对称。两个 to say 都可视为名词从句 that you should say 的简化。
5(尤%网
– lbpSage.com
8.(A) C
原为名词从句 that one cuts off all ties…,简化为 Ao
9.(A)
原来是像 D 中的句子,可是从句不能放在介系词 on 的后面,所以简化成 A。因为在介系词后面,不能用不定词,所以助动词 will 可以忽略掉。
10.(C)
原为名词从句 that I would be involved…,简化为 C。