李云標(biāo)
同位語從句,在同位語的基礎(chǔ)上發(fā)展、變化而來,是名詞性從句的一種,常置于promise(承諾),opinion(觀點),news(新聞),conclusion(結(jié)論),possibility(可能性)等名詞之后,用來進(jìn)一步解釋或者補(bǔ)充說明這些名詞(這些名詞可以稱為同位名詞)的具體含義或內(nèi)容。
在使用同位語從句時,要特別注意引導(dǎo)詞的選擇。同位語從句通常由從屬連詞(that)引導(dǎo),有時也由從屬連詞(whether)、連接代詞(who, whose, what, which)和連接副詞(when, where, how, why)等引導(dǎo)。其中,that是一個純引導(dǎo)詞,只起連接作用;連接詞whether, who, when, why等,除了有連接的作用之外,還有一定的“疑問”意義。選擇同位語從句的引導(dǎo)詞時,可以從以下四個方面考慮:
一、如果同位語從句所表達(dá)的意義是完整的,從句由從屬連詞that引導(dǎo)(通常不可省略that)。
例1 The fact that Dolly seemed to develop normally was very encouraging.
句子的意思是:多莉似乎在正常地成長著,這很令人鼓舞。句中的同位語從句(that Dolly seemed to develop normally)就是同位名詞(the fact)的內(nèi)容,而且意義完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為that。還可以把這類從句用于其它名詞性從句中或者轉(zhuǎn)換成簡單句,幫助我們理解同位語從句的含義。比如,把它轉(zhuǎn)換為一個陳述句,在同位名詞和同位語從句之間加上動詞be或者去掉同位名詞:
陳述句:Dolly seemed to develop normally.
表語從句:The fact was that Dolly seemed to develop normally.
主語從句:That Dolly seemed to develop normally was very encouraging.
例2 There is no doubt that I will always stay with you.
句子的意思是:我將永遠(yuǎn)跟你在一起,這是毫無疑問的。句中的同位語從句(that I will always stay with you)就是同位名詞(doubt)的內(nèi)容,而且意義完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為that。也可以運用句式轉(zhuǎn)換理解從句的含義:
陳述句:I will always stay with you.
主語從句:It is certain that I will always stay with you.
例3 The general gave the order that the soldiers should cross the river at once.
句子的意思是:將軍下達(dá)了戰(zhàn)士們立即過河的命令。句中的同位語從句(that the soldiers should cross the river at once)就是同位名詞(the order)的內(nèi)容,而且意義完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為that。
陳述句:The soldiers should cross the river at once.
表語從句:The order was that the soldiers should cross the river at once.
賓語從句:The general ordered that the soldiers should cross the river at once.
注:表示建議、命令、要求等的名詞,如suggestion, proposal, advice, order, request等,后接同位語從句時,從句謂語動詞用"should+動詞原形",其中的should可以省略。
二、如果同位語從句所表達(dá)的含義要增加“是否”才完整,從句由從屬連詞whether引導(dǎo)(不可使用if)。
例4 We are not investigating the question whether he is trustworthy.
句子的意思是:我們不是在調(diào)查他是否可以信任的問題。句中的同位語從句(whether he is trustworthy)就是同位名詞(the question)的內(nèi)容,而且增加“是否”之后意義才完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為whether。理解這類從句的意義時,可以把它轉(zhuǎn)換為一般疑問句,也可以把它用于其它名詞性從句中:
一般疑問句:Is he trustworthy?
表語從句:The question is whether he is trustworthy.
賓語從句:We are not investigating whether he is trustworthy.
例5 We have some doubt whether they can complete the task on time.
句子的意思是:我們懷疑他們是否能準(zhǔn)時完成任務(wù)。句中的同位語從句(whether they can complete the task on time)就是同位名詞(doubt)的內(nèi)容,而且增加“是否”之后意義才完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為whether。
一般疑問句:Can they complete the task on time?
賓語從句:We doubt whether/if they can complete the task on time.
三、如果同位語從句所表達(dá)的意義要增加“誰(的)、什么、哪個(些)”才完整,從句由連接代詞who, whose, what, which引導(dǎo)。
例6 Actually I have no idea what went on in the classroom yesterday afternoon.
句子的意思是:我確實不知道昨天下午教室里發(fā)生了什么事。句中的同位語從句(what went on in the classroom yesterday afternoon)就是同位名詞(idea)的內(nèi)容,而且增加“什么”之后意義才完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為what。
特殊疑問句:What went on in the classroom yesterday afternoon?
賓語從句:I dont know what went on in the classroom yesterday afternoon.
四、如果同位語從句所表達(dá)的意義要增加“何時、何地、如何、為何”才完整,從句由連接副詞when, where, how, why引導(dǎo)。
例7 We dont understand the problem why this is the best choice.
句子的意思是:我們不明白這個問題,為什么這是最好的選擇。句中的同位語從句(why this is the best choice)就是同位名詞(the problem)的內(nèi)容,而且增加“為什么”之后意義才完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為why。理解這類從句的意義時,可以把它轉(zhuǎn)換為特殊疑問句,也可以把它用于其它名詞性從句中:
特殊疑問句:Why is this the best choice?
表語從句:The problem is why this is the best choice.
賓語從句:We dont understand why this is the best choice.
例8 I have no idea where I should go during the summer vacation.
句子的意思是:我不知道他什么時候回來。句中的同位語從句(where I should go during the summer vacation)就是同位名詞(idea)的內(nèi)容,而且增加“什么地方”之后意義才完整,所以同位語從句引導(dǎo)詞為where。
特殊疑問句:Where should I go during the summer vacation?
賓語從句:I dont know where I should go during the summer vacation.
綜上所述,要準(zhǔn)確把握同位語從句與同位名詞的聯(lián)系選用合適的引導(dǎo)詞,可以運用句式轉(zhuǎn)換(包括陳述句、疑問句、表語從句、主語從句或者賓語從句等)的方法來理解同位語從句的含義。概括起來講,正確選用同位語從句的關(guān)鍵,在于把握同位語從句所表達(dá)的內(nèi)容與它的同位名詞之間的語義聯(lián)系。在邏輯語義上,同位語從句與它的同位名詞表現(xiàn)為同位關(guān)系,或者同一關(guān)系、解釋關(guān)系,這是同位語從句的實質(zhì)。
練習(xí)
1. Nobody believed his reason for being absent from the class________ he had to meet his uncle at the airport.
A. whether B. which
C. when D. that
2. Now we meet with the difficulty________, we can persuade him to tell the truth.
A. how B. that
C. what D. which
3. It was at the very beginning that Mr Brown made the decision________ we should send more firefighters there?
A. which B. when
C. that D. what
4. We havent yet settled the question________, we are going to spend our Spring Festival.
A. when B. where
C. what D. whether
5. — Its thirty years since we last met.
— But I still remember the story, believe it or not, ________we got lost on a rainy night.
A. that B. which
C. what D. when
6. We must never overlook our small weak points because of the fact ________ . (achievement)
我們不可因為已經(jīng)有了大的成績就忽視小的缺點。
7. Well discuss the problem ________ on time. (hold)
我們將討論運動會是否會如期舉行的問題。
8. The rumor spread ________ here. (build)
謠傳這里要建一家新的醫(yī)院。
9. I have no impression ________ last weekend, perhaps by bike. (go)
上周末他怎樣回家的,我沒有印象了,可能是騎自行車吧。
10. The question ________that accident has never been settled. (blame)
該由誰為事故承擔(dān)責(zé)任,這個問題根本沒有解決。
參考答案
1~5 DACBA
6. that we have made big achievements
7. whether the sports meeting will be held
8. that a new hospital would be built
9. how he went home
10. who was to blame for