在英语语法的海洋中,定语从句犹如一艘艘小船,穿梭于名词和代词之间,为句子增添丰富的信息和细节。掌握定语从句的使用,能够使我们的英语表达更加精确和生动。今天,我们将通过几个例句来探讨非限制性定语从句的用法,并通过一系列的练习来巩固这一语法点。
<例句>
The plane,which is usually very punctual,was late today.
这班飞机通常很准时,不过今天却晚点了。
<语法分析>
这个句子为典型的非限制性定语从句。可以看出这类从句对所修饰的都有词没有限制词义的作用,只是一些补充性的说明,而且通常都有逗号把它和句子的其他部分隔开,多译成一个并列句。把从句拿掉以
后,对句子的剩下部分没有太大的影响。我们把which is usually very punctual拿掉以后,句子就变成了The plane was late today.意思仍很完整,合乎语法。需要留意的是,在这类从句中不可用关系
代词that和关系副词why,也不可以把其他的关系副词给省略掉,此类从句多用于书面语中。
<触类旁通>
(1)Tom,who had been driving all night,suggested stopping at the next town.
汤姆开了一夜的车,建议在下一个镇子上停下来。
语法分析:简单、合乎规范的句子。
(2)The buses,most of which were already full,were surrounded by old men.
公共汽车大部分都已载满了乘客,周围是一群老人。
语法分析:在非限制性定语从句中,which和whom常可以与of或其他介词连用。
(3)I drank beer,which made me fat.
我喝啤酒,这使我的身体发胖了。
语法分析:which不代表一个名词,而代表了前面句子的全部或者部分意思。
(4)Such money as he earned was spent on his girl friend.
他挣的那点钱都花在了他女朋友身上。
语法分析:as用作关系代词,引导定语从句,主要和such连用,也可单独引导一个从句。
(5)Surely there isn't a teacher but faces this problem.
可以确定,凡是老师都会面临这个问题。
语法分析:but作为关系代词引导定语从句。
(6)I've set a plan whereby you can spread the cost over a period.
我定了一个办法,你可以照此分期付款。
语法分析:whereby引导一个定语从句,其意思等于by which,类似用法还有wherein和whereupon等。
<巩固练习>
(1)She returned with _____ provisions _____ were needed.
(2)He hoped to give me a chance _____ nobody else ever had.
(3)There is no tree _____ bears some fruits.
(4)This is Mr.Smith,_____ I was working,was very generous.
(5)She changed her mind,_____ made me very angry.
(6)He is a teacher,_____ is clear from his manner.
<参考答案>
(1)such...as (2)such as (3)out (4)for whom (5)which (6)as