一、定语从句
定语从句是英语中一种最常见的句型,它可以分为限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句,即定语从句的关系词在文中修饰哪个词、短语或句子。在主句中不可缺少的定语从句称限定性定语从句。对主句起附加说明作用的定语从句称非限定性定语从句。此外,定语从句和主句之间还存在着状语关系,说明原因、目的、让步、假设等。
例1The change met the technical requirement of the new age and prevented the decline in efficiency that so commonly spoiled the fortunes of family firms in the second and third generation after the energetic founders.(1996年真题)
分析:该句总体上是一个并列句,其框架为“The change met...and prevented”“that”后边引导的是一定语从句,作后置定语,修饰“the decline in efficiency”。介词短语“in the second and third generation”,“after the energetic founders”又作为定语从句中“spoiled”的状语。
译文:这一变化适应了新时代技术的要求,防止了效率下降,而效率下降已使许多老家族公司破产,因为第二、三代继承人已不像公司创立者那样精力充沛。例2The method of scientific investigation is nothing but theexpression of thenecessary mode of working of the human mind; it is simply the mode by which allphenomena are reasoned about and given precise and exact explanations.(1994年真题)
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