英語中值得注意的五類省略結構

■湖南  陳穆嘉

一、由if構成的省略

這類省略結構最重要的有 if so, if not, if you must三個。如：

Is the book available, and if so where? 有沒有這本書？如果有的話，在哪里？

Are you a student with a knack for coming up with great ideas? If so, we would love to hear from you. 你是那種能想出好主意的學生嗎？如果是，我們倒想聽一聽。

I hope to see you tomorrow, but if not, leave me a message. 我希望明天跟你見面，不過如果不行的話，請給我留個口信。

I think I can fix it tomorrow. If not, you’ll have to wait till Friday. 我想我明天就可以修好它，如果不行，你就只好等到星期五了。

The snow was now two feet deep, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get the car out. 雪有兩英尺厚，要把汽車拉出來很困難，盡管不是不可能。

“I’m just going to finish this off first.” “Go ahead then, if you must.” “我只是打算先把這件事做完。”“如果你非得要做的話，那就繼續吧。”

二、由從屬連詞后接形容詞構成的省略結構

這類省略比較重要的是由從屬連詞if, when, where, whenever, wherever等，后接形容詞necessary, possible等構成。如：

Taste the soup and add salt and pepper if necessary. 嘗嘗這湯，需要的話加一點點鹽和胡椒粉。

It is always best to choose organically grown foods if possible. 如果可能，最好還是挑選有機食品。

They are not afraid to tackle the issues or let the sparks fly when necessary. 他們不怕應對這些問題，也不怕必要時來一番激烈的爭論。

I recommend that you avoid processed foods whenever possible. 我建議你盡量不要食用加工好的食品。

Changes can easily be made where necessary. 在需要的地方可以很容易地進行修改。

They believed in the application of force wherever necessary. 凡屬必要的地方他們都主張使用武力。

Researchers try to quote primary sources wherever possible. 研究人員盡可能地引用原始資料。

三、由從屬連詞后接現在分詞構成的省略結構

這類省略比較重要的是由從屬連詞as if, as though, once, when, while 等后接現在分詞構成，注意此時現在分詞的邏輯主語通常應與句子主語一致。如：

He paused as if expecting Lanny to speak. 他停了停，仿佛等待蘭尼說話。

He rubbed his eyes and yawned as though waking up after a long sleep. 他又揉眼睛又打哈欠，好像睡了一大覺剛醒似的。

On the other hand, once having seen this apartment, who’d have the courage to complain? 另一方面，一旦看過這套公寓房，誰還會有勇氣發牢騷呢？

They were surprised by her openness when talking about her private life. 她談起私生活時非常坦率，大家都很吃驚。

He had jumped bail last year while being tried on drug charges. 去年他在因涉毒被控告期間棄保潛逃。

If the TV was built into the ceiling, you could lie there while watching your favourite programme. 如果把電視嵌入天花板，你就可以躺在那里欣賞你最喜歡的節目了。

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