有關英語狀語從句的若干用法習慣

1. 不可將漢語的“因為…所以…”直譯為because…so。如：

因為下雨，所以我們呆在家里。

誤：Because it was raining, so we stayed at home.

正：Because it was raining, we stayed at home. / It was raining, so we stayed at home.

2. 不可將漢語的“雖然…但是…”直譯為 (al)though…but。如：

雖然很危險，但我要試試。

誤：Although it is dangerous, but I will try.

正：Although it is dangerous, I will try. / It is dangerous, but I will try.

注：盡管英語不說although…but，但有時出現but although或but… although卻是可能的。如：

(1) But I didn’t know that then, although I learned it later. 但我當時的確不知道此事，盡管后來我還是知道了。

此句既用了并列連詞 but，又用了從屬連詞 although，但它并未造成錯誤，原因是此句與上面所討論的情形有所不同，即此句 but 用于 although 之前，but 在此僅起到與上文轉折的作用，but 后的 I didn’t know that then, although I learned it later.仍為一個復合句。

(2) I tried doing the accounts, but although I knew some maths I found it very difficult. 我試著算這些賬，但盡管我懂點數學，仍感到很困難。

此句將 but 與 although 用在一起，但此句也沒有錯誤。該句從總體來看，它是一個以并列連詞 but 連接的并列句，而在該并列句的后面一句又是一個包含讓步狀語從句 although I knew some maths 的復合句——這種句型就是所謂的并列復合句。此句也可改寫為 I tried doing the accounts, but I found it very difficult although I knew some maths.