寫英文句子時,要有明確的中心點,包括主語的人稱、數目以及謂語動詞的時態、語態和情態等。如果句子的中心點隨便改變或轉移的話,句子結構可能陷入模糊狀態,使人困惑,也削弱了文章氣勢。
下面就是些有關句子中心點轉移的例子:
⒈隨便轉移主語和語態,如:
① Cocks were heard crowing as the hikers approached the farm.
在一個短短的復雜句里,原本的主句主語突然變成副詞從句的主語“the hikers”,動詞語態則以被動形式出現在另一個文句里。這樣的轉變沒有好處,也沒有必要。這句話可修改為:
The hikers heard cocks crowing as they approached the farm.
這里兩個主語保持中心點,一氣呵成,明確多了。
② The tourists stayed at a holiday hotel and much of their time was spent there.
這里的兩個并列句的主語從“the tourists”轉入“much”,動詞則以主動語態變成被動語態;這樣做,必要嗎?還是改寫一下好:
The tourists stayed at a holiday hotel and spent much of their time there.
⒉隨便轉移人稱和數目,如:
③ Everyone will feel happy if you enjoy good life.
④ Kelvin enjoys cigarette smoking, but they make his throat sore.
在③里,人稱“everyone”和“you”不協調所以要把“you”改成“he”或“everyone”變成“you”。如果“you”變成“he”,謂語動詞“enjoy”要變成“enjoys”以便動詞和主語一致:
Everyone will feel happy if he enjoys good life. You will feel happy if you enjoy good life.
在④里,用“they”指“cigarette-smoking”,不符合語法規則,必須把“they make”改為“it makes”人稱和數目才配合。不這樣改也行,但“they”就要和新主語“cigarettes”。(不是cigarette smoking)搭擋。
⒊隨便轉移動詞時態和情態,如:
⑤ The robber considered himself unlucky, rushed to the door, and trying to escape.
這句子中三個動詞的時態要一致,不可以讓最后一個突然改變形式,因此“trying”要改為“tried”。
⑥ Hold your gun tightly, take aim, and you can shoot.
這里的三個短句中,兩個是祈使句,為什么最后一個突然變成陳述句?非改不可:
Hold your gun tightly, take aim and shoot.
You can hold your gun, take aim and shoot.
⑦ As I have made everything clear to him, I expected that he will let bygones be bygones.
顯然的,這里的三個動詞的時態都可以是現在式,因此主句中的“expected”要改為“expect”才行。