彭荣华
“省略(Ellipsis)”是第三单元Diverse cultures的语法项目。请先看两个例句:
While ironing clothes, Miss Good accidentally touched the iron.
Remove clothing using scissors if necessary unless it is stuck to the burn.
从中发现,While ironing和if necessary省略了某些成分。首先,我们应该清楚“省略”的概念。为了使语言简洁或避免重复, 省略句子中的一个或几个句子成分, 这种语法现象称为“省略”。按照省略的部分可分为句子成分的省略和词的省略。其次,弄清楚在哪些方面可以省略,简单句中的省略、感叹句中的省略、对话中的省略、并列句中的省略、复合句中的省略以及复合句中引导词的省略。
一、简单句中的省略
1. 祈使句中省略主语。例如:
Beg your pardon. 请您原谅。/ 请再说一遍。
2. 感叹句中通常省略谓语。例如:
What a hot day (it is)! 多么热的一天!
3. 对话中的省略。例如:
—Do you know Mr Li? 你认识李先生吗?
—I dont know (him). 不认识。
二、并列句中的省略
1. 并列句中省略谓语。例如:
Some of us study Japanese; others (study) English. 我们中有些人学习日语,有些人学习英语。
2. 并列句中省略相同成分。例如:
Im not watching TV, but my mother is (watching TV). 我现在不在看电视,但是我妈妈在看。
3. 以so, nor, neither开头的分句,句中常出现省略。例如:
If you dont go there, nor / neither shall I (go there). 如果你不去那儿,我也不去。
三、复合句中的省略
复合句中的省略是语法学习的难点,也是语法学习过程中的高频考点。最常见的状语从句中的省略,主要有三种情况:
1. 当状语从句的主语与主句的主语相同,而且从句谓语动词含有be的形式时,可以将从句中相同的主语和be的形式省略。例如:
When (water is) pure, water is a colorless liquid. 水纯净时,是无色的液体。
2. 当时间、条件、让步、方式等状语从句的主语和主句的主语一致或是it时,而且从句谓语中含有be动词时,可以省略状语从句中的主语和be动词的形式。常见省略有if / when necessary, if / when possible等。例如:
Dont speak until (you are) spoken to. 有人和你说话时你再说。
Come tomorrow if (it is) possible. 如果可能的话,就明天来吧。
Though (she is) still rather weak, she studies very hard. 她尽管体弱,但学习仍十分努力。
She stood at the gate as if (she was) waiting for someone. 她站在门口好像在等人。
3. 用so或not代替上文内容,可用if so, if not省略句式。例如:
I may be free this evening. If so (=if I may be free this evening), Ill come round and see you. 今晚我可能有空。如果有空,我会过来看你。
Get up early tomorrow. If not (=If you dont get up early tomorrow), you will miss the first bus. 明天要早起。如果不早起,你就赶不上首班公共汽车。
4. that定语从句中作宾语时可省略,但在宾语从句中第一个that可省略,第二个that不能省略。
四、不定式的省略
1. 在一定的上下文中,为了避免重复,可以省去不定式中与前面句子中相同的动词(短语),只保留不定式符号to。否定形式的省略用not to。但如果不定式中含有be, have, have been,通常保留be, have或have been。例如:
I asked him to see the movie, but he didnt want to (see the movie). 我叫他看电影,但是他不想看。
—Are you a sailor? 你是水手吗?
—No, but I used to be(a sailor). 不是,但我过去是。
2.在某些形容词glad, happy, pleased,delighted等后面使用不定式符号to来代替整个不定式。例如:
—Will you join in the game? 你愿意做這个游戏吗?
—Id be glad to (join in the game). 我很高兴做。
3.在do nothing but, cant help but, why not, would rather... than..., prefer to do... rather than...等句型中省略to。例如:
He did nothing but wait all the time. 他除了一直等着什么事都没做。
【巩固练习】
I. 将下列句中的省略部分补全。
1. When split, an atom can release energy.
When ___ split, an atom release energy.
2. If not well organized, the meeting will be a failure.
If ___ not well organized, the meeting will be a failure.
3. While walking along the street, I heard my name called.
While ___ walking along the street, I heard my name called.
4. They were scolded whenever late for school.
They were scolded whenever ___ late for school.
5. If accepted for the job, youll be informed soon.
If ___ accepted for the job, youll be informed soon.
II. 语法填空。运用所学语法“省略”,用所给单词的正确形式填空。
1. Video games can be a poor influence if ___ (leave) in the wrong hands.
2. Look out for cars when ___ (cross) the street.
3. As ___ (plan), the meeting will be held next month.
4. When ___ (heat), water can be changed into steam.
5. The medicine is quite effective if ___ (take) on time.
III. 根据所给汉语完成句子,每空一词。
1. ___ ___ (如有必要), ring me at home.
2. He wont come, unless ___ (邀请).
3. He may be busy. ___ ___(他如果不忙), can I see him now?
4. I cant swim, ___ ___ (也不能) Kate.
5. Are you interested in Butterfly Lovers?___ ___ (如果這样), lets go and enjoy it together.