所謂含蓄虛擬條件句即指將條件從句隱藏在上下文一定的短語中的一類條件句,其主要用法及表現(xiàn)形式可歸納如下：
1.將條件隱含在不定式短語中
I would write to her,but I don’t know her address.我會給她寫信的,就是不知道她的地址.(=If I knew her address,I would write to her.But…)
To have studied harder,you would have passed the examination.你學(xué)習(xí)更用功些,你早就考及格了.(=If you had studied harder,you…)
2.將條件隱含在分詞短語中
Born in better times,he would have been a scholar.如果出生在好時(shí)代,他早就成為學(xué)者了.(=If he had been born in better times,he would…
Walking alone in the dark,Mary would be terrified.要一個(gè)人單獨(dú)在黑暗中行走,瑪麗會感到十分害怕.(If Mary walked alone in the dark,she…)
3.將條件隱含在介詞短語中
But for your help we couldn’t have succeeded in the experiment.如果沒有你的幫助,我們的實(shí)驗(yàn)是不會成功的.(=If it hadn’t been for your help,we…)
In different circumstances,I would have said yes.在不同的情況下,我就會同意了.(=If circumstances had been different,I would…)
4.將條件隱含在名詞短語中
Any person who had behaved in that way would have been dismissed.任何人這樣做了都會被開除.(=If any person should behave in that way…,he would…)
A few hours earlier,and you would have seen the famous writer.要是你早來幾個(gè)小時(shí),你就見到這位著名的作家了.(If you had come a few hours earlier,you…)
5.將條件隱含在某些連詞中
I didn’t know that he was a cheat,or else I wouldn’t have believed him.我不知道他是個(gè)騙子,不然我也不會相信他了.(or else=if I had known he was a cheat))
I’m really very busy,otherwise I would certainly go there with you.我真的是太忙了,不然我就會同你一道去了.(otherwise=if I were not so busy)
6.將條件隱含在定語從句中
Anyone who had seen that painting might have taken it for a photo.凡是看過那畫的人,都可能把它看成是照片.(=If anyone had seen that painting…)
7.將條件隱含在一定的上下文中
You might stay here forever.你可以永遠(yuǎn)待在這兒.(=If you wanted to,you might…)