一、 as if (= as though) 用來(lái)引導(dǎo)行為方式狀語(yǔ)從句
as if比as though較為常用,一般譯為“好像,像……似的”
例如:
They are talking as if/as though they had seen a ghost.他們談著話,就像是見(jiàn)了鬼似的
使用as if時(shí)應(yīng)注意以下幾點(diǎn):
1.as if從句敘述的并不是事實(shí)或真實(shí)性極小時(shí),該從句中的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞應(yīng)為虛擬形式,如上例
再如:
It seemed as if the good man were trying to teach us all he knew at his last lesson.這個(gè)好心人仿佛要把自己的全部知識(shí)在這
最后一堂課里都教給我們.
2.as if從句敘述的內(nèi)容真實(shí)性較大時(shí),該從句中要用直陳語(yǔ)氣
例如:
When the spaceship leaves the earth at very high speed,the astronauts feel as if they are being crushed against the
spaceship floor.宇宙飛船高速離開(kāi)地球時(shí),宇航員感到自己似乎是被壓著貼在飛船的地板上.
3.as if后面還可以直接跟動(dòng)詞不定式短語(yǔ)、分詞短語(yǔ)或介詞短語(yǔ)
例如:
The fat man threw himself on the ground,and held his breath as if to be dead.那位胖人撲倒在地,屏住氣,就像死了一樣.
Our teacher,Mr Zhang,was sitting at the desk,as if thinking about something.我們的張老師坐在桌子旁,好像在思考著什么.
4.在非正式文體中,特別在美國(guó)英語(yǔ)中,可用like代替as if
例如:
It looks like it’s going to rain today.看來(lái)今天要下雨
二、even if (= even though) 用來(lái)引導(dǎo)讓步狀語(yǔ)從句,所表達(dá)的事情往往是實(shí)現(xiàn)的可能性不大,可譯為“盡管,即使,縱然,就算”
例如:
I’ll help you,even if I don’t sleep for the whole night.即使我一夜不睡覺(jué),也要幫你一把.
有時(shí)even if可用if代替,意義上與as if相同
例如:
Now he had a safe place,if the wolf came.即使狼來(lái)了,他現(xiàn)在也有一個(gè)安全的地方了
三、 what if常用來(lái)表示建議或擔(dān)心,用于疑問(wèn)句時(shí),等于“What will happen if ...”,“What shall we do if ...”,“What
will you do if ...”,可譯為“要是……怎么辦?”,“萬(wàn)一……將會(huì)怎樣?”
例如:
What if it rains while we have a long way from shelter?萬(wàn)一天下雨,而我們又離躲雨的地方很遠(yuǎn),該怎么辦呢?
四、 only if可用來(lái)引導(dǎo)條件狀語(yǔ)從句,可譯為“如果,只有”
例如:
You will be able to speak English fluently only if you practise constantly.只有通過(guò)經(jīng)常練習(xí),你的英語(yǔ)才能講得很流利.
I’ll lend you my book only if you return it by 5:00.如果5點(diǎn)鐘之前能把書(shū)還給我,我就把它借給你.
五、if only后面從句中的謂語(yǔ)動(dòng)詞通常為過(guò)去時(shí)或過(guò)去完成時(shí),可以表達(dá)強(qiáng)烈的愿望或遺憾,一般譯為“只要,要是……就好了”.
例如:
If only I had more money,I could buy a computer.我要是有更多的錢就好了,那樣我就可以買部電腦了.
注意:1.if only從句常常單獨(dú)使用,若省去主句,可用來(lái)表示較為強(qiáng)烈的感嘆意義
例如:
If only I were younger!要是我年輕點(diǎn)兒就好了!
2.if only與would連用,可表示意圖,意愿等情態(tài)意義.
例如:
If only the postman would come earlier!要是郵遞員能早點(diǎn)來(lái)該多好啊!