语境(1)谈话时突然想到另一件事为了转变话题常用"By the way..."中文常译为「顺便一提...」.其实这应该译为「(喔,)对了...」.但"By the way...是句子间的连接词组,无法用在单句(像『你回家的时候可以顺便帮我买包香烟吗?』).
语境(2)『你回家的时候可以顺便帮我买包香烟吗?』中的「顺便」其实是含有「方便」的意思.用英文说,就是conveniently, (while you are) in it, (do something in addition to what is already doing) without extra effort, incidentally....实际上的词组用词可以用in passing, at your convenience, take this opportunity...甚至于不用任
何词组,而用从整个句子的语气上得来〔见下面的例子(d)(e)(f)〕!
例(a):I mention this point now in passing and shall refer to it again.这一点现在先顺便提一下,以后还会再提到.
例(b):I take this opportunity to report to you about a matter.顺便向各位报告一件事.
例(c):On your way home, could you please get a pack of cigarettes for me, at your convenience?『你回家的时候可以顺便帮我买包香烟吗?』.
例(d):〔甚至不用at your convenience,从语气上(on your way home)就有「顺便」的气氛〕.I often look in at the bookstore on my way home from work.我下班回家,常(顺便)到书店看看.
例(e):When you go to the library, please return this book for me.你去图书馆管的时候,(顺便)把我这本书还了吧.〔本句中When...for me就有「顺便」的气氛〕.
例(f):Please take this study material with you to the class.你把这份讲义拿到班上去.〔本句中When...with you就有「顺便」的气氛〕.
例(g):When you go shopping, please buy me a pair of small scissors.你去买东西的时候,(顺便)替我买一把小剪刀.〔本句中只用When...而不用其它任何词组,从语气上来看,就有「顺便」的气氛〕.
例(g):When my cousin came to Taipei on business, he stayed with me for two nights.我表弟来台北出差时,(顺便)来我家住了两晚.〔本句中只用When...而不用其它任何词组,从语气上来看,就有「顺便」的气氛〕.
例(g):When you go to Kingstone Bookstore, please ask when this month's issue of World Movie will be in.你去金石堂书店的时候,请(顺便帮我)问一下新的一期「世界电影」杂志什么时候到.