修饰语位置错误
以前曾讨论过名词修饰语的种类和用法。在谈到修饰语用法时,未免要牵涉到修饰语的位置。这点相当重要,因为修饰语不管是单字的或短语的或甚至是分句的,它们都要定位,不可越雷池一步,否则不是语意模糊,就是不合句法。
下面这则室内设计商的广告,有两个小缺点。一个是
同义词重复;另一个便是修饰语位置不妥:
"We fabricate our products from the best quality materials available and ensure
refinement in the finishing works while keeping your cost at the lowest possible prices. "
先谈
同义词的重复。在"while keeping your cost at the lowest possible prices"中,把"prices"改为"level"即可。如果要品味好些,可把"possible"挪到"level"后头,即:" While keeping your cost at the lowest level possible."
现在谈修饰语位置问题。
在"We fabricate our products from the best quality materials available"中,
形容词短语"best quality"漏了介语 "of":"of best quality"。这样的短语一定要摆在被修饰的名词后面,即:"We fabricate our products from the materials of best quality available";不然,就把"quality"去掉,只留住"best"也可:"We... from the best materials available."
上述这两种小毛病虽然不是很普遍,但是也会碰到。看看这几个实例就知道了:
① Do you know the man who talked to you in a white shirt?
这里的
形容词短语"in a white shirt"和所修饰的名词"the man"离开太远,不妥当,要移前:"Do you know the man in a white shirt who talked to you ?"
② A dog is a good
helper that is well-trained.
这里的
形容词分句"that is well-trained"修饰名词"the dog",不是"a good
helper",因此要和正确的对象靠拢:"A dog that is well-trained is a good
helper."
名词修饰语的位置重要,动词修饰语的位置也不可马虎。例如:
③ The Board of Directors only has meeting once a month.
这里的副词"only"显然是要修饰"once a month",那么就应该把它移过去:"The Board of Directors has meeting only once a month."
④ The man needed a
bandage for his wound badly.
这里的状态副词"badly"修饰动词"needed"。既然如此,它就要移到"needed"之前:"The man badly needed a
bandage for his wound."
⑤ Though the standard of living is raised, the costs of living are increasing also.
习惯上,"also"这个位置属于"too"的;"also"可以到" are increasing"中间去;
"Though the standard of living is raised, the costs of living are increasing, too."或
"Though the standard of living is raised, the costs of living are also increasing."
关键字:
英语讲义生词表: