3.2 状语从句的省略

3.2 状语从句的省略

在具体阐述各状语从句的连接词及其用法特点之前，我们先来讨论状语从句的省略结构。这在各类考试中都会出现，因而非常重要。

一般来说，应同时满足以下两点：

1. 主句的主语和从句的主语一致，或从句主语是it；

2. 从句谓语中含有be动词的情况下，我们可将从句的主语和be动词省去。这种省略常见于时间、地点、条件及让步状语从句中。

一、时间状语从句的省略

请看例句：

1 A zero can have its meaning only when used with real numbers; thoughts can give off brilliant light only when put into actions.

妙语点睛　这是when引导的时间状语从句的省略，还原后完整的句子结构应该是“A zero can have its meaning only when it is used with real numbers; thoughts can give off brilliant light only when they are put into actions.”。所以这里的两个when引导的从句分别省去了it is和they are。这里的it指主句的主语zero，they指主句的主语thoughts。

精品译文　零，只有和实数在一起使用才有意义；思想，只有付诸行动才能散发光芒。

2 Metals expand when heated and contract when cooled.

妙语点睛　这是when引导的时间状语从句的省略，还原后的完整的句子结构应该是“Metals expand when they are heated and contract when they are cooled.”。所以两个when引导的从句都是省略了they are。这里的they指主句的主语metals。

精品译文　金属具有热胀冷缩的特性。

若不能同时满足主句与从句主语一致（或从句主语是 it）、从句谓语中含有be动词这两个条件，则从句不能省略主语和be动词。请看例句：

3 1） When I was ten years old, my family moved to the city.

2） When ten years old, my family moved to the city.*

妙语点睛　在句1）中，我们看到，主句的主语my family和从句的主语I是不同的，所以该从句的主语不能省略，因此句2）错误，尽管句2）很符合我们汉语的表达习惯：“在10岁的时候，我们家搬到城市里来了。”

精品译文　在我10岁的时候，我们家搬到城市里来了。

二、地点状语从句的省略

请看例句：

4 The kind of tree grows favorably where wet.

妙语点睛　这是where引导的地点状语从句的省略，还原后的完整的句子结构应该是“The kind of tree grows favorably where it is wet.”。所以where引导的从句省略了it is。请注意：这里的it并不是指代主句的主语tree，而是泛指任何地方。所以我们看到，从句的主语若是it，则是可以省去的。

精品译文　这种树在潮湿的地方生长得好。

5 Where appropriate, introduce personal experiences that will have a common link with your audience.

妙语点睛　这是where引导的地点状语从句的省略，还原后的完整的句子结构应该是“Where it is appropriate, introduce personal experiences that will have a common link with your audience.”。所以where引导的从句省略了it is。请注意：这里的it是泛指任何地方。所以我们看到，从句的主语若是it，则是可以省去的。

精品译文　（在演说中，）在合适的地方，你可以把与听众有关系的个人经历讲给他们听。

三、条件状语从句的省略

请看例句：

6 A tiger can't be tamed unless caught very young.

妙语点睛　这是一道托福考试真题，是unless引导的条件状语从句的省略，还原后的完整的句子结构应该是“A tiger can't be tamed unless it is caught very young.”。所以这里unless引导的从句省略了it is。这里的it指主句的主语tiger。

精品译文　老虎只有在年幼时捉来才能被驯服。

四、让步状语从句的省略

请看例句：

7 Although not an economist himself, Dr. Smith has long been a severe critic of the government's economic policies.

妙语点睛　这是although引导的让步状语从句的省略，还原后的完整的句子结构应该是“Although he is not an economist himself, Dr. Smith has long been a severe critic of the government's economic policies.”。所以这里although引导的从句是省略了he is。这里的he指主句的主语Dr. Smith。

精品译文　尽管史密斯博士本人不是经济学家，但他一直以来对政府的经济政策提出尖锐的批评。

思维总结

本节主要讨论了关于状语从句的省略条件。应同时满足以下两点：一是主句的主语和从句的主语一致，或从句的主语是it；二是从句的谓语中含有be动词。此时，我们可将从句的主语和be动词省去。对此，读者需要掌握。请做以下练习，来检验自己的掌握程度。

思维训练3.2 Key

选择最佳答案填空。

1. This is an illness that can result in total blindness if ______ untreated.

A. left　B. being left　 C.is left　 D.it left

2. ______, Dr. Smith has long been a severe critic of the government's economic policies.

A. Although not being an economist himself　B. Although being no an economist himself

C. Although not an economist himself　 D.Although not having been an economist himself

3. A reagent （试剂）is any chemical that reacts in a predictable way ______ with other chemicals.

A. when mixed　B. when is mixed　 C.it mixed　 D.when mixing

4. A beam of light will not bend round corners unless ______ to do so with the help of a reflecting device.

A. made　B. to be made　 C.being made　 D.having made

5. As a general rule, snakes don't bite unless ______.

A. are offended　B. they offended　 C.offending　 D.offended