英语写作方法的逻辑（１）

 

写作方法的逻辑（１）

       ——连接词语的使用

 

于 健

 

从本篇文章开始，笔者将英文写作的方法分篇分项目整理出来，以其对大家英文写作能力的提高起到抛砖引玉的效果。

 

本文先谈一下如何使用好连接词语

 

请注意以下例句中连接词语的使用，以观察句子的多样性和得体性：

 

• You do well enough in school, but you probably think you will never be a top student. This is not necessarily the case, however.

本句中but和however的使用既完成了句子间的承接，又使不同的语法形式完成了语意的表达和语气的转折，得体性得以较好地展现出来，句子的多样性也同时以逻辑的关联手段有机地整合。在句子的长短过渡中，适时恰当地使用了多个得体的副词，使整个句子有起有落，读起来朗朗上口，富有节奏感。再看以下例句：

 

• It may be a desk or a chair at home or in the library, but it should feel good, and it should not be bothered. （注意or, or, but和and的使用）

 

• What’s more, it will enable you to plan your activities so that you have enough time for both work and play. （注意What’s more, so that和both…and的使用）
•  Review important points mentioned in class as well as points you remain confused about. （注意as well as和祈使句的使用）

 

• The work is good, yet it could be better. （注意yet使用后的效果）

以下为一组将分立的句子用连接词语变为复合句后的例子。这样的表达符合当前各种英语考试中对写作能力的较高标准要求：

 

• At first she didn’t want to go. Later, she changed her mind, however.
• I have read one of his novels as well as a few of his plays.
• He neither knows nor cares what has happened.
• It was a cold snowy day, and he had no money left for food.
• It rained heavily last night, but I went to the show anyway.
• You may get there either by sea or by air.
• He must be ill for he is absent today.
• I never saw him again, nor did I hear from him.
• Both You and I were shocked by the news.
• The book is due tomorrow, therefore, I have to rush through it tonight.
• Hurry up! Or, you’ll be late.
• She enjoys classical music, and so do I.

    如果将上面例句中的at first, later, however; as well as; neither…nor; and; but; either…or; for; both…and; therefore; or; and, so等去掉，恢复其一个个独立的单调乏味的简单句拼凑，就只能符合当前各种英语考试中对写作能力的较低标准要求。这样，就会因写作部分的成绩偏低而影响总的成绩。

　　              　（原文发表于2004年4月17日，本次结集出版时略有增删）