大学英语写作课讲义(一)
大学英语写作课讲义(一)
中国地质大学(武汉)外语学院 许峰
Step One Writing Correct Sentences 1. The Simple Sentence (简单句)
A simple sentence contains but one subject and one predicate. (一个简单句仅有一个主语和一个谓语。)
e.g. John loves Mary.
The subject may consist of two or more nouns, and the predicate may consist of two or more verbs. The former is called a compound subject; the latter is called a compound predicate, Thus, a simple sentence may have many nouns or many verbs; or it may have many words or phrases modifying the subject or predicate; but it has only one subject and one predicate.(主语可包含两个或更多的名词,谓语可包含两个或多个动词,分别称为复合主语和复合谓语。这样,一个简单名子中可有多个名词或动词,也可有修饰语,但它仅有一个主语和一个谓语。) e.g. John and Henry love Mary.
John and Henry love Mary and her sister.
John and Henry love Mary and her sister and give them money.
2. The Compound Sentence (并列复合句)
A Compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction, such as and , or ,nor ,but , for, yet. Each clause in a compound sentence must have a subject and a verb, is of equal importance, and can stand alone. (并列复合句是由两个或两个以上的独立分句组成,由并列连接词如and, or ,nor ,but , for ,yet等连接。并列复合句的各个独立分句必须有主谓结构,同样重要且意义独立而完整。)
The following sample sentences indicate how coordinating conjunctions work to make compound sentences. (以下例句指示并列连接词的用法。)
1. George has applied for a scholarship, and Diana has requested financial aid. (additional idea related to first idea)
2. Students may live in dormitories, or they may live in off-campus housing. (choice of two possibilities)
3. Gerry has completed two math courses, but he must still take calculus. (contrast with first clause)
4. Bob completed his homework early, so he decided to go to the party. (result of first clause)
5. Foreign students must take English classes, for they must be able to communicate easily in speaking and writing. (reason for first clause)
6. I have taken two finals, yet I must take two more this week. (contrast to first clause)
7. Many students do not like to study for tests, nor do they like to write term papers. (negative choice in both clauses)
Exercise 1
Add a sentence connector with the same meaning as the word in parentheses and insert the correct punctuation. (按括号中的要求在下列各句中填入并列连接词语,并加上标点符号。)
it has a tremendous impact on the nation’s economy. (addition)
2. Without commercials, the public’s favorite programs would not be shown viewers must accept them as necessary. (result)
others are joining carpools or taking public vehicles to get to their destinations. (addition)
they provide referral services. (contrast)
5. Students must take the final they may be given the final grade of INCOMPLETE. (choice )
6. You can receive individual guidance from your you should take advantage of this service. (result)
3. The Complex Sentence (主从复合句)
A complex sentence consists of one or more subordinate clauses and a main clause. The subordinate clauses do the work of nouns, adjectives or adverbs. (主从复合句由一个或一个以上的从句和一个主句组成,从句可分别起名词、形容词和副词作用。) e.g.
That is the house which I want.
The man said that he was tired.
The thief ran away when he saw the policeman.
(1)Noun Clauses(名语从句)
A noun clause is one which does the work of a noun. It may be (名词从句在句中起名词作用,它可用) :
A. The Object of a Verb(作宾语)
Pattern 1: Main Clause + That Clause.
e.g. Our teacher stated that science courses require a laboratory period.
Pattern 2: Main Clause + Wh-Question Clause.
e.g. Can you remember who made the error?
Pattern 3 : Main Clause + Yes/No Question Clause.
e.g. I do not know whether our projects are due next week.
B .The Subject of a Verb(作主语)
Pattern 4: That Clause + Main Clause
e.g. That he will refuse the offer is unlikely.
Pattern 5 : Wh-question Clause + Main Clause.
e.g. What you are doing seems very difficult.
Pattern 6: Yes / No Question Clause + Main Clause.
e.g. Whether he will come tomorrow or not is not known.
C. The Object of a Preposition (作介词宾语)
Pattern 7: … + Preposition + Clause
e.g. He only laughed at what we said.
D. The Complement of a Verb(作表语)
Pattern 8 : Subject + Link Verb + Clause.
e.g. Raw material is what we are badly in need of.
E. In Appositive to a Noun (作同位语)
Pattern 9 : N. + That Clause + V. +…
e.g. The news that we are having a holiday tomorrow is not true.
F. Used with a Number of Predicative Adjectives(作宾语,用于一些仅作表语的形容词后)
Pattern 10 : Subject + Link Verb + predicative Adjectives like glad, afraid, sure ,confident , sorry, certain, etc.
e.g. I am certain that I posted the letter.
注意:主语从句常用先行词it 代替,作形式主语,而将主语从句置后。e.g.
1. That he will refuse the offer is unlikely.
It is unlikely that he will refuse the offer.
2. Whether he will come tomorrow or not is not known.
It is not known whether he will come tomorrow or not.
常见的这种结构有下列六类:
a. It is a pity/ a shame, a fact , an honor/ a wonder/ a good thing / good news / no wonder etc + THAT…
b. It is strange/natural/surprising/obvious/true/fortunate/good/wonderful/ ridiculous/possible/ impossible/likely/ unlikely/ clear/unusual, etc + THAT …
c. It seems/happened/thus came about/turned out/suddenly struck me/occurred to me , etc + THAT …
d. It was said/reported/announced/arranged/decided/stressed/expected, etc + THAT
e. It is doubtful/not known/not decided/not made clear/to be found out/to be made clear/to be
argued/to be discussed /being considered/ a question/ a mystery/ debatable/uncertain/open to question , etc + THAT CLAUSE/WH-QUESTION CLAUSE/YES/NO QUESTION CLAUSE
f. It doesn’t matter/ doesn’t make too much difference/doesn’t seem to matter much/doesn’t need to be bothered/is of little consequence, doesn ’t affect us, etc +THAT CLAUSE/WH-QUESTION CLAUSE/YES/NO QUESTION CLAUSE
注意:宾语从句常可用先行词it 替代,作形式宾语,而将宾语从句置后。e.g.
1. We all thought it a pity that the conference should be cancelled.
2. I took it for granted that they were not coming.
3. I’ll see to it that everything is ready in time.
4. Legend had it that the place used to be a stretch of green and fertile land.
Exercise 2
Change the sentence patterns as required.(按要求变换句型。)
1. What is required to solve the problem of air pollution?
2. Who is in charge of your class?
.
3. What language do those people speak?
.
4. What country are they from?
It is not know 5. How did the hijackers get aboard the airplane with weapons?
.
6. When did he receive the Nobel Prize?
.
7. “When shall we take our holidays?”
.
8. “Don ’t wait for me after 8 o’clock. ”
.
9. “Can you explain to me where he lives?”
.
10. “Which way goes to Oxford Street?”
.
(2) Attributive Clauses (定语从句)
Attributive clauses are classified as restrictive or nonrestrictive. A nonrestrictive clause merely provides additional information, so a comma is used to separate it from the main clause.(定语从句分为限制性和非限制两种,后者仅提供附加信息,因此应用逗号与主句分隔。) e.g.
1. People who use body language to express themselves are interesting to watch.(restrictive)
2. All tobacco companies, whose goal is to get the public to buy their cigarettes, claim that their particular brands have the lowest nicotine and tar content.(nonrestrictive)
Pattern 1 : Relative Pronouns as Subjects.
Who /Which / That +V. + …
e.g. People want to save time and energy.
They use microwave ovens.
→People who use microwave ovens want to save time and energy.
Pattern 2: Relative Pronouns as Objects
Whom/Which/THAT + Subj. + V. + …
e.g. The science magazine is published in England.
The professor discussed the science magazine.
→The science magazine that the professor discussed is published in England.
Pattern 3 : Possessive Relative Clauses
Whose + N. + V. + …
e.g. Opportunities for college graduates may be on the upswing.
College graduates’ degrees are in business and engineering.
→ Opportunities for college graduates whose degrees are in business and engineering
may be on the upswing.
Pattern 4 : Relative Pronouns as Objects of Prepositions
Prep. + Whom/ Which /Whose N. + Subj. + V. +…
e.g. The candidate didn’t win the election
I voted for the candidate.
→The candidate for whom I voted didn’t win the election.
or : The candidate whom I voted for didn’t win the election.
or : The candidate that I voted for didn’t win the election.
Pattern 5 : Relative Pronouns in Phrases of Quantity
Some of which
One of which
All of whom Subj. + V. + …
Each of whom
etc.
e.g. As an experiment, the TV station decided to show only movies.
I had already seen most of the movies.
→As an experiment, the TV station decided to show only movies, most of which I had already seen.
Pattern 6 : Relative Adverbs in Attributive Clause
Where (place)
When(time) +Subj. + V. + …
Why (reason)
e.g. “California Gold Rush.”
California became a state in 1850.
→California became a state in 1850 where thousands of people had joined the
“California Gold Rush.”
Notes 1:A noun in a negative sentence is sometimes modified by an attributive clause
introduced by BUT.(否定句中的名词有时由but 引导的定语从句修饰。)
e.g. There was not a single person there but thought you were in the right. (but thought=
who did not think )
There ’s not a man here but would like to be in your place. (but would like = who would not like)
2: After SAME and SUCH an Attributive clause is usually introduced by AS.(在same 和such 之后常有as 引导的定语从句。)
e.g. I shall be surprised if he does this the same way as I do.
She wears the same kind of clothes as her sister wears.
I have never heard such stories as he tells.
Exercise 3
Combine the following pairs of sentences by using relative pronouns or relative adverbs. (用关系代词或关系副词将各组句子合并。)
1. That man seems very lonely.
His wife and family are away.
2. Dumas was a famous French novelist.
He wrote “The Three Musketeers.”
3. He is a reliable fellow.
I can trust him with anything.
4. Our dog Spot is seven years old.
He is a great favorite with the family.
5. “Twelfth Night” is a famous comedy.
It was written by Shakespeare.
6. San Francisco, for example, has a very large “Chinatown ” .
Thousands of Chinese people live in Chinatown.
7. One reason may be that they can find familiar food.
People like to live together with their own people for a reason.
8. The village was destroyed by an earthquake.
My mother was born in the village.
9. December 25 is the day.
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on that day.
10. Words in English are often difficult for foreigners to pronounce.
They begin with the consonants “th ”.
11. Foreigners also have difficulties with English spelling.
English spelling is not always logical.
12. The drugs have the same effect on human beings.
They are used on experimental animals.
13. A person must be able to work logically.
A person wants to be as computer programmer.
14. The professor is Dr.White.
You should see Dr.White.
15. Dr. White is an ecologist.
You met Dr. White in my office
(3) Adverbial Clauses( 状语从句)
An adverbial clause is a dependent clause introduced by a subordinator. It cannot stand alone . It can come before or after the main clause. If it comes at the beginning of the sentence. a comma(,) is placed after it .(在状语从句是由主从连接词引导的从句,不能独立存在,其位置可主句前或在其后,如在其前,则需用逗号与主句分开。)
There are several different kinds of adverbial clauses including clauses of time, place, cause, result, purpose, manner, comparison, concession and condition. Each kind has its own subordinators and answers such questions as where , when ,why , how , for what purpose.(状语从句有九种,包括时间、地点、原因、结果、目的、方式、比较、让步、条件。每种从句均有自己的连接词,并回答where , when , why ,how , for what purpose等问题。)
1. Make a mark where you have any doubts or questions. (place)
2. Considering that they are just beginners, they are doing quite a good job.(cause)
3. Let’s take the front seats that we may see more clearly.(purpose)
4. Suppose we can’t get the necessary equipment , what should we do ?(condition)
5. We’ll try to finish the work in time though we are short of manpower. (concession)
6. The project was completed earlier than we had expected.(comparison)
7. He acted as if nothing had happened.(manner)
8. She was so excited that she could hardly go to sleep.(result)
9. Each time he came to see us , he would bring us some good news. (time)
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks with appropriate connectives.(在下列句中填入适当的连接词。)
1. it had stopped raining, we left railway station.
he was brought up.
4. I don’t agree with you , does my partner.
you can get supper ready.
we may join them.
I do not like him very much, I can appreciate his qualities.
doctors have almost given up hope of his recovery.
will work.
they really like it .
11. She can’she ’ll have to wait till June.
he had to leave.
13. I don’tI don’t trust him.
14. I’’m afraid this old one
will have to do a bit longer.
15. He’ll never be a good violinist; , the professor told him so.
16. He doesn’ he ’s incapable of hard work.
17. You’you see him.
they live.
20. You must work harder; you will be put into another class.
(4). Sentences of Inversion (倒装句)
①An adverb or adverbial phrase which does not normally have front position may have it , usually for emphasis. In this case, inversion of subject and verb occurs. Listed below are such adverbs or adverbial phrases.(通常不前置的副词或状语,为了强调,可以前置。这样句中主谓语需倒装。常见的这类副词或状语如下:)
never seldom rarely not only in vain
little often well scarcely
many a time no sooner…than
not until only + adverbial
e.g.
1. Never had he had any experience like that.
2. Little do we know about his whereabouts.
3. Often have we warned him not to go swimming alone.
4. Many a time has given me good advice.
② With a negative adverb or adverb equivalent in front position, inversion of subject and verb must occur. (当表示否定意义的副词或相当于副词的词语置于句首时,句中主谓需倒装。)
e.g.
1. Nowhere could we find him.
2. Not until recent years has KFC found a bigger market in China.
3. Not only was he a singer, but he was also a painter.
4. No sooner had he arrived there than he fell ill.
③ If the verb of the sentence is “be+-ed/-ing, move the subject behind BF.(句中谓语为“be+-ed/-ing”时,应将主语置于be 后,构成倒装句。)
e.g.
1. Enclosed are some pictures I have taken.
2. Listed below are the irregular verbs in common use.
④ In unreal conditional clauses, “IF ” can be omitted. In this case, inversion occurs.(在非真实条件句中,如省略连接词“IF ”,将需用倒装。)
e.g.
1. Had I been informed earlier, I could have done something for him
2. Were I not engaged in my present work, I would be quite willing to do what you ask me to.
3. Should they have the slightest doubt, just tell them to stop.
注意:非真实条件句中如含“HAD ,SHOULD 或WERE ”,将其提前而省去“IF ”。
Exercise 5
Put the following sentences into English, paying attention to inversion.(将下列句子译成英语,注意倒装。)
1. 我们劝她放弃计划,她不听。(In vain…)
2. 他声音那么大,连隔壁屋子里的人都听得见。(So loudly…. )
3. 他一到达那里就生起病来。(No sooner had…than)
4. 在任何情况下我们也不取消这次旅行。(Under no circumstances…)
5. 对着天安门是人民英雄纪念碑。(Facing …)
6. 如果他们不那样努力,也不会有这样的成就。(Had they…)
7. 第一个不好,第二个也不好。(… , neither…)
8. 我经常听说他不可信赖。(Often …)
9. 只有在西安我们才能看到那么多的历史文件。(Only…)
10. 靠近学校是一所老的教堂。(Near the school…)