限制性定语从句与非限制性定语从句

发布时间:2022-06-03T20:47:24 英语语法

限制性定语从句与非限制性定语从句

1. 基本区别

根据定语从句与先行词的关系,可将定语从句分为限制性定语从句和非限制性定语从句。一般说来,限制性定语从句是整个句子不可缺少的部分,如果省略会影响全句的主要思想,这种定语从句前面一般不用逗号;而非限制性定语从句则只是主句的一种补充说明,即即使去掉,也不会影响全句的主要思想,这种定语从句前通常有逗号隔开。如:

This is the book that you want. 这就是你要的那本书。

句中的you want为限制性定语从句,如果去掉,意思就不清楚。

He bought me a book, which was very useful. 他给我买了一本书,非常有用。

句中的which was very useful为非限制性定语从句,如果去掉,句子意思仍是清楚的。

2. 关系词的区别

关系代词that和关系副词why通常只用于引导限制性定语从句,不用于引导非限制性定语从句。如:

她收到了老板的邀请,这是她意想不到的。

误:She received an invitation from her boss, that came as a surprise.

正:She received an invitation from her boss, which came as a surprise.

他失去工作的主要原因是他喝酒。

误:The main reason, why he lost his job, was that he drank.

正:The main reason why he lost his job was that he drank.

另外,在限制性定语从句中,关系代词which用作宾语时,如果不是紧跟在介词之后,通常可以省略;但在非限制性定语从句中,不管在什么情况下均不可省略关系代词which。

3. 用法注意

当一个名词已由其他词语作了完整的表述,这个名词后则不宜再用限制限制性从句,而应改用非限制性定语从句。如:

我去看买的房子有一个很漂亮的花园。

误:My house which I bought last year has got a lovely garden.

正:My house, which I bought last year, has got a lovely garden.

若要用限制性定语从句,则应将物主代词my改为the,即说成:

The house which I bought last year has got a lovely garden.

4. 补充说明

非限制性定语从句有时形式上是从句,实质上其功用相当于一个并列的分句。如:

He said he had no money, which was not true. 他说他没有钱,这不是实话。(which相当于but it)

Then he met Mary, who invited him to a party. 后来他遇到玛丽,玛丽邀请他去参加晚会。(who相当于and she)

My father may have to go into hospital, in which case won’t be going on holiday. 我父亲可能需要住院,如果那样他就不去度假了。(in which case相当于and in that case)