前些时候谈过《具副词功能的现在分词短语》,并举出意义不同的例句,说明其用途。
这里要举出另外一些例子,以证明“连词+现在分词短语”也可作副词,修饰谓语动词。
我们可以从五方面探讨这问题。
⒈和“When, while, before, after, since”等连用,表示“ 时间”,例如:
● He scanned the newspaper while having breakfast.
● Some students stammered when speaking in front of the teacher.
● Wash your hands before eating your meals.
● Return the book to me after reading it.
● I have lost contact with Robi since leaving university.
⒉和“thus, thereby”连用,表示“结果”,例如:
● All the necessary details are included, thus eliminating needless further correspondence.
● John did not come along, thereby making it necessary for us to get someone else to replace him.
⒊和“though, although”连用,表示“让步”,例如:
● Though working day and night, the gambler still could not make enough money to pay off his debts.
● Although answering all the questions in the test, Xiaogai did not get a good grade.
⒋和“even if, even though”连用,表示“条件”,例如:
● Even if still functioning, the old machine would be of no great value.
● Even though raining, we had to launch the campaign as planned.
⒌和“as if, as though”连用,表示“比较”,例如:
● The man walked hurriedly, but suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.
● Helen sat down in a quiet corner, as though waiting for someone to come.
就一般情况说,现在分词短语作副词用途时,它的逻辑主语,就是句子的主语。但是如果分词短语的逻辑主语不是句子的主语时,它便要有自己的主语而形成独立结构(an absolute construction),即:“主语+现在分词短语”。例如:
● He stared at the approaching girl, his eyes widening.
● All the participants having arrived, the chairman declared the meeting open.
必要时,现在分词短语也可以和“with,without”等连用。例如:
● With their breath running out, some weaker athletes had to stop playing.
● In a quiet place like that, the villagers generally do as they wish, without anybody trying to bother about them.