英语修辞的一个重要原则是尾重原则,即把句子最复杂的成分放在句尾以保持句子平衡。在语言使用中为了避免产生头重脚轻、结构不平衡的句子,我们常采用倒装语序。

1. 以作状语的介词短语开头:当主语较长或主语所带修饰语较长时,为了使句子平衡,常将状语置于句首,句子用完全倒装语序。

例1:A. To the coal mine came a com-pany of PLA soldiers with orders from the headquarters to rescue the trapped miners.

B. A company of PLA soldiers came to the coal mine with orders from the headquarters to rescue the trapped miners.

一个连队的解放军战士来到了那座煤矿,奉司令部之命解救受困的矿工。

例2:A. On the ground lay some air conditioners, which are to be shipped to some other cities.

B. Some air conditioners lay on the ground, which are to be shipped to some other cities.

地上放着一些空调,等着用船运到其他城市去。

从例句中可看出, 采用倒装语序的A句结构平衡稳妥 ,读起来自然流畅,而采用自然语序的B句结构零乱, 读起来也别扭。因而,在主语较长时就应采用倒装语序以取得理想的表达效果。

2. 以表语开头的句子:有时为了把较长的主语放在后面,须将表语和谓语都提到主语前。如:

Such would be our home in the future. 我们将来的家就是这个样子。

3. 以副词here , there开头的句子,也采用完全倒装来保持句子平衡。如:

Here is the letter you have been looking forward to. 你盼望已久的信在这儿。