如何使用修饰语

英文单词“modifiers”(修饰语)的词根是“modify”,其含义是改变某物。修饰语的作用就是改变、澄清、强调或限制句子中的词汇或短语。修饰语可以是单词、短语或分句,能够起到形容词副词的作用。

形容词
I want a delicious sandwich for lunch.
副词
You have to run fast to get there in time.
定语从句
She is the one who knows the recipe.

什么是错位修饰语?

错位修饰语是指在修饰单词、短语或分句时,修饰语的位置不对。修饰语通常应当紧邻它要描述的词。当修饰语被错置时,它就修饰错了地方。

Incorrect
She met a new friend working at the school.
Correct
She met a new friend while working at the school.
Correct
She met a new friend who works at the school.

上例中的错误写法导致句子的意思含糊,因为搞不清楚修饰语“working at the school”是修饰“a new friend”还是“She”。

那句话可以表示以下两个意思:
  1. 她在学校工作的时候遇到了一个新朋友。
  2. 她遇到了一个在学校工作的新朋友。

Incorrect
He said after New Year’s day he will stop smoking.
Correct
He said that, after New Year’s day, he will stop smoking.
Correct
He said after New Year’s day that he will stop smoking.

限制性修饰语

限制性修饰语是对所修饰的词的含义进行限制。

英文中的almost, hardly, nearly, just, only, merely是一些常用的限制性修饰语。限制性修饰语应当紧邻放在它们所修饰的词的前面。如果把限制性修饰语与它所修饰的词分开,会造成修饰关系不清晰和令人迷惑。

Example
Only she wants to go out.
She only wants to go out.

在上例中,由于限制性修饰语(only)在句中所处位置不同,句子的意思会完全改变。第一句话表示在所有的人当中,她是唯一一个想出去的人。第二句话则表示她唯一想做的事情就是出去。这两个句子在语法上都正确,但它们却具有完全不同的意思。

Example
I almost won $500.
I won almost $500.

在上例中,第一句话表示我差点就赢了500美元,但实际没有赢。第二句话表示我赢的钱接近500美元。

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如何纠正错位修饰语

纠正错位修饰语的方法很简单,就是把修饰语放在正确的位置即可,即把修饰语放在它要修饰的名词, 代词, 形容词动词的前面或后面。

Incorrect
The politician was interviewed after the crime was committed by the reporters.
Correct
The politician was interviewed by the reporters after the crime was committed.
Incorrect
The girl walked the dog in the red sweater.
Correct
The girl in the red sweater walked the dog.
Incorrect
Though hungry and cold, the food was left untouched by the students.
Correct
Though hungry and cold, the students did not touch the food.

什么是悬垂修饰语?

在有悬垂修饰语的句子中,修饰语所修饰的主语被省略,导致主语可能会用错。 当修饰语放在句首时,被修饰语修饰的主语应该紧随其后。

Incorrect
Walking through the forest, a wolf appeared in front of her.
Correct
Walking through the forest, she encountered a wolf.

在上例中,穿过森林的不是狼,而是她。因此,主句的主语应该改为她。

Incorrect
Upon entering the room, the food came into her sight.
Correct
Upon entering the room, she saw the food.

在上例中,进房间的不是食物,而是她。因此,主句的主语应该改为她。

如何纠正悬垂修饰语

有两种方法可以纠正悬垂修饰语的错误。一般来讲,可以改变主句的主语,把主语紧挨着放在修饰语短语的后面。另一种解决办法是把主语加到修饰语短语中。

改变主句的主语

将主句的主语改为修饰语要修饰的那个词。

修改修饰语短语

把主语放在修饰语短语中,维持主句原样不变。

Incorrect
Not having finished the assignment, the game could not begin.
Correct
Not having finished the assignment, I could not begin the game.
Since I did not finish the assignment, the game could not begin.
Incorrect
Cold and hungry, the dinner was devoured by the boys.
Correct
Cold and hungry, the boys devoured the dinner.
The boys, who were cold and hungry, devoured the dinner.