英语中的倒装

在英语句子中,一般的词序是主语在前,谓语在后,称为自然语序(natural order).有时由于语法结构、语气强调或修辞手段上的需要,可以把谓语的全部或部分移到主语前,这种现象称为倒装(inversion),采用倒装语序的句子叫倒装句.倒装又分为全部倒装(full inversion)和部分倒装(partial inversion).倒装是英语中非常重要的一个语法现象,在历年的四级考试中都有该类题型出现.

一、完全倒装

把整个谓语放在主语前面的倒装形式称为"完全倒装".完全倒装有以下几种形式:

1.由引导词there开头的句子中,常用完全倒装.能用于这种结构的动词除了be外,还有appear, seem, look, remain,exist, lie, stand等.例如:

There stands a bridge across the river.

There appears (to be) a man in black in the distance.

2. 由副词here, there,now,then等开头的句子中,如果主语为名词,而谓语是be, come, go一类的动词时,整个句子应采用完全倒装语序.例如:

Here is the book you want.

Now comes your turn.

3. 为了生动地描写动作, in, out, away, up, down, off等副词可以放在句首,形成倒装.例如:

Away flew the bird.

Up went the rocket into the air.

4.当句子主语较长时,常将作表语的形容词、介词短语、过去分词及现在分词等置于句首,形成完全倒装.例如:

In the far distance came the thunder of guns of our main attack force.

Gone are the days when they could do what they liked to the Chinese people.

二、部分倒装

部分倒装是指把谓语的一部分,即助动词、情态动词置于主语之前,也就是说把句子变成一般疑问句语序.

1.如果句子开头是一些含有否定意义的词或短语,如never, hardly, scarcely, rarely, seldom, little, not, at no time, in vain, no sooner...than, on no account, in no case, under no circumstances, by no means等,就应采用部分倒装语序.例如:

Never have I found him in such a good mood.

At no time will China be the first to use nuclear weapons.

2.在以if引导的虚拟条件句中,如果谓语含有had, were, should等词时,if可省略,而采用倒装的语序来表示虚拟的条件.例如:

Were the manager here now, he would make a decision.

Had I not been able to swim, I would have got drowned.

3.句首状语若是由"only+副词"、"only+介词短语"、"only+状语从句"构成,句子用部分倒装.例如:

Only on Sundays do they eat with their children.

Only when he had done it did he realize it wasn't an easy job.

4.由as引导的让步状语从句,可用倒装结构.例如:

Pitch-dark as was the night, I still found my home.

Strange as it may appear, it is true.

5.在以so, nor, neither开头的句子中,如果前句所说的情况也适应于另一人或事物,采用倒装语序.例如:

I enjoyed the play and so did my mother.

He can't do it, nor can I.