表语从句的用法归纳
1. 表语从句概说
表语从句即在主从复合句中用作表语的从句。引导表语从句的词有连词that, whether,连接代词和连接副词以及as if, as though, because等连词:
My idea is that we should do it at once 我的想法是我们应该马上做。
The question is whether he is honest. 问题是他是否诚实。
The problem is how we can find him. 问题是我们如何找到他。
That was when I was fifteen. 这是我15岁时发生的事。
That's why I can't go with you. 那就是我不能同你一起去的原因。
It isn't as if you were going away for ever. 又不是你离开不回来了。
It is because I love you too much. 那是因为我太爱你了。
2. 两点重要说明
(1) whether 可引导表语从句,但与之同义的if却通常不用于引导表语从句;because 可引导表语从句,但与之同义的since, as, for等也不用于引导表语从句。
(2) 引导表语从句的that通常不省略,但在口语或非正式文体中有时也可省略:
The trouble is (that) he is ill. 糟糕的是他病了。
顺便说一句,引导主语从句that通常也不能省略,但若句首使用了形式主语it,真正的的主语从句位于句末时,that有时也可省略。