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发表于 2008-1-9 19:14:41
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05. 分号的误用
分号主要表示复句内部并列分句之间的停顿。有时，也用于分隔已有逗号的并列成分。分号使得两个或三个以上的句子连成一个意思复杂的句子成为可能。小于句子结构的成分不能用分号分隔。用分号的地方可以用句号代替，但不能用逗号。
分号该用而没用
*(1) I am going home, I intend to stay there.
*(2) It rained heavily during the afternoon, we managed to have our picnic anyway.
*(3) They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark, they decided to cmp for the night.
*(4) He often watched TV when there were only reruns, she preferred to read instead.
*(5) They weren't dangerous criminals, they were detectives in disguise.
*(6) The hill was covered with wildflowers, it was a beautiful sight.
*(7) The house was clean, the table set, and the porch light on, everything was ready for the guests' arrival.
以上各例都是由两个并列分句构成的复句，分句之间应该用分号，而不能用逗号分隔。
*(8) The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second, however, it could not think spontaneously.
*(9) The snowstorm lasted a whole day, subsequently, the airport was closed.
*(10) Dalian is my favorite city, in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.
*(11) Jack worked overtime to pay off his education debts, at least, that was his explanation for his long hours.
*(12) I had to complete the assignment by Friday, otherwise, I would have failed the course.
*(13) The library was closed during the holiday, therefore I could not borrow the books.
*(14) Mother did not scold me at all, indeed, she hardly seemed to be listening as I explained about the damage.
*(15) The new employee quit after a week, apparently, the pressure was too great for him.
*(16) We already received your report, therefore, the follow-up mailing is unnecessary.
尽管例(8)至例(16)都是含连接词的并列复句，其逻辑关系清楚，但在连接词的前面，也就是在第一个分句之后，应该用分号，而不能用逗号。应改为：
(8a) The computer could perform millions of operations in a split second; however, it could not think spontaneously.
(9a) The snowstorm lasted a whole day; subsequently, the airport was closed.
(10a) Dalian is my favorite city; in fact, I plan to spend two weeks there this summer.
(11a) Jack worked overtime to pay off his education debts; at least, that was his explanation for his long hours.
(12a) I had to complete the assignment by Friday; otherwise, I would have failed the course.
(13a) The library was closed during the holiday; therefore I could not borrow the books.
(14a) Mother did not scold me at all; indeed, she hardly seemed to be listening as I explained about the damage.
(15a) The new employee quit after a week; apparently, the pressure was too great for him.
(16a) We already received your report; therefore, the follow-up mailing is unnecessary.
例(17)和例(18)的句子结构较复杂。并列连词 and 的前后是独立的分句，但例(17)中的两个分句和例(18)中的第一个分句都是以复句的形式出现。这样，分句之间就应该用分号，而不能用逗号。应改为：
(17a) If she can, she will attempt that feat; and if her husband is able, he will be there to see her.
(18a) When I finish here, I will be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.
如果把上面两个句子的连接词去掉，并且改用句号把两个分句完全断开，使之成为两个独立的单句，这样做也是合理的。当你难以判断到底该用逗号还是用分号时，可采用此方法鉴别。
(17b) If she can, she will attempt that feat. If her husband is able, he will be there to see her.
(18b) When I finish here, I will be glad to help you. That is a promise I will keep.
*(19) Members of the band include Harold Rostein, clarinetist, Tony Aluppo, tuba player, and Lee Jefferson, trumpeter.
*(20) There were citizens from Bangor, Maine, Hartford, Connecticut, Boston, Massachusettes, and Newport, Rhode Island.
例(19)和例(20)多处用了逗号，但句子成分之间的关系仍不够明确，有些地方应改用分号。
(19a) Members of the band include Harold Rostein, clarinetist; Tony Aluppo, tuba player; and Lee Jefferson, trumpeter.
(20a) There were citizens from Bangor, Maine; Hartford, Connecticut; Boston, Massachusettes; and Newport, Rhode Island.
分号不该用而用
*(21) Although gaining and maintaining a high level of physical fitness takes a good deal of time; the effort pays off in the long run.
*(22) Michael decided to quit the job which his brother had recommended; because he felt tired most of the time.
例(21)和例(22)是主从复合句，主句与从句的分隔应当用逗号，而不能用分号。
*(23) The economy has been sluggish for four years now; but some signs of improvement are finally beginning to show.
例(23)是并列复句，连接词 but 前应该用逗号，而不应该用分号。
*(24) The man walked quietly into the room, slowly; and carefully closing the door behind him.
*(25) The other man, David Johnson, refused to make comments; and left immediately.
*(26) The breakfast consisted of fruit juice; a boiled egg; two slices of toast; and a cup of coffee.
例(24)至例(26)都是单句，单句中并列成分的分隔应该用逗号，而不能用分号。但如果用了连接词 and，那么它前面的逗号就可以省略。以上三例宜改为：
(24a) The man walked quietly into the room, slowly and carefully closing the door behind him.
(25a) The other man, David Johnson, refused to make comments and left immediately.
(26a) The breakfast consisted of fruit juice, a boiled egg, two slices of toast, and a cup of coffee.
*(27) The person we need; the person we have been waiting for, is someone adequately trained in business management.
例(27)的主语由两个并列词组担任，其内部各嵌入了一个定词从句，但它们并不是独立的分句。因此，词组间的分隔不应该用分号，应改为逗号。
*(28) Susan Fenton, who used to work with me; has moved to New York, where she has found a new job.
例(28)的主语后面跟的是非限制性定词从句。该从句后面应该用逗号，而不应该用分号。
*(29) Aaron asked the counselor if there were many job opportunities for music teachers; and if he would have to leave the province to get a good position.
例(29)的宾语是由连接词 if 引导的从句充当，但两个并列的从句之间不宜用分号断开，况且后一个从句前又有连词 and 相接，所以应将分号删去。
*(30) I had been aware that they sometimes disagreed violently; particularly over how to educate their children.
例(30)分号前后的两部分不是两个并列的分句。因此，这里用分号是错误的，应改为逗号。
06. 冒号的误用
冒号用于提示性话语之后的停顿。它的前面一般是独立的分句，后面接例举的事物或解释性话语。有人说：The colon is a greenlight; the semicolon is a stop sign.（冒号是绿灯，分号是停止标志。）其意思是，冒号指引读者继续读下去，而分号表示在此停止。后者的作用与句号类似，一般在用分号的地方也都可用句号代替。但无论如何，句子的主语和谓语之间，谓语和宾语之间，系动词与表语之间都不应该用冒号分隔。
*(1) John and Mary: went out togethr.
*(2) The driver and three men in the car: were killed in the accident.
以上两例的主语与谓语之间的冒号应删去。
*(3) We found: an empty bottle, a lighter, and an ashtray in the corner of the room.
*(4) He gave me: two apples, three peaches, and some grapes.
*(5) The daily newspaper contains: news, sports, entertainment, and classified ads.
例(3)至例(5)用冒号将谓语和宾语分离，这是错误的，应该把冒号删去，或者添加适当的词把句子改为：
(3a) We found three things in the corner of the room: an empty bottle, a lighter, and an ashtray.
(4a) He gave me some fruit: two apples, three peaches, and some grapes.
(5a) The daily newspaper contains four sections: news, sports, entertainment, and classified ads.
*(6) The Mayor was soon working harmoniously with: the Police Officers Association, the District Attorney's office, and the Mafia.
*(7) We traveled to: London, Wales and Scotland.
*(8) Sam participated in: tennis, golf, and gymnastics.
例(6)至例(8)的介词与其宾语分离，应该将冒号去掉，加上适当的词把句子改成：
(6a) The Mayor was soon working harmoniously with three bodies: the Police Officers Association, the District Attorney's office, and the Mafia.
(7a) We traveled to three places: London, Wales and Scotland.
(8a) Sam participated in three sports: tennis, golf, and gymnastics.
*(9) The tools we need are: a plane, a level, and a T-square.
*(10) His purpose was: to leave, to abandon them.
*(11) Her three goals are: to improve her public speaking skills, to increase her self-confidence and to sharpen her sales techniques.
例(9)至例(11)的系动词与表语之间不能用冒号断开，因为它们是一个不可分割的整体。应该将冒号删去，改为：
(9a) The tools we need are a plane, a level, and a T-square.
(10a) His purpose was to leave, to abandon them.
(11a) Her three goals are to improve her public speaking skills, to increase her self-confidence and to sharpen her sales techniques.
07. 破折号的误用
破折号的用法较多，但不能随意用它来代替其他的标点符号。应该用破折号时不可不用，但不该用破折号的地方切忌滥用，以免造成句子结构破碎和意思混乱。解释说明的话语可以用破折号或圆括号标示。但两者的区别在于：破折号标示的是正文的一部分，不可省略，否则就会影响句子的完整；圆括号标示的是附加部分，若省去了，也不会影响语句的完整。常见的错误有下列两种。
A. 不应该使用破折号而用
*(1) The regulations—which were issued yesterday—had been anticipated for months.
*(2) Many candidates applied—however, only one was chosen.
*(3) When we could stand it no longer—we called to find out when they were coming.
*(4) The athletes were marching in as a group—smiling excitedly at the spectators in the stadium.
*(5) On our farm we grow—wheat, soybeans, alfalfa, and corn.
*(6) Various kinds of dictionaries and encyclopedias—are available in the reading room.
*(7) According to the weather forecast—there will be a snow-storm tomorow in Northern China.
*(8) To some of you, my suggestion is—that you should keep on trying.
*(9) The American writer—James Thurber, wrote many humorous stories.
*(10) He struggled against financial difficulties—and later filed for bankruptcy.
以上10例均不应该使用破折号。例(1)的非限制性定语从句本应当用逗号分隔；例(2)是分号误用成破折号；例(3)的状语从句后应改用逗号；例(4)分词短语前本应该用逗号；例(5)谓语和宾语之间不能分隔，破折号应删去；例(6)主语和系动词之间关系密切，不能分开，破折号应删去；例(7)介词短语后应该用逗号；例(8)系动词和表语从句之间没有必要用标点符号，破折号应删去；例(9)主语和同位语之间应改用逗号；例(10)连词前后是两个并列动词短语，它们之间关系密切，破折号应删去。现将上面对面10句分别改正如下：
(1a) The regulations, which were issued yesterday, had been anticipated for months.
(2a) Many candidates applied; however, only one was chosen.
(3a) When we could stand it no longer, we called to find out when they were coming.
(4a) The athletes were marching in as a group, smiling excitedly at the spectators in the stadium.
(5a) On our farm we grow wheat, soybeans, alfalfa, and corn.
(6a) Various kinds of dictionaries and encyclopedias are available in the reading room.
(7a) According to the weather forecast, there will be a snow-storm tomorow in Northern China.
(8a) To some of you, my suggestion is that you should keep on trying.
(9a) The American writer, James Thurber, wrote many humorous stories.
(10a) He struggled against financial difficulties and later filed for bankruptcy.
B. 应该使用破折号而没用
*(11) Hot dogs, apple pies, and Mom: these are the traditional American symbols.
*(12) In the zoo we saw tigers, bears, monkeys, crocodiles; and many visitors.
*(13) I noticed that the tulips, dusty, faded, slightly rubbery, were not real.
*(14) Last week my daughter phoned to say that she had bought a new pet: a trained armadillo.
*(15) Whenever I eat those green apples, I get sick, really sick.
*(16) She displayed apples, oranges, grapes; all beautifully arranged.
*(17) The people who knew Besty most intimately: her doctor, her pharmacist, and her lawyer, were eager to know what she would try next.
*(18) To some of you, my proposals may seem radical, even revolutionary.
*(19) I think you would look fine wearing either the silk blouse, the one with the blue pattern or the angora sweater.
*(20) The idea of returning to the basics in the classroom: a notion which incidetaly has been quietly supported for years by many respected teachers, is finally gaining some currency with school administrators.
以上10例均属于本应该用破折号之列，但遗憾的是，都没用。例(11)是冒号误用成破折号；例(12)分号误用成破折号，无法突显特殊的效果；例(13)的插入语没有用破折号断开，句子显得凌乱；例(14)的冒号应改用破折号，以表示强调；例(15)语句重复的部分是为了增强语义，因此有必要用破折号；例(16)后半部分是对前半部分的总结，因此应删去分号，改用破折号；例(17)主语的同位语部分过长，为使句子结构清晰，宜使用破折号将其断开；例(18)表示强调的部分应该用破折号将其断开；例(19)的插入语部分过长，前后最好用破折号分开；例(20)的同位语结构复杂，宜用破折号标示，这样便于理解，不至于造成误解。现将以上误句改正如下：
(11a) Hot dogs, apple pies, and Mom—these are the traditional American symbols.
(12a) In the zoo we saw tigers, bears, monkeys, crocodiles—and many visitors.
(13a) I noticed that the tulips—dusty, faded, slightly rubbery—were not real.
(14a) Last week my daughter phoned to say that she had bought a new pet—a trained armadillo.
(15a) Whenever I eat those green apples, I get sick—really sick.
(16a) She displayed apples, oranges, grapes—all beautifully arranged.
(17a) The people who knew Besty most intimately—her doctor, her pharmacist, and her lawyer—were eager to know what she would try next.
(18a) To some of you, my proposals may seem radical—even revolutionary.
(19a) I think you would look fine wearing either the silk blouse—the one with the blue pattern—or the angora sweater.
(20a) The idea of returning to the basics in the classroom—a notion which incidetaly has been quietly supported for years by many respected teachers—is finally gaining some currency with school administrators.
08. 圆括号的误用
圆括号的作用在于将注释的词语括起来，使之与正文隔开。因此，用不用圆括号，取决于用不用注释。常见的错误有以下几种。
A. 不用解释的话语用了圆括号
有的语句在行文中很容易理解，根本用不着解释说明；还有的语句本身就是句子中必不可少的组成部分，这些情况都没有必要使用圆括号。
*(1) I am expecting five hundred dollars ($500) from my parents.
*(2) He finally replied (answered) that he did not understand the question.
*(3) The kids said they wanted to become Galileo (Italian astronomer) and Madame Curie (Polish physicist) in the future.
*(4) Suppose at the distance of the earth from the sun there was a shell of ice 426 feet (thick).
*(5) We need a telephone operator (who can think quickly, remember not to leave people on hold, and handle complaints from the public).
例(1)至例(3)没有必要用圆括号对这些词语进行解释，应将圆括号连同里边的词语删去。例(4)和例(5)括号内的词语属于句子的一部分，不可缺少。如果用了圆括号，则表示括号内的成分是可有可无的。因此，这里不应该用圆括号。上面五例应改为：
(1a) I am expecting five hundred dollars from my parents.
(2a) He finally replied that he did not understand the question.
(3a) The kids said they wanted to become Galileo and Madame Curie in the future.
(4a) Suppose at the distance of the earth from the sun there was a shell of ice 426 feet.
(5a) We need a telephone operator who can think quickly, remember not to leave people on hold, and handle complaints from the public.
B. 应该用圆括号而未用
解释性的词语应该用括号而不用，或使用了其他标点符号，都是错误的。
*(6) My Military Occupational Specialty, MOS, was helicopter maintenance.
*(7) The huge bouquet of roses, imitation, no doubt, sat in the corner of the darkened room.
*(8) Volkswagen, the name means "people's car," sells well on Cina's market.
*(9) Many people, old, young, and in between, are beginning to wonder about their chances for a secure retirement.
*(10) Words that confuse, "effect" and "affect", should be used with care.
例(6)的缩略语MOS前后的逗号应删去，加上圆括号；例(7)中的 imitation，no doubt 和例(8)中的 the name means "people's car" 都属于解释性话语，应该删去逗号，改用圆括号；例(9)中的 old，young，and in between 是补充的信息，也应该用圆括号；例(10)中的 "effect" and "affect" 是举例，要用圆括号标注。现将上面错误改正如下：
(6a) My Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was helicopter maintenance.
(7a) The huge bouquet of roses (imitation, no doubt) sat in the corner of the darkened room.
(8a) Volkswagen (the name means "people's car) sells well on Cina's market.
(9a) Many people (old, young, and in between) are beginning to wonder about their chances for a secure retirement.
(10a) Words that confuse ("effect" and "affect") should be used with care.
C. 圆括号内外标点符号的误用
圆括号可分为句内括号和句外括号，括号之内和括号前后标点符号的使用，要视具体情况而定。
*(11) These conditions (graphed in government publications, see Appendix I) exist mainly in the Northwest.
*(12) Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (We remember him at Kennedy's inauguration.) remains America's favorite poet.
*(13) Thirty-five years after his death, Robet Frost (Do you remember him?) remains America's favorite poet.
*(14) Thirty-five years after his death, Robet Frost remains America's favorite poet (we remember him at Kennedy's inauguration).
*(15) General Douglas MacArthur (We shall return.) accomplished his prediction in October, 1944, when American forces invaded the Japanese-held Philippines.
*(16) Besty soaked her feet in the river and reached into her backpack for a book. (It was Think Your Blisters Away, by Dr. Lincoln Dollar.) Becoming absorbed in reading, she absent-mindedly swallowed a packet of biscuits.
*(17) When the policemen arrived on the scene (It was too late!) the thieves had run away.
*(18) Although the company had not expected a significant yield from the new well (they had drilled it only as an experiment,) it produced a thousand barrels a day.
例(11)中的解释性话语分两个层次。第一层次应该用破折号，第二层次用圆括号。宜改为：
(11a) These conditions—graphed in government publications （see Appendix I)—exist mainly in the Northwest.
例(12)所用的圆括号属于句内括号，括号内的句号应该删去，首字母应当改为小写。
(12a) Thirty-five years after his death, Robert Frost (we remember him at Kennedy's inauguration) remains America's favorite poet.
例(13)用的是句内圆括号，句尾的问号可保留，但首字母宜改为小写。
(13a) Thirty-five years after his death, Robet Frost (do you remember him?) remains America's favorite poet.
例(14)用的是句外圆括号，句号应点在括号内。
(14a) Thirty-five years after his death, Robet Frost remains America's favorite poet. (We remember him at Kennedy's inauguration.)
例(15)圆括号内引用的是麦卡瑟将军的原话，应当加上引号，去掉句号。
(15a) General Douglas MacArthur ("We shall return") accomplished his prediction in October, 1944, when American forces invaded the Japanese-held Philippines.
例(16)圆括号内的书名应该用斜体，句号放在括号之内，因为它是句外括号。
(16a) Besty soaked her feet in the river and reached into her backpack for a book. (It was Think Your Blisters Away, by Dr. Lincoln Dollar.) Becoming absorbed in reading, she absent-mindedly swallowed a packet of biscuits.
例(17)圆括号内的感叹号可保留，但首字母宜改为小写，括号外应加上逗号。
(17a) When the policemen arrived on the scene (it was too late!), the thieves had run away.
例(18)圆括号内的逗号应放在括号之外。
(18a) Although the company had not expected a significant yield from the new well (they had drilled it only as an experiment), it produced a thousand barrels a day.
09. 方括号的误用
方括号表示插入的文字属于个人的解释或是对原文的修正。圆括号不能代替方括号，因为前者是原文的一部分。如果圆括号内另有插入的文字，该部分宜用方括号标注。
*(1) Byro had already suggested that the gentlement of the Quarterly Review
(especially Croker) had killed John Keats.
*(2) “My personal idols,” said the forty-four-year-old defendant, “are Jerry (Rubin) and Abbie (Hoffman).”
*(3) She said, “At the meeting, he (Pearson) spoke out against the proposal.”
*(4) (For further information, see Donald Allenberg, The Future of Television (New York, 1973), 15-16.)
*(5) He thinks that Castro would have accepted an invitation if he had been offered one [Cuba and Castro (New York: Random House, 1961), p.207].
*(6) The sect known as the Jansenists (after Cornelius Jansen, 1585-1683) faced opposition from both the king and the pope.
例(1)至例(3)的圆括号应改成方括号，因为这部分文字是引述者个人所加，而不是原文就有的。
(1a) Byro had already suggested that the gentlement of the Quarterly Review
[especially Croker] had killed John Keats..
(2a) “My personal idols,” said the forty-four-year-old defendant, “are Jerry [Rubin] and Abbie [Hoffman].”
(3a) She said, “At the meeting, he [Pearson] spoke out against the proposal.”
例(4)中圆括号内的圆括号应改用方括号。
(4a) (For further information, see Donald Allenberg, The Future of Television [New York, 1973], 15-16.)
例(5)的方括号应改成圆括号，而圆括号应改为方括号。
(5a) He thinks that Castro would have accepted an invitation if he had been offered one (Cuba and Castro [New York: Random House, 1961], p.207).
例(6)圆括号内的日期应该用方括号标注，删去逗号。
(6a) The sect known as the Jansenists (after Cornelius Jansen [1585-1683]) faced opposition from both the king and the pope.
10. 引号的误用
引号通常有三种作用：1.表示直接引用他人的话语；2.表示特殊含义；3.标示短篇作品的名称。
1)引号不该用而用
引号可以标示具有特殊含义的词语，但对没有特殊含义的词语使用引号，那就犯了不该用而用的错误。
*(1) It is "bad manners" to speak with your mouth full at the banquet.
*(2) I knew that President Nixon would "resign" that morning, because my sister-in-law worked in the "White House" and she called me with the news.
*(3) An "unusual present" was given to him for his birthday: a book on ethics.
以上句子中引号标示的词语表示的都是它们的本义，没有特殊含义，所以没有必要加上引号。加上引号，反而容易使人产生误解，应该将引号去掉。
2)引号该用而不用
*(4) The radio is too loud, Elizabeth complained, and she then stalked back to her room.
*(5)Did you really say to Ronald, You're my best friend?
*(6) John said to me, Margaret is very clever.
注意分辨例4至例6中直接引用的部分，直接引语应加上引号，不加引号是错误的。应将它们改正如下：
(4a) "The radio is too loud," Elizabeth complained, and she then stalked back to her room.
(5a)Did you really say to Ronald, "You're my best friend? "
(6a) John said to me, "Margaret is very clever."
3)引语末尾标点符号的误用
*(7) Did she say, "What time is it?"?
当句尾问号重叠时，只保留一个问号。例7应改为：
(7a) Did she say, "What time is it?"
*(8)"If you're going out," he said. "Will you pick up some milk?"
例8引语的前半部分是条件句，不是完整的句子，所以he said 的后面应该用逗号，后半部分引语的首字母应该小写。
(8a)"If you're going out," he said, "will you pick up some milk?"
*(9)"I should like to buy an egg, please," she said timidly, "how do you sell them"?
例9前半部分引语是意思完整的句子。因此，在she said timidly的后面应该用句号。后半部分引语也是完整的句子，所以首字母应大写，问号应放在引号之内。
(9a)"I should like to buy an egg, please," she said timidly. "How do you sell them?"
*(10)What do you mean, "I never sent the invitations."?
句号是句子的终结号，所以它的后面不宜再跟问号。例10引号前面的句号应删去，只保留句尾的问号。
(10a)What do you mean, "I never sent the invitations"? |
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发表于 2008-1-9 19:12:27