逗號除了用來表示英文句子中的分隔以外,學術寫作中更常用來引用與介紹下一部分的說明。
本篇文章為您介紹逗號中引介的用法。
規則:在獨立子句之前的片語或子句後面要加上逗號
- 從屬子句(dependent clause):包含一個主詞及一個動詞,但句意不夠完整。
- 獨立子句(independent clause):包含一個主詞及一個動詞,單獨存在的句意完整。
- 片語(phrase):包含主詞或動詞其中之一。
引介的類型及範例
1. 以單一字彙作整句修飾:單一個字可以修飾整個子句的意思。
例句:Surprisingly, the roof was still intact. (令人驚訝的是,屋頂仍然完整。)
此句中,「Surprisingly」修飾整個獨立子句:「the roof was still intact」。
2. 從屬子句:以從屬連接詞開頭(例如:after、although、as、when、while、until、unless、before、because、if、since等字),且未傳達完整句意。
例句:If they want to do well on the test, students must spend time studying.(如果他們想要考試考得好,學生們必須花時間讀書。)
「If they want to do well on the test」包含主詞(they)和動詞(want),這並不是一份完整的句意,僅是表示一種「條件」。
3. 不定詞片語:以動詞的不定詞形式開頭(to+原形動詞)。
例句:To stay in shape for competition, athletes must exercise every day.(為了保持能競賽的良好體能,運動員必須每日運動。)
此句以to+動詞(stay)開頭,不包含主詞;在整個不定詞片語之後的主要子句前加了逗號,所以這裡的主要子句是:「athletes must exercise every day」。
注意以不定詞作為主詞的句子:「To start a new business without doing market research and long-term planning in advance[x] would be foolish.」此句無逗號,因為該句不是引介片語,這裡的to+原型動詞引導的是一個完整子句當做主詞,後面需使用單數動詞。
4. 分詞片語:以過去或現在分詞開頭。
例句:Throwing caution to the wind, she told him she loved him.(她豁出去了,告訴他她愛他。)
以現在分詞開頭(throwing),逗號於整段分詞片語後加上,而後面跟著主要子句:「she told him she loved him」。
注意不要將分詞構句與動名詞混為一談,例如:「Singing and dancing at the same time is hard to do.」此句無逗號,因為「singing」和「dancing」不是作為
形容詞使用,而是當名詞用;作為此句的主詞,這是動名詞的用法。
5. 介系詞片語:以介系詞開頭。
例句:Over the Christmas holiday, I cleaned out my attic.(在耶誕節假期,我清理了我的閣樓。)
以介系詞開頭(over),逗號在介系詞片語之後,後面跟著主要子句:「I cleaned out my attic」。
6. 獨立片語:有一個名詞和修飾語,通常包括一個分詞,但並非絕對。
例句:Their tummies satisfied, they crawled into bed.(肚子飽足後,他們爬上床。)
「Their tummies」(名詞)及「satisfied 」(分詞),在整個獨立子句之後加逗號,後面跟著主要子句:「they crawled into bed」。
練習:
放進逗號,如果可以說出是什麼類型的引介就更好了。
- Although we had reviewed the film twice before we never noticed these details about the shooting.
- To get everything done I had to start earlier than usual.
- Fortunately I was there to catch him.
- By evening we had become impatient.
- On the other hand I do agree it could use some work.
- Dancing to the music I forgot all of my troubles.
- When he says he will do it he means it.
- Dancing around the room to my favorite song always makes me feel better.
- Teeth clenched, eyes closed she braved the tall slide.
- To be the best was all he could think about.
解答:
- Although we had reviewed the film twice before, we never noticed these details about the shooting.(引介類型:從屬子句)
- To get everything done, I had to start earlier than usual.(引介類型:不定片語)
- Fortunately, I was there to catch him.(引介類型:單純副詞之後放入一個逗號)
- By evening(,) we had become impatient.(可將逗號置於「by evening」之後,但是非必要,因為這是短介系詞片語)
- On the other hand, I do agree it could use some work.(引介類型:介系詞片語)
- Dancing to the music, I forgot all of my troubles.(引介類型:分詞片語)
- When he says he will do it, he means it.(引介類型:從屬子句)
- Dancing around the room to my favorite song always makes me feel better.(無逗號,因為「dancing around the room to my favorite song」是句子的主詞)
- Teeth clenched, eyes closed, she braved the tall slide.(引介類型:獨立子句)
- To be the best was all he could think about.(無逗號,因為「to be the best」是句子的主詞)