Too much emphasis on the subject

中文裡常說「至於…」或「有關…」,例如『有關這問題的答案,我們可以請教某位專家。』『至於今年的預算,將會有很大的變動。』 上面兩個句子裡,主詞「這問題的答案」以及「今年的預算」都特別強調,不但用「有關…」「至於…」修飾, 還特別從整句中獨立出來。學生寫英文時還是套用這樣的句法習慣,就寫出下面的句子。

Ex.1
Succeeding in the entrance exam, it involves a lot of time and effort.*
Succeeding in the entrance exam involves a lot of time and effort.

這句裡的主題太過強調,以致於在句中出現兩次,先是前面的succeeding in the entrance exam, 後來的虛字it也是指同樣的事。如果是分詞構句,必須是兩句中有同樣主詞,前面句中的主詞省略,動詞改為分詞形式,例如: Succeeding in the entrance exam, he felt very excited. 但此句裡succeeding in the entrance exam 並非為分詞構句,而是當作整句的主詞用,這樣的句法是不合英文文法的。

Ex.2
As forJohn’s illness, it is extremely serious.
John’s illness is extremely serious.

這句裡的主題也是太過強調,以致於在句中出現兩次,先是前面的John’s illness, 接著又用虛字it來表示John’s illness,相同的東西一再反覆強調就顯得有點多餘。

Ex.3
Concerning good health, you should exercise every day.
You should exercise every dayfor good health.

這句子如果譯成中文「對於健康方面,你應該每天運動。」中文表面上似乎很有道理,英文裡照翻就嫌多餘。

Ex.4
Jenny was late for the conference; it is because that there was a traffic jam.
Jenny was late for the conference because there was a traffic jam.

這句也是太過強調主題,先是前面的Jenny was late for the conference,接著又用虛字it來表示Jenny was late for the conference。

Ex.5
As for my understanding of the situation, there are many complex issues involved.*
My understanding of the situation shows that there are many complex issues involved. 或者是
According to my understanding of the situation, there are many complex issues involved.

這句雖然文法正確,但是語意不清,無法瞭解作者想要表達的意思。 如果能顯示出my understanding of the situation與complex issues的關係,意思就比較清楚了。

Ex.6
I was very interested in the process of making shoes, so I was curious about each step of making shoes.*
I was interested in the process of making shoes.或者是
I was curious about each step of making shoes.

因為製鞋過程與製鞋的每一步驟其實是一樣的事,兩者之間不會有因果關係。

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