part 2笔记

zll2204

Reader: 邹乐琳
Reading Time: 2.5h
Reading Task: Part 2 Sentence Structure (VII, VIII, IX, X)
Summary of the Content:
1.Summary: These sections explain how to make English writing clearer and more natural by avoiding common mistakes. A major issue is overusing abstract nouns, which often make sentences feel stiff or hard to follow. For example, instead of saying “the prolongation of the existence of this temple is due to the solidity of its construction”, it’s better to write "this temple has endured because it was solidly built." Replacing nouns with verbs or gerunds helps keep sentences active and direct.
Pronouns like "it" or "they" should clearly refer to one specific word nearby, not be vague or confusing. Word order also matters: important ideas usually go at the end of a sentence, and misplaced phrases can twist the meaning. For instance, "In an article..., Mao said..." might sound like the article did the speaking, so moving the time phrase first fixes the confusion.
Dangling modifiers are another problem. Phrases like “conveniently situated” or “by cutting staff” must clearly describe the main subject. If not, the sentence becomes unclear.
2.Aspects touched upon:
Main concern: the need to make an English sentence clear and logical.
The noun plague:
(1)Key distinction: Plain English is a language based on verbs. Chinglish is a language based on nouns—vague, general, abstract nouns. It is complicated, long-winded, ponderous, and obscure.
(2)Perils of using abstract nouns
(3)Example:
A: The prolongation of the existence of this temple is due to the solidity of         its construction.
B: This temple has endured because it was solidly built.
(4)Solution:
a.replacing the noun with a verb
Example:
A: otherwise, there can be noachievements in our work
B: otherwise, we can achieve nothing
b.replacing the noun with a gerund
Example:
A: economic revitalization will be anarduous task
B: revitalizing the economy will be anarduous task
c.replacing the noun with an adjective or adverb
Example:
A: this accounts for the unsoundness inorganization of these enterprises
B: this accounts for the poor organizationof these enterprises
(5)A special form of the plague: using a single noun as an adjective
The general rule is that no more than two nouns should be combined into an adjective modifying another noun.
Solution: using hypen, providing a preposition, add a few new words
Pronouns and Antecedents
(1)Example:
A: We have not met with too many difficulties in the course of the reform, and in general the reform is proceeding        smoothly.
B: We have not met with too many difficulties in the course of the reform, and in general it is proceeding smoothly.
(2)Rules governing the use of antecedents:
The antecedent of a pronoun must be:
1.explicitly stated (not merely implied)
2.unambiguous (not possibly one word, possibly another)
3.close to the pronoun (not so far away that the connection between the two words is hard to perceive)
4.in grammatical agreement with the pronoun (i. e., in the same “person”, number and gender)
(3)Example:
a.The Shanghai chapter of the DemocraticNational Construction Association, the Shanghai Association of Industrialists and Merchants for Progress, and the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce, among others, issued statements in support ofthe students' patriotic actions and demanded the withdrawal of U. S. troops. This became a broad-based people's movement, a united front against the U. S.and Chiang Kai-shek.
Should be changed to ALL THIS.
b.A: In October of the same year [1976], the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee took decisive measures to shatter the Gang of Four, in which he [HuaGuofeng], Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian, and others played an important role.
B: In October of the same year, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committeetook decisive measures to break up the Gang of Four, an operation in which he,Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian, and others playedan important role.
The Placement of Phrases and Clauses
(1)Key concern: word order
(2)Correct word order of logic:
Misplaced phrases:
Example:
A: In an article celebrating the 28 thanniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in 1949, Mao Zedong said....
B: In 1949, in an article celebrating the 28th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong said....
Misplaced clauses: the clause in question acts as a modifier, and the translator has inadvertently made it modify the wrong element in the sentence.
Examples:
A: So long as we strictly implement the Government Administration Council'sDecision on Unifying National Financialand Economic Work, after we go through several months of difficulties, we have every reason to expect that the financial situation will gradually improve.
B: So long as we strictly implement theGovernment Administration Council's Decision on Unifying National Financialand Economic Work, we have every reason to expect that after a few difficult months the financial situation will graduallyimprove.
A: We should also review our experiencefrequently and make adjustments in light of the actual conditions when we find problems.
B: We should also review our experiencefrequently and, when we find problems, make adjustments in light of the conditions.
(3)Word order for proper emphasis: the most importantelement in the writer's thought, the one onwhich he or she wishes to focus thereader's attention, usually appears at theend of the sentence.
Example:
A.After more than twenty days of exhausting marches and heavy combat,they reached the Dabie Mountains in late August.
B.In late August, after more than twenty days of exhausting marches and heavy combat, they reached the Dabie Mountains.
English normally reserves the final placefor the most important idea, the subordinate clause should generally precede the main one.
Example:
A.But as we have often said, the future isbright, although the road ahead istortuous.
B.But as we have often said, although theroad ahead is tortuous, the future is bright.
Dangling Modifiers
(1)Definition: There is another group of modifiers thatare illogical not because of faulty placement but because of faulty grammatical relations with other elements in the sentence.
(2)Dangling participles: Like any adjective, a participle (or participial phrase) needs to be closely linked to the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Examples:
A.Conveniently situated, traffic from JinHui Tower to Beijing International Airport takes only 1/2 hour via the Third Ring Road.
B.The Jin Hui Tower is conveniently situated (or: located), only 1/2 hour fromBeijing International Airport via the Third Ring Road.
A.In recent years, China has introduced much technology and equipment fromabroad, playing an important role in improving its petrochemical technology.
B.In recent years, China has introduced much technology and equipment from abroad, and these imports have played an important role in upgrading its petrochemical industry.
(3)Dangling gerunds: the implied subject of an opening gerund must be the same as the subjectof the sentence.
Example:
A.Fortunately, by cutting the number of employees, the annual debt of the firm has decreased.
B.Fortunately, by cutting the number of employees, the firm has reduced its annual debt.
(4)Dangling infinitives: the implied subject of an opening infinitive must be the same as the subjectof the sentence.
(5)Prepositional phrases:
Example:
A.With a favorable environment and preferential government policies, any investment is assured of healthy returns.
B.With its favorable environment and preferential government policies, Jiangxi Province ensures that any investment will bring healthy returns.
(6)Individual adjectives:
Example:
A.Tall and shy, Diana's stylish gowns were recently auctioned off for $5. 7 million.
B.The stylish gowns of tall, shy Diana were recently auctioned off for $5. 7 million.