英语句子最基本的结构是主、谓结构,倒装就是将这种比较固定的词序加以颠倒.英语的倒装有两种形式.一种是将句子的主语和谓语完全颠倒过来,称为完全倒装,如:Then began an eight-year war between Iran and Iraq. (于是伊朗和伊拉克之间开始了长达八年的战争.).另一种是只将助动词(包括情态助动词)移到主语之前,称为部分倒装,如: Seldom can she finish her task in a short time. (她很难在短时间内完成任务.)
引起倒装的情况有很多,在大学英语四级考试中常见的主要有以下几种.下面举例说明.
一、虚拟条件句中的倒装 例1:________for my illness, I would have lent him a helping hand. (CET-4, 1995/1) A) Not being B) Had it not been
C) Without being D) Not having been 本题答案为B).本句意思是:要是我没有生病,我肯定会给他帮助的.从主句的谓语可以看出,本题是过去时的虚拟语气,从句谓语应该用过去完成时.由于省略了连词if ,所以将 had 移到句首构成倒装结构. 例2:________before we depart the day after tomorrow, we should have a wonderful dinner party. (CET-4, 1997/1) A) Had they arrived B) Would they arrive C) Were they arriving D) Were they to arrive 本题答案为D).本句是将来时的虚拟语气,这点从从句的时间状语the day after tomorrow 可以看出.因此从句的谓语应用should或were to 动词原形.由于从句省略了连词if,就应将should或were移到句首,形成倒装.
二、表示否定意义的词或词组位于句首 例1:We have been told that under no circumstances________the telephone in the office for personal affairs. (CET-4, 1999/6) A) may we use B) we may use C) we could use D) did we use 本题答案为A).本句中的否定短语under no circumstances位于宾语从句句首,句子需要用倒装 ,故B)和C)错误,D)项时态不对.本句意思是:我们被告之,在任何情况下都不能因私事而使用办公室的电话. 例2:Not until the game had begun______at the sports ground. (CET-4, 2000/6) A) should he have arrived B) had he arrived C) did he arrive D) would he have arrived 本题答案为C).本句将not until置于句首,主句要倒装.由于从句用的是过去完成时,因此主句应用一般过去时.本句意思是:直到比赛开始了,他才到运动场.
三、让步状语从句的倒装 例如:________, he does get annoyed with her sometimes.( CET-4, 2000/6) A) As he likes her much B) Although much he likes her C) Much as he likes her D) Much although he likes her 本题答案为C).本句是由as引导的让步状语从句,需要使用倒装语序,将状语放到句首,故C)正确.本句意思是:虽然他很喜欢她,但他有时候也觉得她很讨厌.
四、only位于句首的倒装 例如:Only under special circumstances ______to take make-up tests. (CET-4, 1997/6) A) are freshmen permitted B) freshmen are permitted C) permitted are freshmen