就近原则( Principle of Proximity )

正式文体中:

 

  1.由下列词语连接的并列主语:"there be+句型; or ; either …or;nor; neither…nor;whether…or;not…but; not only…but also" ; 等。

 

  e.g. ①What he does or what he says does not concern me.

 

  他的行为或言谈都与我无关。

 

  ②Neither you nor I am wrong .

 

  你和我都没错。

 

  ③Not you but your father is to blame.

 

  不是你,而是你父亲该受责备。

 

  ④Not only you but(also) he is wrong.

 

  不仅你错了,他也错了。

 

  2. 在倒装句中:谓语可与后面第一个主语一致。e.g.

 

  ①In the distance was heard the clapping of hands and the shouts of the people . 在远处,能听见鼓掌声和人们的呼喊声。

 

  ②There is (are) a pen and some books on the desk .桌上有一支钢笔和几本书。

非正式文体中:

 

  有时依“就近一致原则”,但也可依“意义一致原则”或严格地依“语法一致原则”。e.g.

 

  Neither she nor I were there (意义一致) 我和他当时都不在那儿。(非正式)

 

  Neither she nor I was there .(就近一致)(译文同上句)(正式)

 

  但是,如果依“就近一致原则”而与其他两项原则相矛盾时,则常常认为是不太合符规范的。e.g.

 

  No one except his own supporters agree with him .仅他自己的支持者同意他的意见。(依“就近”和“意义”一致的原则;但语法上,“No one ”才是主语,谓语要改成“agrees”。“写作中”一般要依“语法一致”原则。)

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