問：英語裡都有哪些手段來表示讓步關係?
答： 英語裡表達讓步關係的手段非常豐富，以下是讓步副詞(adverb of concession)的各種類別。
A. 介係詞: with, with all, for all, in spite of, despite, notwithstanding, irrespective of(其中irrespective 本身為形容詞), regardless of
- With the best of intentions, he failed completely. 儘管他用心良苦, 但卻徹底失敗了。
- With all his roughness, he has a heart of gold. 他雖然外表粗俗, 但卻有一顆金子般的心。
- For all this noise I managed to get some sleep. 儘管很吵, 我還是勉強睡了一會兒。
- I admire him, in spite of his faults. 雖然他有缺點, 但是我很敬佩他。
- Despite the heavy rain, the party set out in the morning. 儘管雨下得很大, 但這一行人還是一清早就出發了。
- The law will go into force, any other agreements notwithstanding. (= Notwithstanding any other agreements, the law will go into force.) 儘管有其他的協議, 法律仍將生效。
- He is going to buy it irrespective of what you say. 不管你說什麼, 他也要把它買下來。
- Regardless of danger, he climbed the tower. 他不顧危險攀上了塔頂。
應當指出的是, 上面的介係詞雖然基本語意相同, 但是語體是有區別的。其中with, all, for all 最為口語化, despite 比in spite of 更為正式, notwithstanding 最為正式, 常常用於法律檔中, 當它後置時, 尤其如此。
B. 從屬連接詞: although, though, even though, while, whilst (主要用於英式英語), when, if, even if, whereas, whether…or
- They are generous although they are poor. 他們雖窮, 卻很慷慨。
- Though the sore be healed, yet a scar may remain. 傷口雖癒合, 傷痕卻永留。
- She won’t leave the TV set, even though her husband is waiting for his supper. 雖然她丈夫等著吃晚飯, 但她就是不離開電視。
- While they are my neighbours, I don’t know them well. (作“雖然”解的while 大都放在句首) 雖然他們是我的鄰居, 但我並不很熟悉他們。
- He walks when he might take a taxi. 他雖然可乘計程車, 卻總是步行。
- If she’s poor, at least she’s honest. 她窮是窮, 但起碼很誠實。
- Even if you dislike ancient monuments, Warwick castle is worth a visit. 即使你不喜歡古跡, 沃維克古堡還是值得一看的。
- He though I was lying, whereas I was telling the truth. 雖然我說的是實話, 但他卻認為我在說謊。
- Whether she be right or wrong, she will have my unswerving support. 不管她是對還是錯, 她都將得到我堅定的支持。
C. 特殊語序的從屬連接詞as, though 和that (參見相應的詞條)
- Try as he may, he never succeeds. 儘管他很努力, 但絕不會成功。
- Fail though I did, I would not abandon my goal. 我雖然失敗了, 但我決不放棄目標。
- Fool that he was, he managed to evade his pursuers. 儘管他很傻, 但還是設法躲開了追捕他的人。
D. 由what, whatever, however, no matter how, no matter what, no matter who (where) 所引導的子句
- Say what you will, I shall still trust to my own judgement. 不管你說什麼, 我還是相信我自己的判斷。
- Come what may, you’ll always keep a secret. 不管發生什麼情況, 你都要永遠保守秘密。
- I’ll post that letter whatever Wilson says. 不管威爾遜說什麼, 我也要把那封信寄出去。
- However cold it is, she always goes swimming. 不管天氣多麼冷, 她也總去游泳。
- He had to get the car fixed no matter how much it cost. 他必須把汽車送去修理, 不管花多少錢。
- No matter what you do, don’t touch this switch. 不管你幹什麼, 也不要碰這個開關。
- You can’t go in no matter who you are. 不管你是誰, 你也不能進去。
E. 某些由or 所連接的兩個意義相反的詞語
- Right or wrong, this is my temper. 對就是對, 錯就是錯, 我就這脾氣。
- The parade will start promptly, rain or shine. 遊行將立即開始, 不管天晴還是下雨。
F. 助動詞may, 尤其是在may…but 結構中(參見may16 )
- Ben may only be ten, but he plays the guitar beautifully. 本雖然才10 歲, 但吉他卻彈得非常好。
- I may be only a servant, but I have my pride. 雖然我只是個僕人, 但也是有自尊心的。
G. 副詞still, yet, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, anyway, anyhow, notwithstanding, 起副詞作用的片語all the same
- She didn’t get the award after all, Still, her results were very good. 她終究未能得獎, 儘管她的成果非常好。
- He may not like my visit, but I shall go and see him anyhow (whether he likes it or not). 也許他不喜歡我去探訪, 但無論如何我還是要去看他。
- He’s charming: nevertheless, I don’t quite trust him. 他很吸引人, 儘管如此, 我還是不大信任他。
- Notwithstanding, the case must be prosecuted. 不管情況如何, 這個案件必須調查下去。
- He had worked hard but all the same he failed the exam. 他學習用了功也枉然, 還是沒有考及格。
H. 形容詞、分詞片語(可含有或不含有從屬連接詞)
- Aware of the dangers to American citizens during the crisis, she still insisted on staying with the others. 雖然知道危機期間美國公民所面臨的危險, 但仍然堅持同其餘的人留在一起。
- Trained in karat, he nevertheless used a gun to defend himself. 雖然受過空手道訓練, 但他還是用手槍來保護自己。
I. be 的假設式: (參見be3 ,though6 , whether it be)
- Be he friend or foe, the law regards him as a criminal. [“Whether he is (or be) friend or foe…”] 不管他是朋友, 還是敵人, 法律都會把他看作罪犯。
- Be it very late, I have to continue my experiment. 即便再晚, 我也得繼續做實驗。
- All magnets have two poles, be they large or small. 所有的磁鐵不論大小都有兩個極。