一、概述

 

连词是英语词汇中的一个很小的分类，以至于有的语法书上都没有单独进行分类，而把它分散到句子类型(简单句、复合句、复杂句)中进行讲解。又因为连词属于所谓的“虚词”，所以也重视不够。所谓虚词，就是不能单独作为句子成份的词。也就是说，连词本身不能作为句子的主语、定语、状语等。但是实际上，连词也是一类很重要的词，特别是当我们分析英语又长又复杂的句子时，弄清连词和它的作用对于理解长难句的意义非常重要。

 

二、连词的意义和用法

 

顾名思义，连词是具有连接作用的词，例如：and, but, or, nor, so, therefore, yet, however, for, hence, as well as, both…and, not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, then 等等。

 

简单地说，它的连接作用有两种：

 

1、把词与词连接起来，也包括把词组与词组连接起来。例如：

 

We will die without air or water. 没有空气或水，我们就会死亡。( or 连接名词)
She likes watching TV and playing piano. 她喜欢看电视，弹钢琴和唱歌。(and 连接词组)

 

2、把两个句子连接起来，包括并列句和复杂句。例如：

 

His room is bright but mine is gloomy. 他的房间亮，我的房间暗。( but 为并列句)
He hurt his leg, so he couldn't play in the game. 他的腿受伤了，所以他不能参加比赛。(so 为复杂句)

 

三、初学者要注意的几个问题

 

表面上看，连词确实简单。它的意思相对单纯，词形也没有变化。我们在阅读的时候，就照字面意思把它翻译出来就行了。但是，英语的连词也有它的特点。

 

1、从字面上看，英语的连词有单个的连词，有组合的连词，还有成双成对固定搭配使用的连词。

 

(1) 单个的连词：and, but, or, if, when, so 等等。例如：

 

Read slowly and loudly. 读得既要慢些又要大点声音。
I was going to write, but I lost your address. 我本来要写信的，可是把你的地址弄丢了。
Will you have tea or coffee? 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
If you ask him, he will help you. 如果你向他请求，他会帮助你。

 

(2) 组合的连词：as well as, as soon as, no matter, so that, in order that等等。例如：

 

The editors as well as the proofreaders are working overtime. 编辑和校对者都在加班工作
No matter where you work, you can always find time to study. 无论你在哪工作，都能找到时间学习。
I stopped so that you could catch up. 我停下来以便你能赶上

 

(3) 固定成对搭配的连词：both...and, neither...nor, whether... or not, not only...but also 等等。例如：

 

A man should have both courage and perseverance. 一个人既要有勇气又要有毅力。
She could neither speak the language nor write it. 这种语言她既不会说，也不会写。
We should not only be bold, but also be cautious. 我们不仅要大胆，而且要谨慎。
Whether we help him or not, he will fail. 不论我们帮助他与否, 他都将失败。
He is such an honest man that everyone would like to trust him．他非常诚实，人人都相信他。

 

2、从意义上看，少数英语的连词有几个含义；或者一个中文的含义有几个对应的英语连词。它们之间在意义和用法上的区别，要用心加以区别。

 

(1) 一个英语连词有几个含义。

 

例如：while: 当……时候；然而；虽然

 

While I read, she sang. 我看书时，她在唱歌。
Some people like coffee, while others like tea. 有些人喜欢咖啡, 而有些人喜欢茶。
While he loves his students, he is very strict with them. 虽然他爱他的学生, 可是他对他们很严格。

 

例如：as 当……时候；既然；虽然；和……一样

 

I saw him As he was getting off the bus. 正当他下公共汽车时, 我看见了他。
As you are tired, you had better rest. (既然)你累了, 最好休息一下。
Try As he would, he could not lift the rock. 他虽然尽了最大努力, 仍不能搬动那块石头。
He can run as fast as I can. 他能跑得和我一样快。

 

(2) 一个中文含义有几个对应的英语连词

 

例如：表示“但是，然而”：but, yet, however, nevertheless 等。

 

He tried hard but he was unsuccessful. 他做了很大努力但没有成功。
The car was old, yet it was in excellent condition. 这辆车子很旧，但仍处于良好的状态。
She felt ill. She went to work, however, and tried to concentrate.
她病了。然而她照旧去上班，并且尽力集中精神工作。
I don't know anything against that man; nevertheless I don't trust him.
我对那个人没有什么不良的看法，但我不能信赖他。

 

例如：表示原因和结果：because, since, for, so, as, therefore, hence, now that  等。

 

You'd better put on your sweater, for it's rather cold outside. 你最好把毛衣穿上，外边相当冷。
My sister is expecting me，so I must be off now. 姐姐在等我，因此我得走了。
You are right, therefore we should support you. 你是对的，所以我们应当支持你。
I fell off my bike yesterday—hence the bruises. 我昨天骑自行车摔倒了——所以青一块、紫一块的。
As it was already rather dark, we decided to stop at the temple for the night. 因为已经相当晚了，我们决定在庙里待一夜。
Since you don't want to go, we won't force you to. 既然你不愿意去，我们也不勉强你。
Now that you are all back, we'd better start the work right away. 你们既然都回来了，我们最好马上就开始工作。

 

例如：表示条件的连词有: if, unless, in case, provided, suppose, as long as 等。

 

If you can do it, so can I. 你要是能办到，我也能办到。
I won't go unless you want me to. 除非你要我去，否则我是不会去的。
We'd better take our raincoats in case it should rain (rains). 我们最好把雨衣带着以防下雨。