<多益文法: “given that”, “now that”, 跟“so that”意義跟用法的差別>
多益文法題有一定比例的連接詞選項, 其中有幾個固定會有“that”在裡面, 例如“given that”, “now that”, “so that”.但是這三個連接詞片語的意義跟用法怎麼區分? 先來看每個用法個別的整理…
1 首先, “given that”其實是“given the fact that”的省略, 個人比較認同的翻譯是“考慮到/有鑑於”, 英文等於“considering that”/“because of a particular fact that” (也就表示功能類似“because”的因果關係), 雖然有些字典會翻成“如果/倘若” (也就是功能類似“if”的假設情境):
1.1 Given that Chinese New Year is coming, here are some great gift ideas. (有鑑於農曆新年即將到來, 這裡有些送禮的好點子)
1.2 I think they have done a marvelous job, given that there are over 20 students in the class, and only one teacher. (考慮到班上有超過20位學生卻只有一位老師, 我認為他們表現的很棒)
1.3 Given that we had so many places to stop on the way, we made pretty good time on our trip! (考慮到路上要停留這麼多地方, 我們這一路其實玩得還不錯)
2 其次, “now that”, 個人比較認同的翻譯是“既然/而今”, 也有字典會直接翻成“因為/由於”, 英文等於”as a result of something”/”because something is happening or has just happened” (也就表示功能類似“because”的因果關係):
2.1 Now that you have come, you may as well stay for a few days. (既然來了, 你就不妨住幾天嘛)
2.2 Now that the weather is warmer, we can go outdoors. (天氣既然暖和得多, 我們可以到戶外去了)
2.3 You ought to have a good rest now that you've finished the work. (既然已完成了工作, 你就應該好好休息一下)
3 最後, “so that”, 意思是“為了/為的是/目的是/以便”, 英文等於“in order that” (就是“in order to/為了”的子句版), 用來陳述目的, 但請注意“so that”不等於“so…that” (如此…以致於…), 其中的差別就再另闢主題來整理:
3.1 We work hard so that we may succeed. (我們拼命工作, 為的是想成功)
3.2 Tell me her address so that I can find her. (把她的地址告訴我, 我好找她)
3.3 Send me a letter as soon as you arrive so that I won't worry. (到了就來信, 省得我掛念)
綜合來看, 要了解/分辨這三個連接詞片語, 有幾個重點要把握:
1). 因為都有“that”這個關係連接詞, 所以“given that”, “now that”, “so that”後面都會接S+V的子句結構, 這一點往往成為解題的關鍵;
2). “given that”跟“now that”都可以放在句首或句子中間, 而且功能都類似“because”的因果關係, 所以也都可以用“because”代入的方法測試句子的合理性;
3). “so that”只能放在句子中間不能放在句首, 功能是引導目的, 可以用“in order that”代入的方法測試句子的合理性;
4). 至於“given that”跟“now that”, 都可以放在句首或句子中間, 都表示“因果關係”, 要怎麼區分? 其實“given that”的“given”顯示”給”一個特定的情境, 語意因此偏向“if”的條件句, 而“now that”的”now”強調一個”現況”, 而此“現況”就是後面子句的原因, 簡單說, “given that”強調”所給的特定情境”, “now that”則強調基於“現況”的這樣的情境.
很複雜吧! 其實目前看到的多益連接詞考題, 還沒有考以上三個連接詞或其中任何兩個怎麼區分的, 所以就直接務實一點, 記得{因為都有“that”這個關係連接詞, 所以“given that”, “now that”, “so that”後面都會接S+V的子句結構}這一點, 對解題其實就夠了.
給個題目讓大家體會一下: _____ that the insulation has been replaced, the building is much more energy-efficient. (A. Now, B. For, C. As, D. Though)
如果心中有“now that”這個連接詞片語, 是不是瞬間解題? 其他的選項可都不能直接加“that”在後面啊! (“For that S+V”, “As that S+V”, “Though that S+V”, 這些用法都是不存在的)
