事情的先後 - 古德明

事情的先後 - 古德明

問:分詞子句(participle clause)通常置於句前,但有時會見到置於句後,文法正確碼?例如以下一句:Jonathan and James have many years' experience in food having worked in a number of Michelin starred restaurants.
答:分詞子句多置於句首,但子句所述事情,假如和主要子句所述事情同時發生,或兩事先後次序交代得清楚,則分詞子句也可置於句末,例如:(1)Bursting into tears, she rushed out of the room / She rushed out of the room, bursting into tears(她哭起來,跑出房間)。(2)Having checked the records, I gave him a defailed answer / I gave him a detailed answer, having checked the records(我翻查紀錄之後,給了他一個詳細的答覆)。讀者示下那一句,事情次序交代清晰,並沒有錯:「約納山和詹姆斯都曾在多家米芝蓮級餐廳工作,有多年食物的經驗」。
不過,假如分詞子句和主要子句所述兩件事,一先一後發生,又沒有用having checked這樣的說法交代先後次序,那麼,先發生的事宜先說,後發生的則後說,例如:(1)Picking up a knife, she began to peel the potatoes(她拿起小刀,開始給馬鈴薯去皮)。(2)He lashed out, knocking down his opponent(他一拳揮出,把對手打倒)。這兩句可不能改為She began to peel the potatoes, picking up a knife以及Knocking down his opponent, he lashed out。
﹝代郵﹞朱先生:《西遊記》第二十六回「大聖辭別三星不題」之「不題」,等於「不提」,即「不在話下」。