一、概說
定語從句即指在主從復(fù)合句用作定語的從句。定語從句通常修飾名詞或代詞，對它進(jìn)行限制、描繪和說明。受定語從句修飾的詞語叫先行詞，引導(dǎo)定語從句的詞語叫關(guān)系詞。關(guān)系詞按其性質(zhì)又分關(guān)系代詞和關(guān)系副詞。關(guān)系詞不僅引導(dǎo)定語從句，同時還在定語從句充當(dāng)一定的句子成分。如：
The girl who spoke is my best friend. 講話的姑娘是我最好的朋友。
此句中，who spoke是由關(guān)系代詞who引導(dǎo)的定語從句，用以修飾先行詞the girl，同時who 在定語從句中用作主語。
This is the town where I was born. 這就是我出生的城市。
此句中，where I was born是由關(guān)系副詞where引導(dǎo)的定語從句，用以修飾先行詞the town，同時where在定語從句中用作狀語。
二、關(guān)系詞的用法與辨析
1. 關(guān)系詞的用法
關(guān)系詞分關(guān)系代詞和關(guān)系副詞。關(guān)系代詞主要的有 that, who, whom, whose, which, as 等，其中who和whom 只用于指人，which和as 只用于指事物，whose和 that既可于指人也可用于指物，它們在定語從句可用作主語、賓語、表語或定語；關(guān)系副詞主要有when, where 和why，其中when表示時間，where表地點，why表原因，它們在定語從句中均用作狀語：
A plane is a machine that can fly. 飛機是一種能飛行的機器。(that指物，在從句中用作主語)
I have forgotten everything that I learnt at school. 我把學(xué)校學(xué)的所有東西都給忘了。(that指物，在從句中句作賓語)
The man who lives in that house is my uncle. 住在那座房子里的人是我叔叔。(who指人，在從句中作主語)
The house whose windows are broken is empty. 破了窗戶的那座房子是空的。(whose指物，在從句中作定語)
There are some students whose questions I can’t answer. 有些學(xué)生提出的問題我回答不了。(whose指人，在從句中作定語)
He is not such a fool as he looks. 他并不像他看起來那么傻。(as指人，在從句作表語)
2. 關(guān)系詞的選擇
選擇關(guān)系詞可考慮以下四點：
(1) 一看先行詞的意義，即分清先行詞是指人、指物、時間、地點還是原因(如指物時不能用who或whom，指人時通常不用which等)。
(2) 二看關(guān)系詞的句功功能，即分清關(guān)系是擔(dān)任什么句子成分，是作主語還是賓語、是作定語還是狀語等(如作定語通常用whose，有時也用which；作狀語要用when, where, why)。
(3) 三看定語從句的種類，即分清是限制性定語從句還是非限制性定語從句(如that和why通常不引導(dǎo)非限制性定語從句)。
(4) 四看文體，即分清是正式文體還是非正式文體，是書面語體還是口語體。
3. 關(guān)系詞的辨析
(1) 關(guān)于關(guān)系代詞that與which的區(qū)別、that與who的區(qū)別、who與whom的區(qū)別、as與which的區(qū)別等，參見本講義“代詞”。
(2) 關(guān)系副詞when, where與why的區(qū)別是：when用于指時間，where用于指地點，why用于指原因：
1980 was the year when he was born. 1980是他的出生年。
This is the room where he lived. 這就是他曾住過的房間。
These are the reasons why we do it. 這些就是我們這樣做的理由。
三、關(guān)系詞的省略
關(guān)系詞有時可以省略，但這只限于限制性定語從句中，在非限制性定語從句中，關(guān)系詞則不可省略。
1. 關(guān)系代詞作賓語時的省略
當(dāng)關(guān)系代詞who, whom, which和that在定語從句中用作動詞賓語或介詞位于句末時的介詞賓語時，可以省略：
Is there anything (which) you wanted? 想要什么東西嗎?
Who is the man (that / who / whom) you were talking to? 剛才和你講話的人是誰?
2. 關(guān)系代詞作表語時的省略
當(dāng)關(guān)系代詞that在定語從句中用作表語時，可以省略：
China is not the country (that) it was. 中國已不是過去的中國了。(that作表語)
3. 關(guān)系代詞作賓語補足語時的省略
當(dāng)關(guān)系代詞that在定語從句中用作賓語補足時，可以省略：
I’m not the madman (that) you thought me. 我并不是你所認(rèn)為的那個瘋子。(that作賓語補語)
4. 關(guān)系代詞作主語時的省略
一般說來，關(guān)系代詞作主語時是不能省略的，但是在以下兩種特殊情況，也可省略：
(1) 當(dāng)定語從句為there be 結(jié)構(gòu)時，作主語的that可以省略：
I’ve told you all (that) there is to tell. 該告訴的我都告訴你了。
(2) 當(dāng)主句為there be結(jié)構(gòu)時，在定語從句中作主語的that, which, who有時可省略：
There’s a gentleman (who) wants to see you. 有一位先生要見您。
(3) 當(dāng)主句為it is結(jié)構(gòu)時，在定語從句中作主語的that也可省略：
Here’s a little book (that) will tell you how to raise roses. 這是一本關(guān)于玫瑰花栽培的小冊子。
5. 關(guān)系副詞when的省略
用作時間狀語的關(guān)系副詞when通常不能省略，但有一種特殊情況，即用于day, year, time等少數(shù)幾個詞后時可以省略(也可換成that)：
That was the year (that) I first went abroad. 就是那一年我第一次出國了。
I’ll never forget the day (that) we met. 我永遠(yuǎn)也忘不了我們見面的那一天。
6. 關(guān)系副詞where的省略
用作地點狀語的關(guān)系副詞where通常不能省略，但有一種特殊情況，即用于place, somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere少數(shù)幾個詞后時可以省略(也可換成that)：
This is the place (where) they met yesterday. 這就是他們昨天碰頭的地方。
Have you somewhere (that) I can lie down for an hour? 你有沒有一個什么地方可以讓我躺一個小時？
7. 關(guān)系副詞why的省略
關(guān)系副詞why通常只用于the reason后引導(dǎo)定語從句，且通常可換成that或for which，均可省略：
That’s the reason (why, for whih, that) he came. 這就是他來的原因。
四、限制性定語從句與非限制性定語從句
1. 形式不同
限定性定語從句主句和從句之間不用逗號隔開，口語中使用時也不停頓；而非限定性定語從句與主句之間通常有逗號隔開，口語中使用時有停頓。
2. 功能不同
限定性定語從句用于對先行詞的意義進(jìn)行修飾、限制和識別，如果去掉，就會造成句意不完整或概念不清；而非限定性定語從句用于對先行詞起補充說明作用，如果省略，句意仍然清楚、完整：
People who take physical exercise live longer. 進(jìn)行體育鍛煉的人活得長些。(若把從句去掉句子就失去意義)
His daughter, who is in Boston now, is coming home next week. 他女兒現(xiàn)在在波士頓，下星期回來。(若把從句去句子意義仍然完整)
3. 翻譯不同
在翻譯定語從句時，一般把限定性定語從句翻譯在它所修飾的先行詞之前，而把非限定性定語從句與主句分開：
He is the man whose car was stolen. 他就是汽車被竊的那個人。
I’ve invited Jim, who lives in the next flat. 我邀請了吉姆，他就住在隔壁。
4. 含義不同
比較：
I have a sister who is a doctor. 我有一個醫(yī)生的姐姐。(姐姐不止一個)
I have a sister ,who is a doctor. 我有一個姐姐，她是當(dāng)醫(yī)生的。(只有一個姐姐)
5.先行詞不同
限定性定語從句的先行詞只能是名詞或代詞，而非限定性定語從句的先行詞則可以是名詞或代詞，也可以是短語或句子；另外，當(dāng)先行詞為專有名詞或其他具有獨一無二性的普通名詞時，通常要用非限制性定語從句，而不用限制性定語從句：
Peter drove too fast, which was dangerous. 彼得開車很快，這是很危險的。(which指drive too fast)
He changed his mind, which made me very angry. 他改變了主意，這使我很生氣。(which指整個主句)
Mr. Smith, who is our boss, will leave for Japan next week. 我們的老板史密斯先生下周要去日本。(先行詞為專有名詞，要用非限制性定語從句修飾)
Her father, who has a lot of money, wishes her to study abroad. 她父親很有錢，希望她出國學(xué)習(xí)。(先行詞為表獨一無二意義的普通名詞，要用非限制性定語從句修飾)
6. 關(guān)系詞不同
關(guān)系詞that和why可用于限制性定語從句中，通常不用于非限制性定語從句；另外，在限制性定語從句中，關(guān)系詞有時可以省略(參見本章有關(guān)內(nèi)容)，而在非限制性定語從句中關(guān)系詞一律不省略。
五、緊縮的定語從句
1. 關(guān)于“介詞+關(guān)系代詞+不定式”
該結(jié)構(gòu)主要用于正式文體中，相當(dāng)于一個被緊縮的定語從句：
She must have time in which to grow calm. 她必須有冷靜下來時的時間。
Allow me one minute in which to change my clothes. 給我一點時間換衣服。
He was miseralbe unless he had neighbours with whom to quarrel. 他要是沒有鄰居吵架就難受。
注意，該結(jié)構(gòu)中的介詞不能沒有，也不能位于不定式后面：
在那兒孩子們有個玩耍的花園。
正：There the children had a garden in which to play. (很正式)
正：There the children had a garden in which they could play. (較正式)
正：There the children had a garden to play in. (較口語化)
誤：There the children had a garden which to play in.
2. 將定語從句轉(zhuǎn)化為分詞短語
有時為了簡潔起見可將定語從句轉(zhuǎn)化為分詞短語作定語：
Who’s the girl who is sitting beisde Jim? / Who’s the girl sitting beside Jim? 坐在吉姆旁邊的女孩是誰？
Most of the people who were invited to the party were teachers. / Most of the people invited to the party were teachers. 應(yīng)邀參加晚會大多數(shù)是教師。
Anyone who touches that wire will get a shock. / Anyone touching that wire will get a shock.任何人觸到那根電線都會遭到電擊。
注意，并非所有的定語從句都能轉(zhuǎn)換成分詞短語，比如那些不能后置定語的分詞短語就不能與定語從句進(jìn)行轉(zhuǎn)換：
誤：This is the boy being from the country. (being引出的分詞短語通常不用定語，除非它是構(gòu)成被動語態(tài)的助動詞)
正：This is the boy who is from the country. 這是來自鄉(xiāng)下的那個男孩。
誤：We caught the thief having stolen the car. (現(xiàn)在分詞完成式不用作定語，即使換成一般式也不對，因為現(xiàn)在分詞短語作定語時它不能先于謂語動作之前發(fā)生)
正：We caught the thief having stolen the car. 我們抓住了偷汽車的小偷。
六、應(yīng)考定語從句的幾個易錯點：
1. 混淆定語從句與并列句
請看下面兩題：
(1) He has two children, and both of _____ are abroad.
A. them B. which C. whom D. who
(2) He has two children, both of _____ are abroad.
A. them B. which C. whom D. who
第(1)題選A，第(2)題選C。由于第(1)題中用了并列連詞and，從而使整個句子為并列句，and后應(yīng)是一個獨立的簡單句，所以選A不選C；第(2)題沒有并列連詞and，both of whom are abroad為非限制性定語從句。
2. 混淆定語從句與表語(從句)
請看下面的試題：
(1) Your coat is still _____ you left it.
A. where B. there C. there where D. the place where
答案選A，where引導(dǎo)的是表語從句(=在…的地方)，而不是定語從句。
(2) Is this school _____ your father worked in ten years ago?
A. where B. what C. that D. the one
答案選D，this school為句子主語，the one 為表語，your father worked in…為定語從句。不要誤認(rèn)為this是句子主語，否則school前應(yīng)加冠詞the。比較：
Is this the school _____ your father worked in ten years ago?
A. where B. what C. that D. the one (選C)
Is this the school _____ your father worked ten years ago?
A. where B. what C. that D. the one (選A)
3. 混淆定語從句與狀語從句
請看下面的試題：
(1) I went upstairs ______I heard some crying.
A. where B. when C. that D. which
答案是B而不是A，when的意思是“當(dāng)…的時候”，引導(dǎo)的是時間狀語從句。(upstairs為副詞，不宜用作先行詞)
(2) He is _____ a clever boy _____ we all like.
A. such, that B. such, as C. so, that D. so, as
答案應(yīng)選B，而不是A。such … that …(如此…以致…)用于引導(dǎo)結(jié)果狀語從句，其中的that不充當(dāng)句子成分，而such…as…中的as為關(guān)系代詞，用以引導(dǎo)定語從句并在定語從句充當(dāng)句子成分。上句中第二空之所以選as，是因為它用作動詞like賓語。
4. 誤加與關(guān)系代詞同義的人稱代詞
誤：He is a man everyone respects him.
正：He is a man everyone respects. 他是一個人人都敬重的人。
5. 混淆關(guān)系代詞與關(guān)系副詞
有的同學(xué)一看到先行詞是表示時間、地點、原因的名詞，就認(rèn)為一定要用關(guān)系副詞，其實也一定。在此情況下，還要看關(guān)系詞在定語從句中是用作什么成分，若是用作狀語，則用關(guān)系副詞，若不是用作狀語(如用作主語、賓語等)則不能用關(guān)系副詞，而用關(guān)系代詞。比較：
This is the factory where I want to work. 這就是我想工作的工廠。(work為不及物動詞where在從句中用作狀語)
This is the factory that I want to visit. 這就是我想?yún)⒂^的工廠。(visit為及物動詞，that用作visit的賓語)
The reason why he can’t come is that he is ill. 他沒來的是因為他病了。(come為不及物動詞，why在定語從句中用作狀語)
The reason that he put forth is very important. 他提出的理由很重要。(put forth為及物動詞，that在定語從句中用作其賓語)
6. 因逗號誤判which
有的同學(xué)一看見逗號，就以為一定要選which而不選that，但問題是有時根本就不是定語從句：
(1) If a book is in English, _____ means slow progress for you.
A. as B. which C. what D. that
(2) When I say two hours, _____ includes time for eating.
A. as B. which C. what D. that
以上兩題均應(yīng)選that，而不能選which，因為它們根本不是定語從句。之所以選that，是因為句中已有if和when引導(dǎo)的狀語從句，逗號后為主句，that為主句主語。
7. 混淆which與whose
兩者在定語從句中都可用作定語，區(qū)別是：whose 的意思相當(dāng)于 one’s，而 which 的意思則相當(dāng)于 that 或 this。比較：
(1) This is Mary, whose [= and her] father we met last week.
(2) Call again at 11, by which time [= and by that time] the meeting should be over.
七、重點考點原創(chuàng)精練
1. He wrote a lot of novels, many of _____ translated into foreign languages.
A. it B. them C. which D. that
2. He wrote a lot of novels, many of _____ were translated into foreign languages.
A. it B. them C. which D. that
3. He wrote a lot of novels, and many of _____ were translated into foreign languages.
A. it B. them C. which D. that
4. Mr Smith is _____ a good teacher _____ we all respect.
A. such, that B. such, as C. so, that D. so, as
5. She may have missed the train, in _______ case she won’t arrive for another hour.
A. whose B. that C. which D. what
6. If he’s only interested in your looks, _____ just shows how shallow he is.
A. as B. which C. what D. that
7. It was in the small house _____ was built with stones by his father _____ he spent his childhood.
A. which, that B. that, which C. which, which D. that, where
8. I believe the time will soon come ______ there will be no weapons in the world.
A. since B. that C. where D. when
9. The meeting was put off, _____, of course, was exactly what we wanted. n)
A. who B. which C. this D. what
10. The train, _____ takes only two hours to get there, is quicker than the bus, _____ takes three.
A. which, it B. it, which C. which, which D. it, it
11. Mr Smith has bought a little house in the country, around _____ some green trees.
A. which is B. it is C. which are D. them are
12. He is always really rude, ______ is why people tend to avoid him.
A. that B. it C. this D. which
13. The crisis has reached a point ______ the receiver will have to be called in.
A. when B. where C. that D. who
14. In 1980 he caught a serious illness from _____ efforts he still suffers.
A. which B. that C. whose D. what
15. I’m looking for a new job, one _____ I get a bit more job satisfaction.
A. when B. where C. that D. which
16. They found a strange book, parts of _____ were difficult to understand.
A. that B. which C. what D. this
17. What have you got _____ will help a cold?
A. what B. that C. it D. who
18. Is there a shop around ______ we can buy some toilet articles?
A. that B. which C. where D. what
19. Unless I’m very much mistaken, ______ is my watch you’re wearing!
A. as B. which C. what D. that
參考答案：
01—05 BCBBC 06—10 DADBC 11—15 CDBCB 16—19 BBCD
