近义短语辨析:
as for (至于,就……方面说)和 as to (至于;关于)这两个复合介词在含义上相当接近,但在用法上差别很多。下面谈它们的这些差别。
1.as for
1) 用以转换话题:在有前文的情况下as for总是出现在下文的句首,用来引出另外一方或者新的谈话内容,但与前文内容也有一定的联系,起到补充前文又突出后文的作用,使之与前文形成对照,译作“至于”。例如:
① You van have a bed;as for him,he'll have to sleep on the floor.
② Much pasture land is underwater;and as for the grain, most of that has been ruined.
2) 用以表现态度:as for还可以用来表示讲话人对某人或某物持有“轻蔑”或“冷淡”的态度,甚至有憎恶之感,讲话时要重读引出的词语并在其后稍作停顿,以示强调,口气上带有嘲讽意味,译作汉语的“至于……嘛”。例如:
① As for you,I never want to see you here in my home again.
② As for his songs,I suppose you've read the sarcastic reviews !
2.as to
1) 表示涉及某点:as to常放于句中,表示“关于……方面”、“有关……之事”,但为了突出要提及的人或事之时,也可将as to置于句首,以示强调。但只涉及内容,而不涉及讲话人的态度。例如:
① His wife,an old teacher,has n0 complaint as to salary.
② As to your ability to overfulfil the target,I never had the slightest doubt.
2) 用以重提旧事:as to引出的内容都是前文曾经提到过的或者谈话对方都有所了解的,表示“说到”之义。,例如:
① As to doing that,I haven't decided yet.
② As to the question you raised in your last letter,I think that it is
unanswerable.
3) 用于提出问题:as to必须位于句中,前面出现的大都是表达某种心理活动的动词,形容词或名词,其后引接出wh-clause或who-to-v结构,表示“在……的问题上”、“就……问题来讲”,所引出的问题都有很强的针对性。但有人认为这里的罄to显得多余,去之亦通。所以,有时也不必译出。例如:
① There is some doubt as to whether the proposal is practicable.
② I enquired of the clerk as to which documents were needed.
4.引出做事的依据:as to还有“按照”、“根据”的含义,而as for则无此义。例如:
① The shoes are correctly placed on the shelf as to size and colour.
② The items on the agenda are listed as to order of importance.
综上所述,as for 和 as to在确切含义的表达和具体用法上都是有很大差别的,不能将二者混为一谈。
语法透视:
(1)定语从句的使用
If Miss Eyre, who advertised in theYorkshire Herald of last Thursday, is in a position to give satisfactory references...as to character and competency这个句子中的定语从句是who advertised in theYorkshire Herald of last Thursday。
(2)动词不定式做条件状语
If Miss Eyre, who advertised in theYorkshire Herald of last Thursday, is in a position to give satisfactory references...as to character and competency这个句子中的to give satisfactory references...as to character and competency是动词不定式是条件状语。
(3)叙述一件事情用被动语态,是强调事实,而不是强调动作。因为那是Jane接到的信件,是说聘用一事,因此用被动语态——a situation can be offered to her。
3. There is but one pupil,a little girl, under 10 years of age, and the salary is 30 pounds per annum.
单词梳理:annum:n.年
短语归纳:under 10 years of age:在10岁以下 per annum:每年
要点讲解:but在此句话中做副词用,意思是“就”“只”。
4. Miss Eyre is requested to send references, name, address...and all particulars to Mrs. Fairfax, Thornfield Hall.
词汇梳理:request:v. 要求 particular:详情,细节
短语归纳:all particulars:所有详情 sent...to... 把......寄给(发送)
5. Whoa! It will be nice to get out and stretch our legs after that long journey.
词汇梳理:whoa int.惊叹声, 吁(用于命令马止步) stretch:v.伸展
短语归纳:1. stretch one's legs:伸展腿部 2. long journey:长途旅行 3. get out:出来
6. Goodbye, young lass.
lass:少女, 小姑娘, 情人, 女仆
支持范例:
She's a strapping lass. 她是个身强体壮的姑娘。
She is a bonny lass. 她是一个美丽的少女。
She worked as a lass at his house. 她在他家当女仆。