Translation of Adverbial Clauses

The adverbial clauses in English include time, cause, condition, concession, purpose, etc. We have covered some translation of English adverbial clauses when we talk about sentence order and omit subordinate connectives. Now some more common methods are further explained as follows:

Ⅰ.Adverbial Clauses of Time

1.Translated into Chinese adverbial clause of time accordingly

1)While she spoke, the tears were running down.

她说话时，泪水直流。

2)Please turn off the light when you leave the room.

离屋时请关电灯。

3)The adverbial clause of time is out at the back of the original sentence and in the front of the translation.We shall discuss the problem fully before we make the decision.

我们在作出决定之前要充分讨论这个问题

4)The iron should be stricken while it is hot.

趁热打铁

5)When they approached Trenton, lights were still burning in many of the houses and Christmas parties were still going on.

当他们逼近屈兰敦时, 许多房子里仍然灯火通明，圣诞晚会还未结束。

6)When we met each other for the second time, I found that she looked older than she was.

我们第二次见面时，我发现她比实际年龄显得老一些了。

7)His child did not come back home until dusk set in.

直到黄昏降临，他的小孩才回家。

2.Translated in “刚（一）…就…” structure

1)He had hardly rushed into the room when he shouted, " Fire! Fire!”

他刚跑进屋里就大声喊：“着火了！着火了！”

2)Hardly had we arrived when it began to rain.

我们一到就下雨了。

3)When I reached the beach, I collapsed.

我一游到海滩，就昏倒了。

4)He had scarcely handed me the letter when he asked me to read it.

他把信一交给我，就叫我念给他听。

5)Scarcely had we got to the station before the train left.

我们刚到车站, 火车就开了。

6)Hardly had the computer started working when viruses were found.

计算机刚一启动，就发现有病毒。

7)As soon as she heard the news, she fainted.

她刚一听到这个消息, 就昏过去了。

8)They fell in love the moment they saw each other for the first time.

他们一见钟情。

3.Translated as coordinate clauses

1)He shouted as he ran.

他一边跑，一边喊。

2)They set him free when his ransom had not yet been paid.

他还没有交赎金，他们就把他释放了。

3)The earth turns round its axis as it travels about the sun.

地球一面绕太阳运行, 一面绕地轴自转。

4)I read a newspaper while I was waiting .

我边等边看报。

The adverbial clause of time is out at the back of the original sentence and in the front of the translation.

5)I was about to speak, when Mr. Smith cut in.

我正想讲，斯密斯先生就插嘴了。

6)Mrs. Acland gazed at him, her eyes darkening with a curious expression of dislike and distrust as he silently turned away.

阿克莱太太死瞪着他，眼神越来越阴沉，显出一种对他又厌恶又怀疑的难以形容的表情，这时他只好默不作声地把脸转了过去。

7)I was going home when I met Mary.

我正要回家, 就在这个时候，我碰到了玛丽。

In Example 5, 6, 7, the adverbial clause of time keep the original order.

Ⅱ.Adverbial Clause of Cause

1.Translated as coordinate clause of cause

1)The crops failed because the season was dry.

因为气候干旱，作物歉收。

2)Because we are both prepared to proceed on the basis of equality and mutual

respect, we meet at a moment when we can make peaceful cooperation a reality.

由于我们双方都准备在平等互敬的基础上行事，所以我们在这个时刻会晤就能够使和平合作成为现实。

3)The policies open to developing countries are more limited than for

industrialized nations because the poorer economies respond less to changing conditions and administrative control.

由于贫穷国家的经济对形势变化的适应能力差一些，政府对这种经济的控制作用也小一些，所以发展中国家所能采取的政策比起工业化国家来就更有局限性。

"由于" and "因为" are often used to express "because" in Chinese. Generally speaking, Chinese "cause" clauses is often before "effect" clauses, while English is more flexible. However, in modern Chinese, influenced by western languages, there are also some situations that the “cause” clauses are put at the back of the sentences.

4)She could get away with anything, because she looked such a baby.

她怎么捣蛋都没事，因为她看上去简直还像是个娃娃模样。

5)The strike leaders were alarmed when I told them what had happened as the reporter was unfriendly.

当我把发生的事情讲讲给罢工领导人听时，他们吓了一跳，因为这记者是不友好的。

6)They are informal, most likely because they are always in a great hurry.

他们之所以不拘小节, 很可能是因为他们总是处于匆忙之中。

7)Because his parents had paved a good way for him, he didn't worry about it at all.

他之所以一点不急，是因为父母已为他铺好了道路。

8)Since the speaker can't come, we'll have to cancel the meeting.

既然发言人不能来，我们不得不取消这次会议。

2.Translated as the main clause of a sentence.

1)Because he was convinced of the accuracy of this fact, he stuck to his opinion.

他深信这件事正确可靠，因此坚持己见。

2)Pure iron is not used in industry because it is too soft.

纯铁太软，所以不用在工业上。

3)The perspiration embarrasses him slightly because the dampness on his brow and chin makes him look more tense than he really is.

额头和下巴上出的汗使他看起来比他实际上更加紧张些，因而出汗常使他感到有点困窘。

3.Translated as coordinate clause of cause without correlatives

1)You took me because I was useful. There is no question of gratitude between us," said Rebecca.

“我有用，你才收留我。咱咱们之间谈不到感恩不感恩。”丽贝卡说。

2)After all, it did not matter much, because in 24 hours, they were going to be free.

反正关系不大，二十四小时以后他们就要自由了。

3)He was not only surprised but, to start with, extremely suspicious, as he had every reason to be.

他不但惊讶而且首先是十分怀疑，他这样感觉是完全有理由的。

4)Since the electrical inventions which Edison had given us were very important, we could not live without them— not for one minute.

爱迪生为我们发明的各种电器太重要了，我们的生活离不开它们——一刻也离不开。

5)He was not nervous at all, because he was ready.

他胸有成竹，一点不紧张。

Ⅲ.Adverbial Clause of Condition

1.Translated into Chinese adverbial clause of condition accordingly

1)"Sure, there's jobs. There is even Egbert’s job if you want it.”

“当然，工作是有的。只要你肯干，甚至就可以顶埃格伯特的空缺。”

2)It was better in case they were captured.

要是把他们捉到了，那就更好了。

3)They can't go through any city! If they lay over, it's got to be in a special garage.

他们不能穿过任何城市！如果途中要停留，就得进专门的车库。

4)Once the men had been accepted by the Comet organization, they were brought to Brussels.

他们一旦被彗星组织收下了，就被带到布鲁塞尔去。

5)Only if we are true to facts, can we be loyal to the truth.

只有忠实于事实，才能忠实于真理。

6)We can realize the goal of our life, if only we work hard.

只要我们努力工作，就能实现人生目标。

“只要”、“要是”、“如果”、“一旦”等等都是汉语表示“条件”的常用关联词，在语气上，“只要”（“只有”）最强，“如果”最弱，“如果”也用来表示假设。英语中表示“条件”的从句前置后置比较灵活，汉语中表示“条件”的分句一般前置.

2.Translated as a clause of hypothesis

1)If one of them collapsed, as they often did, the guide used to carry him over the mountains.

如果其中一个人垮了，象时常在他们中间发生的那样，向导就会背着他过山。

2)If the government survives the confidence vote, its next crucial test will come in a direct Bundestag vote on the treaties May 4.

假使政府经过信任投票而保全下来的话，它的下一个决定性的考验将是五月四日在在联邦议院就条约举行的直接投票。

3)If the negotiations between the rich northerly nations and the poor southerly nations make headway, it is intended that a ministerial session in December should be arranged.

要是北方富国和南方穷国之间的谈判获得进展的话，就打算在十二月份安排召开部长级会议。

4)If the epidemic cannot be controlled effectively, the whole country will come into chaos.

如果这种流行传染病得不到有效控制, 整个国家将会陷入一片混乱之中。

5)We won’t be able to go there on foot in case it rains.

要是下雨，咱们就不能打赤脚上那儿去。

6)If I could relive my life, I would lead quite a different life, leaving less regrets.

如果我可以重新过日子, 我会生活得截然不同，不会留下这么多遗憾。

“如果”、“要是”、“假如”等都是汉语中用来表示“假设”的常用关联词。汉语中表示“假设”的分句一般前置，但作为补充说明情况的分句则往往后置。

3.Translated as a clause of supplement

1)"He's dead on the job, Jesse. Last night if you want to know.”

“他是在干活时死的，杰西。就是昨晚的事，如果你想知道的话。”

2)"You’ll have some money by then, -that is, if you last the week out, you fool．”

“到那时你该有点钱了一一就是说，如果你能度过这星期的话，你这傻瓜。”

3)You can drive tonight if you are ready.

你今晚就可以出车，如果你愿意的话。

4)Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any,also to strangers, and sometimes to others.

要尊重你的上司，如果你有上司的话。对待陌生人,有时还有别人,也要尊重。

IV.Adverbial Clause of Concession

1.Translated as a clause of concession

1)Although he seems hearty and outgoing in public, Mr. Cooks is a withdrawn, introverted man.

虽然库克新先生在公共场合中是热情而开朗的，但他却是一个孤僻的、性格内向的人。

在上例中，两个分句的主语易位。

2)The threat of death does not depress him, even though he has become the No. I villain to them.

即使他在他们心目中成了第一号坏蛋，死亡的威胁也不会使他消沉。

3)While this is true of some, it is not true of all.

虽有一部分是如此，但不见得全部是如此

4)While I grant his honesty, I suspect his memory.

虽然我对他的诚实没有异议，但我对他的记忆力却感到怀疑。

5)I still think that you made a mistake while I admit what you say.

就算你说得对，我仍认为你做错了。

6)Although there are these cultural differences, the main engine propelling the separatist cause is economic.

尽管有文化差异，但是推动分裂主义进程的主要动力是经济因素。

7)Old as he is, he would rather work than sit idle.

他虽已年迈，但他宁愿工作也不愿闲着。

8)Even though our hope for success is pretty slim, we still want to have a try.

哪怕成功的希望渺茫，我们也还要试一试。

“虽然”“尽管”、“即使”、“就算”等等是汉语中表示“让步”的常用关联词。汉语中表示“让步”的分句一般前置（但现在也逐渐出现后置现象），英语中则比较灵活。

2.译成表“无条件”的条件分句

1)Whatever combination of military and diplomatic action is taken, it is evident that he is having to tread an extremely delicate tight-rope.

不管他怎样同时采取军事和外交行动，显然他将不得不走一条极其脆弱的钢丝。

2)No matter what misfortune befell him, he always squared his shoulders and said: "Never mind. I'll work harder.”

不管他遭受什么不幸事儿，他总是把胸一挺，说：“没关系，我再加把劲儿。”

3)Plugged into the intercommunication system, the man can now communicate with the rest of the crew no matter that noise is going on about him.

不管周周围是多么喧闹，插头一接上机内通话系统，他就能和同机其余的人通话。

3)No matter what happens, he will go on with an indomitable will without turning back.

不管发生什么事，他都将一无反顾, 勇往直前。

4)I’ll be right here waiting for you, wherever you go, and whatever you do.

无论你到哪里去，无论你做什么，我都会在这儿等你。

5)We are all, whatever part of the world we come from, persuaded that our own nation is superior to all others.

不论我们来自世界上的哪个国家，我们大家全都相信，我们自己的民族优于所有别的民族。

汉语里有一种复句，前一分句排除某一方面的一切条件，后一分句说出在任何条件下都会产生同样的结果，也就是说结果的产生没有什么条件限制。这样的复句里的前一分句，称之为“无条件”的条件分句。通常以“不论”、“不管”、“无论”、“管”、“随”等作为关联词。

Ⅴ.Adverbial Clause of Purpose

1.Translated as a pre-positive clause of purpose

1)They stepped into a helicopter and flew high in the sky in order that they might have a bird’s-eye view of the city.

为了对这个城市作一鸟瞰，他们跨进直升机，凌空飞行。

2)He pushed open the door gently and stole out of the room for fear that he should awake her.

为了不惊醒她，他轻轻推开房门，悄悄地溜了出去。

3)We should start early so that we might get there before noon.

为了正午以前赶到那里，我们很早就动身了。

4)The travel plan was canceled in order that the spread of SARS could be prevented.

为了防止非典的传染, 这次旅行计划给取消了。

5)He sent a bunch of flowers each day in order that he could win her love.

为了赢得她的芳心他每天送她一束花。

汉语里表“目的”的分句所常用的关联词有“为了”、“省（免）得”、“以免”、“以便”、“生怕”等等，“为了”往往用于前置分句，“省（免）得”、“以免”、“以便”、“使得”、“生怕”等一般用于后置分句。

2.Translated as a post-positive clause of purpose

1)The murderer ran away as fast as he could, so that he might not be caught red-handed.

凶手尽可能快地跑开了，以免被人当场抓住。

2)Brackett groaned aloud, "You came from Kansas City in two weeks so that I could give you a job?

布雷克特唉声叹气地说：“你从堪萨斯城走了两个星期到这里，就是要我给你个工作吗？”

3)Wouldn’t it be better if we were somehow to organize an escape route so that

these men could get back to Britain into the war again?

要是我们有点什么办法来安排一条可供安全逃脱的路线，使这些人能回到英国重新投入战争，这不更好吗？

4)You’d better take an umbrella with you in case it rains.

你最好带把伞以防下雨。

5)Besides learning the prescribed textbooks, you are sup-posed to read more books on your subject in order that you may expand your scope of know-ledge.

为了扩大知识面，你们除了学好规定的教材之外，还应该阅读一些与专业相关的书籍。