〈例一〉
As to the steamers sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco, we have bimonthly direct services.
(从香港到旧金山有直达船,)
但是bimonthly 究竟是一个月两次即半月一次呢,还是两个月一次?不明确。因此,最好清楚明白地说明"一个月两次"还是"两个月一次":
(a) We have two direct sailings every month from Hongkong to San Francisco.
(每月两次直达船)
(b) We have semimonthly direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco.
(每半月一次直达船)
(c) We have a direct sailing from Hongkong to San Francisco every two month.
(每两个月一次直达船)
(二) 注意修饰词的位置,有时修饰词的位置不同,会导致不同的含意如:
(a) Please let us know what you wish us to do about this matter as soon as possible;
(b)Please let us know as soon as possible what you wish us to do about this matter.
以上两句中的""修饰的内容不同:
(a) 你们要求我们尽快做些什么。
(b) 请尽快告诉我们。
所以(a)可译成"请告你们要我们为此尽快做些什么";
(b) 可译为"请尽快告知,你们要我们为此事做些什么"。
(三) 注意代名词,关系代词和先行词的关系
按照英语习惯,句子中的代名词和关系代词一般是指离得最近的名词,因此要特别注意,以免引起误解或不清楚。
例句:
不好: They informed Messrs.John & Smith that they would receive an answer in a few days.
较好: They informed Messrs. John & Smith that latter would receive an answer in a few days.