英汉对比系列之三|句型结构
英语的复杂句有时很长，往往层次包孕，环环相扣，但是主谓分明，关系清晰。英语句子通常把最主要的意义用主句表达，次要意义则用从句和介词短语等次要结构表达。汉语则不然，句子各成分之间关系往往很模糊，没有英语那样清楚。在表达复杂的思想时，通常按一定的时空顺序或逻辑顺序，逐步展开。在汉译英中，应首先搞清楚句子表达的中心意义，将这一中心意义用英语的主谓结构译出，其他次要意义可根据它们与中心意义的关系，译成状语、定语等。
英语组句多焦点透视，句式呈树式结构，汉语组句多散点透视，句式呈竹式结构。
例如：
人们常说，通过电视可以了解时事，掌握科学和政治的最新动态，从电视里还可以看到层出不穷，既有教育意义又有娱乐性的新节目。Television, it is often said, keeps one informed about current events, allow one to follow the latest developments in science and politics, and offers an endless series of program which are both instructive and entertaining.
对于现代书籍，特别是教科书来说，要是作者希望自己书中的内容能与新概念、新观察到的事实和新发现同步发展的话，那么就应该每隔较短的时间，将书中的内容重新修改。Modern scientific and technical books, especially textbooks, require revision at short intervals if their authors wish to keep pace with new ideas, observations and discoveries.
尽管警察已接到命令，要做好准备以应付紧急情况，但人们不敢出门，因为警察也和其他人一样不知所措和无能为力。People were afraid to leave their houses, for although the police had been ordered to stand by in case of emergence, they were just as confused and helpless as anybody else.
他看见河面很宽，水流很急，两条小船来回渡人。On the swift waters of the wide river, he saw two small ferryboats hurrying to and fro with passengers.
