1.when, while和as
(1)when引导时间状语从句的用法
①when引导时间状语从句时,句中的谓语动词既可为延续性动作,也可为瞬时性动作,可用于主句和从句动作同时发生或从句动作先于主句动作发生。例如:
When I lived in the countryside, I used to go fishing with my fellows.(延续性动作)
我住在乡下时,常和伙伴们去钓鱼。
When the lecture finished, the audience warmly clapped Yi Zhongtian.(瞬时性动作)
演讲结束时,听众向易中天热烈鼓掌。
②when可以用作并列连词,其意义为“那时,这时”,相当于and at this/that time。例如:
We were having a meeting when someone broke in.
我们正在开会,这时一个人闯了进来。
③when还表示原因,相当于since(既然;考虑到)。例如:
It was foolish of you to do it when you have realised its impossibility.
既然你已意识到不可能做这件事,却去做了,真够愚蠢的。
温馨提示:当when引导的从句是系表结构,且主语和主句的主语一致,其表语又是一个名词时,就可以用以as引导的省略句来代替when引导的从句。例如:
As a young man (=When he was a young man), he was fond of reading.
他年轻时,喜欢读书。
(2)while的用法
①while引导的状语从句中的动作必须是延续性的,侧重主句动作和从句动作的相比性。例如:
Don't talk with others while your mouth is full.
吃东西时别对着别人说话。
②while作为并列连词,意为“而,却”,表示对比。例如:
I like staying at home on weekends, while my wife enjoys going shopping.
周末我喜欢待在家里,而妻子喜欢去购物。
③while作从属连词,意为“尽管”,有时还等于although。例如:
While (Although) I am willing to help, I do not have enough time.
尽管我乐意帮忙,但没有足够的时间。
(3)as的用法
as引导的状语从句中谓语动词可为延续性动作,表示从句和主句两个动作交替进行或同时发生,可译为“一边……,(一边)……”或“随着……”。例如:
She hurried to work, looking behind at her son as she went out.
她匆忙去上班,边出门边回头看儿子。
As time went on, he missed his parents more and more.
随着时间的推移,他越来越思念父母亲。