225 if + were以及主语和助动词的倒装

 

A ifwere而不用 ifwas的情况

1 通常两种形式都可以用,were更适合较正式的英语:

If she waswere offered the job shed take it

如果给她提供那份工作,她就会接受。(两者都可用。)

If Tom waswere here hed know what to do

如果汤姆在这里,他会知道该怎么办。

2 If I werewas you I wouldshould…是一种表示劝告的方式,were要比was用得普遍些:

If I were you I would wait a bit,’ he said

他说:“我要是你的话,就再等一会儿。”(参见第287C。)

were用于带to的不定式结构的情况更为常见:

If Peter werewas to apply for the post hed get it

要是彼得申请这个职务,他会得到的。(参见第222B。)

3 以助动词置于主语前而构成条件句时,则只用were而不用was

Were I Tom I would refuse

如果我是汤姆,我会拒绝的。(参见下面B。)

if 意为since(由于,既然,参见第222C)时,was不能由were代替;在 if only(参见第228节)和wish(参见第300节)之后,were可以由was来代替。

B 在正式的英语中, if + 主语 + 助动词结构中可以省略if,同时使助动词位于主语前面:

If I were in his shoes…相当于:

Were I in his shoes

如果我处于他的地位……

If you should require anything 相当于:

Should you require anything

你需要什么的话……

If he had known 相当于:

Had he known

要是他当时知道的话……