名词从句的简化与其他词类的简化相同,都是省略主语与be动词。现在分别就Ving和to V这两种补语形态进行探讨:
一、Ving形式补语
如果名词从句中没有be动词、助动词一律把动词变成-ing形式。
① 主语位置
That I drink good wine with friends is my greatest enjoyment.
这一句中名词从句在主语的位置想要省略掉,由于没有be动词、助动词,省略主语I和连接词that以后,就只有将动词变成drinking形式:
Drinking good wine with friends is my greatest enjoyment.
② 宾语位置
Many husbands enjoy that they do the cooking.
这一句中宾语位置的名词从句they与husbands重复,省略掉that they以后,动词do只有改写成doing形式:
Many husbands enjoy doing the cooking.
③ 介系词的宾语
句1:He got used to something.
句2:He worked late into the night.
整个句2的内容就是句1中的something,在进行连接的时候不能直接放入that he worked late into the night是因为something前面是介词to,不能直接放名词从句作宾语,只有先进行省略,将动词worked变成working形式:
He got used to working late into the night.
④ 主语不能省略
1> 改成s+v+o+c的句型
使用这种方式必须要保证名词从句位于宾语位置,且主句可以改成上述句型:
I imagined that a beautiful girl was singing to me.
这里如果省略掉主语a beautiful girl和be动词、连接词that以后,句子的意思就会改变。我们只有改成:
I imagined a beautiful girl singing to me.
2> 用所有格来处理
That he calls my girlfriend every day is too much for me.
这里如果直接省略掉that he将动词calls改写成calling形式,就会造成表达的意思不同,只有加入所有格形式:
His calling my girlfriend every day is too much for me.
3> 加介词
I am worried that my son lies all the time.
因为从句中的my son与主句中的I不同,不能单纯的省略,只有加入介词about,然后变成所有格的形式:
I am worried about my son's lying all the time.
⑤ 如何处理被动语态
被动语态如果省略主语和be动词,剩下的补语是Ven形容词类,无法取代原有的名词从句:
That anyone is called a liar is the greatest insult.
如果将That any one is省略掉将动词called改成calling形式,句子的被动语态就荡然无存了。我们只有使用下面的形式:
Being called a liar is the greatest insult.
⑥ 动词是be动词
That one is a teacher requires a lot of patience.
动词是be动词is,如果一同省略就没有做的意思了,改写成being的形式:
Being a teacher requires a lot of patience.
二、to V形式补语
名词从句的简化,如果有助动词,就会变成to V的形式
① 主语不适合省略
名词从句的主语如果与主句不重复,就不能简单的省略掉。要设法保留从句的主语,放于主句的宾语位置上。
I want that you should go.
首先改写成to V的形式
I want that you are to go.
然后省略be动词,将you放于宾语位置:
I want you to go.
② 由疑问词改写的名词从句
I don't know what I should do.
这里的名词从句,可以省略掉主语I,将助动词should改写成to do的形式,但疑问连接词what不可省略:
I don't know what to do.
这是由于疑问词通常是有意义的词语,不同于that的单纯连接功能。所以不能省略掉。
三、to V与Ving形式的比较
如果判断出名词从句中有不确定语气,或者能看出原来应该有助动词,就会简化成to V的形式。如果只是当做一件事情来谈,是确定的语气,就没有助动词,简化成为Ving形式。