在大学英语写作中,与语法知识有关的标点错误主要有:
(1) 把非限制性定语从句(non -restrictive attributive clause) 理解成限制性定语从句(restrictive attributive clause) 而忽略用逗点。如:
〔错误〕7. We were led into a nearest fabric shop that was divided into two parts.
从句意来看,上句是一个非限制性定语从句,故应在shop 后加逗点,把that 相应改成which 即:
〔修改〕7. We were led into a nearest fabric shop , which was divided into two parts.
(2) 不论状语从句在整个句子中处于何种位置,一概以逗点隔开。
〔错误〕8. We will go there , if it is fine tomorrow.
状语从句可置于句首或句末。置于句首时,一般要用标点隔开;而置于句末时,则无需与主句隔开,故 以上句子应改为:
〔修改〕8. If it is fine tomorrow , we will go there. 或We will go there if it is fine tomorrow.
(3) 在疑问句形式的陈述句后使用问号。
〔错误〕9. What fun we girls could expect , to stay in the same class , studying for four long years with them ?I wondered.
〔修改〕9. What fun could we girls expect , to stay in the same class , studying for four long years with them , I wondered.
英语疑问除可用问号来表达外,尚可用词序加以表达。故上例的疑问可用逗点表示。
(4) 误把however ,therefore , because , thus 等起联系作用的副词当成并列连词,导致写作中的逗号粘连(comma splice) 错误。
〔错误〕10. She thought what the teacher pointed out was right , however , she didn’t care for that .
两个完整的句子或两个并列句之间不能一概用逗点点开, 可用句号、分号或在逗点后加并列连词(and , but , or , for , so , nor , yet) 等方法修改。
故上例可改为:
〔修改〕10. She thought what the teacher pointed out was right . However , she didn’t care for that .或She thought what the teacher pointed out was right ; however , she didn’t care for that .或She thought what the teacher pointed out was right , but she didn’t care for that .
(5) 与comma splice 相映成趣的是,许多学生作文时,极少考虑句子间的逻辑关系,一个逗点连首尾,导致大量熔句(fused sentence) 的堆砌。例如:
〔错误〕11. Young men like blue jeans they wear them all the time.
〔修改〕11. Young men like blue jeans ; they wear them all the time.
或Young men like blue jeans. They wear them all the time.
或Young men like blue jeans , and they wear them all the time.
或Young men like blue jeans ; they wear them all the time.
或Since young men like blue jeans , they wear them all the time.
(6) 两个并列的形容词间以and 代替逗点。
〔错误〕12. Through the window , in front of me were large green fields which reminded me of the small clearing where I spent my lonely and hard childhood.
现代英语表达一般在两个形容词中间不使用and , 而是用逗点分隔。
〔修改〕12. Through the window , in front of me were large green fields which reminded me of the small clearing where I spent my lonely , hard childhood
因语体错位而造成的标点错误。英文写作是一种书面语的输出。其书面语体的特征要求其与口头语相区别。口语中存在的大量缩约 (contraction) 在书面语体中应尽量避免。而许多学生在书面作文中大量使用省字号(’),几乎1/ 3 左右的作文在文体上存在漏洞,现代英语的发展对此却难以容忍。如:
1. I’d like to share my joys with you. ( I would like to)
2. You can’t behave like that . (You cannot)
3. There’re so many splendid toys for me to select . (There are)
