寫作 problem/solution 類型的文章時,我們經常會提出造成問題的原因。在中文,原因出現在動作或狀況之前──我們常以「由於」作為句子開頭;在英文,更常見的寫法是把動作或狀況放在前面,然後才描述其成因──在主要子句(第一個子句)描述狀況,把狀況的成因放在從屬子句(第二個子句)。例如:
狀況 |
原因 |
Obesity is on the rise 肥胖有增無減 |
our sedentary lifestyle 我們習於久坐的生活方式 |
Traffic congestion is getting worse 交通堵塞越來越嚴重 |
now most people can afford to buy a car 現在大部分的人都買得起車子 |
Unemployment has increased in the developing world 開發中國家的失業人數增加 |
the rise of automation 自動化興起 |
〈Sentences〉
- There is extreme weather because the climate is heating.
會有極端天氣是因為氣候正在變暖。
- The forest has been cleared because the company wanted to use the land to raise cattle.
森林已經被砍伐,因為公司想用這片土地來養牛。
- The water has been polluted due to the waste from the nearby factory.
水遭到了污染是由於附近工廠的廢水。
- The river is polluted due to the fact that factories discharge their waste into it.
河川遭到污染是由於工廠把廢水排放到裡面的這個事實。
- The infant mortality rate has decreased since the introduction of universal healthcare.
自從實施全民醫療保健以來,嬰兒死亡率已經降低。
注意,你絕對不可以在同一個句子裡使用 so 和 because!
- As the climate heats there is extreme weather.
隨著氣候變暖,便會有極端天氣。
- The rainforest is disappearing as a result of deforestation.
雨林正在消失是導因於森林砍伐。
我們回顧一下上面的表格,寫成句子的話則是:
- Rising obesity is the result of our sedentary lifestyle.
肥胖有增無減是我們習於久坐的生活方式造成的。
- Traffic congestion is getting worse because now most people can afford to buy a car.
交通堵塞越來越嚴重是因為現在大部分的人都買得起車子。
- Unemployment has increased in the developing world because of the rise of automation.
開發中國家的失業人數增加是因為自動化的興起。
※ 以上內容節錄自 貝塔語測《 論證型英文寫作速成教戰 》 作者:Quentin Brand
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