并列结构的对称问题(涉及not only...but also等)

A commitment to providing all human beings the golden opportunity to develop themselves is so vital, not only to the people here, but all around.

第一个问题是:为什么用 to providing,不都是不定式么?

第二个问题是:but 和前面的 to...并列,那不应该是 but (also) to all round 吗?

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最佳答案 2016-06-15 15:36

问题一:为什么用 to providing,不都是不定式么?

这里用 to providing 或不定式 to provide 都可以。因为承诺做某事时,名词commitment后面既可接不定式 to do sth,也可接 to doing sth。如:

1. 接不定式 to do sth的例子

The hospital has a commitment to provide the best possible medical care. 这家医院承诺要提供最好的医疗服务。

The government is trying to back out of its commitment to reduce pollution. 政府曾承诺减少污染,现在想变卦了。

The government has manifestly failed to raise educational standards, despite its commitment to do so. 尽管政府承诺提高教学质量,但显然未能做到。

2. 接 to doing sth的例子

the government’s commitment to simplifying the way companies are taxed. 政府简化公司纳税手续的承诺

Do you think we can sustain our commitment to delivering the papers on time ? 你认为我们还能准时递交文件吗?

The company’s commitment to providing quality at a reasonable price has been vital to its success. 这家公司保证供货质优价廉的承诺对它的成功起了决定性的作用。

问题二:but 和前面的 to...并列,那不应该是 but (also) to all round 吗?

是的,原则上说 not only…but (also)…所连接的两个成分应是对称结构,但有时(尤其是在口语或非正式文体中)也会连接非对称结构,关于这个问题,英语答疑网曾有过很好的解答,请参见:http://ask.yygrammar.com/q-2658.html 。下面是相关内容的摘录:

▲在通常情况下,not only…but also…作为并列连词,应该用于连接两个平结构或相同的句子成分,如:

Not only the students but also their teacher is enjoying the film. 不仅学生们在欣赏这部影片,他们的老师也在欣赏这部影片。(连接主语)

He not only read the book, but also remembered what he had read. 他不但看过这本书,而且记得书的内容。(连接谓语)

The claims were not only quite false but also very nearly dishonest. 这要求不仅是相当无根据的,而且几乎是不诚实的。(连接表语)

If this project fails it will affect not only our department, but also the whole organization. 要是这个方案不成功,这不仅不会影响我们这个部门,而且会影响整个组织。(连接宾语)

There are problems not only with the students, but also with the teachers themselves. 不但学生们有难题,教师们自己也有。(连接定语)

We go there not only in winter, but also in summer. 我们不仅冬天去那儿,而且夏天也去。(连接状语)

▲以上说的是“通常情况”,但也有“非通常的情况”,即它所连接的两个成分并非平结构或相同的句子成分,如:

Wood flooring not only cleans easily, but it’s environmentally friendly into the bargain. 木地板不光容易打扫,而且还环保。(摘自《柯林斯Cobuild高阶英汉双解学习词典》)

His headache and fatigue not only subsided, but, what is more, his craving for alcohol disappeared. 不但他的头疼和疲劳减累轻了,而且他嗜酒的毛病也消失了。(摘自《柯林斯英语语法系列——限定词及数量词》)

从网上查了一下,这个句子出自全国大学生英语演讲比赛一等奖获得者顾秋陪的演讲稿,换句话说,这个句子出自一名大学生的口语表达,所以出现不对称的表达也很正常。

附原句翻译:

A commitment to providing all human beings the golden opportunity to develop themselves is so vital, not only to the people here, but all around.

承诺为全人类提供好的机会来发展自我至关重要,不仅对在坐的人来说是这样,对我们周围所有人来说也是如此!

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  • 灰灰要向上 提出于 2016-02-23 21:47

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