语法：关于“if...then＂和＂if”从句

英语自学网

除了"but"从句，很多学英语的人还会过多使用"if … then"或是"if"从句。这些从句本身并不是不好。但我们这里讨论的是多样性及其必要性。看看下例：
       
Before: If you fail to pass the drug test, we will have to dismiss you from your job.
       
After:   Failure to pass the drug test will result in job dismissal.
       
修改后的句子语气显得稍强一些。同时因为句中省掉了"you"，使句子在语气上减少了对抗性。这个解题对策适用于每种人称，不单单指"you"。
       
Plain:        If one imitates, one cannot expect to be great.
       
Interesting:        No person ever yet became great by imitation.
       
Plain:        If we want to end a war quickly, we must lose it.
       
Interesting:        The quickest way to end a war is to lose it.
       
Plain:        If we were directed from government bureaucracy when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.
       
Interesting:        Were we directed from government bureaucracy when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.
       
Plain:        Several staff members have checked the manuscript to see if it is accurate and easy to use.
       
Interesting:        Several staff members have checked the manuscript for accuracy and ease of use.
       
Plain:        If words are taken out of context, they are not very likely to mean the same as they do when they are in context.
       
Interesting:        Words taken out of context do not always mean what they do in context.