分詞是短語修飾名詞，定語從句是從句修飾名詞。
用作定語的從句叫做定語從句（attributive clause）。定語從句通常皆置于它所修飾的名詞（或代詞）之后，這種名詞（或代詞）叫做先行詞（antecedent）。引導(dǎo)賓語從句的關(guān)聯(lián)詞為關(guān)系代詞和關(guān)系副詞。關(guān)系代詞在定語從句中可用作主語、賓語、定語等；關(guān)系副詞在定語從句中只用作狀語。如：（1）The student who answered the question was John. 回答問題的那個(gè)學(xué)生是約翰。（who answered the question是關(guān)系代詞who引導(dǎo)的定語從句，用以修飾who先行詞student，who在從句中用作主語）（2）I know the reason why he was so angry. 我知道他這么生氣的原由。（why he was so angry是關(guān)系副詞引導(dǎo)的定語從句，用以修飾why的先行詞reason，why在從句中用作原因狀語）定語從句一般緊跟其先行詞之后。如：（3）The room which served for studio was bare and dusty. 這個(gè)用作工作室的房間空蕩蕩的，布滿灰塵。（關(guān)系代詞which引導(dǎo)的定語從句緊跟其先行詞room之后）有時(shí)亦可與先行詞分離。如：（4）A new master will come tomorrow who will teach you German. 明天要來一位新教師教你們德語了。（關(guān)系代詞who引導(dǎo)的定語從句與其先行詞master分離）1）用作關(guān)聯(lián)詞的關(guān)系代詞有who，whom，whose，that，which等。who，whom，whose指人，who是主格，在從句中用作主語（在非正式英語中亦可用作賓語）；whom是賓格，在從句中用作賓語；whose是屬格，在從句中用作定語（有時(shí)亦可指物）。如：（5）The man who was here yesterday is a painter. 昨天在這里的那個(gè)人是位畫家。（主格關(guān)系代詞who在從句中用作主語）（6）The man who I saw is called Smith. 我見到的那個(gè)人名叫史密斯。（在非正式英語中who 代替了whom，亦可省去不用）（7）I know the man whom you mean. 我認(rèn)識(shí)你指的那個(gè)人。（賓語關(guān)系代詞whom在從句中用作賓語）（8）A child whose parents are dead is called an orphan. 失去父母的孩子叫做孤兒。（屬格關(guān)系代詞whose在從句中用作定語，指人）（9）I’d like a room whose window looks out over the sea. 我想要一個(gè)窗戶面臨大海的房間。（屬格關(guān)系代詞whose在從句中用作定語，指room，可代之以of which，但后者較為正式）that在從句中既可用作主語，亦可用作賓語（在非正式文體中可省去）；既可指人，亦可指物，介在當(dāng)代英語中多指物。如：（10）A letter that is written in pencil is difficult to read. 用鉛筆寫的信很難讀。（關(guān)系代詞that在從句中用作主語，指物）（11）The letter that I received from him yesterday is very important. 昨天他來的信很重要。（關(guān)系代詞that在從句中用作賓語，指物）（12）Is he the man that sells eggs他是賣雞蛋的那個(gè)人嗎？（關(guān)系代詞that在從句中用作主語，指人）（13）This is the book which has been retranslated into many languages. 這就是那本有多種譯本的書。（關(guān)系代詞which在從句中用作主語）（14）Where is the book which I bought this morning今天上午我買的那本書在哪兒？（關(guān)系代詞which在從句中用作賓語，可省去）which在從句中亦可用作定語和表語。如：（15）We told him to consult the doctor, which advice he took. 我們叫他去看醫(yī)生，他聽取了我們的勸告。（關(guān)系代詞which在從句中用作定語）（16）The two policemen were completely trusted, which in fact, they were. 那兩個(gè)警察完全受到信任，事實(shí)上真是如此。（關(guān)系代詞which在從句中用作表語）as，than，but亦可用作關(guān)系代詞。如：（17）The two brothers were satisfied with this decision, as was agreed beforehand. 兩兄弟對(duì)這個(gè)決定都滿意，它事先已經(jīng)他們同意了。（關(guān)系代詞as在從句中用作主語，其先行詞是this decision）（18）He was a foreigner, as I knew from his accent. 他是個(gè)外國人，我是從他的口音知道的。（關(guān)系代詞as在從句中用作賓語，其先行詞是前面的整個(gè)句子）（19）I never heard such stories as he tells. 我從未聽過他講的這類故事。（關(guān)系代詞as與指示代詞such連用，在從句中用作賓語，其先行詞是such stories）（20）Her attitude to him was quite the same as it had always been. 她對(duì)他的態(tài)度同她慣常的態(tài)度完全一樣。（關(guān)系代詞as與指示代詞same連用，在從句中用作表語，其先行詞是same）（21）You spent more money than was intended to be spent. 你花的錢超過了預(yù)定的數(shù)額。（關(guān)系代詞than在從句中用作主語，其先行詞是money）（22）There are very few but admire his talents. 很少人不贊賞他的才干的。（關(guān)系代詞but在從句中用作主語，其先行詞是few，but=who don’t）關(guān)系代詞在定語從句中用作介詞賓語時(shí)，介詞既可置于從句之首，亦可置于從句之末。但以置于從句之首較為正式。如：（23）This is the book for which you asked. 這是你所要的書。（關(guān)系代詞用作介詞for賓語，之首，即which之前）（24）This is the book which you asked for. 這是你所要的書。（介詞for置于從句之末，which在此可省去）關(guān)系代詞who和that用作介詞賓語時(shí)，介詞須置于句末。如：（25）The people you were talking to are Swedes. 你與之談話的那些人是瑞典人。（關(guān)系代詞主格who用作介詞to賓語時(shí)，介詞to須置于從句之末，who中口語中可省去）（26）Here is the car that I told you about. 這兒就是我和你談過的那輛汽車。（關(guān)系代詞that用作介詞about賓語，介詞about須置于從句之末）有時(shí)從句還有其它成分，介詞則置于從句之中。如：（27）This is the boy who he worked with in the office. 那就是與他一道辦公的那個(gè)男孩。先行詞指人時(shí)，關(guān)系代詞既可用who，亦可用that。但關(guān)系代詞在從句之中用作主語時(shí)，多用主格who。如：（28）Persons who are quarrelsome are despised. 好爭(zhēng)吵者遭輕視。（除外persons，還有people，those，等皆多用who）（29）All who heard the story were amazed. 聽到這個(gè)故事的人都感到吃驚。（代詞如he，they，any，all，one等之后多用who）（30）I will pardon him who is honest. 我愿意寬恕他，他是誠實(shí)的。（描述性定語從句用who）（31）I think it is you who should prove to me. 我認(rèn)為是你應(yīng)該向我提出證據(jù)。（在強(qiáng)調(diào)結(jié)構(gòu)中多用who，who在此可省去）（32）Who is not for us is against us. 誰不贊成我們就是反對(duì)我們。（縮合連接代詞who為可代之以that）在下列一些情況中則多用that。如：（33）He was the man that the bottle fell on. 他就是瓶子落在其身上的那個(gè)人。（此處常用that作賓語指人，亦可用whom）（34）He is a man that is never at a loss. 他是一個(gè)從未一籌莫展的人。（that常用于泛指人）（35）He was watching the children and parcels that filled the car. 我望著塞滿車的孩子和包裹。（兼指人與物時(shí)須用that）（36）Who that you have ever seen can beat him in chess你曾見過誰能在棋藝上打敗他？（避免與先行詞who重復(fù)時(shí)應(yīng)用that）（37）That’s the same man that asked for help the day before yesterday. 這個(gè)與前天求援的是同一個(gè)人。（先行詞前有指示代詞same時(shí)應(yīng)用that）（38）He is not that man that he was. 他已不是過去的他了。（that常用作表語）（39）I knew her father for the simplest, hardest working man that ever drew the breath of life. 我早知她的父親是一個(gè)世上最簡(jiǎn)樸最努力工作的人。（先行詞前有形容詞最高級(jí)、序數(shù)詞或only等詞時(shí)應(yīng)用that）先行詞指物時(shí)，關(guān)系代詞that與which往往可以互換。但在下列情況中多用that。如：（40）All that glitters is not gold. 閃光的東西不都是金子。（不定代詞包括復(fù)合詞something等多后接that）（41）It was the largest map that I ever saw. 那是我所看見過的最大的地圖。（前有形容詞最高級(jí)等的先行詞之后多用that）（42）It was liberation that brought about a complete change in his life. 是解放給他的生活帶來了徹底的改變。（強(qiáng)調(diào)結(jié)構(gòu)用that）（43）There is a house that has bay windows. 有一棟房子有凸出的窗戶。（that在此表固有的特點(diǎn)）（44）The distance that you are from home is immaterial. 你離家的距離是不足道的。（在限制性定語從句中關(guān)系代詞用作表語應(yīng)用that，在描述性定語從句中則應(yīng)用which）（45）Which was the hotel that was recommended to you哪一個(gè)是推薦給你的旅館？（這里用that顯然是為了避免重復(fù)which）在下列情況中則多用which。如：（46）Larry told her the story of the young airman which I narrated at the beginning of this book. 拉里把我在書本開關(guān)敘述過的那個(gè)關(guān)于一個(gè)青年飛行員的故事講給她聽。（離先行詞較遠(yuǎn)時(shí)常用which）（47）A shop should keep a stock of those goods which sell best. 商店應(yīng)存在最暢銷的貨物。（“those+復(fù)形名詞”之后多用which）（48）I have that which you gave me. 我有你給我的那個(gè)。（which比較正式，在非正式英語中也可用that）（49）Beijing, which was China’s capital for more than 800 years, is rich in cultural and historic relics. 北京曾是八百多年的中國首都，有很豐富的歷史文物。（描述性定語從句一般皆用which）（50）This is the one of which I’m speaking. 這就是我所講的那個(gè)。（介詞之后須用which）2）用作關(guān)聯(lián)詞的關(guān)系副詞有when，where，why等。when在從句中用作時(shí)間狀語，其先行詞須是表時(shí)間的名詞。如：（51）We will put off the picnic until next week, when the weather may be better. 我們打算把野餐推遲到下周，那時(shí)天氣可能轉(zhuǎn)好。（關(guān)系副詞when的先行詞是next week）（52）He came last night when I was out. 他昨晚來時(shí)我出去了。（關(guān)系副詞when的先行詞是last night）since，before，after亦可用作表時(shí)間的關(guān)系副詞。如：（53）Every hour since I came has been most enjoyable. 我來之后的每一個(gè)小時(shí)都是非常好玩的。（since用作關(guān)系副詞）（54）On the day before we left home there came a snowstorm. 在我們離家的前一天，下了一場(chǎng)暴風(fēng)雪。（before用作關(guān)系副詞）（55）The year after she had finished college she spent abroad. 她大學(xué)畢業(yè)后的一年是在國外度過的。（after用作關(guān)系副詞）that有時(shí)亦可用作表時(shí)間的關(guān)系副詞。如：（56）It happened on the day that I was born. 那件事是在我出生的那一天發(fā)生的。（that=when）where在從句中用作地點(diǎn)狀語，其先行詞須是表地點(diǎn)的名詞。如：（57）They went to the Royal Theatre, where they saw Ibsen’s “The Doll’s house”. 他們?nèi)セ始覄≡嚎戳艘撞飞摹犊芗彝ァ罚?8）The place where Macbeth met the witches was a desolate heath. 麥克白遇見女巫的地方是一片荒原。where的先行詞亦可是有地點(diǎn)含義的抽象名詞。如：（59）He has reached the point where a change is needed. 他已到了需要改弦易轍的地步。（where的先行詞point是抽象名詞）why在從句中用作原因狀語，其先行詞只有reason。如：（60）That is no reason why you should leave. 那不是你必須離開的原因。（why先行詞是reason）（61）He refused to disclose the reason why he did it. 他拒絕透露他做那件事的原因。（why先行詞是reason）有時(shí)why可以省去。如：（62）That’s one of the reasons I asked you to come. 那是我要你來的原因之一。（reasons后省去why）有時(shí)why可用that代替。如：（63）The reason that he died was lack of medical care. 他死于缺乏醫(yī)療。（why由that代替）3）定語從句可分為限制性定語從句與描述性定語從句。限制性定語從句與先行詞關(guān)系密切，對(duì)它有限制作用。因此不可缺少，否則會(huì)影響全句的意義。限制性定語從句前一般不用逗號(hào)。如：（64）What is the name of the boy who brought us the letter給我們帶信的那個(gè)男孩叫什么名字？（65）There is much which will be unpleasing to the English reader. 有許多東西將會(huì)使英國讀者不愉快。（66）The teacher told us that Tom was the only person that was reliable. 老師告訴我們，湯姆是惟一可依賴的人。（67）I shall never forget the day when we first met in the park. 我永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)忘記我們?cè)诠珗@相見的那一天。（68）Is there a shop around where we can get fruit附近有可以買到水果的商店嗎？（69）Do you know the reason why I came late你知道我遲到的原故嗎？描述性定語從句又稱作非限制性定語從句（non-restrictive）。描述性定語從句只與先行詞有一種松散的修飾關(guān)系，在口語中用停頓的方法表示，在書面語中用逗號(hào)分開。因此從句中的關(guān)系代詞不能省略。that一般不引導(dǎo)描述性定語從句。如：（70）I like to chat with John, who is a clever fellow. 我喜歡與約翰交談，他是個(gè)聰明人。（71）Water, which is a clear liquid, has many uses. 水是一種清澈的液體，有許多用途。（72）Once more I am in Boston, where I have not been for ten years. 我又一次來到了波士頓，我有十年沒有到這里來了。描述性定語從句形式上是從句，其功能實(shí)質(zhì)上相當(dāng)于一個(gè)分句。如：（73）Then he met Mary, who invited him to a party. 后來他遇到瑪麗，瑪麗邀請(qǐng)他去參加晚會(huì)。（who實(shí)際上=and she）（74）When he was seventeen he went to a technical school in Zurich, Switzerland, where he studied mathematics and physics. 他17歲時(shí)，到瑞士蘇黎世一?？茖W(xué)校上學(xué)，他在那里學(xué)習(xí)數(shù)學(xué)和物理學(xué)。（where=and there）有時(shí)描述性定語從句的含義相當(dāng)于一個(gè)狀語從句。如：（75）We don’t like the room, which is cold. 我們不喜歡那個(gè)房間，它很冷。（which is cold=since it is cold）（76）He said he was busy, which was untrue. 他說他很忙，其實(shí)不然。（which was untrue=though it was untrue）（77）I want him, who knows some English. 我要他，他懂得些英語。（who knows some English=for he knows some English
