有一读者问:
(1)You don't seem to know when you're lucky.
请问该句中的when引导的是什么从句? when应作“当”讲还是应作“何时”讲?
句中的when并不是连词,所以它不作“当”讲;它也不是疑问副词,所以它也不作“何时”讲。它是一个缩合的连接副词,由the time when缩合而成;为方便起见,也可以说它前面省去了the time(但不可加上)。由此可见,上述句中的when从句是一个名词性从句,用作宾语,全句的意思是:你处在幸运的时刻,而你却似乎不知道,或可译为“你简直是身在福中不知福”。
缩合连接副词when还可以引导用作介词宾语的宾语从句,如:
(2)I'll come back in three day's time, by when you should be cured.
(3)He was talking from when the buggy started rolling.
(4)Your father left it with me for when your manhood training would start.
