標籤: 轉折詞

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轉折詞後面須有逗點，但前面絕不可有逗點

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  • John was ill. As a result, he could not come. (約翰病了，所以他不能來) (正)
  • John was ill; as a result, he could not come. (正)
  • John was ill. As a result he could not come. (誤)
  • John was ill, as a result, he could not come. (誤)

解說：英文常用的轉折詞 (transitional phrases) 有 however, therefore, consequently, nonetheless, nevertheless, as a result 等。這些轉折詞後面須有逗點，但前面絕不可有逗點 (前面要用句點或分號)。

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Q： 國內不少人使用的 Yxxxx!字典有 “The dollar has gone down against the yen, therefore Japanese goods are more expensive for Americans.” 這樣一個例句。但這句對嗎?

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A：這句犯了一個相當常見且非常嚴重的錯誤，也就是英文所謂的「逗點謬誤」 (comma fault or run-on error)，即兩個句子之間沒有連接詞而是用逗點來當連接詞。這種句子被稱為 run-on sentences。問題的癥結在於 therefore 是個副詞，卻被當作連接詞。所以問題中的句子應改為

  • The dollar has gone down against the yen, and therefore Japanese goods are more expensive for Americans. (美元兌日元的匯率下跌了，因此日本商品對美國人來說比較貴了) － 這句沒有下句好。

或

  • The dollar has gone down against the yen; therefore, Japanese goods are more expensive for Americans.

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