独立主格结构在形式上由两部分组成。第一部分由名词或代词担任,第二部分由分词、动词不定式、形容词、副词、名词或介词短语担任,但在四级考试中以分词担任第二部分的居多,有时也会由不定式担任。
1)名词或主格代词+现在分词
例1,______a man who expresses himself effectively is sure to succeed more rapidly than a man whose command of language is poor.
A)Other things being equal B)Were other things equal C)To be equalto other things D)Other things to be equal
(答案A Band 4,1997.6)
例2 So many directors ______,the board meeting had to be put off.
A)were absent B)been absent C)had been absent D)being absent
(答案D Band 4,2001.1)
当独立主格中的分词所表示的动作先于句中谓语动词所表示的动作时,用分词的完成形式。
例3 The speech______,a lively discussion started. A)being delivered B)was delivered C)be deliveredD)having been delivered
(答案D Band 4,1995.1)
当独立主格结构中的名词或主格代词是分词表示的动作的承受者时,用分词的被动形式。
例4 All flights_____because of the snow-storm,many passengers could do nothing but take the train. A)were canceled B)having been canceled C)had been canceled D)have been canceled