1. 強調と焦点の技法
前方移動 (Fronting)
通常の語順から要素を文頭に移動させることで強調する技法です。
例文:
通常: I have never seen such a beautiful sunset.
前方移動: Such a beautiful sunset I have never seen.
通常: I can't tolerate dishonesty.
前方移動: Dishonesty I cannot tolerate.
倒置 (Inversion)
否定・制限を表す副詞句の後では、主語と助動詞・動詞が倒置します。
例文:
- Not only did she win the competition, but she also broke the record.
- Rarely have I seen such dedication to a cause.
- Under no circumstances should you contact him again.
- Only then did I realize what was happening.
2. 高度な仮定法構造
仮定法における倒置
「If」を省略した仮定法では倒置が起こります。フォーマルな表現や文学的表現で使用されます。
例文:
通常: If I had known about the problem, I would have fixed it.
倒置: Had I known about the problem, I would have fixed it.
通常: If he were to arrive late, we would start without him.
倒置: Were he to arrive late, we would start without him.
複雑な仮定表現
「if it weren't for...」などの表現を使った仮定法です。
例文:
- If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have succeeded.
- But for the rain, the match would have continued. (= If it hadn't been for the rain)
- Had it not been for the quick response of the medical team, she might not have survived.
3. 助動詞のニュアンス
確実性の度合い
助動詞は確実性の度合いを微妙に表し分けることができます。
確実性の低→高:
- He might be at home. (可能性は低め: 20-30%)
- He could be at home. (可能性はある: 40-50%)
- He may be at home. (可能性は高め: 60-70%)
- He must be at home. (論理的にほぼ確実: 90-95%)
丁寧さの表現
助動詞を使い分けることで、丁寧さのレベルを調整できます。
丁寧さの低→高:
- Give me the report. (命令形: 最も直接的)
- Can you give me the report? (基本的な依頼)
- Could you give me the report? (より丁寧)
- Would you mind giving me the report? (さらに丁寧)
- I wonder if you might be able to give me the report? (最も丁寧/間接的)
4. 高度な受動態構造
使役構文 (Causative)
「have/get something done」の形で「〜させる」「〜してもらう」を表します。
例文:
- I had my car repaired yesterday. (私は車を修理してもらった)
- She got her hair cut at the new salon. (彼女は新しい美容院で髪を切ってもらった)
- We're having the house painted next week. (来週、家を塗装してもらう予定だ)
複雑な受動態
複数の時制や助動詞を組み合わせた受動態です。
例文:
- The project must have been being developed for years before it was finally launched.
- The suspect is believed to have been hiding in the abandoned building.
- By this time next year, the new bridge will have been being constructed for two years.
感情を表す表現での受動態
感情を表す表現では、能動態と受動態でニュアンスが変わります。
例文:
- The news surprised me. (ニュートラルな表現)
- I was surprised by the news. (主観的な感情表現)
- I was surprised at/about the news. (事実に対する反応)