攻克英语长难句对于阅读、翻译和写作都有助益。下面新东方在线通过四大案例，详细分析长难句该从何处下手分析解读。
●案例一
The physicist rightly dreads precise argument , since an argument , since an argument that is convincing only if it precise loses all its force if the assumptions on which it is based are slightly changed , whereas an argument that is convincing though imprecise may well be stable under perturbations of its underlying assumptions.
【词汇突破】dread 害怕，担心
precise 精确的
whereas 鉴于，然而，反之
perturbation 忧虑，不安，烦恼，小的变化
【主干识别】The physicist rightly dreads precise argument .
【其他成分】since an argument , since an argument that is convincing only if it precise loses all its force if the assumptions on which it is based are slightly changed , whereas an argument that is convincing though imprecise may well be stable under perturbations of its underlying assumptions为状语从句，状语从句部分可以切分为两个部分：
1.since an argument , since an argument that is convincing only if it precise loses all its force if the assumptions on which it is based are slightly changed
An argument loses all its force .为本句的主干。
That is convincing only if it is precise 作定语从句修饰argument.
If the assumptions are slightly changed 为状语从句中的状语从句。
On which it is based 为定语从句修饰assumptions , which指代assumptions , 相当于the argument is based on assumptions。
连在一起，本部分译文可翻译为：
如果一个只有在精确的情况下才能有说服力的论断所基于的假设发生了细微变化，那么这个论断会失去其全部的说服力。
注意：由于状语从句和定语从句都是修饰同一个argument ， 所以翻译时可以把定语从句的信息先说明，这样可以使得译文更加顺畅，符合中文的表达习惯。
●案例二
Prior to the twentieth century , women in novels were stereotypes of lacking any feature that made them unique individuals and were also subject to numerous restrictions imposed by the male-dominated culture.
【词汇突破】prior to 在...之前
Stereotypes 模式化的形象，固定模式，刻板印象，陈规老套
lacking=lack of 缺乏，没有
feature 特征
unipue individual 独特的个体
subject to 容易遭受，受……管制
numerous 很多的
【主干识别】
Women in novels were stereotypes and were also subject to numerous restrictions .
【其他成分】
of lacking any feature that made unique individuals 为定语，其中还包括一个由that引导的定语从句;imposed by the male- dominated culture 作定语修饰restrictions .
【译文赏析】20世纪前，小说中的女性都是一些刻板的形象，没有任何特点，所以无法成为独特的个体，而且他们还屈从于男性主宰的文化传统加强给他们的种种舒服。
●案例三
The idea of fish being able to generate electricity strong enough to light small bulbs , even to run an electric motor , is almost unbelievable.
【词汇突破】generate electricity 发电
light 点亮
【主干识别】The idea is almost unbelievable.
【其他成分】of fish being able to generate electricity strong enough to light small bulbs , even to run an electric motor 作定语修饰the idea。
以上就是对于句子结构的把握，但是如果要翻译的话，肯定不能按英语的结构来翻译，定语被前置的话，后果将是灾难性的。所以过长的修饰部分可以单独成句，然后再按照汉语的语序重新排列。
首先定语部分可以切分为两个部分：
1.of fish being able to generate electricity
鱼可以发电
2. strong enough to light small bulbs , even to run an electric motor
电的强度足以点亮点灯，甚至可以开动电马达
再看主句：
3.The idea is almost unbelievable.
这种理念简直让人难以置信。
这样，我们发现其实按123的顺序来翻译就符合中文的表达习惯。
●案例四
A sacred place of peace , however crude it may be , is a distinctly human need , as opposed to shelter , which is a distinctly animal need .
【词汇突破】sacred 神圣的
crude 简陋的
shelter 栖息之地
distinctly 明显地
opposed 与……相反的
【主干识别】A sacred place of peace is a distinctly animal need .
【其他成分】状语从句为however crude it may be =it maybe however crude.
意为"无论……多么……"，as opposed to shelter 在本句中作状语。
【译文赏析】一处神圣的和平之所，无论多么简陋，也明显是人类所需要的，它同栖身之所是不一样的，栖身之所显然只是动物的需求。
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