作为连接词,what可以引导主语从句,表语从句和宾语从句。what的译法主要 有三种情况。
1. 仍然保留疑问含义,译为“什么”、“那”、“多少”等,这时what在引导的名词从句作定语、表语、主语或宾语等。如:
* What potential energy and kinetic energy really mean and how we explain these two terms will be the content of the next article.
位能和动能的含义究竟是什么,我们又怎样解释这两个术语,这将是下篇文章的内容。 (what引导主语从句,what在该从句中作宾语)
* Knowing what might go wrong can help prevent problems from occurring.
了解哪些地方有可能出问题,有助于防止故障的发生。(what引导宾语从句,what 在该从句中作主语)
* In selecting a material, the engineer must have knowledge not only of what the material's properties are, but also of how they are determined.
在选择材料时,工程师不仅要知道材料的性能是什么,而且要知道性能是怎样测定的。(what引导宾语从句,what在该从句中作表语)
2. what从句译为“(所)......的(东西等)”。这时what相当于the thing(s) that。如:
* What caused the accident is a completely mystery.
是什么引起了这场事故还完全是个谜。