Many English process types can be used metaphorically to express the meaning of complex sentences. Therefore, when these metaphorical sentences are translated into nonmetaphorical sentences in Chinese, they are usually translated into complex sentences. While the predicates are translated into animate sentences, the original inanimate Subjects are translated into adverbial clauses. For example:

(1) The sight of the river reminds me of my hometown.

一看到这条河，我便想起了我的故乡。

(2) The loss of Lee was a severe shock to the Americans.

李将军被俘后，美国朝野上下大为震惊。

(3) Our violent attack sent the enemy troops flying in all directions.

在我方的猛烈攻击下，敌军士兵向四面八方逃窜。

(4) The rain prevented me from coming.

因下雨，我没能来。

(5) My duty forbids me to fly from danger.

职责所在，我不能临阵脱逃。

(6) Shortness of time has required his omission of some states.

由于时间不够，他不能访问某些国家了。

(7) The thought of seeing her son very soon filled her heart with great happiness.

想到不久就要看到她的儿子，她心中感到十分快乐。

(8) Only the thought of his mother gave him the strength to go on doing it.

只是由于想起了他的母亲，他才鼓起了勇气继续干下去。

(9) The least alarm of their movement would bring the enemy upon them and produce a terrible scene of confusion and carnage at the place of embarkation.

只要他们的行动有一丝一毫惊动敌人，敌人就会立即进攻，在登陆地点大肆进行屠杀，造成一片可怕的混乱局面。

(10) Careful comparison of them will show you the difference.

只要仔细比较一下，你就会发现它们的差异。

(11) A little time and perseverance will give us some favourable opportunity of recovering our loss.

只要假以时日，只要我们坚持不懈，我们终究会找到某种有利的时机收复失地。

In the examples above, English metaphorical sentences are translated into complex sentences in Chinese. The inanimate Subjects are all translated into adverbial clauses. Sentences (1) – (2) involve adverbial clauses of time, (3) – (8) those of reason and (9) – (11) those of condition.

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