When an English metaphorical sentence does not involve a human participant or an implied human participant, it is often translated into an inanimate sentence in Chinese. Necessary changes should be made. For example:

(1) Britain saw the first jet airplane in 1952.

第一架喷气式飞机于1952年在英国诞生。

(2) The plane responds well to the controls.

这架飞机控制系统很灵。

(3) The engine suffered severely as a result.

结果，发动机受到严重损害。

(4) In 1919 the May 4th Movement swept the country.

1919年，五四运动席卷全国。

(5) Time works many changes.

时间会带来许多变化。

(6) Spring wakes all nature.

春天使大自然觉醒。

(7) The arrest of the flood-waters saved many homes.

洪水拦住之后，许多家庭得救了。

(8) A sudden shower killed the wind.

突如其来的阵雨，使大风停息下来。

(9) The application of special additional device permits the car to run faster than before.

只要使用一种专用的附加装置，这辆汽车就可以跑得更快。

(10) There was no reduction in the price.

价格没有降低。

(11) A hush fell upon the assembly.

会场一片寂静。

(12) The world has witnessed different roads to modernization.

世界上已经有不同的现代化道路。

Note that sentences (7) and (9) are translated into complex sentences, in which the superordinate clauses have inanimate Subjects. (11) and (12) are translated into existential sentences, of which the Subjects are inanimate locations.

Sometimes, however, even when the English metaphorical sentence involves a human participant or an implied human participant, it can be translated into an inanimate sentence in Chinese. For example: 

(13) The news completely upset them.

这消息使他们很难受。

(14) Their drive moved us deeply.

他们的干劲使我们深受感动。

(15) Liberation found my hometown with few hospitals.

解放时，我的故乡医院很少。