原文中做三明治的动词形态为“had made”是过去完成时，表明这个动作发生于另ー动作完成之前。英语用形态的变化就能够表示动作的先后，汉语则要用 “已经”这个时间副词。

⑦Louis had volunteered to raise the toast but Roque said that he would. There he was now with the champagne glass in his hand.

路易斯曾自告奋勇要献祝酒词，但洛克说该由他来，所以现在他手上端着香槟酒杯。

原文中，争献祝酒词的动词形态为“had volunteered”是过去完成吋，后一句表达酒杯在手的动词是“was”为一般过去时，英语在动词的形态上已将它们表达得很清楚，译文用増加词汇的方法达到这个目的。

⑧ It was understood that atoms were the smallest elements. It is known now that atoms can be further divided into nuclei and electrons, neutrons and protons, etc.

以前人们认为原子是最小的元素，现在才知道原子还可以分为原子核与电子，中子和质子等。

此例也是用汉语的词汇手段“以前”“规在”来表达英语动词通过形态所表示的时间概念。下例的翻译使用的也是这样的策略。

⑨ Although no one has yet set foot on Vesta, and no spacecraft has been near. Planetary scientists have obtained conclusive evidence during the last decade that cold, silent Vesta was once the scene of volcanic activity.

尽管从未有人登上过灶神星，也从未有过宇宙飞船飞近过灶神星，但是研究行星的科学工作者在最近10年中已经获得了可靠的证据，证明寒冷而宁静的灶神星曾经是火山活动的舞台。

汉译英吋，译者应善于利用英语形态手段丰富这ー特点，用形态的变化来表意。例如：

⑩他们为改善生活而努力工作。

They are working hard for a better life.

此例就是巧妙地利用了英语形容词比较级这一形态的变化来表达汉语动词“改善”的意义。这样，译文减少了动词，符合英语的语言特点，当然也就提髙了译文的质量。它比“They are working hard to improve their life.”这ー译法更规范、地道。