同位语是用来对名词(或代词)作进一步的解释,它可以是单词、短语或从句.同位语从句是名词从句的一种,置于某些名词之后如：fact,doubt,idea,news,hope,indication,decision,possibility,assumption,suggestion,question,and so on.这种从句通常由that引导,也可用what,why,whether,when等引导.
在阅读时,要注意同位语与本位语分割的现象.如,The thought came to me that I would invite him to McDonald?s.当时我产生一个念头,即我要请他吃麦当劳.同位语从句that I would :McDonald?s与其先行词The thought被came to me分隔.翻译时,可增加“即”或用冒号、破折号分开.
例There is no agreement whether methodology refers to the concepts peculiar to historical work in general or to the research techniques appropriate to the various branches of historians inquiry.(1999年真题)
分析：本题属于同谓语结构.句子“there is no agreement whether...or...or”引导的名词从句是agreement的同位语.在这个同位语从句中,methodologies后面跟着两个并列谓语,即refers to...or(refers)to.peculiar to historical work和appropriateto the various branches of historical inquiry都是形容词短语,分别修饰concepts和research techniques.
