10-7. Preposing/Fronting
Утвердительное английское предложение обычно начинается с подлежащего, но в ряде случаев этот порядок можно менять (чаще это бывает в разговорной речи) и ставить на первое место другие элементы предложения (Fronting/Preposing):
Object:
This I do not understand.
People like that I just can't stand.
This question we have already discussed at some length.
All the other information which you need I am putting in the post today. (from a business letter)
Any video in our catalogue we can supply, if available. (Notice in music shop.)
Why he came this way I will probably never know.
What I'm going to do next I just don't know.
How she got the gun through customs we never found out.
Complement:
Far more serious were the severe head injuries.
So preoccupied was she that she was unaware that Diana was stand.
■ Complement of the adjective:
Whether Nancy was there or not, she could not be certain.
Безличные обороты:
I have said he would come down and come down he did.
Waiting below was Michael Sams.
Enclosed is a card for our permanent signature file.
Придаточные клозы с as/though:
Try as she might to make it otherwise...
Much as I respect his work, I cannot agree with him.
Young as I was, I realised what was happening.
Tired though she was, she went on working.
Fast though she drove, she could not catch them.
... unsuccessful though they have been in their proposals.
■ Этот грамматический прием позволяет сделать на переставленном вперед элементе смысловое ударение (встречается в основном в разговорной речи):
Strange people they are!
Very good lesson we had yesterday.
Last for ever these shoes will.
В начало предложения могут также переносится обстоятельства (в рассказах, например):
Once upon a time there were three little pigs.
One day ...
Then ...
Soon after that ...
After dark, ...
Inside the front door there is ...
Opposite the living room is ...
On the right you can see ...
At the top of the stairs. . .
Наречные частицы часто употребляются в указаниях маленьким детям:
Off we go!
Down you come!
Часто постановка обстоятельств в начало предложения требует инверсии (см.)