第2章 在论述原因—结果时可以使用的句型
01.The argument that ...rests chiefly on the fact that ...
外刊语境
Mr Ritter's argument that Amazon and Zalando can comfortably co-exist rests chiefly on the fact that Amazon is pursuing the more price-conscious shopper,whereas Zalando is after a higher-value,more brand-conscious segment.(The Economist,2016.09.01)
参考译文
里特先生认为亚马逊和Zalando可以舒服地共存，主要原因在于亚马逊追求对价格敏感的购物者，而Zalando要吸引的是那些价值更高、更注重品牌的客户群。
句型解析
从上面句子中我们可以学习一个句式：The argument that ...rests chiefly on the fact that ...（关于……的论点主要基于……的事实），在对一个论点进行解释的时候可以用上它。
考场例句
The argument that higher education should be made universally available rests chiefly on the fact that doing so is in society's best economic interests.Research shows that a society with a greater number of highly-educated citizens is more likely to develop the creative technologies and business solutions needed to stimulate economic growth.
02.Something strengthens the case for ...
外刊语境
Many of these items have been on the to-do list of every Indian government for decades.But the long history of stasis only strengthens the case for change.(The Economist,2019.10.24)
参考译文
几十年来，这些项目里面有很多项都曾经出现在每届印度政府的待办事项清单上。但是，长期以来这些项目的停滞不前只会使变革的理由更加充分。
句型解析
句子中something strengthens the case for ...意思是“某事加强了支持……的理由”，比如要表达“这场事故加强了推出新法规的理由”，可以说：This accident strengthens the case for bringing in new regulations.如果要表达“某事加强了反对……的理由”，可以说：something strengthens the case against ...
考场例句
That more and more people in the city are falling victim to lung disease strengthens the case for implementing stricter environmental policies to cut air pollution.
03.Something is less about ...and more about ...
外刊语境
And when it comes to immigration,the debate is less about bringing in workers and more about border security.(NPR,2022.04.25)
参考译文
当涉及移民问题时，人们争辩的主题与其说是关于引进劳工，不如说是关于边境安全。
句型解析
我们可以用XX is less about ...and more about ...来说明“造成……的原因更多是因为……而不是因为……”，它在话题作文中有比较广泛的应用。
考场例句
Studies have shown that job satisfaction is less about high salaries and more about passion and personal growth,so it is better to choose a job that you are really passionate about.
04.lie at the root/heart of something
外刊语境
In Ireland,banking troubles lie at the root of what many in Europe are now calling a solvency crisis,reflecting long-term concern over Ireland's ability to repay its debts,as opposed to the lack of short-term funds that forced the Greek rescue last spring.(The New York Times,2010.11.15)
参考译文
在爱尔兰，银行业问题是危机的根源，这一危机现在被很多欧洲人称为“偿付能力危机”。这反映了人们对爱尔兰偿还债务能力的长期担忧。与之作为对比，去年春天短期资金的短缺迫使欧洲开展对希腊的救援。
句型解析
我们可以用A lies at the root/heart of B来表达“A是造成B的核心原因”，它可以用来代替A is the cause of B这一常见表达。
考场例句
Drug abuse lies at the root of crime and violence.In order to maintain social stability,it is imperative that the government take tougher measures on drug trafficking.
05.not least because
外刊语境
This year is a very important one for Russia's space programme,not least because it will soon celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned space flight.(BBC,2011.02.10)
参考译文
今年对俄罗斯的太空计划来说是非常重要的一年，尤其是因为它很快将庆祝首次载人航天飞行50周年。
句型解析
not least because不少同学可能会理解为“不仅仅是因为”，其实它的真正意思是“尤其是因为”，其中not least含义相当于especially or particularly，这一点要特别注意。这一表达在外刊文章中也有广泛的应用。
考场例句
More and more health experts have warned that we should stay away from sedentary lifestyles,not least because they double the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
06.Something/Somebody is to blame for ...
外刊语境
Kenya's electoral commission has said that a computer bug is to blame for a large number of rejected votes in the tallying of the presidential election.(BBC,2013.03.08)
参考译文
肯尼亚选举委员会表示，在总统选举的计票过程中出现了大量无效选票，这要归咎于一个计算机漏洞。
句型解析
something/somebody is to blame for ...是一个固定搭配，意思是“某事或某人对……负有责任”（注意不能写成to be blamed），比如：The hot weather is partly to blame for the water shortage.炎热的天气是缺水的原因之一。
考场例句
Research shows that excessive phone use is to blame for inattention among school children,so it is important that parents reduce their children's screen time and encourage them to read.
07.The ramifications go beyond ...
外刊语境
In many of Seoul's most Instagrammable coffee shops,couples on dates spend vastly more time looking at their screens than at each other.The ramifications go beyond the potentially dire consequences for romance.(The Economist,2019.07.04)
参考译文
在首尔很多适合拍照打卡的咖啡馆中，情侣约会看手机的时间远远超过相互注视的时间。这一行为除了可能会破坏浪漫气氛，还有其他后果。
句型解析
句子中Instagrammable是近年来产生的一个新词，用来说明某样东西很有特色，适合拍照发在Instagram平台上。ramification的意思是“（决定、计划、事件产生的）后果，影响”，这里我们也可以学到一个句式：The ramifications go beyond ...（某事产生的后果不止……），可以用该句式来说明某事产生的不良后果比预想的大。
考场例句
Plastic pollution has become a major environmental issue today,and its ramifications go beyond polluting the ocean.Studies reveal that microplastics can enter our bodies through the food chain,causing damage to our health.
08.Something leaves ...in its wake
外刊语境
In America,even though e-commerce still accounts for less than 10% of retail sales,it has left dead malls,derelict shopping centres and bereft landlords in its wake.(The Economist,2019.05.09)
参考译文
在美国，即使电子商务占了不到10%的零售总额，但它已经导致商场关门，购物中心遭到废弃，业主伤心失落。
句型解析
dead malls/derelict shopping centres/bereft landlords这三个并列成分很形象地说明了电商对于线下商店的冲击之大。句子中something leaves ...in its wake是一个固定搭配，意思是“某事导致了……的后果、问题等”。比如：The storm left a trail of destruction in its wake.暴风雨过处满目疮痍。
考场例句
The influx of travelers from around the country overwhelms the tourist site,leaving traffic congestion,environmental damage and high hotel prices in its wake.
09.less because of ...than because of ...
外刊语境
Mr Brown survived only at the discretion of his colleagues,and less because of his virtues than because of the risks of ditching him.(The Economist,2009.06.11)
参考译文
布朗只是由于其同僚的决定才幸免于难。与其说他的幸存是缘于他的美德，不如说是因为抛弃他有种种风险。
句型解析
从上面句子中我们可以学到一个句型：less because of A than because of B，其中A和B为名词结构，可以使用该句型来强调因素B才是导致某问题的根本原因。
考场例句
Shortsightedness is on the rise in children less because of too much screen time than because of too few outdoor activities.
10.XX is a recipe for something
外刊语境
In a kitchen that is definitely on the small side,he's serving up value-for-money dishes which he reckons are a recipe for success in tough economic times.(BBC,2013.04.19)
参考译文
在一间很小的厨房里，他正在做平价菜肴。他认为这些价格划算的饭菜是在经济困难时期取得成功的秘诀。
句型解析
这里可以学到一个表达：XX is a recipe for something，意思是“XX可能会导致某事”（to be likely to cause a particular result），短语的常见搭配是a recipe for disaster/trouble/success/happiness，比如要表达“幸福生活的秘诀是过好每一天”，可以说：To live every day to the full is a recipe for happiness.
考场例句
High levels of stress at work and lack of exercise are a recipe for poor health,so it is important that we practice mindfulness and lead an active lifestyle.
11.boil down to something
外刊语境
Traditional financial plans often boil down to worrying about children:How much to save for college,how much insurance to buy or how best to set up wills and trusts.That playbook doesn't work for people who choose not to have kids.(The Wall Street Journal,2022.05.18)
参考译文
传统的财务规划归根到底是对孩子未来的担忧：要为读大学存多少钱，买多少保险，或者如何最好地设置遗嘱和信托。对于选择不生孩子的人来说，这一游戏规则并不适用。
句型解析
上面句子中的boil down to something意思是“归结为某事，归根到底是因为”（to have something as the main or basic part），我们可以使用该表达来对事物的本质进行强调。
考场例句
Young people would be well advised to improve their financial skills since many of the anxieties they are feeling today boil down to money.
12.something translates into ...
外刊语境
Unless more immigrants are allowed in,or a larger proportion of the working-age population joins the labour force,or people retire later,or their productivity accelerates,the ageing population will translate into permanently slower potential growth.(The Economist,2010.10.09)
参考译文
除非引进更多的移民，或者更大比例的工作年龄人口加入劳动力队伍，或者人们更晚退休，或者他们的生产力提升，否则人口老龄化将导致经济增长长期减缓。
句型解析
上面句子讨论的是人口老龄化对于经济增长的负面影响，句子中translate属于一词多义，translate into的意思相当于“导致，造成”，议论文写作中涉及原因—结果类的论述都可以用上该表达。
考场例句
One reason why so many students are seeking a postgraduate education is that holding an advanced degree can translate into a higher salary or a senior position.
13.the problem may be with ...rather than ...
外刊语境
The problem may be with the education system itself,rather than any innate dishonesty among students.(The Economist,2022.05.26)
参考译文
这一问题可能出在教育系统本身，而不是学生不诚实的天性。
句型解析
上面句子中，rather than后面省略了with，相当于...rather than with any innate dishonesty among students。我们从中可以学习一个很好用的议论文句式：the problem may be with ...rather than ...用来强调某问题产生的根本原因。
考场例句
Many parents blame smartphones for children's failing eyesight,but the problem may be with the lack of outdoor activities,rather than digital devices.
14.The result is XX,with ...
外刊语境
The southern tract is not big enough for all the lions,which each requires hunting grounds of 60-150 square miles (160-390 square kilometres).The result is a population trapped on an environmental island,with inbreeding and genetic degradation.(The Economist,2022.05.14)
参考译文
南部地区不足以容纳所有的狮子，它们各自需要60—150平方英里（160—390平方千米）的狩猎场。其结果是，狮群被困在一个环境孤岛上，出现近亲繁殖和基因退化。
句型解析
句子中trapped on an environmental island是过去分词作后置定语修饰a population。从句子中我们可以学习一个句式：The result is XX,with ...用来描述某事件会导致的结果。
考场例句
The city is buying prosperity at the expense of the environment.The result is its rivers polluted by industrial waste,with far-reaching environmental consequences.
15.The obvious culprit for ...is ...
外刊语境
The obvious culprit for rising prices is the 15% drop in sterling since June.Britain imports nearly all of its clothes,and month-on-month inflation in clothing now exceeds 5%.(The Economist,2016.10.20)
参考译文
价格上涨的直接原因是6月以来英镑下跌了15%。英国几乎所有的衣服都是进口的，现在服装的月度通胀率超过了5%。
句型解析
上面句子中culprit是一个很好用的词，它的本义是“过失者，责任人”，可以引申为“问题的起因”。我们可以用The obvious culprit for ...is ...来说明造成某问题的原因。
考场例句
The obvious culprit for rising crime rates is economic recession.As the economy deteriorates,businesses have to downsize to weather the storm,and those who end up jobless may turn to crime such as burglary and drug trafficking,which could destabilize the economy further.
16.Something is at play
外刊语境
The figures suggest that women bore the brunt of the layoffs in the recent recession.But other forces are at play.Across the economy,computers have replaced junior,back-office workers,jobs that were largely filled by women.(The Wall Street Journal,2010.09.20)
参考译文
这些数据表明，在最近的经济衰退中，女性在裁员方面首当其冲。但还有其他因素在起作用。在整个经济领域，计算机已经取代了初级的后勤工作人员，而这些工作主要是女性在做。
句型解析
上面选段中play是熟词生义，它的意思是“影响，作用”(the effect or influence of something)，at play是一个在外刊中很常见的词组，other forces are at play即“其他因素在起作用”。写作中可以用Several factors are at play ...来说明某问题由某几个因素引起。
考场例句
Several factors are at play when it comes to teenage smoking.First,many young people are susceptible to peer pressure.They may pick up smoking to be better liked by more popular peers,or out of fear of losing friends who have already taken up the habit.Second,teenagers are at an impressionable age where they can be easily influenced by adults.Some of them start smoking by imitating adult figures or role models,such as their parents and older siblings.
17.Although XX is in large part the result of ...it also highlights ...
外刊语境
Although the crisis is in large part the result of temporary forces beyond ministerial control,it also highlights enduring problems with both British logistics and Mr Johnson's government.(The Economist,2021.09.29)
参考译文
尽管这场危机在很大程度上由超出内阁所能控制的临时外力造成，但其也突显出英国的后勤组织以及约翰逊政府存在的长期问题。
句型解析
从句中的in large part是插入成分，XX is in large part the result of ...即“XX在很大程度上是……的结果”。beyond ministerial control是介词短语作后置定语，相当于...temporary forces (that are)beyond ministerial control。从这里我们可以学习一个句型：Although XX is in large part the result of ...it also highlights ...即“尽管XX在很大程度上是由……导致的，但它也突显出……”。比如青少年近视现象越来越普遍，这一问题虽然很大程度上是过度使用电子产品以及缺乏户外运动的结果，但它也突显出父母对孩子的健康不够关心的问题。
考场例句
Although the rise in short-sightedness among teenagers is in large part the result of too much screen time and too few outdoor activities,it also highlights parents’ negligence of their children's health.
18.It follows that ...
外刊语境
From Cupertino to San Francisco,a growing consensus has emerged that screen time is bad for kids.It follows that these parents are now asking nannies to keep phones,tablets,computers and TVs off and hidden at all times.(The New York Times,2018.10.26)
参考译文
从库比蒂诺到旧金山，越来越多的人认为过多的屏幕使用时间对孩子不利。由此可以理解为什么这些家长现在要求保姆全天候把手机、平板电脑、电脑和电视关掉并藏起来。
句型解析
这里有一个值得注意的表达：It follows that ...这是一个固定句式，意思是“由此得出，由此可以推断出”。比如：Just because a bird does not breed one year,it does not follow that it will fail the next.（不能因为一只鸟某一年没有繁殖就断定它第二年也不会繁殖。）我们可以使用该句式来连接有因果关系的上下文。
考场例句
Increased investment in higher education has a positive effect on a country's gross domestic product.In the long term,a society with more educated citizens will experience more innovation,greater productivity,and higher global competitiveness.It follows that governments should make higher education available to all students.
19.the reasons for ...are manifold,but chief among them is ...
外刊语境
The reasons for this shift are manifold,but chief among them is the sheer expense of the Valley.The cost of living is among the highest in the world.(The Economist,2018.08.30)
参考译文
造成这种变化的原因是多方面的，但其中最主要的一点是在硅谷的成本太高。硅谷是全球生活成本最高的地方之一。
句型解析
这一句话的背景是由于硅谷的工作和生活成本增加，很多创业公司纷纷搬出了硅谷前往其他更加合适的地方。从这里我们可以学习一个句型：the reasons for ...are manifold,but chief among them is ...通过该句型来强调造成某问题最重要的原因。
考场例句
Today,many big cities around the world are suffering from traffic congestion.The reasons for this problem are manifold,but chief among them is the surge in the number of cars.
20....might be thought to be at the root of the problem,but the facts do not bear out this view ...
外刊语境
Hungarians face the poorest odds when it comes to chronic ill-health,but rates are also high in much of Poland,Slovakia,and Croatia.Money might be thought to be at the root of the problem,but the facts do not bear out this view.(The Economist,2018.09.20)
参考译文
当涉及慢性疾病时，匈牙利人得病的机会最高，但在波兰、斯洛伐克和克罗地亚的大部分地区，患病率也很高。金钱可能被认为是造成这一问题的根源，但事实并不支持这一观点。
句型解析
句子中bear out是一个常见词组，含义是“支持，证明”（to show that something is true or that someone is telling the truth）。从这里可以提取出一个句型...might be thought to be at the root of the problem,but the facts do not bear out this view ...，以此来说明造成某问题的真正原因。
考场例句
An increasing number of teenagers are suffering from short-sightedness,and too much screen time is thought to be at the root of the problem,but the facts do not bear out this view.Medical research has shown that teenage myopia is linked to lack of outdoor activities.
21.make the case for ...stronger
外刊语境
A driven business-builder,he may be reluctant to countenance the idea of giving up leadership of Apple or of having a publicly announced succession pool below him.But the latest round of speculation over his health makes the case for such a pool stronger than ever.(The Economist,2008.07.29)
参考译文
作为一名执着的商业缔造者，他可能不愿接受放弃苹果公司领导权的想法，也不愿公布可能的继任者名单。但最近一轮对他健康状况的猜测使得建立这样一个人才库的理由比以往更加充分。
句型解析
这句话的背景是很多人猜测乔布斯可能会提前选好苹果公司的继任者，而关于他健康状况恶化的猜测使得候选人名单存在的理由比以往任何时候都更大。第二句话中有一个表达值得注意：make the case for ...stronger，其中case是熟词生义，它的含义是“理由，论据”（a set of reasons why something should happen or be done）。要表达“某事增强了……的理由”，我们可以说something makes the case for ...stronger.
考场例句
Around the globe many people have expressed concerns over the safety of nuclear power,and the Fukushima nuclear disaster makes the case for objecting the building of nuclear plants stronger.
22.XX demands explanation
外刊语境
Such self-destructive behaviour demands explanation.Three reasons for it stand out.One is geography.(The Economist,2017.05.27)
参考译文
这种自杀行为需要我们给出解释，对此，有三个原因比较突出。第一个原因是地理位置。
句型解析
这句话的背景是在过去一百多年时间里人类对海洋生态造成了巨大破坏，目前塑料污染不仅对海洋生物造成了威胁，对人类健康同样也会带来影响。作者接下来使用Such self-destructive behaviour demands explanation ...来对人类破坏海洋环境的原因进行说明。XX demands explanation这一句型可以用在问题—原因类的论述中。
考场例句
Many countries have seen a rise in juvenile crime rates in recent years,which demands explanation.Two reasons for it stand out.One is lack of parental supervision.Growing competition in the job market pushes parents to work long hours,leaving them with less time for their children.The second reason is the negative influence of the media.It is not difficult to find movies,TV programs and video games that glorify violence,which make impressionable teenagers believe that it is acceptable to solve problems by force,and this can certainly contribute to high youth crime rates.
23.on ...grounds/on grounds of
外刊语境
Companies could be blocked from listing on the London Stock Exchange on national security grounds,under new rules being considered by the Treasury.(BBC,2021.05.26)
参考译文
依据财政部正在考虑制订的新规，公司可能会因国家安全理由而被禁止在伦敦证券交易所上市。
句型解析
句子中on ...grounds/on grounds of是一个常见的表示原因的用法，它的意思是“以……为由，基于……的原因”，比如on environmental/legal/financial grounds基于环保/法律/财政的原因。上面句子中的on national security grounds也可以写成on grounds of national security。
考场例句
While some people support genetically modified food,others oppose this technology on health grounds.They argue that GM crops may produce harmful substances and thus have a negative impact on human health.
24.Something rests on ...reasonable-sounding but largely groundless propositions
外刊语境
The aversion to paid plasma rests on three reasonable-sounding but largely groundless propositions.(The Economist,2018.05.12)
参考译文
对于付费血浆的反感源于三个听起来很有道理但实际上几乎毫无根据的观点。
句型解析
句子中proposition的意思是“观点，主张”。句式Something rests on ...reasonable-sounding but largely groundless propositions意思是：某事源于几个听起来很有道理但实际上几乎毫无根据的观点。在分点论述中可以先对有争议的观点进行解释，然后再依次反驳。
考场例句
The aversion to genetically modified foods rests on two reasonable-sounding but largely groundless propositions.The first is that GM crops can develop new substances that are harmful to humans.But there is no evidence for the claim and research has shown that GM foods are safe for consumption.A second argument is that engineering specific traits into select species threatens biodiversity by upsetting the natural balance.However,as long as scientists apply GM technology carefully,such a problem can be avoided.