I would have attended your party but that I am sick.
But for, but that 可以改寫成帶有假想時態的條件子句。
But for 接一個詞組,but that 引介一個子句。
要注意在 but that 之後的子句,其動詞為普通的時態。ex:
But for his objectioin, I could go with you.
(=If he did not object, I could go with you.)
若非他反對,我就能跟你去。But for the rainstorm, they would have had a pleasant weekend.
(=If it had not been for the rainstorm,.....)
如果不是那場狂風暴雨,他們就會有一個愉快的週未。I might take him to the police station but that his is your brother.
(=......If he were not your brother.)
如果他不是你弟弟我就可能帶他到警察局。
Steve would have forgotten his appointment with the professor but that I reminded him.
(=....if I had not remined him.)
假如不是我提醒他,Steve 就忘掉了教授的約談。)But that it rained last night, the road would not be so muddy this morning.
(=If it had not rained last night,..........)
如果不是昨晚下雨,今天早上路面不會這麼泥濘。* 注意: 此與帶有介詞"without"的句型意義相同。
ex: Without the rainstorm, they would have had a pleasant weekend.
Without the rain last night, the road would not be so muddy this morning.
圖片參考:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/97/toumingde1.png
2011-02-20 21:41:42 補充:
題目的翻譯為: 要不是我生病了,我便會參加你的舞會。
其它假設語氣的用法也提供你參考:
http://mail.yocjh.kh.edu.tw/~yc0035/materials/subjunctive%20mood.doc