英語和漢語中的定語有很大的不同。漢語中定語只能前置，而英語中定語既可前置也可後置。兩者的不同，不僅表現在結構上，也表現在意義上。英語中的定語從句有時從原因、結果、目的或條件等方面對中心詞加以限定。因此，在對語法結構、上下文邏輯關係深刻理解的前提下，爲了更明確地表明這種邏輯關係，可以將定語從句翻譯成相應的`狀語從句。同時值得注意的是，定語從句與中心詞之間常有分割成分，而該分割成分中與定語從句緊挨着的名詞，常常會被誤認爲定語從句的中心詞。
因此，遇到這種結構，一定要根據上下文和常識進行判斷。翻譯定語從句時可採用提前譯、順序譯、分譯或轉譯等多種方法。
1. As far as the third factor is concerned，the history of science shows many instances in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly powerful resistance to further investigation；in some cases centuries elapsed before this resistance was eventually broken down，as happened in cosmology，for example.
第一層： As far as the third factor is concerned ，狀語從句1 the history 主 of science 定 shows 謂 many 定 instances 賓 in which the force of authority has operated in such a manner as to build up an exceedingly power- 定語從句 ful resistance to further investigation ； in some cases 狀 centuries 主 elapsed 謂 before this resistance was eventually broken down，as 狀語從句2 happened in cosmology，for example.
