一、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞point
You reach a point wheremedicine can’t help.你已到了藥物無法治療的地步。
The crisis has reached a point wherethe receiver will have to be called in.危機已達到非把破產管理人叫來不可的地步。
We have reached a point wherea change is needed.我們到了必須改一改的地步。
注:有時point也可以是具體的地點:
Let the point whereAB cuts CD be called E.設AB線與CD線的相交點爲E。
The accident happened at the point wherethe A15 joins the M1.事故發生在A15與M1交叉的十字路口。
二、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞case
There are cases wherethe word“mighty”is used as an adverb.在一些情況下，mighty一詞可用作副詞。
Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases wherebeginners of English fail to use the language properly.今天，我們將討論一些英語初學者對英語使用不當的問題。
三、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞activity
Those successful deaf dancers think that dancing is an activity wheresight matters more than hearing.那些失聰的成功舞蹈演員們認爲，舞蹈是一種讓人看勝過讓人聽的活動。
四、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞situation
He got into a situation whereit is hard to decide what is right and wrong.他陷入一種難以分辨是非的局面。
If you risk something important, you cause it to be in a dangerous situation whereyou might lose it.你如果拿重要的東西去冒險，那你就是將它置於一種可能會失去它的危險境地。
五、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞position
It’s put me in a position whereI can’t afford to take the job.這使我陷入一種不能接受此工作的境地。
六、where定語從句修飾抽象名詞job
She wants a job whereher management skills can be put to good use.她想找一份能將她的管理技能派上用場的工作。
I don’t want a job whereI’m chained to a desk all day.我不想找一份整天坐在辦公桌前的工作。
【模擬訓練】
01. We’re just trying to reach a point _______ both sides will sitdown together and talk.
A. where B. that C. when D. which
02. She had got to the point ______ she felt that she could nottake any more.
A. what B. when C. where D. which
03. The treatment will continue until the patient reaches thepoint ______ he can walk correctly and safely.
A. when B. where C. which D. that
04. It was so confusing that eventually it got to the point ______no one knew what was going on.
A. when B. that C. which D. where
05. I don’t want a job ______ I’m chained to a desk for eighthours a day.
A. which B. where C. what D. when
06. Drink-driving is one case ______ severe punishment seemsto work as a deterrent.
A. that B. which C. when D. where
r in this chapter cases will be introduced toreaders_______consumer complains have resulted in changes in thelaw.(2008江西)
A. where B. when C. who D. { A此題是由where引導的限制性定語從句，先行詞爲cases，此句意思是“在這一章節，消費者的抱怨產生的法律上的變化的這一案例及情況將被介紹給讀者”。}
【參考答案】01—06 ACBDBD
1.—Where did you get to know her?
—It was on the farm ___D___ we worked. (山東卷)
A. that B. there C. which D. where
2. Some pre-school children go to a day-care center, ___D___they learn simple games and songs. (全國I)
A. then B. there C. while D. where
3. Those successful deaf dancers think that dancing is an activity___D___ sight matters more than hearing. (天津卷)
A. when B. whose C. which D. where
4. Today, we’ll discuss a number of cases ___D___ beginners of
English fail to use the language properly. (陝西卷)
A. which B. as C. why D. where
5. After graduation she reached a point in her career ___D___
she had to decide what to do. (江西卷)
A. that B. what C. which D. where
以上5道題的答案分別是DDDDD，其中前面兩道比較容易，因爲它們符合“where引導的定語從句用於修飾表示地點的名詞”這一基本用法。但是，後面3道題則有所不同，因爲它們修飾的名詞不是具體的地點名詞，而是一個抽象名詞，即分別是activity, case, point，state，stage, situation，等意指“情況、情形、形勢”時，引導詞常用where或介詞，which。如:We're just trying to reach a point____ both sides will sit down together and talk.(06山東
26.)A. where B. that C. when D. which
由於一般的語法書對這一問題很少涉及，所以許多考生對這類考題比較生疏。爲幫助同學們熟悉這一語言現象，正確掌握這一知識點，本文擬對where定語從句修飾抽象名詞的用法作一歸納。
用Where引導定語從句,先行詞不一定都表示地點按照通常的理解,當where引導定語從句時,它的先行詞就是表示地點的名詞,但事實並不是我們想象的那麼簡單。很多情況下,where所指代的先行詞並不表示地點。請看以下幾個例句:
1. Remember that the best relationship is one where your lovefor each other is greater than your need for each other.
請記住,最深的感情關係表現爲彼此間的愛超過彼此間的`需要。
點評:這裏where引導的定語從句修飾先行詞one,也就是relationship (此處one指代的是relationship)。Relationship不是地點名詞,但此處卻用了where來引導,where在這裏表示“在這樣的感情關係下”。從定語從句的結構來看,定語從句不缺主語和賓語,引導詞where在從句中充當的是狀語。
2. Cheating is most likely in situations where the vitalinterests are high and the chances of getting caught are low.
欺詐行爲在這種情況下最有可能發生:利益重大,而且欺詐行爲被發現的可能性小。
點評:句中的先行詞是situations,表示“情形,情況”,引導詞依然用的是where,表示“在這種情況之下”。這裏的定語從句也是不缺主語或賓語的,where在從句中充當的是狀語。
3. Until such time as mankind has the sense to lower itspopulation to the point where the planet can provide acomfortable support for all, people will have to accept more“unnatural food”.
除非人類能夠意識到要把人口減少到這樣的程度——使地球能爲所有人提供足夠的食物,否則人們將不得不接受更多的“人造食品”。
點評:這裏的先行詞是point,表示“某種程度,某種狀況”,引導詞where指代point,表示“在這種程度之下”。這裏定語從句也是不缺主語和賓語的,where在從句中充當的仍然是狀語。
從上面四個例句中,我們可以發現以下兩點:第一,即使先行詞不是表示地點的詞,定語從句也能夠使用關係副詞where來引導;第二,上面三個例句中,where分別指代relationship、situation和point,分別表示“在……關係中”“在……情況下”“達到……程度”,這些詞雖然不是表示地點的名詞,但在從句中表達的是“某個點或狀態”的含義。
