He was so young that you must excuse him. (Wilde) 像这种由关联词 so...that 引导的结果状语从句的句型, 我是很熟悉的。但是, 我不知道 so...that 是否可单用 so 或单用 that 来代替。请指教。
在非正式语体中, so...that 中的 that 可以省略:
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I am so busy over Folklore I have no time to write a letter. (Yeats) 我忙于写民间传说,以至于没有时间写信。
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They were all so tired they could do nothing but yawn. (Mansfield) 他们都累得只会打呵欠了。
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Her parents gave her so many toys she couldn't possibly play with them all. (CGEL) 她父母给了她那么多玩具，以至于她都玩不过来了。
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It( = The snake) didn't seem to mind, but it was so heavy I staggered under the load. (RL, Book 1)
那条蛇好像没有在意，但是它很重，拿着这个重家伙，使我摇摇晃晃。
在疑问句和否定句中,可以单独使用 that 来代替 so... that(见 what ... that, who ... that)。但这是很正式的语体:
- Do you know her intimately, that you presume to address her in such a casual manner?
(CGEL) 你和她说话时态度这么随便,你是不是和她很熟?
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They are not destitute that they need your help. (CGEL) 他们并不是贫穷得需要你的帮助。
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What has happened that all of them look so excited? 到底发生了什么事使他们大家显得那么激动？