《英语常用词用法辞典》(修订版)(北大西语系编,商务印书馆,1985年)指出:‘due to’只能引导表语,例如:
These are errors due to sheer carelessness. 这些错误纯粹是由于粗心而引起的。
误: Due to certain unforeseen circumstances, we didn't start yesterday." (pp. 108-109)
但是我在实际阅读中经常读到 due to 引导状语的句子,这使我感到很迷惑。
传统语法学家们不厌其烦地申明, due to 只可引导 adjective phrase(形容词短语), 而绝不可引导 adverbial phrase(状语短语)。
但是,英语的发展早已冲破了这个框框。连以考核学生纯粹标准书面英语能力为已任的TOEFL也常常使用due to来引导adverbial phrase,即用due to来代替because of或owing to:
- Only three new sites were built in this city due to a decrease in business activity and prices rising. 在这道改错题中应将 prices rising 改为 an increase in prices，而 due to 是没有错误的。(TOEFL)
英美等国的权威的英语辞典和语法著作，也不乏这种用法：
-
Joe's application to the university was not accepted due to his failing English. (DAI)
-
He was late due to an accident. (COD, p. 320)
建议:我们不应该再用 due to 不能引导状语的框框来考核学生。这既不能提高学生的阅读能力和写作能力,也不利于扩大他们的视野。
请做下面的英语试题：
Some areas, ____ their severe weather conditions, are hardly populated.
A. due to B. in spite of C. but for D. with regard to(全国六级,91.6-52)