——I'm going to the post office.
____ you're there, can you get me some stamps?
A. As B. While C. Because D. If(全国高考,99-7)
我在高考中选了A，但答案却是B。我至今不悟：为什么不能选A呢？后来我在《英语沙龙》1999年第11期(p.51)看到对上题的解答。那上面说，不能选A的原因，是因为as表示“‘一边……一边’，主从句中的谓语动词的动作同时进行。如：He sang as he worked.他一边工作，一边唱歌”。难道引导时间状语从句的as只有这么一种含义吗？
可以想象得出,出题者的意图是:while 引导持续时间状语,而 as 引导非持续时间状语,因而不能表达主句动作发生的持续时间背景。出题者也可能认为,as 只能表示“随着”“一边……一边”的意思。其实,as 既可以引导非持续时间状语(A),也可以引导持续时间状语(B):
A. 1. He came just as I reached the door. (as 引导的从句表示瞬间, 即时间点) 当我刚到达门口的时候, 他就来了。
- As they opened the door on the ground floor, Marie said, "Don't light the lamps. Look!" (SEFC, 3, p.2) 当他们打开一楼的门时，玛丽说：“别开灯。你瞧！”
B. 1. Mother was worried because little Alice was ill, especially ____ Father was away in France. A. as B. that C. during D. if(全国高考,94-37)
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Balloons and light aeroplanes can be used to pull huge signs as they fly slowly over a city. (SEFC,3,p.26) 可以用气球和轻型飞机拖带大型广告在城市上空慢慢地飞翔。
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As I was walking one day in Hyde Park, I noticed two elderly ladies. (CCEU) 有一天, 当我在海德公园漫步的时候, 我看到了两位老年妇女。
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As you go round the gallery look out for paintings by Turner. (OGEG) (as 引导的从句作持续时间状语, 可以用 when 或 while 来替换) 当你在美术馆参观时你要去看一看特纳的绘画。
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As he stood there he saw two men enter the house. (as = while = during the time) 当他站在那里的时候, 他看到两个男人走进了那所房子。
OGEG 明确指出：
“While and as suggest something continuing for a period of time.”
As we were cycling along, we saw a fox. The doorbell rang as/while I was changing." ("while 和 as 可表示某事继续一段时间……")。
据此,我们有充分的理由说,上面试题中选择项 A(As) 也是同样正确的。