If there had not been a hard layer of rock beneath the soil, they would have completed the job in a few hours. As it is, they have been drilling for sixteen hours and they still have a long way to go. (New Concept English, Book 2, L. 88)
[原译]如果土壤下面没有坚硬的岩石，他们早就在几个小时内完成这项工作了。由于目前的情况，他们已钻了十六个小时，但还有一大段距离。[《新概念英语》（二），朗文出版公司、世界图书出版公司，1993年，p.376]
What is more, they will not have to rely solely on the written word. Films, gramophone records, and magnetic tapes will provide them with a bewildering amount of information. They will be able, as it were, to see and hear us in action. (New Concept English, Book 3, L. 38) [原译] 而且，他们也不必单纯依靠文字记载材料。电影、唱片以及磁带将给他们提供大量足以使人无所适从的资料，或者说，他们将亲眼目睹我们的活动，可能听到我们的谈话。[《新概念英语》(3)，朗文出版公司、世界图书出版公司，1993年，p.171] as it is (was) 和 as it were 有什么区别？上面的译文是否表达了原意？
as it is(was)和 as it were 有什么区别？上面的译文是否表达了原意？
上句中的 as it is(was) 是个成语, 意思是“实际上”“事实上”“照目前情况来看”。正像 EED 所解释的那样, “你使用 as it is, 是为了把可能的情景与实际发生的实际情况进行对比”（参见 as it is）。请分析下面的例句:
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I wanted to buy another car but as it is I'll have to keep the old one a bit longer. (DAI) 我本想再买一辆汽车，但事实上我不得不再用一段时间旧车。
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As it was, they had no unity, no sense of co-operation. (Cronin) 事实上,他们不团结,没有合作意识。
as it were 在意义和用法上与 as it is (was) 完全不同。其意义是：“可以说是”“似乎是”“仿佛”(so to speak, in a certain way, as if it were really so)。它表示所说的话听起来并不那么肯定。例如：
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He is my best friend, my brother as it were. (LASED) 他是我最好的朋友，似乎可以说是我的兄弟。
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He is, as it were, a walking dictionary. 他简直可以说是一部活词典。
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The poor old man, as it were, just a skeleton. 这个穷老头仿佛瘦成一架骷髅了。
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They were intoxicated, as it were, at the beautiful scenery all around. 他们似乎陶醉于周围迷人的景色之中了。
由此不难看出,你所提出的句(a)中的 as it is 并不是原因状语从句,而是表示与设想的可能情况(即上句的虚拟情况)进行对比,因此原译文是错误的,你提出的句(b)中的 as it were 被译为“或者说”也是不恰当的,因为它并不表示选择关系。
试译 但是,事实上……
(b) 而且,他们将不必仅仅依靠文字材料。电影、唱片和录音带将会给他们提供大量的信息。似乎可以说,他们将能够听到我们的讲话,看到我们的活动。
请做下面的英语试题：
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____, we need to improve the equipment in our factory right now. A. As it is B. As it were C. As it was D. As it will be
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I wish I had enough money. ____ I can't pay you now. A. As it were B. As it is C. As it will be D. As it was