1. 表示“原因”,相当于 why
当先行词是 reason原因时,for which 可引导定语从句,替代 why,说明“某事发生的原因”。 例句:She explained the reason, for which he apologized immediately.她释了原因,为此他立即道歉。 此处 for which 指代先行词 reason,从句“he apologized for the reason”通过介词提前简化为“for which he apologized”。2. 表示“目的”或“对象”,替代“for + 先行词”
当先行词是表示“行为、目标、需求”的名词如 goal, purpose, need 等时,for which 指代该名词,说明从句动作的“目的”或“对象”。 例句:They set a target, for which they saved money for three years.他们设定了一个目标,为此他们存了三年钱。 此处 for which 指代先行词 target,即“saved money for the target”,介词提前后变为“for which they saved money”。3. 避免介词后置,增强正式感
在定语从句中,若从句动词需搭配介词 for,可将 for 提前至 which 前,形成 for which,避免口语中“which...for”的松散结构,使表达更书面化。 对比:- 口语:The book which she bought a ticket for is sold out.
- 书面:The book for which she bought a ticket is sold out.她为其购票的那本书已售罄。
两者语义一致,但 for which 结构更正式文体。
三、for which 与 why 的区别
虽有时可互换,但 for which 适用范围更广:
- why 仅用于先行词为 reason 的情况;
- for which 可用于任何需搭配介词 for 的先行词如 goal, purpose, tool 等。
例句:This is the tool for which he spent 200 dollars.这是他花200美元买的工具。
此处先行词是 tool,不可用 why,只能用 for which。
综上,for which 是介词与关系代词的固定组合,通过“介词提前”优化句子结构,在书面语中用于明确逻辑关系,核心功能是指代先行词并充当从句中 for 的宾语,具体含义需结合语境判断其指向“原因”“目的”或“对象”。
