這個系列文章希望通過幫助大家學習閱讀外刊，從而達到學習英文句型的目的。在完整的文章或句子中去學習一些句型，可以幫助大家更好地瞭解和記憶，這也對往後的句型運用能夠起到一定的幫助。
1.If not more so
If not more so是地道英文中很常見的一個表達，但很少在中國學生的習作中看到。可能的一個原因是if not more so在中文裡面很難找到一個對等的概念，而對於母語中沒有的概念，我們會傾向於不去使用它。if在這裡通常用來指與句子主要部分的陳述稍微不同（used when you are adding that something may be even more, less, better, worse etc than you have just said）。if not more so意思很微妙，它的大概含義是“即使不是更……”。例如The Economist文章裡面有這樣的句子：
The next phase of the computing revolution is the “internet of things” (IoT), in which all manner of everyday objects, from light bulbs to cars, incorporate computers connected permanently to the internet. Most of these gizmos are as insecure as any other computer, if not more so.
上面這段話的意思是：目前很多日常設備都開始接入互聯網（即所謂的“物聯網”），但這些設備像普通的電腦一樣不夠安全，很容易遭到攻擊。Most of these gizmos are as insecure as any other computer, if not more so. 可以理解為“這些設備中的大部分即使沒有更易遭受攻擊，也和其他電腦一樣不夠安全”。
朗文英英詞典裡面也有類似的例句：
Her needs are just as important as yours, if not more so.
這句話的意思是“縱然她的需求不更重要，但至少和你的一樣重要”。
除了if not more so這個句型之外，if not…還可以接形容詞構成其他搭配，例如if not impossible/great/forgivable，舉個例子：
The snow was now two feet deep, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get the car out.
這裡if not impossible相當於although it was not impossible，句子可以理解為“雪有兩英尺厚，要把汽車拉出來很困難，儘管不是不可能。”
這一句型可以用在考場作文中用於對觀點進行強調或補充。比如有這樣一道作文題目：
Individuals can do nothing to protect the environment; only governments and large companies can make a difference. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
我們可以在開頭段寫：
People have different views about whether individuals can contribute significantly to environmental protection. Although governments and large companies are crucial in addressing conservation issues, the role played by individuals is just as important, if not more so.
2.The argument that…rests chiefly on the fact that…
在解釋一個論點時我們通常會用到這樣的句型：the reason why…is…，除此之外還可以有下面的寫法：
Mr Ritter’s argument that Amazon and Zalando can comfortably co-exist rests chiefly on the fact that Amazon is pursuing the more price-conscious shopper, whereas Zalando is after a higher-value, more brand-conscious segment.
從這裡可以提取出一個句型：the argument that…rests chiefly on the fact that…，該句型可以用在議論文的段落開頭，用來對分論點進行解釋。舉個例子，有這樣的作文題目：
Some people believe that all high school graduates should be given the opportunity to go to college or university. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
我們可以提出一個論點，普及高等教育對一個國家的經濟有利，並且進行展開：
The argument that higher education should be made universally availablerests chiefly on the fact that doing so is in society’s best economic interests. Research shows that increased investment in tertiary education has a positive effect on a country’s gross domestic product. In the long term, a society with a greater number of highly-educated citizens is more likely to develop the creative technologies and business solutions needed to stimulate economic growth.
3.attest
在舉例論證時最常見的一個說法是for example/for instance，但我們也可以換一種表達方式，比如：
Mr Yameen has weathered plenty of adversity, as the long list of his opponents attests. Media reports in August about moves to oust him came to nothing.
在上面的句子中as引導的是一個非限制性定語從句，它所指代的先行詞是前面整個主句Mr Yameen has weathered plenty of adversity，此時as在從句中充當的是attest的賓語。Attest的含義是“證明，作為……的證據”。
我們也可以將句子改寫成：
a) As the long list of his opponents attests, Mr Yameen has weathered plenty of adversity.
b) The long list of his opponents attests that Mr Yameen has weathered plenty of adversity.
…as…attest…這一句型有時候可以用來替換for example/for instance，例如：
Air pollution can have a negative impact on people’s health. For example, people living in areas with poor air quality are prone to respiratory disease.
我們可以將其改寫為：
a) Air pollution can have a negative impact on people’s health, as the rise in respiratory disease in areas with poor air quality attests.
b) Air pollution can have a negative impact on people’s health, as is attested by the rise in respiratory disease in areas with poor air quality.
4.easier said than done
除了句型之外，外刊中也有不少可以直接使用的“模板”，我們在閱讀的時候要保持敏感，及時將它們記錄下來。舉個例子：
Instilling these techniques is easier said than done. With teaching as with other complex skills, the route to mastery is not abstruse theory but intense, guided practice grounded in subject-matter knowledge and pedagogical methods.
這一段話本來是寫如何培養教師的教學技能，但它同樣可以套用在其他技能的培養上，比如學英語/編程等：
Being fluent in English / a good programmer is easier said than done. With learning/coding as with other complex skills, the route to mastery is not abstruse theory but intense, guided practice grounded in subject-matter knowledge and pedagogical methods.
平時遇到這樣的例子可以多積累，多背誦，寫作時才能做到厚積薄發。
