章振邦的新编高级英语语法680页:
A statement making this clear, in as specific terms as may be prudent, would provide a healthy measure of reassurance.
看不明白这句话,麻烦老师剖析比较分句?谢谢!
in as specific terms as may be prudent 为动名词复合结构的插入性状语。先把动名词复合结构还原为一个句子,则得到:
A statement makes this clear in as specific terms as may be prudent
= A statement makes this clear in as specific terms as it may be prudent to make it clear .
主句划线部分为方法makes的方法状语,为比较项。as比较分句的形式主语it和外置的不定式被省略,还原后比较对应项为不定式make的方法状语,需要省略,形成方法状语空位(gap). 从句第二个it 为人称代词,指代主句的宾语this。
字面意思,一项陈述把这一点澄清时,用术语的精准程度和小心程度是一致的。即用精准而小心的术语把这一点讲解了解。
然后主句谓语改为动名词复合结构作主语,介词短语就。成了动名词的状语了(插入性状语)。
说明:当比较分句as/than后面直接跟谓语动词时,省略的要么是作主语的比较对应项,要么是形式主语it+外置主语。这是你还原比较分句的要紧线索。