【问】Fetch the harbor before the storm breaks.

[原译]冒着暴风雨向着海港航行。(《英汉辞海》 P.1942)

从before the storm breaks这个时间状语从句来看，暴风雨尚未来临，怎么能说“冒着暴风雨”呢?

【答】 这是一个由于粗心而造成的误译。大家都知道，由before，when等连词引出的时间状语从句，其中的谓语动词的一般现在时是表示将来时间的：

1. Look before you leap. (Prov)

三思而后行。

2. When he comes I will tell him to fetch the police.(Wilde)

当他来的时候，我要告诉他去找警察。

实际上，这一语言点是标准英语考试经常考核的项目：

1. I'll go with you as soon as I_______ my work.

A. will finish B. shall finish

C. finish D. finished.(全国高考英语试题，86)

2. Let's get in the wheat before the sun_______.

A. will set B. was set C. set D. sets(全国高考英语试题，80A)

3. The new secretary is supposed to report to the manager as soon as she____.

A. will arrive B. arrives

C. is going to arrive D. is arriving(全国高考英语试题，90A)

[试译]要在暴风雨来临之前把船驶回港口。