商务英语合同的句子特点

商务英语合同的句子特点

1　常用复合句等长句

合同是具有法律效力的公文，因此在撰写合同时希望提供的信息完整、严密，不让读者曲解、误读。对某些具有法律性的概念成立的条件限定很多，继而对中心词的限制也较多，所以在商务合同中长句较多，短句偏少。

例如：

Questions concerning matters governed by this convention which are not expressly settled in it are to be settled in conformity with the general principles on which it is based or, in the absence of such principles, in conformity with the law applicable by virus of the rules of private international law.（主从复合句）

Where a foreigner or enterprise applies for trademark registration in China, the matter shall be handled in acceptance with any agreement concluded between the country to which the applicant belongs and the People's Republic of China, or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.（综合复杂句）

2　句子结构完整

在商务合同中一般采用主语、谓语都具备的完整句，通常不使用省略句，以免造成因省略或句子缺省而出现歧义、意义歪曲。

例如：

The WTO Secretariat shall transmit to the International Bureau, free of charge, a copy of the laws and regulations received by the WTO Secretariat from WTO Members under Article 63.2 of the TRIPS Agreement in the language or languages and in the form or forms in which they were received, and the International Bureau shall place such copies in its collection.

3　多个句式表达一个法律含义

商务合同中广泛存在一个法律含义多个句式表达的现象。

例如：

除if之外，可以用来表达“假如”、“如果”含义的，还有if and whenever，in the event that/in the event of，where，should，in case/in case of，on condition that/on the conditions that，insofar as/in so far as等。

关于表达“有权做”的，有may do，shall/will have the right to do，shall have the right (but not obligation) to do，be entitled to sth.，be entitled to do，reserve the right to do，be (duly) authorized to do，have the authority to do，do sth. at one's option，be at liberty to do，sth. rests with sb. to do等。

在英语商务合同中表达“应当做”的也很多，如：shall do，have the legal obligation to do，be obliged to do，be under the obligation for/to do，shall be liable to do，be responsible to do，be required to do，be one's account/responsibility等。

4　语序特别，频繁使用倒装语序

商务合同中的倒装主要体现在否定提前和省略if的句子中。例句：

Nothing in Article 12.3 shall prevent Party A or any of its affiliation from continuing to carry on any of their present businesses.（否定提前）

Should Company at its sole option elect to further investigate the validity of Contractor's proposal, Company shall advise Contractor in writing accordingly.（省略if的句子）

5　现在时态代替将来时态，因此将来时态的使用较少

虽然合同的条款很多都是规定将来的事项，但是在习惯上已使用现在时态为原则。

例如：

Licensee may terminate this Contract 60 days after a written notice thereof is sent to Licensor upon the happening of one of the following events:

a. Licensor becomes insolvent or a liquidator of Licensor is appointed;

b. The patent described in Article 2 is not issued within 30 days from signing this Contract;

c. Licensor fails to perform its obligations under this Contact.

6　习惯用被动语态，而较少使用主动语态

使用被动语态的目的就是为了突出合同条文的客观性、原则性和效力性。试比较下列两个句子：

①The rules and regulations of the work-site shall be observed by workers.

②Workers shall observe the rules and regulations of the work-site.

比较发现，这两句的意思虽然一样，但是看其表达方式却有差异，主语不一样，强调的部分就不一样，（1）句强调“规则”的遵守，（2）句强调“员工”的义务事项。

7　使用插入语使意思表达得更清楚更完整

在商务英语合同中，较多的使用插入语，对句子内容作必要的补充说明，或者在不影响句子意思的情况下对某些成分加以强调。

例如：

The buyer must, whenever he is entitled to determine the time for shipping the goods and/or the port of destination, give the sufficient notice thereof.

The seller must, subject to the provisions of B6,pay, where applicable,the cost resulting from A3.（句中划线部分都为插入成分）

8　常用直接表达，少用间接表达

在合同中规定权利、义务和其他事项时，经常采用直接表达方式，这样才显得更直接、简洁。看下面两个句子：

(1) All persons, except those who are 60 years old or order, may be employed by this enterprise.（间接表达）

(2) All persons who are less than 60 years old may be employed by this enterprise.（直接表达）

9　基本句式为陈述句

合同是用来确定双方当事人的法律关系，规定双方当事人权利和义务的法律性质的公文，因此为了突出其法律特性，在草拟时习惯采用陈述句。

All members shall give the United Nations every assistance to any action it takes in accordance with the present Chapter, and shall refrain from giving assistance to any state which the United Nations is taking preventive or enforcement action.

10　尽量使用对句

英语商务合同中句子中还有一大特点就是尽量使用结构对等的句式，显示句子结构的层次感和句式对等，特别是在长句中体现句子良好的节奏感，让合同语言文字工整、严谨。

例如：

Due to its nature, EQUIPMENT shall be held in MANUFACTURER premises at ABC Co., Ltd, 3, Xinghua Yizhi Road, Xiqing Economic Development Zone, Tianjin, 300381 P. R China as to be further used in the manufacture of PRODUCTS. The parties herein agree that, with no cost to PURCHASER, MANUFACTURER shall hold the EQUIPMENT free from risks, losses and encumbrances and shall also keep equipment in good operating condition as to be further returned to PURCHASER when requested．句中结构对等的短语使句子层次鲜明、节奏感强。