在翻译过程中，有时英语长句中主句与修饰词的关系并不十分密切，翻译时可以按照汉语多用短句的习惯，把长句的从句或短语化成句子，分开来叙述。这被称为“分句法”。为了使语意连贯，有时还需要适当增加词语。例如:

1. Although perhaps only 1 percent of the life that has started somewhere will develop into highly complex and intelligent patterns, so vast is the number of planets that intelligent life is bound to be a natural part of the universe.
虽然已在某处开始形成的生命中可能仅有百分之一会发展成高度复杂、有智慧的形态，但是行星的数目如此之多，因此有智慧的生命一定是宇宙的一个天然组成部分。

2. Television, it is often said, keeps one informed about current events, allows one to follow the latest developments in science and politics, and offers an endless series of programmes which are both instructive and entertaining.
人们常说，通过电视可以了解时事，掌握科学和政治的最新动态。从电视里还可以看到层出不穷、既有教育意义又有娱乐性的新节目。

3. All they have to do is press a button, and they can see plays, films, operas, and shows of every kind, not to mention political discussions and the latest exciting football match.
他们所要做的只是按一下开关。开关一开，就可以看到电视剧、电影、歌剧，以及其它各种各样的文艺节目。至于政治问题的辩论，以及最近的激动人心的足球赛更是不在话下。

4. The number of the young people in the United States who can't read is incredible¹ about one in four.
大约有1/4的美国青年人没有阅读能力，这简直令人难以置信。