Lesson 58 A blessing in disguise?是因祸得福吗？

Why does the vicar refuse to cut down the tree?

1. 原文

but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation.
但只是近几年才得到了一个坏名声。
这里有个语法点it is…that是强调句， 强调句的“判别方法”——强调句如果去掉了It is/was … that
…还可以还原为一个正常语序的陈述句，而且保持句子的结构完整，意义不变。而定语从句去掉关系代词或关系副词后，则通常需要还原成为两个简单句。
试比较：
It is the tool that is most needed.（强调）
→The tool is most needed.
This is the tool that is most needed.（定从）
→This is the tool. The tool is most needed.
把it is…that取消后，句子依然完整，本句强调状语in recent years.

It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck，这句是话是系表结构，形式主语it，系动词is，现在分词said作表语，后面的复合句是真正主语。

The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. cut down 在这里是过去分词短语， 是动词 have 的宾语 the tree 的补足语，常用来表示叫别人完成的动作。

In spite of all that has been said 是介词短语，在句中作让步状语。that has been said 是定语从句，修饰 all，关系代词 that 在从句中作主语，不能省略

struck down 击倒，杀死

2. 参考译文