英語合同的語言特點
（一） 詞彙特點
1. 用詞正式、莊嚴、準確
合同雙方的意願要清晰地表達出來，選詞用詞要仔細考慮。合同是具有法律性質的公文，為了維護法律的權威，選詞要嚴謹，以顯示其正規、莊嚴的特點。
The World International Property Organization and the World Trade Organization, to establish a mutually supportive relationship between them, establishing appropriate agreements for cooperation between them, agree as follows…
與 wish和want相比，desire較正式；與in order to相比，with a view to 更正式
2. 法律用語、合同術語的使用非常廣泛
In case one party desire to sell or or part of his investment （此句中的.assign和preemptive 都是法律用語）
3. 大量地使用古英語詞彙
最常見的是here, there, where加上介詞構成的複合副詞。 here代表this, there代表that, where代表which並引出從句。經常在同一合同中有些名詞會被多次提及， 使用這些古英語詞彙可以避免用詞重複、文句過長，使合同語句簡練、準確、有說服力。比如：
Hereafter, hereby, herein, hereinafter, hereinbefore, hereof, hereto, hereunder, hereupon, herewith; thereafter, thereby, therefrom, therein, thereinafter, thereinbefore, thereon, thereof, thereunder, thereupon, therewith; whereas, whereby, wherein, whereof, whereon, etc.
This contract is made by and between China National Native Produce & Animal By-products Corporation, Guangdong Native Produce called sellers agree to sell and the buyers agree to buy the under-mentioned goods in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated below.
4. 成對地使用同義詞、近義詞。一詞多義，多詞一義。
Perform and fulfill(履行) rights and interests；terms and conditions(條款)；customs fees and duties(關稅)，loss of and damage to, null and void(無效)，rules and regulations。 同義詞連用以避免一詞多義導致的歧義。
本協議由甲方和乙方簽訂。 already published. 甲方不再承擔已經被公開部分的保密義務。 under the contract. 任何此類同意均不應解除合同規定的承包人的責任與義務。 this agreement.
5. 較多地借用外來詞（拉丁語、法語詞彙）
Bona fide activity(慈善活動)，inter alia(還有其他事項)，stare decisis(遵循先例)都來源於拉丁語，在合同中以斜體出現。Bar(律師), suit（起訴、控告）, complain（投訴）, jury, terms, claim
6. 情態動詞的使用頻率較高
Shall, shall not, may, must很常用，在合同中和在非法律文體中所表達的含義有所不同。Shall,是指當事人的義務，即該做什麼；shall not是指禁止做的； may指當事人的權利，即可做什麼；The employer shall make a prepayment of 20% of the contract value to the contractor within 10 days after signing the contract.
7. 用語明確，不使用易產生歧義的詞彙
Shipment is to be effected bimonthly at 600 metric tons each. Bimonthly 可以理解為“兩個月一次”，也可以理解為“一個月兩次”。如果在句中加以限制就意思清楚了：Shipment is to be effected bimonthly at 600 metric tons each. Bimonthly within March, 213.
8. 指代明確
英語合同中很少出現人稱代詞，即使出現了也是泛指。經常用the said, the same加上一個名詞來指代前文中提到的名詞。
（二） 短語特點
1. 使用專門的短語表達合同英語慣有的含義
Whereas鑑於，now this presents witness茲特立約為據，for and on behalf of: 代表，
per pro.=procurationem代表代理
2. 名詞性短語居多
動詞性短語轉化成名詞性短語
The contractor shall not knowingly do or omit to do anything which may Transfer responsibility轉化成了service轉化成了3. 動詞短語轉化成介詞、形容詞短語
Support—in support of, violate—in violation of, default—in default of
Include—be inclusive of, exclude—be exclusive of
4. 常用短語來替代從句，使句子更簡潔。
All right and all design elements resulting from the services shall vest in and be the absolute property of party A.
resulting from the services替代了從句 which results from the services
（三） 句子特點
1. 長句的使用很常見
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
virtue of the rules of private international law.
2. 句子結構完整
一般都採用主語、謂語都具備的完整句，通常不使用省略句，以免造成歧義。
3. 多個句式表達一個法律含義
--- 表達“假如，如果”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,
--- 有權做：may do, shall/will have the right to do, be entitled to do, reserve the right to do,
----應當做： shall do, have the legal obligation to do, be obliged to do, shall be liable to do, be responsible to do.
4. 頻繁使用倒裝語序
prevent Party A or any of its affiliation from continuing to carry on Any of the present business.( 否定前移) contractor’s proposal, company shall advise contractor in writing accordingly.(省略if)
5. 現在時代替將來時，將來時使用較少。
雖然合同的條款很多都是規定將來的事項，但在習慣上以使用現在時為原則。 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.
6. 習慣用被動語態，較少使用主動語態。
7. 常使用插入語，使意思表達得更清楚，更完整。
resulting from A3 a), all cost relating to the goods.
8. 多見直接表達，少見間接表達。
--- all persons, except those who are 60 years old or older, may be employed by this enterprise.(間接)
---- all persons who are less than 60 years old may be employed by this enterprise.(直接表達)
9. 基本句式為陳述句
10. 對句的使用. 顯示句子的層次感和對等感，節奏感。
Due to its nature, EQUIPMENT shall be held in MANUFACTURER premises at ABC Co., Ltd, 3, Xinghua Yizhi Road, Xiqing Economic Development Zone, 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
方應負責提供裝卸貨物。
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