有時，定語從句并不緊跟在它所修飾的先行詞之后，而卻位于主句的謂語之后，定語從句跨越主句的謂語修飾主句的主語，這種定語從句可以稱之為分裂式定語從句。這種定語從句也需要通過語法關(guān)系與邏輯意思進行判斷，例如：

In recent years, many discoveries have been made which greatly facilitate the study of medicine,

[原譯]近年來已經(jīng)有了許多發(fā)現(xiàn)，這大大推動了醫(yī)學的研究。

[改譯]近年來，許多新的發(fā)現(xiàn)大大推動了醫(yī)學的研究。

[說明]上句中關(guān)系代詞which引導的定語從句并非說明整個主句， 因為從句的謂語動詞facilitate不是單數(shù)，which所修飾的應(yīng)該是主句的主語discoveries，所以是分裂式定語從句。

分裂式定語從句譯例：

1. Glycogen is stored in the liver, which is released as needed in the form of glucose.

糖元貯存于肝臟，需要時能以葡萄糖的形式釋出。

[說明]根據(jù)邏輯判斷，定語從句不是修飾名詞liver，關(guān)系代詞which 也不是代表整個主句，而是修飾主句的主語glycogen。上句中的as needed 為時間狀語，也可理解為省略成分it is的時間狀語從句。

2. The drug has rapid onset and relatively short duration of action, thanks to which its effect can easily be regulated.

此藥生效迅速，作用時間短暫，因此其功效易于調(diào)節(jié)。

[說明]上句中的關(guān)系代詞which作介詞thanks to的賓語，整個介詞短語起結(jié)果狀語作用。此句中的which只能根據(jù)邏輯判斷它是代表整個主句的意思。

3. Cancer of the liver is also common in cases which begins as a cancer in one of the organs in the abdominal cavity.

肝癌以腹腔內(nèi)某一器官的癌癥為先導，這種情況也是常見的。

[說明] 根據(jù)語法關(guān)系和邏輯意思判斷，定語從句不是修飾復數(shù)名詞 cases，關(guān)系代詞which也不代表整個主句，而是修飾主句的主語cancer。

4. Some hours or days later a cough develops, which is at first nonproductive but later is accompanied by mucopurulent sputum.