（一） 词汇特点
1. 用词正式、庄严、准确
合同双方的意愿要清晰地表达出来，选词用词要仔细考虑。合同是具有法律性质的公文，为了维护法律的权威，选词要严谨，以显示其正规、庄严的特点。
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…
与 wish和want相比，desire较正式；与in order to相比，with a view to 更正式
2. 法律用语、合同术语的使用非常广泛
In case one party desire to sell or or part of his investment （此句中的assign和preemptive 都是法律用语）
3. 大量地使用古英语词汇
最常见的`是here, there, where加上介词构成的复合副词。 here代表this, there代表that, where代表which并引出从句。经常在同一合同中有些名词会被多次提及， 使用这些古英语词汇可以避免用词重复、文句过长，使合同语句简练、准确、有说服力。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. 成对地使用同义词、近义词。一词多义，多词一义。
Perform and fulfill(履行) rights and interests；terms and conditions(条款)；customs fees and duties(关税)，loss of and damage to, null and void(无效)，rules and regulations。 同义词连用以避免一词多义导致的歧义。
本协议由甲方和乙方签订。 already published. 甲方不再承担已经被公开部分的保密义务。 under the contract. 任何此类同意均不应解除合同规定的承包人的责任与义务。 this agreement.
5. 较多地借用外来词（拉丁语、法语词汇）
Bona fide activity(慈善活动)，inter alia(还有其他事项)，stare decisis(遵循先例)都来源于拉丁语，在合同中以斜体出现。Bar(律师), suit（起诉、控告）, complain（投诉）, jury, terms, claim
6. 情态动词的使用频率较高
Shall, shall not, may, must很常用，在合同中和在非法律文体中所表达的含义有所不同。Shall,是指当事人的义务，即该做什么；shall not是指禁止做的； may指当事人的权利，即可做什么；The employer shall make a prepayment of 20% of the contract value to the contractor within 10 days after signing the contract.
7. 用语明确，不使用易产生歧义的词汇
Shipment is to be effected bimonthly at 600 metric tons each. Bimonthly 可以理解为“两个月一次”，也可以理解为“一个月两次”。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. 指代明确
英语合同中很少出现人称代词，即使出现了也是泛指。经常用the said, the same加上一个名词来指代前文中提到的名词。
（二） 短语特点
1. 使用专门的短语表达合同英语惯有的含义
Whereas鉴于，now this presents witness兹特立约为据，for and on behalf of: 代表，
per pro.=procurationem代表代理
2. 名词性短语居多
动词性短语转化成名词性短语
The contractor shall not knowingly do or omit to do anything which may Transfer responsibility转化成了service转化成了3. 动词短语转化成介词、形容词短语
Support—in support of, violate—in violation of, default—in default of
Include—be inclusive of, exclude—be exclusive of
4. 常用短语来替代从句，使句子更简洁。
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替代了从句 which results from the services
（三） 句子特点
1. 长句的使用很常见
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. 句子结构完整
一般都采用主语、谓语都具备的完整句，通常不使用省略句，以免造成歧义。
3. 多个句式表达一个法律含义
--- 表达“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,
--- 有权做：may do, shall/will have the right to do, be entitled to do, reserve the right to do,
----应当做： shall do, have the legal obligation to do, be obliged to do, shall be liable to do, be responsible to do.
4. 频繁使用倒装语序
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. 现在时代替将来时，将来时使用较少。
虽然合同的条款很多都是规定将来的事项，但在习惯上以使用现在时为原则。 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. 习惯用被动语态，较少使用主动语态。
7. 常使用插入语，使意思表达得更清楚，更完整。
resulting from A3 a), all cost relating to the goods.
8. 多见直接表达，少见间接表达。
--- all persons, except those who are 60 years old or older, may be employed by this enterprise.(间接)
---- 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
10. 对句的使用. 显示句子的层次感和对等感，节奏感。
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
方应负责提供装卸货物。
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