以国际贸易合同中广泛使用的《1980年联合国国际货物买卖合同公约》（United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods 1980）(2)为例，在该公约在起草的过程中，为了保证公约能够得到广泛的使用，已经对条文进行了极大的简化，但是，为了达到严谨的目的，大量结构复杂的句子依然保留在公约之中。例如，第76条第1款：
If the contract is avoided and there is a current price for the goods, the party claiming damages may, if he has not made a purchase or resale under article 75, recover the difference between the price fixed by the contract and the current price at the time of avoidance as well as any further damages recoverable under article 74. If, however, the party claiming damages has avoided the contract after taking over the goods, the current price at the time of such taking over shall be applied instead of the current price at the time of avoidance.
该条文中共有98个单词，具体翻译步骤可分解如下：
步骤1：该条文包括两个句子。首先从“句号”处，将该条文分成两个句子，分别翻译。
分句1：If the contract is avoided ... under article 74.
分句2：If, however, the party claiming damages ...
步骤2：在分句1中，包括两个if条件状语从句，两个并列结构（and和as well as），一个分词作后置定语结构（claiming damages, fixed by the contract）。分句1的主体结构是：the party may recover the difference between as well as any further damages recoverable under article 74.（要求损害赔偿的一方则可以取得差额以及按照第七十四条规定可以取得的任何其他损害赔偿。）
然后再把其他的内容分别翻译出来：
If the contract is avoided and there is a current price for the goods（如果合同被宣告无效，而货物又有时价）
if he has not made a purchase or resale under article 75（如果没有根据第七十五条规定进行购买或转卖）
the difference between the price fixed by the contract and the current price at the time of avoidance（合同规定的价格和宣告合同无效时的时价之间的差额）
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
该条对宪法的修订进行了规定，共143个单词，具体翻译可分解如下：
步骤1：该条中两个“分号”，先从“分号”处将句子分割成三个分句，分别翻译：
分句1：The Congress ... may be proposed by the Congress;
分句2：provided that ... of the first article;
分句3：and that no state ...
步骤2：分句1包括了whenever、when、as、provided that引导的状语从句，which引导的定语从句。分句1的主体结构是：The Congress shall propose amendments to this Constitution or shall call a convention for proposing amendments（国会应提出对本宪法的修正案，或者国会应召集修宪大会）。
然后再分别翻译其他内容：
whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary（凡两院议员各以三分之二的多数认为必要时）；
on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states（当现有诸州三分之二的州议会提出请求时）；
which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution（以上两种修正案，即成为本宪法之一部分而发生全部效力）；
when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress（如经诸州四分之三的州议会或四分之三的州修宪大会批准，至于采用哪一种批准方式，则由国会议决）；
在法律条文中，除了像上述两例在一个句子中表达较多内容的模式外，还有一种是通过分项表述来表达较多内容的模式。例如《维尔京群岛2004年BVI商事公司法》（BVI Business Companies Act, 2004）(3)第81条（Members' resolutions，成员决议）：
(1) Unless otherwise specified in this Act or in the memorandum or articles of a company, the exercise by the members of a company of a power which is given to them under this Act or the memorandum or articles shall be by a resolution
(a) passed at a meeting of members held pursuant to section 82; or
(b) passed as a written resolution in accordance with section 88.
(2) A resolution is passed if approved by a simple majority or, if a higher majority is required by the memorandum or articles, that higher majority, of the votes of those members entitled to vote and voting on the resolution.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2),
(a) votes of shareholders shall be counted according to the votes attached to the shares held by the shareholder voting; and
(b) unless the memorandum or articles otherwise provide, a guarantee member and a member of an unlimited company without shares is entitled to one vote on any resolution on which he is entitled to vote.
例1：Declarations made under this Convention at the time of signature are subject to confirmation upon ratification, acceptance or approval.(4)（依本公约规定在签字时做出的声明，须经批准、接受或核准等方式加以确认。）
例2：Subject to its memorandum and articles, a company may make application to the Registrar in the approved form to change its name or its foreign character name.(5)（依公司组织大纲或公司章程，公司向登记官递交审批表申请改变公司名称或公司外文名称。）
例3：A contract of sale need not be concluded in or evidenced by writing and is not subject to any other requirement as to form. It may be proved by any means, including witnesses.(6)（销售合同无须以书面形式订立或以书面形式证明，在形式方面也不受任何其他条件的限制。销售合同可用包括人证在内的任何方法来证明。）
例4：LICENCE is granted to Name of Company of Address to operate as a security company for supplying individuals to perform security work type(s): _____ for a period of _____ year(s) from _____ to _____ inclusive, provided that during the above period all prescribed fees are paid as prescribed, and subject to the provisions of the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance (Cap 460), and to those conditions specified overleaf.［兹向（公司名称）地址为（地址）签发牌照，准许该公司以保安公司形式营办并提供人员执行下列类别的保安工作：牌照有效期为_____年，由_____至_____，首尾两天包括在内，但在上述期间内所有订明的费用须按订明的规定予以缴付，并须受《保安及护卫服务条例》（第460章）的条文及背页所指明的条件所规限。］
汉语法律条文中的“根据……”，“须经……”一般也可以翻译为“subject to”，例如：
例1：投保人变更受益人时须经被保险人同意。(7)（The applicant may change the beneficiary subject to the consent of the insured.）
例2：用工单位应当根据工作岗位的实际需要与劳务派遣单位确定派遣期限，不得将连续用工期限分割订立数个短期劳务派遣协议。(8)（The labor service unit shall confirm the time limit of dispatch with the labor dispatch unit subject to the actual need of the position, and shall not conclude several shortterm labor dispatch agreements by dividing a consecutive labor service period.）
例3：犯罪嫌疑人会获得免费供应足够的食物和茶点。除属基本需要的衣物外，不得接受从外间送来的任何其它东西。但如其提出要求，则可获准自费得到外间送来的食物，但这些食物须经过检查。（Adequate food and refreshment will be supplied free to a suspect. A suspect is not entitled to receive from outside anything except the basic necessities of clothing. However he or she may, if requesting, be permitted at your own expense to have food from outside to be brought to you subject to inspection.）
例4：第十六条加入、退出和恢复中国国籍的申请，由中华人民共和国公安部审批。经批准的，由公安部发给证书。（中华人民共和国国籍法）（Article 16 Applications for naturalization as Chinese nationals and for renunciation or restoration of Chinese nationality are subject to examination and approval by the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Public Security shall issue a certificate to any person whose application has been approved. Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China）
例1：Where under a contract of sale the transfer of the property in the goods is to take place at a future time or subject to some condition later to be fulfilled, the contract is called an agreement to sell.(9)（买卖合同的货物所有权转移在将来的某个时间发生、或在以后须附有某种条件才可以完成的，称为出售协定。）
例2：Where the name of a company is changed under section 21 or 22, the amendment of the company's memorandum to state the new name has effect on the date of the change of name certificate.(10)（公司依第21或22条变更公司名称的，声明新名称的公司组织大纲修订案在公司名称证书更换之日生效。）
汉语法律条文中以“……的”表达“如果”的句子，也可翻译为where引导的条件状语从句。例如：
例1：用人单位与劳动者在用工前订立劳动合同的，劳动关系自用工之日起建立。(11)（Where the employing unit and laborers conclude labor contracts before the use of labor services, the labor relationships shall be established from the date of use of labor services.）
（The total value of a subsidy for imported products shall be calculated using the following methods according to the circumstances of the case:
1. Where the subsidy is granted in the form of a gratuitous allocation of money, the total value of the subsidy shall be calculated on the basis of the total amount actually received by the enterprises concerned;
2. Where the subsidy is granted in the form of a loan, the total value of the subsidy shall be calculated on the basis of the balance between the amount of interest that would be payable by the enterprise for a loan granted on normal commercial terms and the amount of interest to be paid for the loan actually granted;）
例3：前款规定的人员，索取他人财物或者非法收受他人财物，犯前款罪的，处五年以上十年以下有期徒刑，并处罚金。（Where a person stated in the preceding paragraph extorts money and goods from others or illegally accepts money and goods from others to commit the aforementioned crime, he or she is to be sentenced to fixedterm imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years, and concurrently be sentenced to a fine.）
例4：当事人无正当理由逾期不履行行政处罚决定的，按照有关规定公告后，交通行政执法机构可将暂扣车辆依法予以拍卖。拍卖所得扣除拍卖费用、罚款数额后尚有余款的，交通行政执法机构应当通知当事人领取。（Where the persons concerned fail to execute the decisions on administrative punishment in due time without due reasons, the traffic administrative law enforcement organs may, after making announcements in accordance with relevant provisions, put up for public auction the temporarily detained vehicles in accordance with laws. Where there is a balance left from the money gained in auctions after deduction of commissions and fines, the traffic administrative law enforcement organs shall notify the persons concerned to collect it.）
例1：Provided that no unreasonable delay or hindrance is caused to the processes of investigation or the administration of justice, a person detained may communicate and consult with a legal adviser.（在不会进行调查或对执法构成不合理延迟或阻碍的前提下，被羁留者可与一名法律顾问通讯和商议。）
例2：A party who is bound to take steps to preserve the goods may deposit them in a warehouse of a third person at the expense of the other party provided that the expense incurred is not unreasonable. （有义务采取措施以保全货物的一方当事人，可以把货物寄放在第三方的仓库，由另一方当事人担负费用，但该项费用必须合理。）
例3：In exceptional circumstances, the Ministerial Conference may decide to waive an obligation imposed on a Member by this Agreement or any of the Multilateral Trade Agreements provided that any such decision shall be taken by three fourths of the Members unless otherwise provided for in this paragraph.（在特殊情况下，部长级会议可作出决定，豁免成员根据本协定或任何多边贸易协定所规定承担的义务，但任何这种豁免决定应由全体成员的四分之三人作出，除非本款另有规定。）
汉语法律条文中的“但书”条款，也可以翻译为“provided that”。例如：
例1：反补贴调查，应当自立案调查决定公告之日起12个月内结束；特殊情况下可以延长，但延长期不得超过6个月。(13)（An investigation into Anti-subsidy trade measures shall be completed within 12 months of the date on which the decision to initiate the investigation is announced; under special circumstances, the time limit may be extended, provided that no extension shall exceed 6 months.）
例2：商务部应当允许申请人和利害关系方查阅本案有关资料；但是，属于按保密资料处理的除外。(14)（Ministry of Commerce should allow the applicants and interested parties to look up the information relating to the investigation, provided that the information is confidential ones.）
例1：If a party fails to pay the price or any other sum that is in arrears, the other party is entitled to interest on it, without prejudice to any claim for damages recoverable under article 74.(15)（如果一方当事人没有支付价款或任何其它拖欠金额，另一方当事人有权对这些款额收取利息，但不妨碍其按照第七十四条规定主张可以取得损害赔偿。）
例2：Where the seller expressly reserves the right of resale in case the buyer should make default, and on the buyer making default resells the goods, the original contract of sale is rescinded but without prejudice to any claim the seller may have for damages.(16)（卖方如果在买方未能履行法律义务情形下明示保留再出售权，而未能履行法律义务的买方将货物再出售时，原始的买卖合同解除，但不影响卖方可能对买方提起的损害赔偿之诉。）
例1：Unless otherwise agreed, the goods remain at the seller's risk until the property in them is transferred to the buyer, but when the property in them is transferred to the buyer the goods are at the buyer's risk whether delivery has been made or not.(17)（除非另有协议，货物的风险直到货物所有权转移至买方才从卖方转移至买方；但如货物所有权转移至买方的，不论交付行为是否作出，风险均转移至买方。）
例2：Under the law of the State where the goods will be resold or otherwise used, if it was contemplated by the parties at the time of the conclusion of the contract that the goods would be resold or otherwise used in that State.(18)（如果双方当事人在订立合同时预期货物将在某一国境内转售或做其他使用，则根据货物将在其境内转售或做其他使用的国家的法律。）
例3：Any person who by threats, persuasion or otherwise induces a witness or a party not to give evidence in any hearing before the Board commits an offence.（任何人藉恐吓、怂恿或以其他手段诱使证人或一方当事人不在仲裁处聆讯中作证，即属犯罪。）
例4：In a contract to which subsection (3) above applies there is also an implied term that none of the following will disturb the buyer's quiet possession of the goods, namely—
（a）the seller;
（b）in a case where the parties to the contract intend that the seller should transfer only such title as a third person may have, that person;
（c）anyone claiming through or under the seller or that third person otherwise than under a charge or encumbrance disclosed or known to the buyer before the contract is made.（适用第（3）款的合同中应含有另一项默示条款，即下列三者应不会妨碍买方对货物的平静占有，这三者是：
汉语法律条文中的“另有规定除外”，可以翻译为“unless otherwise regulated/provided by/specified”；其他诸如“除非信用证另有规定”可译为“Unless otherwise stipulated in the Letter of Credit”；“除非合同另有规定”可译为“Unless otherwise specified in the contract”；“除非合同双方另有协议”可译为“Unless otherwise agreed by the Parties to the Contract”；“除非本法另有规定”可译为“Unless otherwise provided by the Law”；等等。
例1：因不可抗力不能履行合同或者造成他人损害的，不承担民事责任，法律另有规定的除外。(19)（There is no civil liability for nonperformance of a contract or for damage done to someone, owing to force majeure unless otherwise regulated by law.）
例2：本法总则适用于其他有刑罚规定的法律，但是其他法律有特别规定的除外。(20)（The General Provisions of this Law shall be applicable to other laws with provisions for criminal punishments, unless otherwise specifically regulated by other laws.）
（六）for the purpose of
“for the purpose of”可以翻译为“为了……目的”，“为实施××条”，“就……而言”、“本法/条例所称……”。例如：
For the purposes of this Act, goods are of satisfactory quality if they meet the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking account of any description of the goods, the price (if relevant) and all the other relevant circumstances.(21)（就本法而言(22)，如果货物的任何说明、价格（若相关）以及其他相关情况能达到让理性人满意的标准，则它就是令人满意品质的货物。）
在汉语法律文件中，一般都会在第一条中明确立法目的，可以使用“For the purposes of”来表达其中的“为了……”部分，例如：
例1：为了扩大对外开放，发展对外贸易，维护对外贸易秩序，保护对外贸易经营者的合法权益，促进社会主义市场经济的健康发展，制定本法。(23)（This Law is promulgated for the purposes of enhancing the openingup to the outside world, developing foreign trade, maintaining order in foreign trade activities and promoting a healthy development of socialist market economy.）
例2：为了规范公司的组织和行为，保护公司、股东和债权人的合法权益，维护社会经济秩序，促进社会主义市场经济的发展，制定本法。(24)（This Law is enacted for the purposes of regulating the organization and operation of companies, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of companies, shareholders and creditors, maintaining the socialist economic order, and promoting the development of the socialist market economy.）
例3：为了完善律师制度，规范律师执业行为，保障律师依法执业，发挥律师在社会主义法制建设中的作用，制定本法。(25)（This Law is enacted for the purposes of improving lawyer system, standardizing the practicing behavior of lawyers, ensuring practice of lawyers in accordance with law and exerting the functions of lawyers in building a socialist legal system.）
例4：本条例所称的发明创造是指发明、实用新型和外观设计。（For the purpose of this law, “inventioncreation” means inventions, utility models and designs.）
Decisions may recognize that an aggrieved buyer may recover for particular types of expenditure but deny recovery in a particular case. Some decisions explicitly recognize the type of (1)but deny recovery for failure to prove them, lack of causation, or their unforeseeability by the (2)party. Thus one decision recognized the potential recovery of a buyer's advertising costs but declined to award (3)because the buyer failed to carry its burden of proof. Other decisions may (4) assume the right to recover particular expenditures. When deciding on its jurisdiction, one court implicitly assumed that the CISG covers claims by a buyer against its seller for (5) of a sub-buyer's claim for personal injury.
(1) Subject to article 49, the seller may, even after the date for delivery, remedy at his own expense any failure to perform his obligations, if he can do so without unreasonable delay and without causing the buyer unreasonable inconvenience or uncertainty of reimbursement by the seller of expenses advanced by the buyer.
(2) In exceptional circumstances, the Ministerial Conference may decide to waive an obligation imposed on a Member by this Agreement or any of the Multilateral Trade Agreements, provided that any such decision shall be taken by three fourths of the Members unless otherwise provided for in this paragraph.
(3) Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.
(4) Standards of Conduct for Directors
(a) Each member of the board of directors, when discharging the duties of a director, shall act: (1) in good faith, and (2) in a manner the director reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the corporation.
(b) The members of the board of directors or a committee of the board, when becoming informed in connection with their decisionmaking function or devoting attention to their oversight function, shall discharge their duties with the care that a person in a like position would reasonably believe appropriate under similar circumstances.
(c) In discharging board or committee duties a director, who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted, is entitled to rely on the performance by any of the persons specified in subsection (e)(1) or subsection (e)(3) to whom the board may have delegated, formally or informally by course of conduct, the authority or duty to perform one or more of the board's functions that are delegable under applicable law.
(d) In discharging board or committee duties a director, who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted, is entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by any of the persons specified in subsection (e).
（5）For the purpose of the Regulation, computer software(hereinafter referred to as software) refers to computer programs and their related documentation.