1)语法作用
同位语从句本质是名词从句,国外网站是这样描述同位语从句的:noun clauses as appositives.
定语从句本质是形容词性从句,因为定语对先行词进行修饰限定,和形容词的作用一致。
2) 表意作用
同位语从句说明抽象名词的具体内容。He is excited at the news that he won the first prize (news的内容就是他得了一等奖).
定语从句简单对名词进行修饰限定。He is excited at the news that his girl told him.
3)所修饰名词
定语从句可以是主句中的任何名词。
同位语从句所修饰的名词一般是抽象名词。
Who will go to Beijing on business has not been decided.
谁将去北京出差还没有决定。
He told me the news that our team won.
他告诉我我们队赢了的消息。
I had no idea that you were here.
我不知道你在这里。
The story goes that William killed his wife.
据说威廉杀了他的妻子。
He always works hard in spite of the fact that he is not in good health.
尽管他身体不好,但他总是努力工作。