在较长英语句子中存在着比较复杂的关系，很难按原则顺序用一句汉语表达出来，这就要根据英文句子特点和内在联系进行意译，不能的直译长句主要有三种处理方法。
1.根据句子内在逻辑关系和汉语表达习惯进行翻译。例如：
The differences are that the dwellers of the new caves would see more greenery, under ecologically healthier conditions, than dwellers of surface cities do today.
这个句子并不复杂，但不好译。这个句子有三层关系，比较、条件和结果，按这种逻辑关系翻译就十分省事。"同今天地面城市的居民相比，新洞穴居民如果在比较健康生态环境中生活，会有更多机会见到青枝绿叶。"
2.有些长句需要直译与意译结合，顺译与递译结合，需要综合处理。
But a broader and more generous, certainly more philosophical view is held by those scientists who claim that the evidence of a war instinct in men is incomplete and misleading , and that man does have within him the power of abolishing war.
这个句子主句部分可以意译，从句部分可直译。有些科学家观点更开阔，更富有普遍性和哲理性。他们指出，有关人类战争本能的证据尚不完全，而且容易引起误解，事实上，人类自身具有消除战争能力。
It was that population that gave to California a name for getting up astonishing enterprises and rushing them through with a magnificent dash and daring and a recklessness of cost or consequences.
这个句子虽长，结构不复杂，如果进行直译，其译文将十分逊色，如果进行综合处理，译文将有声有色地传达原文神韵。那里人们富于大无畏开创精神，建立了庞大的企业，敢冒风险，势如破竹，一干到底，不顾及成本，因此为加利福尼亚赢得了声誉。
3.由于有些句型不同于汉语思维方式，常常需要进行倒译。
Textile finishes have in general become a "no-no" in today''s market place,thanks to many reasons, says a representative of fiber producer.
一位纤维厂家的代表说，由于许多原因，纺织物整理剂在如今的市场上已经到了无人问津的地步。
