一般来说，一份英文合同的主要构成如下：

·Preamble, Recital, Words of Agreement

·Definitions

·Action Section (Consideration)

·Reps & Warranties

·Covenants & Rights

·Conditions to Obligations

·Endgame Provisions & Remedies

·General Provisions

·Signatures

从翻译上来说，preamble可译为前言，recitals可译为背景。

从内容上来说，preamble是确定协议各方的介绍性段落。紧随其后的内容通常被称为Recitals（也称为背景部分）。有时，Recitals被称为 "Whereas"（鉴于）。总的来说，preamble和recitals讲述了交易的对象、内容、时间和原因。换句话说，他们告诉读者协议的各方是谁，协议的日期，以及各方希望通过签订协议达到什么目的。

具体区别如下：

The preamble states the name of the agreement, its date of execution, and the parties involved. If the parties are businesses, then the preamble will identify the type of entity and the state of organization. The preamble provides a descriptive noun, such as Buyer and Seller, used to refer to the parties throughout the rest of the document.

参考译文：preamble说明了协议的名称、签署日期和相关各方。如果各方是企业，那么，preamble将确定实体的类型和组织的状态。此外，preamble会给出一个表述性的名词，如买方和卖方，在文件中的余下部分用来指代各方。

例： This Sales Agreement (Agreement) is made as of September 18, 2009 (the Effective Date) between John Smith, an individual with an address at 123 Peachtree St., Atlanta, Georgia (Buyer), and Goizueta, Inc., a corporation organized pursuant to section 123-345 of the Annotated Code of Georgia, with an address at 456 University Lane, Decatur, Georgia (Seller).

Recitals are an optional form of the contract. Their purpose is to provide background to the agreement. They often state the parties general understanding of the situation and their purpose or intent in entering into this agreement. This section does not contain provisions that create duties, rights, or obligations in the contract. Nothing in the recitals are enforceable under the contract.

参考译文：recital是合同的一种可选形式。其目的是为协议提供背景。其通常说明双方对情况的一般理解，以及签订此协议的目的或意图。recital部分不包含在合同中创建的责任、权利或义务的条款，recital部分的任何内容在合同中均不可执行。

Example:

A. WHEREAS, Seller is the a supplier of parts for _____.

B. WHEREAS, Buyer is currently a member of ______.