英语学习之英语中的形式否定，实际肯定
英语里有的句子虽然用了否定词(或词组)，但并不表示否定意义。例如：You cannot praise her too highly.这句虽然用了cannot,但意义却是肯定的，即"你怎么赞扬她都不过分。"
英语里形式否定，实际肯定的句子常见的有如下几种。
1.由nothing(比如nothing but,nothing except,nothing beyond,nothing besides,nothing like,nothing short of,nothing if not等)构成的句子.例如:
I did nothing but press the button.我只是按了按电钮.
Nothing but socialism can save China.只有社会主义才能救中国.
He did nothing except(or beyond) writing the letter.他只写了这封信.
I care for nothing besides this one.我只要这一个.
There is nothing like blue serge for men’s wear.蓝色哔叽最适合于男子穿.
There is nothing like jogging as a means of exercise.锻炼身体的最好办法是跑步
.
His escape was nothing short of a miracle.他的逃跑科可以说是个奇迹.
The plan is nothing short of revolutionary.这个计划完全是革命性的.
She is nothing if not polite.她非常有礼貌.
He is nothing if not a gentleman.他颇有君子风度.
2. 由cannot(比如cannot...too,cannot... over,cannot but,cannot choose but, cann ot help,cannot help but等)构成的句子.例如:
I cannot thank you too much.我无论怎样感谢你都是不够的.
One cannot be over careful. 一个人无论怎么小心都不过分.(即:越小心越好.)
It cannot be too much emphasized that we must work hard.我们必须努力工作,怎样强调也不过分.
A book may be compared to your neighbour; if it be good,it cannot last too long;if bad,you cannot get rid of it too early. 一本书好比你的邻居,如果是本好书,保持的时间越长越好;如果是本坏书,处理得越早越好.
One’s world outlook cannot but come through in what one says and does.一个人的世界观必然在其言行中表现出来.
I cannot choose but go.我非去有可.
When I heard the sad story,I could not help shedding tears.听了那个伤心的故事, 我不禁潸然泪下.
The application of cold compresses cannot help but reduce the swelling.用冷敷必然可以消肿.
3.某些不用回答和表达说话人一定感情的疑问句.例如:
1) 修辞疑问句
Who does not know?(=Everybody knows.)谁不知道?(意思是"人人知道")
Why not try again?你怎么不再试试.(即:你该再试试)
分页标题#e#
再如:
Can you speak more specifically?
Isn’t your refrigerator working?
Hasn’t the train arrived yet?
上述四句虽然用了疑问词,但并不表示否定意义.第一句表示说话人嫌你讲得不够详细,有点埋怨之意;第二句含有责怪之意,明明冰箱运转正常,而你偏说它坏了;第三句含有失望之意,按火车时刻表,火车该到了,但事实上还没有到;第四句意指你该感到羞耻.
2)感叹疑问句
Isn’t that beautiful! 多么美丽呀!
Isn’t she a sweet girl! 她多么可爱啊!
当这种疑问句用来回答别人的问题或对别人的谈话作出反应,以强调自己和对方的意见一致时也一样.例如:
Lovely day,isn’t it ?天气真好啊,是不是?
Yes,isn’t it! 是啊,真好!
Her reading was beautiful. 她读得很好.
Yes wasn’t it .是的,很好.
3)祈使疑问句
Won’t you sit down! 请坐呀!
Come in,won’t you! 请进来吧!
Have a cup of tea,won’t you! 喝杯茶吧.
4.习惯用法
有些习惯用法,形式上虽然是否定的,但意义却是肯定的.例如:
He’ll be at home now,as likely as not.(=He’ll probably be at home now.)他很可能现在在家.
I’d go there as soon as not.(=I’ll go there wilingly)我非常乐意到那儿去
2)感叹疑问句
Isn’t that beautiful! 多么美丽呀!
Isn’t she a sweet girl! 她多么可爱啊!
当这种疑问句用来回答别人的问题或对别人的谈话作出反应,以强调自己和对方的意见一致时也一样.例如:
Lovely day,isn’t it ?天气真好啊,是不是?
Yes,isn’t it! 是啊,真好!
Her reading was beautiful. 她读得很好.
Yes wasn’t it .是的,很好.
3)祈使疑问句
Won’t you sit down! 请坐呀!
Come in,won’t you! 请进来吧!
Have a cup of tea,won’t you! 喝杯茶吧.
4.习惯用法
有些习惯用法,形式上虽然是否定的,但意义却是肯定的.例如:
He’ll be at home now,as likely as not.(=He’ll probably be at home now.)他很可能现在在家.
I’d go there as soon as not. (=I’ll go there wilingly)我非常乐意到那儿去.
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