浅析四种带can't的句型
Can't是can not的缩写形式,意义否定。但它在不少句型中,其意义却不是否定,而是肯定,甚至还能起加强语气的作用。实际上,这种带can't的句型是英语的一种修辞手法。了解并掌握它,对阅读和写作大有帮助。本文试就常见的四种带can't的句型浅析如下,供教与学参考。
句型一: can't+be/行为动词+比较级
这种句型原意是"再没有......比......更",是从反面来表示"最"的概念,语义含蓄生动,语气肯定有力。例如:
1.He can't be more careless.他太粗心了。(较之"He is very careless.他很粗心。"更肯定有力)
2.I can't thank you a little more.太感谢您了。(较之"Thank you very much.非常感谢您。"语义更强)
3.- How about a game of
bridge? 打桥牌好吗?
- I can't think of a better idea.那真是太好了。(强调"我想不出比这个更好的主意了。")
以上三例是对现在情况加以强调。如要对过去情况加以强调,则用"couldn't + have + 过去分词 + 比较级"。如:
The job couldn't have been easier.这工作再容易不过了。(较之"The job was very easy.这工作很容易。"更有肯定意味)
这种句型中的谓语动词不只限于一般时态,还可用于
现在完成时和过去完成时。所强调的时间概念与上述例子相同。如:
1.The visit can't have left us a deeper impression.这次访问给我们留下的印象再深刻不过了。(较之"The visit has left us a very deep impression.这次访问给我们留下了很深刻的印象。"语气要强得多)
2.She couldn't have explained the matter more clearly.她把那件事解释得再清楚不过了。(较之"She explained the matter very clearly.她把那件事解释得很清楚。"更肯定有力)
句型二: can't + 动词原形 + too/enough
这种句型看起来像
否定句,实际上是语气强烈的
肯定句,意为"无论怎样也不过分"。如:
I can't praise this film highly enough.
I can't praise this film too much.
I can hardly praise this film too highly.
以上三句均可译为"这部电影无论怎样赞扬也不过分。"注意:根据句义需要,can't中的not 常可与scarcely, hardly, never等一类词换用。
句型三:can't + help + 动名词
这种句型中的动词help含有"避免""抑制""忍住"等意思。因其本身具有否定意义,所以与can't结合起来就形成双重否定,而变为肯定。常译作"不得不""不禁"或"禁不住"等。这种句型的语气较婉转,其中的动词help可被
forbear, resist, avoid,
refrain from, keep from ,
abstain from等替换,意义不变。如:
1. She can't help thinking so.她不得不这样想。
2. He couldn't
forbear crying out.他不禁叫了起来。
3. When
hearing that, every one of us could not resist laughing.我们大家听到这件事,都忍不住笑了。
4. I can't avoid meeting him.我不得不与他会面。
5. I can't keep from thinking of you at times.我有时会情不自禁地想到你。
6. He couldn't
refrain from his tears.他不禁落泪。
7. He can't
abstain from speaking.他禁不住开口说了起来。
句型四:can't + but + 动词原形
这种句型与句型三相似,含有"除此以外,别无他法"的意味,但语气比句型三强。其中的but可被choose but / help but替换,意义不变。但须注意:but后面的动词不带to。例如:
1.I couldn't but laugh on
seeing such a funny sight.看到这样滑稽的情景,我忍不住笑了。
2.I couldn't help but realize that something was wrong.我不禁认识到出了毛病。
3.They can't choose but go.他们不得不去。
关键字:
英语语法生词表:
- bridge [bridʒ] n.桥(梁);鼻梁;桥牌 四级词汇
- abstain [əb´stein] vi.节制;戒除 六级词汇
- forbear [fɔ:´beə, fə-] v.容忍;克制 n.祖先 四级词汇