在英語中,有些固定詞組從表面結構看是否定形式,但實際上它們表示的卻是肯定意義。對此,筆者歸納了表示肯定意義的含有否定詞的幾組短語,以期能幫助同學們準確把握和運用。
一、none the less
none the less意為“仍然,盡管如此”,相當于“still”,表示轉折。例如:
Old as he is,he is nonetheless vigorous and active.他雖然年紀大了,但仍然精力充沛。
The road was icy,none the less,we went to school early as usual.
路面結著冰,盡管如此,我們還是像往常一樣很早就去上學了。
二、nothing if not
nothing if not意為“非常,極其,十足”,相當于“very”,常置于be動詞和表語之間,用于強調做表語的形容詞或名詞。例如:
The view is nothing if not magnificent.景色極其壯觀。
Jack is nothing if not a gentleman.杰克是個十足的紳士。
三、nothing/none but
nothing/none but相當于“only”,意為“只有,僅僅”,其后接名詞。需注意的是,nothing but只用于表事物,不用于表人,none but則可用于表人和物。例如:
Out of curiosity,she opened the envelope to find?nothing/none but a piece of white paper.出于好奇,她打開了信封,卻發(fā)現(xiàn)里面僅僅是一張白紙。
None but a strongman could have lifted it.只有身強力壯的人才能舉得起它。
四、none other than
none other than意為“不是別的,正是/竟然是……”,其后接名詞,常帶有強調、驚奇、贊美等語氣。例如:
The new arrival was none other than my best friend,Jenny.剛到達的不是別人,正是我最好的朋友,珍妮。(表示強調)
The winner of the speech contest was none otherthan Bobby who is usually very quiet.這次演講比賽的獲勝者竟然是波比,他平時不愛說話。(表示驚奇)
五、little/nothing short of
little/nothing short of為雙重否定,其意思為“可以說是,簡直是”,常用來修飾作表語的名詞或形容詞。例如:
Her success has been nothing/little short of incredi?ble.她的成功簡直令人難以置信。
Jack is little/nothing short of a musical genius.杰克,可以說是一個音樂天才。
六、to say nothing of
to say nothing of意為“何況,更不用說”,表示遞進,主要用于提及另一重要的信息或觀點,其后多跟名詞。例如:
She can ride a motorcycle,to say nothing of a bicy?cle.她摩托車都會騎,何況是自行車。
The yard is a mess,to say nothing of the house.院子里亂七八糟,房子里就更不用說了。
七、as soon as not
as soon as not意為“非常愿意,再樂意不過”,常置于句末。例如:
I would buy that book as soon as not.我非常愿意買那本書。
She would help his classmates as soon as not.他太樂意幫助同學了。
八、as likely as not
as likely as not意為“很可能,說不定”,側重不確定性。例如:
She is now in the office as likely as not.她現(xiàn)在很可能在辦公室。
Tom will forget all about it as likely as not.湯姆說不定會把這件事忘得一干二凈。
總之,英語中表示肯定意義的含有否定詞的短語,可謂是不勝枚舉。這就要求同學們在平時學習中注意歸類整理,用心辨析,準確把握,從而提升語用能力。