请看下面一题:
It is so difficult a problem that _________ student in this class _________ work it out.
A. any, cant B. no, can C. every, can D. no, cant
【分析】此题很容易误选A,因为从句意上看,选A可将此句理解为这个问题是如此之难,这个班任何一个学生都不可能做出来。但按英语习惯,any(任何一个)作为非肯定句,它只能出现在否定词 not 之后,而不能在其前,即可说 not any, 但不说 any not。所以正确答案应选B。又如:
这工作太难了,恐怕谁也干不了。
正:The work is too difficult. Im afraid no one can do it.
误:The work is too difficult. Im afraid any one cant do it.
什么也阻碍不了我同她结婚。
正:Nothing can prevent me from marrying her.
误:Anything cant prevent me from marrying her.
类似地,either (两者中的任意一个)作为非肯定词,它也应出现在否定词之后,而不能出现在否定词之前。如:
这两兄弟都不聪明。
正:Neither of the brothers is clever.
误:Either of the brothers is not clever.