英语语法中的否定之非否定

英语中含有否定词的句子种类繁多。多数表达否定意义,但有些形式上表达否定意义的句子,实际上并非表达真正的否定意义。我们姑且称之为"否定之非否定",现归纳如下:

1. 在含有can't 的一些句子中。例如:

①She can't help crying when she heard the bad news. 当她听到这个不幸的消息时,忍不住哭了。

②I can't but agree with you.我只好同意你的意见。

③You can't praise her too much. 你怎样赞扬她都不过分。

④You can't be too careful. 你越小心越好。

⑤I can't thank you enough. 我对你感激不尽。

2. nothing (nobody...) but..."只不过……;不外乎……;只是……"。例如:

①I have eaten nothing but bread and cheese since Sunday. 星期天以来,我光吃面包和乳酪了。

②Nobody but Li Lei can do it. 只有李雷能做此事。

3. 否定疑问句表示"赞叹或责备"等感情色彩。例如:

①Can't you walk a little faster?你难道不能走快点儿吗?(责备)

②Aren't these pictures lovely? 这些画多好看啊!(赞叹)

4. No sooner...than..."一……就……"。例如:

No sooner had we got there than it began to rain. 我们刚到那儿,天就下起了雨。

5. 双重否定的句子。例如:

①Without air and water, we could not live. 没有空气和水,我们就不能生存。

②Don't just say nothing. 别不说话呀。

6. not + (瞬间动词come, stop, begin,leave...)+until(till)... "直到……才……"。例如:

He did not come until ten last night. 他直到昨天夜里十点钟才回来。