对于区分 can 和 can't 有困难的人士,曾经有个建议说 用be able to和be unable to来代替。我也曾经这样说过。 # q3 T% K8 e2 ?- m8 O9 S- c. G. O
但是要分场合。因为be able to实际的含义是有能力做。要是忽视这个含义,就可能出错。 3 v6 l8 Y# w2 N" T1 p ! D9 g$ c& P+ D) n比如,The rules can't be enforced. 要是给换一下,变成了 The rules are unable to be enforced. 这句话在逻辑上乱七八糟。因为rules本身没有什么能力去被执行。如果说 The manager was unable to enforce the rules. 逻辑上语法上都说得过去,可是被迫使用了主动语态,与原意不完全符合。4 i% V! q2 ^ S- U: o- p
" n+ I2 g6 @% g- s- C& e
如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
4#雲吞 d0 A# M" K6 T$ @- x+ F; _) {8 z1 o' r& {7 D- u j
下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明: # T3 o& K( H8 U; e! n2 c; l3 {3 L6 Q9 e) F- N! a7 W: i
This item cannot be made to fire and has never been capable of firing. The metal is not strong enough to hold a charge. For decorative purposes only. # q$ c; ~( N8 \; t9 u/ |- k) i
1 K: s8 d# [! n/ q$ C! ?
谨供参考。