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。1 [. H8 J+ l& C- _; I- K+ L" Q
) n0 l; M& c7 \2 L' X$ ~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。) D( Z4 h+ c' K" s; h) E
4 F. i1 q0 r* x) D' h7 d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。) ]9 ?' a" c, ~' b; C, J% _/ @
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如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
6 i) a# u: w0 h. i% I下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明:6 ~' V" X1 \7 p7 ]* ~0 {
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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. , s* j& c4 p# W) Q. z( T+ G+ E5 r1 j1 r) w6 m/ h! ?/ B; d
谨供参考。