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。 ( J- z- M* H; H9 t- F 7 ~: R- w( w& w& E! k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。. I# N8 W# K0 q1 j. x4 C. W
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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。* }/ @! X8 S- f; ]
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如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
: A/ r; f5 O+ \) k. s" t下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明: ( e* K$ i/ c4 H; `1 f0 [6 q+ n! z W4 O/ a/ c
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. 7 x" R2 i }. Z0 y. ] K R 0 h, o( z& G, J. U" P4 A谨供参考。