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。4 Q# N1 m! _ W, _+ q
4 i4 o. A$ F! a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。% v8 X: X2 Q3 O$ b( c
/ P. r ~6 W2 t E& i" h6 U5 Z: ?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。 6 o/ N7 i" H; N! n0 V4 d; I2 J x8 d- k1 x
如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
9 B. H, E+ P' h/ uThis 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. ; R1 C$ O8 Z; q* f
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谨供参考。