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。 2 V T' R* e8 k% L: D / {' Q1 V- d9 V3 U/ U: ^3 w" @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。: J9 ]& ?, t3 s+ o! E# q
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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。( h6 Q2 i$ {6 q% K& m
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下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明:! v% p. z' u! ?+ v
$ g5 W+ R, M. O2 K! d. sThis 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. 2 e9 U$ Y% o' V+ E ~5 a% W; B8 S, G" Z8 E( b' }; V
谨供参考。