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。 ' Q- G: M3 G1 X7 Z% ]0 _ ' y0 y& c. U3 V+ L V& E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。4 L( B; ?: e: U$ p) [& Z8 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。 ) O# M# m2 I o, x5 r# K- v ! I" m# K( E4 ^9 E4 t& B如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
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下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明: h$ _. u6 \9 x' g ' V" _( o( f( D2 {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. 8 j7 O" s1 y1 h( j! B Y