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。: O4 j; U' Q, d8 S6 k
; N* }7 W6 S, ^) 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。 # \% k8 y5 j: u' X [ U) C/ L7 y. ]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。% v/ H' ~" V b, A
4#雲吞5 _7 I! U% e( H9 l- |
8 ]' l" Y; F% o0 Z
下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明: ; A7 _) g; ^& W- C/ K ' ?7 T- m# R& E' s7 c/ x" F5 VThis 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 e& h" r2 ^2 Q0 y1 L+ D3 m$ y* `; d, s
谨供参考。