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。/ D- w( X7 |% T1 a
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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。3 Y+ i1 k7 h8 n0 K
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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。 2 J9 g" L, q3 O: m/ n3 c ! K+ W7 D' f. T$ V' n# W4 e/ \如果我理解有误,请大家指正。
' G( c; F( ^6 M, a下面是一个老外在网上出售仿真枪时作的说明:7 y" z4 j& N1 ^$ @0 m$ U: Z
# M- @$ p3 v6 o% F" \ q5 Z4 FThis 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. 0 U& U, w0 f6 V* p' a( G
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谨供参考。