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What are some more typical examples of English sentences that appear to be in harmony with the spirit?

The phenomenon of "appearance is incompatible but the spirit is separate" in English

There are some language phenomena in English that formally express one meaning, but the actual meaning is another. When encountering this phenomenon, if we "judge people by their appearance", we will be confused by their "yin and yin". Therefore, it is necessary to understand both the form and the meaning in order to achieve perfect unity.

This article will try to briefly discuss several common such phenomena as follows:

1. Comparative form, superlative meaning. The following sentences seem to be comparative forms, but the meaning they express is superlative:

1, How beautifully she sings! I have never heard a better voice. (NMET96, 11)

How well she sings! This is the most beautiful sound I have ever heard.

2. -------A re you satisfied with her answer?

-------Not at all. It couldn't have been worse. (Shanghai 97, 26)

------- Are you satisfied with his answer?

------- Not at all. Worst.

3. Bamboo probably has more uses than the other plant in the world.

Bamboo may be the plant with the most uses in the world.

4. Many years ago there lived an Emperor who cared more for fine new clothes than for anything else.

Many years ago, there lived an Emperor who loved gorgeous new clothes the most.

2. Affirm the form and deny the meaning. Although there is no not in the following sentences, the meaning they express is the meaning of the negative sentence:

1. The new teacher speaks English too quickly for me to understand.

新来 The English teacher spoke English too fast and I couldn't understand it.

2. I would rather stay at home than go out.

I would rather stay at home than go out.

3. The big fire is beyond control.

The big fire is beyond control.

4. We watch the train leave the station until it is out of sight.

We watch the train leave the station until it is out of sight.

5. I failed to attend the meeting because I missed the bus.

I failed to attend the meeting because I missed the bus.

3. Parallel form, subordinate meaning.

Although the following sentence contains "and", it does not mean that there is a parallel relationship:

1. It is nice / lovely / good / fine and hot in Summer in Wuhan.

Wuhan summer Very hot.

Note: In the nice and┅ structure, nice and so on modify the words after and, but do not indicate a parallel relationship. The previous sentence cannot be translated as: The weather in Wuhan in summer is both good and hot.

2. Zhang yang, go and fetch me some chalk.

Note: go and fetch do not represent a parallel relationship, but a linked relationship. This sentence is equivalent to: go to fetch me some chalk.

3. Give him an inch, and he will take a mile.

Get an inch.

Explanation: and in this sentence expresses a hypothetical relationship. This sentence is equivalent to: If you give him an inch, he 'll take a mile.

4. Adverb form, adjective meaning. Although the following words end in -ly, they are adjectives:

lovely; beautiful friendly; friendly

lonely; desolate monthly

sadly sad; sad Ugly ugly; hateful

5. Adjective form, noun meaning. Although the following words end in -ful, they are nouns (many people even mistake them as adjectives in some grammar books):

handful; mouthful; mouthful

< p>cupful means a cup; a basketful means a basket; a basket

shelf-ful means a shelf; a roomful means a room; a room

E.g.: Chaplin sits down at the table and eats the shoe with a knife and fork, enjoying every mouthful. (SEFCIIL19)

Chaplin sat at the table, eating the shoe with a knife and fork in his hand, eating it with gusto. .

6. Form is a noun for people and expresses the meaning of things.

Although the following words end in -er, if you think they refer to people, you are making a joke:

washer, washing machine, cooker, kitchen utensils

laughter, laughter, opener, screwdriver

screw-driver screwdriver recorder

7. Active form, passive meaning. Although the following sentences express passive meanings, they do not use the passive form:

1, only one of the books is worth reading.

Only one of these books is worth reading.

2, The motorbike I bought last month needs / wants / requires repairing.

The motorbike I bought last month needs repairing.

3, I have a lot of work to do this Sunday.

I have a lot of work to do this Sunday.

4. The machine is difficult to operate.

This machine is difficult to operate.

5. The box is too heavy to carry.

The box is too heavy to carry.

6,——Do you like the material?

-----Yes, it feels very soft. (NMET94, 26)

8. Singular form, plural meaning.

1. Everybody is here.

Everybody is here.

2. About 80% of the Chinese population are peasants.

About 80% of the Chinese population are peasants.

3, all the cattle of his family are in the shed.

All the cattle of his family are in the shed.

4. An Englishman owned the most milu deer in the world.

An Englishman owned the most milu deer in the world.

9. Plural form, singular meaning.

1, A library with five thousand books is offered to the nation as a gift. (MET90, 20)

A library with five thousand books is offered to the nation as a gift. nation.

(Note: This kind of prepositional structure caused by with, like, as well as, but, besides, except, etc. does not affect the singular and plural of the subject. The subject-verb agreement must be based on the singular of the preceding subject. Plural determination.

)

2. Each of the students, working hard at his or her lessons, hopes to go to university.

(Shanghai 98, 15)

Every A student who studies hard hopes to get into college.

3. Words expressing knowledge and disciplines:

politics politics (study) physics (study)

10. Accept the form, reject the meaning. If you think that people say the following words to promise you, you will be laughed at:

1, ------Would you like to come to dinner tonight?

------I'd like to, but I'm too busy. (NMET94, 14)

------ Come for dinner tonight, okay?

------ I'd love to, but I'm too busy. (On the surface, I am happy to accept it, but in fact I refuse it politely.)

2. ------Can I borrow your dictionary?