英语中的异质比较_英语中的比较级
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英语中的异质比较 英语中的异质比较
任开兴
一
所谓异质比较,指的是将两个性质内容不同的比较项进行比较。尽管二者性质迥然不同,但它们各自所达到的程度是可比的,通过这样的对式可以突出目标项的效果。
美国著名作家 Mark Twain 在其短篇小说“ Is He Living or Is He Dead ”中有一个句子就采用了这种表达方式。其原文是: We were as happy as we were poor or as poor as we were happy-phrase it to suit yourself(我们有多穷就有多快乐,或者说有多快乐就有多穷—随你怎么说都可以)。小说中描绘的是三位初出茅庐的年轻画家,由于共同的命运“凑”在了一起,尽管他们穷得身无分文,过着朝不保夕的生活,但三个人在一起仍过得十分快活。Mark Twain 借用这一表现手法,巧妙地互换两个比较项,这样既突出了他们的贫穷和快乐,又为文章增添几分幽默。如果我们能掌握这种用法,必定会增强对原著的理解,丰富自己的表达力。
异质比较有四种基本用法:
1.使用 as „ as 结构,连接同一人或物的两个不同特征,其中后者为其显著特征,通过对比,突出前一特征。如:)She is as clever as she is beautiful.她美丽,同样也聪明。)Martin was as impatient as he was stubborn.马丁的性格既固执,又急躁。)The appropriate choice is as important as it is difficult for the type of student we have in mind.作出适当的选择,对于我们心目中那类学生来说,既是那样困难,又是如此重要。)This leon is not so difficult as it is tedious.这一课冗长,但难度并不大。
在第四句中,这个结构用于否定句,表示前一特征的程度不及后者。2.使用 as „ as 结构,连接不同人或物的两个不同特征,其中后者是较为典型的特征,通过对比,突出前一特征。如:)He was as handsome as his wife was beautiful.他妻子长得很美,他自己也同样英俊。2)He is as cunning as you are clever.他的狡猾恰似你的聪明。
英语中的异质比较)He did not love his uncle, who was as base and unworthy as his father had been upright and honorable.他不喜欢他的叔叔,因为他父亲正直可敬,而他叔叔卑鄙无耻。)Dobbin looked as pale and grave as his comrade was flushed and jovial.达宾的伙伴面色红润,心情愉快,而他自己却是脸色苍白,神态忧郁。5)This is as wise a plan as the other was foolish.另一个方法愚蠢,而这一方法聪明。
在后面三句中,这一结构将两个截然相反的特征连接一起,旨在通过比较,使之形成鲜明的对比,给人留下深刻的印象。
3.使用-er than 结构,连接同一人或物的两个不同特征,通过对比,说明前一特征的程度超过后者。如:)Her husband is a better psychologist than he is a pathologist.他丈夫作为心理学家要比作为病理学家出名。2)I am thirstier than I am hungry.我饿了,但更渴。)The windows are much wider than they are high.这些窗子的宽度要比高度大得多。)The door is le high than it is wide.这门的高度小于宽度。
最后一句改用 le „ than 结构,表示前一特征的程度小于后者。4.使用 more/-er than 结构,连接不同人或物的两个不同特征,通过对比,说明前一特征的程度超过后者。如:)Ogden played the piano more skillfully than his fellow-countryman conducted the orchestra.奥格登弹钢琴的熟练程度超过他同胞指挥管弦乐队。2)The sea is deeper than the mountains are high.海的深度超过山的高度。
同样,如果改用 le „ than 结构,表示前一特征的程度小于后者。如: 3)This swimming pool isn't le wide than that one is long.这一游泳池的宽度并不小于那个游泳池的长度。
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不过,要正确理解和使用异质比较结构,还须注意它与以下几种结构的区别: 1.与 more/ le „ than 结构作“与其说„„不如说„„”解时的区别。
异质比较结构用于不同等程度比较时,than-分句不采用省略形式,如可以说: Diana is prettier than she is intelligent.但不可以说: Diana is prettier than intelligent.而 more /le „ than 结构作“与其说„„不如说„„”解
英语中的异质比较
时,than 为介词,其后无需加主语和谓语。如: 1)He's more mad than stupid.与其说他傻,不如说他疯了。)He was le hurt than frightened.与其说他受伤,不如说他受惊了。
其中 more 也通常不能用-er 形式。如可以说: He is more good than bad.但不可以说: He is better than bad.但要是比较项属于程度不同的同一语义层,也可以用-er 形式。如:)It's hotter than just warm.与其说暖和,倒不如说炎热。2.与比较句型的习惯用法区别。
英语比较结构有两种习惯用法,它们的比较对象似乎不太一致,有点象异质比较,但与异质比较有本质上的区别。在这两种习惯用法中,as/ than 不是引导比较分句,而是用作介词,后接具体的比较标准或尺度,一般是度量名词短语或表示程度的名词短语。这两种习惯用法一种是使用 as „ as 结构,表示在数量、尺寸、价格、时间、速度、温度、行程等方面达到某种程度。如: 1)She can run as fast as 20 miles an hour.她每小时能跑 20 英里。)The cost of one day in an average hospital can run as high as $ 250.在一家普通医院里,一天的费用高达 250 美元。3)He walked as far as the post office.他一直走到邮电局。
另一种是使用 more/-er than 结构,表示在数量、尺寸、价格、时间、速度、温度、行程等方面超过某种程度。如:)The car goes faster than 100 miles per hour.这辆汽车的行速每小时超过 100 英里。)If a man's temperature goes much higher than 40 ℃ , he can't go on living.如果一个人的体温远远超过四十摄氏度,他就不能活下去。6)We drove farther than Chicago.我们驾车到比芝加哥还远的地方。
第二种结构用于否定句,表示只能达到某种程度。如: 7)We went no farther than the bridge.我们只走到桥边。8)Some kinds of bamboo grow no higher than your ankles.有几种竹子长得只有你的脚踝那么高。