英语语法略谈“not”用法种种

导语：

　　believe, hope, say, tell

　　expect, imagine, suppose, think

　　注意，not作替代词与think、expect和believe连用是罕见或正式的用法。not偶然与say连用时，say的前面有情态词。

　　—Is this a coincidence?

　　—I would say not.

　　这是巧合吗?

　　我会说不。

　　so偶然用在分句的首位。这常具有对有关事实的真实性产生怀疑的效果。

　　Everybody in the world, so they say, has a double.

　　世上每一个人，反正大家都这样说，都有一个替身。

　　4. do so

　　do so用于表示perform the action just mentioned(执行刚提到的动作)。动词do的各种形式都可使用。这种结构相当正式。

　　A signal which should have turned to red failed to do so.

　　本该变为红色的信号没有变。

　　Most of those who signed the letter did so under pressure from their bosses.

　　那些在信上签名的人大多数是迫于老板的压力才签的。

　　She asked him to wait while she considered. He did so.

　　她在考虑的时候 要他等着。他照着做了。

　　Individuals are free to choose private insurance, and 10% of the population have done so.

　　个人可自由选择私人保险公司，有10%的人口已经这么做了。

　　—I’m afraid so.

　　你认为他失败了，对吗?

　　恐怕是的。，即使没有更孤立的话。

Why与Why not的用法

　　记得某年我教仁爱版英语九年级上册某单元某一Section时(因疫情在家，没找到相关课本，具体哪个Section遗忘)，我发现了一个Why在使用中的用法错误，于是给课本编辑打电话说明。第二天编辑打回电话，认为我的观点正确，并于再版时做了改正。然而，今年我教仁爱版英语八年级上册Unit 3，Topic 3中的Section B时，又发现了同样的问题。由此可见，Why与Why not的用法受汉语的影响是多么严重!现引述课本句子如下：

　　...

　　Jane: I saw it last week. It’s wonderful!

　　Michael: I don’t agree.

　　Jane: Why? Isn’t it interesting?

　　...

　　(仁爱版八年级上册第三单元 Topic 3 中Section B P73)

　　1. Why, as a question word, is used to ask about reasons and explanations:

　　Why did he leave home when he was 16?

　　Why didn’t you tell Tom about it?

　　--They've decided to move to Devon. 他们已经决定搬到德文了。

　　--Why? 为什么?

　　Note:

　　a. When we ask for reasons in speaking, we can use the phrase why is that? In informal conversations we often say why’s that?:

　　--She’s not going to college this year.

　　--Why’s that?

　　--She says she wants to travel for a while.

　　b. In informal contexts we sometimes use what for? with the same meaning of asking for a reason:

　　--Ann’s going to be really upset with me.

　　--What for?

　　--I forgot to call her back last night.

　　c. When we reply to a negative statement, we usually say why not?:

　　--I don’t like it here. 这里我不喜欢它。

　　--Why not? 为什么?

　　--He isn’t going to see her off at the station. 他不准备去车站送她。

　　--Why not? 为什么?

　　2. Why is used in indirect questions:

　　He asked me why I wanted to leave the job.

　　I wonder why he told nobody he was getting married.

　　3. Why is used on its own as a response:

　　--I’m going home now.

　　--Why?

　　4. Why ever or Why on earth is used to add emphasis and to show shock or surprise:

　　--Beth has decided to go on holiday by herself this year.

　　--Why ever would anyone want to go on holiday alone?

　　Why on earth has Julie bought me this expensive present?

　　5. That’s why …is used to give a reason:

　　--Frank and Ellen have three children now.

　　--That’s why they moved house. They needed more space.

　　--Ian’s not been feeling well recently, has he?

　　--No. That’s why he’s taken some time off.

　　6. Why should … is used when we are annoyed about something:

　　Why should old people have to worry about health insurance?

　　Note:Why should I? as a response is very direct and rude.

　　A is a mother and B is a child who is opening and closing the car window

　　A: Stop doing that.

　　B: Why should I?