“更不用说”的表示法:
much less
still less
以上两短语引导的词组或从句,表示一种追加的否定,less是由little的比较级,所以这两个词组只能用于否定句中,可译为“更不用说,更不必说”。
to say nothing of
not to speak of
not to mention
let alone
这四个词组也意为 “更不用说”,也是一种追补的说法。但它们与much less和still less有所不同。这些词组可以随前一句的意思而定,即前一句是肯定,则追加的也是肯定意义;如果前一句是否定,则追加的是否定意义
例1:I could not agree to, much less participate in such proceedings.
译文:我不能同意这种行为,更谈不上参加这些行动了。
例2:He knows little of mathematics, and still less of chemistry.
译文:他几乎不懂数学,更不用说化学了。
例3:I did not even see him, still less (= much less) shake hands with him.
译文:我看也没有看见过他,哪里还谈得上同他握手呢?
例4:In old China, here was hardly any machine-building industry, to say nothing of an electronic industry.
译文:在旧中国,几乎没有什么机器制造工业,更不用说电子工业了。
例5:Sally takes singing and dancing lessons, to say nothing of swimming and tennis lessons.
译文:莎莉学了唱歌和舞蹈课,而且还学了游泳和网球课。
例6:At that time they could not afford the ordinary comforts of life, not to speak of luxuries.
译文:那时他连普通生活都不能维持,更不要说奢侈品了。
例7:They have three fine sons, not to speak of their two 1ovely daughters.
译文:他们有了三个好儿子,而且还有两个可爱的女儿。
例8:I don"t know algebra or geometry,not to mention calculus.
译文:我连代数、几何都不懂,更不必说微积分了。
例9:A11 they have to do is press a button,and they can see plays, films, operas and shows of every kind, not to mention political discussions and the latest exciting football match.
译文:他们所要做的只是按一下电钮,就能看到各种戏剧、电影、歌剧和各式各样的演出,而且还能看到各种政治辩论和最近举行的激动人心的足球赛。
例10:I can"t add two and two, let alone do fractions.
译文:我连2加2都不会,更不要说做分数题了。
注意:美国成语词典认为let alone只能用于追加的否定。但是,有的词典认为,该短语也可以引导追加的肯定。例如:There were five people in the car, let alone the luggage and the two dogs.
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