likely,possible,probable用法区别
(2011-03-24 16:00:36)
标签:
杂谈 |
分类: Vocabulary |
句子:我们学英语时很可能犯错。
误译:We are probable to make mistakes when we learn English.
正译:
1. It is probable /Likely that we will make mistakes when we
learn English.
2. Probably / Likely, we'll make mistakes when we study
English.
3. We are likely to make mistakes when learning English.
解释:英语表示“非常可能”、“十有八九”等意思,可用probable/probably或likely。注意,likely既是形容词也是副词。
probable只能用在It is probable that的句型中,而不能说We are probable to do
sth。但likely既可用在It is likely that...,也可用在We are likely to do
sth的句型中。例如:
1.他很可能是忘了。
It is probable that he forgot.
2.他或许没听懂我的话。
Probably, he didn't catch my mean-ing.
3.她很可能被雨淋透了。
It is likely that she got soaked through in the rain.
注意:possible的概率小于probable,就像汉语中的“可能”、“大概”。possible同样也只能用于It is
possible(for sb)to do sth的句型。例如:
4.这事多半如此,不只是可能。
It's probable, not only possible
What do you think is likely to happen? 你觉得可能会发生什么事情?
It’s quite likely that a decision will be made before the end of
the year.很可能将要在年底以前做出决定。
possible的可能性最小, 指客观上有可能,往往含有
“希望很小”的意味。probable可能性最大,表示“很可能,十有八九”。
下面两个句子可充分体现它们可能性大小的区别:
It’s possible but not likely/probable that he’ll come here next month.
他下月有可能来这里,但是不是很肯定。
It’s probable, not only possible. 这事多半如此, 不只是可能。
另外,这三个词中,只有likely还可以用人做主语。如: She is likely to go abroad
.
1.likely常用于以下两种结构中:
1) sb/sth. is likely to do sth.
He is likely to come.他可能要来。
It isn’t likely to rain.不大像要下雨。
2) It is likely + that clause
It is likely that he will succeed. 他有可能成功。
2. possible
It is possible (for sb.) to do sth.
It is possible for the train to be late.
It is possible that…
It is possible that the train is late. 火车有可能晚点。
3. probable用法:同样不用人做主语。只用于下列句型:
It’s probable that clause…
It is probable that it will rain today. Bring your umbrella with you. 今天极有可能要下雨。带上雨伞吧。
注意:possible,与probable都一般不用人做主语。
例如:我们可以说:
It is possible for him to lend us the car.
It is possible /probable that he will lend us the car.
但是我们不说:
He is possible / probable to lend us the car.