1. He is the last person to do such a thing. 他决不会干这种事。
She is the last woman I want to sit next to at dinner.
她是我在宴席上最不愿意与之相邻就座的女子。
That's the last thing I should expect him to do. 那是我最不可能指望他去做的事情。
注“ the last + 名词 + 不定式或定语从句”中的 last 作“ least likely / suitable/ willing/ desirable ”解,即常常将 last 译为“最不可能的最不合适的最不愿意的最不希望的”,而不作“最后的”解。
2. We cannot estimate the value of modern science too much. = We cannot estimate the value of modern science much enough. = It is impossible to estimate the value of modern science too much/ much enough.) 无论怎么重视现代科学的价值都不为过分。
We cannot be too careful in doing experiments. = We cannot be careful enough in doing experiments.) 我们做实验时无论怎样小心都不过分。
注“ cannot/ could not…… too + 形容词或副词 = cannot/ could not…… + 形容词或副词 + enough ”。我们不能把第 1 句理解成“我们不能过分估算现代科学的价值。”也不能把第 2 句理解成“我们做实验时不能太小心。”
3. It is a wise man that never makes mistakes. 无论怎样聪明的人也难免要犯错误。
It is a long lane that has no turning. 无论怎样长的巷子也有弯。
注这个句子含有比较储蓄的让步意味。我们不能把第 1 句理解成“从不犯错误的人是一个聪明的人。”也不能把第 2 句理解成“那是一个没弯的长巷。”
4. If the sun were to rise in the west, I would not break my word.
使太阳从西方出来,我也不会背弃我的诺言。
Were the danger even greater = Even if the danger were greater), I should feel compelled to go. 即使危险再大,我也觉得非去不可。
注从形式上看上面句子中的从句像是条件状语从句,但实际上却是让步状语从句,因为其中的主句和从句在意义上形成鲜明的对照。若句子含条件状语从句,则从句表示的是条件,主句表示的是结果。下面句子中的从句就是条件状语从句
If the sun were to rise in the west, I would break my word.
如果太阳从西方出来,我就会背弃我的诺言。
Were the danger even greater, I should not go. 如果危险再大一些,我就不去了。