精品译文

1）我过去是能够修理旧汽车的。

2）我终于把那辆旧汽车修理好了。

我们再来看下面这篇短文：

26　Over the South Pole

In 1929, three years after his flight over the North Pole, the American explorer, R. E. Byrd, successfully flew over the South Pole for the first time. Though, at first, Byrd and his men were able to take a great many photographs of the mountains that lay below, they soon ran into serious trouble. At one point, it seemed certain that their plane would crash. It could only get over the mountains if it rose to 10,000 feet. Byrd at once ordered his men to throw out two heavy food sacks. The plane was then able to rise and it cleared the mountains by 400 feet. Byrd now knew that he would be able to reach the South Pole which was 300 miles away, for there were no more mountains in sight. The aircraft was able to fly over the endless white plains without difficulty.

精品译文

飞越南极

美国探险家R. E. 伯德在飞越北极三年之后，于1929年第一次成功地飞越了南极。虽然开始时伯德和他的助手们拍下了飞机下面连绵群山的大量照片，但他们很快就陷入了困境。在一个地方，飞机似乎肯定要坠毁了。只有在飞至10,000英尺的高度时，它才能飞过这些山头。伯德马上命令他的助手们把两个沉重的食物袋扔掉，于是飞机可以上升了，它在离山头400英尺的高度飞越了过去。这时，伯德知道他能够顺利飞抵300英里以外的南极了，因为前面没有山了，飞机可以毫无困难地飞过这片茫茫无际的白色原野！

有趣的是，上述could和was/were able to的区别仅限于肯定句中，在否定句中could和was/were able to可以互换使用，没有区别。比如可以说：

27　I ran after the bus yesterday, but wasn't able to/couldn't catch it. 我昨天追赶公共汽车，但是没赶上。

28　I applied everywhere and I wasn't able to/couldn't get any good job. 我四处应聘，但是没能找到好工作。

29　The fire spread through the building quickly and people wasn't able to/couldn't escape. 大火在大楼中迅速蔓延，人们没能逃脱。

30　Though he managed to take a number of brilliant photographs, he could not stay near the volcano for very long.

尽管他设法拍摄了大量精美的照片，但还是无法在火山旁边呆得太久。

尽管这里是表示过去的具体场合，但依然用了could，因为有否定的not，即couldn't表示过去具体的能力。



思维总结

首先，在can/could表示“能力”时，二者均表示“潜能”或者说“一般能力”。其中，can表示将来或现在的一般能力，could表示过去的一般能力。

其次，could表示“过去的一般能力”，不表示“过去具体的能力”；was/were able to既可以表示“过去的一般能力”，也可以表示“过去具体的能力”。

再次，结合8.7节中讨论的“可能”的含义，我们发现，虽然could不能谈“过去具体的能力”，但可以表示“具体的可能”（如He could be sick.表示现在或将来的具体可能，或He could have been sick.表示过去的具体可能）。所以，could可以用来谈论“具体的可能”，“理论上的可能”，以及“过去的一般能力”，但不能谈“过去具体的能力”。另外值得注意的是，could表示“推测”时，本身不能表示“过去”，而是用could have done来表示过去的可能。但could表示“能力”时，本身就表示“过去”，即“过去的一般能力”。

最后，在否定句中，couldn't和wasn't/weren't able to没有区别，即couldn't可以谈过去具体的能力，表示在过去的某一个特定场合“未能”完成某事。



思维训练

Exercise 8.8

请在合适的地方填上could或couldn't或was/were able to。

1．I applied everywhere and finally I________get a good job.

2．Although the pilot was badly hurt he________explain what had happened.

3．Tom has started an exercise program. He________run two miles yesterday without stopping or slowing down.

4．I________run two miles without stopping or slowing down when I was in my 20s.

5．He didn't agree with me at first but I________persuade him.

6．Fred________speak Russian when he was six years old.

7．They________get tickets to the Rolling Stones concert last week.

8．After waiting for an hour, I finally________see the doctor.

9．I________see anything in all that smoke. But then a fireman emerged from the darkness and saved my life.

10．I tried to persuade Grace to come with us, but I________convince her.

11．A: Did you see the exhibit at the art center?

B: I sure did. And I________make heads or tails of it.

12．A: I lived with my sister this summer and didn't have to pay rent. So I________save most of my salary.

B: Not me. The more I earned, the more I spent.

13．They didn't want to come with us at first but we________persuade them.

14．Jack was an excellent tennis player. He________beat anybody.

15．Jack and John had a game of tennis yesterday. John played very well but in the end Jack________beat him.

16．I looked everywhere for the book but I________find it.

17．I looked everywhere for the book and finally I________find it.

18．Sue wasn't at home when I phoned but I________contact her at her office.

19．My mother loved music. She________play the piano very well.

20．A girl fell into the river but fortunately we________rescue her.

21．I had forgotten to bring my camera so I________take any photographs.

22．Although I forgot to bring my camera that day, I________take some nice photographs with John's camera.

23．When I worked as a secretary, I________type 60 words a minute without making a mistake. My typing skills aren't nearly as good now.

24．Yesterday I typed these reports for my boss. I don't type very well, but I________finish the reports without making too many mistakes.

25．When I ran into Mr. Smith yesterday, I________recognize him even though I hadn't seen him for years.

26．At the sale yesterday, I________get this shirt for half price. Quite a bargain, don't you think?

27．My grandfather was a merchant all his life. He knew how to make a sale by using psychology. He________convince anyone to buy anything, whether they needed it or not.

28．Volcanoes

Haroun Tazieff, the Polish scientist, has spent his lifetime studying active volcanoes and deep caves in all parts of the world. In 1948, he went to Lake Kivu in the Congo to observe a new volcano which he later named Kituro. Tazieff________set up his camp very close to the volcano while it was erupting violently. Though he________take a number of brilliant photographs, he________stay near the volcano for very long. He noticed that a river of liquid rock was coming towards him. It threatened to surround him completely, but Tazieff________escape just in time. He waited until the volcano became quiet and he________return two days later. This time, he________climb into the mouth of Kituro so that he________take photographs and measure temperatures. Tazieff has often risked his life in this way. He has been able to tell us more about active volcanoes than any man alive.

请翻译下列句子，并比较两句含义的差别。

29．I was able to go to the library last night.

30．I could have gone to the library last night.





8.9　基本用法（四）：许可

用情态动词表示“许可”，以下三点是非常重要的：

1．可以用的情态动词有may，might，can和could，但多用can或be allowed to do表示许可；

2．表示“许可”一般用陈述句（若用疑问句则表示“请求〈request〉”，见8.12节）；

3．肯定的陈述表示允许某人做某事；否定的陈述则表示不允许某人做某事。

8.9.1　肯定句——给予许可

1　We can borrow these books from the library.

相当于说：We are allowed to borrow these books from the library.

精品译文

我们可以从图书馆借出这些书。

2　You need to get a license before you can drive a car in this country.

相当于说：You need to get a license before you are allowed to drive a car in this country.

精品译文

在这个国家，你需要先取得驾照然后才可以开车。

3　I can leave the office as soon as I have finished.

相当于说：I am allowed to leave the office as soon as I have finished.

精品译文

我工作一结束就可以离开办公室。

4　You can use my car tomorrow.

相当于说：You are allowed to use my car tomorrow.

精品译文

明天你可以用我的车。

当然也可以用may来表示“许可”。比如：

5　A: May I turn on the TV?

B: Yes, of course you may.

妙语点睛

这里may用在疑问句中表示“请求许可”，用在肯定的陈述句中表示“给予许可”。

精品译文

A：我可以打开电视吗？

B：当然可以。

6　You may only register for two classes. 你只能报两门课。

不过，在口语中，我们更多的还是用can来表达“许可”。而may表示“许可”会用在非常正式的文体中，所以在口语中比较少见。

※can表示“许可”和“能力”的辨别

can表示“许可”，可以和表示将来的时间状语连用。尽管前面讲过，can可以表示将来的能力，不过此时一般不与表示将来的时间状语连用。若有表示将来的时间状语，要说will be able to do。请比较：

7　You can use my car tomorrow.

妙语点睛

该句中的can是表示“许可”，所以可以与tomorrow连用。

精品译文

明天你可以用我的车。

再比如下面这个句子：

8　You can pass your driving test next time you take it.*

妙语点睛

因为该句中的can是表示“能力”，所以不宜与表达将来的从句next time you take it连用，最好改为：You will be able to pass your driving test next time you take it.

精品译文

下次你参加路考应该就能通过了。

我们来看下面家长与孩子之间颇为有意思的对话：

9　Child: Can I leave the table now?

Parent: I'm sure you can, but you may not.

妙语点睛

这里孩子用can，他的意思是用can的“许可”含义，这里用在疑问句中，是表示“请求”家长“许可”他离开饭桌。而家长用的can是表示“能力”的含义，may是表示“许可”。家长在这里似乎是故意通过曲解孩子的“许可”，而将其曲解为“能力”的can，来和孩子开了个玩笑，意思是说“你长腿了，当然‘能够’离开饭桌，但我不允许你离开”。

精品译文

孩子：我现在可以离开饭桌了吗？

家长：你是能够离开，但我不允许你离开。

8.9.2　否定句——拒绝许可，甚至禁止

1　A: May I borrow your car?

B: No, I'm afraid you may not.

妙语点睛

may用在疑问句中表示“请求许可”，用在否定的陈述句中表示“拒绝许可”。

精品译文

A：我可以借用你的车吗？

B：恐怕不行。

2　You may not smoke in here.

=You are not allowed to smoke in here. 这里不让抽烟。

3　You can't take the test paper out of the classroom.

=You are not allowed to take the test paper out of the classroom. 试卷不允许带出教室。

4　You can't take your camera into the museum. 照相机不让带进博物馆。

我们还可用must not表示强烈的拒绝许可——禁止，但must not比cannot或may not的语气强烈。比如：

5　Students must not take the test papers out of the classroom. 任何学生都不得把试卷带出教室。

8.9.3　could一般不用来表示现在的许可，而表示过去的许可

表示过去的一般许可，could与was/were allowed to do可以互换。比如：

1　I could/was allowed to read what I liked when I was a child. 我小的时候爱看什么书，就看什么书。

不过，若表示过去允许进行某项特定的活动时，要用was/were allowed to do，这一区别与表示“能力”时的could和was/were able to的区别类似。比如：

2　Yesterday evening, Peter was allowed to watch TV for an hour.

但不说：Yesterday evening, Peter could watch TV for an hour.*

同理，might在表示“许可”时，也只能是表示过去的一般许可，而不能表达具体场合的某一个活动。不能说：Yesterday evening, Peter might watch TV for an hour.* 昨晚，允许彼得看一个小时电视。

请比较：

3　1）They might have a break after lunch.

2）They were allowed to have a break after lunch.

妙语点睛

在例句1）中，用might是表示过去一般的许可，所以该句的意思是：他们在过去的一段时期内，是被允许在吃完午饭后休息一会儿的。在例句2）中，用were allowed to可以表示过去一般的许可。但若表示过去具体的许可，则该句的意思是：在过去的某一天他们被允许在吃完午饭后休息了一次。

精品译文

1）那时，他们吃完午饭后是可以休息一会儿的。

2）那次，他们吃完午饭后被允许休息了一会儿。





8.10　基本用法（五）：建议与忠告

在英语中，表示建议与忠告的情态动词比较多，比如可以用could，shall和should等。本节内容安排如下：

8.10.1　could表示建议

8.10.2　Shall I? Shall we?

8.10.3　may (just) as well, might (just) as well

8.10.4　should和ought to表示忠告

8.10.5　should表示“忠告”与could表示“建议”比较

8.10.6　had better表示忠告

8.10.1　could表示建议

前面讨论了could可以表示“推测”（可用于将来、现在及过去时间）、过去的“能力”、过去的“许可”。这里我们来看could用于表示“建议”，此时，could并不表示过去。比如：

1　A: I've been invited to a dinner party at Janet's. Do you think I should bring something?

B: You could pick up a cake. Chocolate is her favorite.

妙语点睛

说话人A是在征求B的建议，于是B通过could来提出自己的建议，建议A“买一份蛋糕”。

精品译文

A：我受到邀请去珍妮特家参加晚宴，你认为我该带点什么东西去吗？

B：你可以买一份蛋糕嘛，巧克力口味的她最喜欢。

其他例句比如：

2　A: What shall we do this evening? 我们今晚做些什么？

B: We could go to the cinema. 我们可以去看电影。

3　It is a nice day. We could go for a walk. 今天天气不错，我们可以出去散散步。

4　We could go to that new restaurant opposite the cinema. 我们可以去电影院对面那家新开的餐馆吃饭。

5　We could go to the theater instead.

=How about going to the theater instead? 我们可以改去剧院。

8.10.2　Shall I...? Shall we...?

shall用于第一人称的一般疑问句中，表示征求对方的“建议”。请看例句：

1　Shall I open the window?

=Would you like me to open the window? 要不要我把窗子打开？

2　Shall we leave at two? Is that OK? 我们两点钟走如何？怎么样？

关于shall I/we的其他用法，详见8.15.1小节。

8.10.3　may (just) as well, might (just) as well

这组情态动词表示“建议换另一种方式做某事”，可译成“倒不如”，“不妨”。请看例句：

1　A: I'll go on Monday by train. 我将在周一坐火车去。

B: You might just as well wait till Wednesday and go by plane. 你不妨等到周三坐飞机去。

2　We may as well stay here tonight. 我们今晚不如在这过夜。

另外，may/might as well还有一种多少有些勉强或讥讽的意味，表示“在没有其他更好的选择的情况下，只好为之”之意（May/might as well describes the only thing left to do, something that the speaker is not enthusiastic about.）比如：

3　It's no use waiting here. We might as well start walking. 在这里干等没用，我们还不如开始步行回去。

4　Nobody else is going to turn up now for the lesson, so you may as well go home. 没有其他人会到场来上课了，所以你还是回家吧。

5　You might as well tell the truth (as continue to tell lies).

妙语点睛

这里言外之意是“别再继续撒谎了”，相当于说There is no point in your continuing to tell lies.

精品译文

（与其继续撒谎）你不妨还是实话实说了吧。

8.10.4　should和ought to表示忠告

should最主要的意义和用法就是表示“建议”，“忠告”或者说“规劝”，表示“某事是应该做的或恰当的（appropriate behavior）”。比如：

1　You should brush your teeth twice a day. 你应该每天刷牙两次。

2　We should call them before we go there. 去那之前我们应该给他们打个电话。

3　You should do as you are told. 你应该按照告诉你的那样去做。

4　We should study harder because the finals are near. 快要期末考试了，我们得更用功了。

此时的should往往也会含有“责任”和“义务”的含义。比如：

5　Drivers should obey the speed limit. 司机应该遵守车速限制（的规定）。

这种“责任”的意味比must要轻。请比较：

6　Drivers must obey the speed limit. 司机必须遵守车速限制（的规定）。

这种表示“责任”的should也常见于疑问句中，表示否定一个“责任”。比如：

7　Why should I do what everyone else does? 我为什么非得跟其他人一样啊？

8　Why should I go there when I'm quite happy here? 我在这里很快乐，为什么非要去那里啊？

总之，should的基本含义是表示进行恰当的行为（expressing appropriate behavior）、正确地做事（correct ways of doing things），所以可以用来表示规劝、建议或忠告等等。

另外，上述例句也都可以用ought to，只不过它更多地是出现在口语中，而不是书面语中。

8.10.5　should表示“忠告”与could表示“建议”比较

should表示强烈的、明确的忠告；could表示建议某事的可能性。

1　A: Hi, Tom. How is your chemistry paper going?

B: It's coming along. But I've been staring at this computer screen for hours and my eyes hurt.

A: Yeah. Doing that can make your eyes really dry and tired. You should take a break.

B: I can't. I have to get this paper written. It's due tomorrow.

精品译文

A：嗨，汤姆，你的化学论文进展如何？

B：正在写，不过我盯着电脑屏幕看几个小时了，现在眼睛很痛。

A：是啊，一直看电脑会让你的眼睛又干又累，你应该歇会儿。

B：可是不行啊，我得把这篇论文写完，明天我得交。

2　A: John doesn't feel good. He has a bad stomachache.

B1: He should see a doctor.

B2: Well, he could see a doctor, or he could simply stay in bed for a day and hope he feels better tomorrow.

精品译文

A：约翰不舒服，他胃疼得厉害。

B1：他应该看医生去。

B2：嗯，他可以看医生去，也可以卧床休息一天，但愿他明天能感觉好一点。

从上面这个对话看到，用should表示只有一种选择，而could表示可以有很多种选择。再如：

3　A: I need to get to the airport.

B1: You should take the airport bus. It's cheaper than a taxi.

B2: Well, you could take the airport bus. Or you could take a taxi. Maybe Clint could take you. He has a car.