英语中的否定之肯定与肯定之否定

英语中我们常常见到否定形式含有肯定意义，肯定形式含有否定意义。
如果我们注意分析它们的结构和搭配，就能较准确地理解句子的含义。

一、否定之肯定
I.英语中的否定形式含有肯定意义。例如：
1.One can never be too careful in one's work.
工作越仔细越好。
2.You can't praise the student too highly.
这学生你无论怎样表扬都不会过分。
3.Having walked for twohours,I'm not a little tired.
步行了两个小时，我非常疲劳。
如果说：I'm not a bit tired.意思则与上句相反， 意思是“我一点也 不累。”
4.He has no small chance of success.
他大有成功的可能。
5.I couldn't feel better.
我觉得精神好极了。
6.I'm told that he is no fool.
我听说他很精明。
7.It is wise men that never makes mistakes.
智者千虑，必有一失。
II.英语中的否定的否定含有肯定的含义。例如：
1.No one can read the story without being moved to tears.
人人读了这篇小说都会感动得流泪。
2.I would not have made this appeal to you had I not felt sure that you would not misunderstand me.
我深信你不致误解，所以作此呼吁。
3.It was not without reason that he said so at the meeting.
他在会上这样说是完全有原因的。
III.否定形式与其他词汇搭配在一起常常产生肯定含义。例如：
1.I cannot but admire his courage.
我不得不佩服他的勇敢。
2.It was not until I came to Beijing that I saw an elephant.
到了北京我才见到大象。
3.The house has been let,but nobody's moving in till tomorrow.
房子是租出去了，可是明天才有人搬进来。
4.I never hear such a thing but I laugh.
我听到这样的事总是要发笑。
5.This problem is not above us.
我们能够解决这个问题。
6.No one is truly great but he who serves the people heart and
soul.
只有全心全意为人民服务的人才真正是伟大的。

二、肯定之否定
I.在英语中有时形式是肯定的，但含有否定意义。例如：
1.All music is alike to him.
他不懂音乐。
2.Catch me doing that again!
我可不会再干那种事了。
3.It is three years since I last meet you.
我已经三年没有见到过你了。
4.You are telling me!
你不用说，我早就知道了。
II.虽然是肯定形式，但由于一些词汇搭配而具有否定含义。例如：
1.It is too good to be true.
这太好了，不可能是真的。
2.He is still very weak and the work is too much for him.
他依然很虚弱，这工作他干不了。
3.He would be the last man to say such things.
他决不会说这种话。
4.She was astonished;this was the first time she had heard of
such things.
她大吃一惊，她从未听说过这样的事。
5.I have read your articles.I expected to meet an older man.
我读过你的文章，想不到你这样年轻。
III.比较级的一些特殊形式具有否定的含义。例如：
1.The beauty of the West Lake is more than words can describe.
西湖之美不是言语所能描绘的。
2.He has better sense than to be carried away by success.
他的见识，不至于被胜利冲昏头脑。
3.I know him better than to misunderstand him.
我对他了解较深，不致于会误解他。
4.The company will be one schock manager short. So much the better.
这家公司少了一个草包经理，岂不更好。