① no more than表示數(shù)量時(shí),意為“只有,僅僅”,相當(dāng)于only,含有少的意思。not more than表示數(shù)量時(shí),意為“不超過(guò)”,相當(dāng)于at most。not more than強(qiáng)調(diào)不超過(guò)某一數(shù)目,可能低于某個(gè)數(shù)目。比較:
The wounded soldier could walk no more than a couple of miles. 那個(gè)受傷的士兵只能再走兩三英里路。
I have no more than five dollars. 我只有5美元。(僅有5美元)
I have not more than five dollars. 我的錢(qián)不超過(guò)5美元。(可能是4美元或3美元)
He caught no more than six fish. 他只捕了6條魚(yú)。(數(shù)量之少,太不理想)
He caught not more than six fish. 他捕的魚(yú)不超過(guò)6條。(可能是5條或4條)
② no+比較級(jí)+than表示程度時(shí),意為“同……一樣不”,兩者都否定;not+比較級(jí)+than表示程度時(shí),意為“并不比……強(qiáng)”,兩者都肯定。比較:
Tom is no richer than Jim. 湯姆同吉姆一樣不富有。(兩人都窮)
Tom is not richer than Jim. 湯姆并不比吉姆更富有。(兩人都富有)
Jack is no more diligent than he is. 杰克同他一樣不用功。(=Jack is as lazy as he is.)
Jack is not more diligent than he is. 杰克并不比他更用功。(兩人都用功)
Her husband is no more ill than she. 她沒(méi)有病,她丈夫也沒(méi)有病。
He is no more an expert than I am. 我不是專(zhuān)家,他也不是。
他們住在這里最多不過(guò)三個(gè)月。
They have lived here for not more than three months.
=They have lived here for three months at(the)most.