第一部分 四個基礎詞匯
它們就是"maybe", "perhaps", "possibly"以及"probably"。
<可能性程度>
其中的"probably"表示可能性比較大:50%以上;
"Possibly"表示可能性為50%以下;
"Maybe"和"perhaps"則表示正反可能性不相上下,對半分。
<使用場合>
"Maybe"的使用比較隨性,比如:
A: Are you going to Jane's party?
簡的聚會你會去嗎?
B: Maybe. You?
也許吧。你去嗎?
"Perhaps"則更正式一點,比如:
A: Would it be possible to change my seat number?
可以給我換個座位號嗎?
B: Perhaps. Please hold while I check.
也許可以。請稍等,我查一下。
<具體運用>
1. 回答一般疑問句時使用:
A: Do you think you'll get a chance to visit your cousin Mary while you're in town?
你進城時能順便看一下你瑪麗表姐嗎?
B: Maybe. It depends on how busy I end up being with work stuff.
再說吧??次业綍r候的工作完成情況吧。
2. 用在不定冠詞("a", "an")和定冠詞("the")前:
That's probably a bad decision.
那大概率是個不怎么樣的決定。
This is possibly the worst meal I've ever had.
這頓飯可能是我吃過的最差的一次。
I'm maybe an inch taller than him.
我可能比他高一英寸吧。
3. 用在情態(tài)動詞和be動詞之間("could be", "might be", "may be", "should be"):
This could possibly be the last time we ever see each other.
這可能是我倆此生最后一次見面了。
We should probably be thankful that it didn't turn out worse.
也許我們該感恩事情沒有向更糟的方向發(fā)展。
第二部分 詞組表達
與上面四個詞偏口語不同,下面這幾個詞組偏書面。
1. Weather permitting 如果天氣狀況允許的話
Weather permitting, we will be there on time.
天氣狀況允許的話,我們會按時到那兒。
The plane lands at midnight, weather permitting.
天氣狀況允許的話,飛機會在午夜抵達。
2. It is possible that 有可能……
It is possible that you might feel some discomfort after the checkup.
體檢之后你可能會有點不適。
3. Depending on circumstances 視情況而定
Honda will resume production in stages, depending on the ongoing circumstances.
視情況發(fā)展而定,本田可能會恢復階段性的生產。