相信大家都会有这样的经历: 每每用英语表达一些很一般的概念时, 我们总会立刻想起某个表达法. 例如: 想说"很"时,立刻想到了very或very much; 想说"大"时, 则用big或large.这样的一一对应, 大大减弱了英语写作的丰富性和生动性.
于是这些最先为我们想到的表达法, 便成了我们提高英语水平的羁绊. 如果我们能把这些最常用概念的英语表达归类, 总结, 贫乏的英语表达便会涣然一新.
以下是我在英语学习过程中的一篇笔记, 愿与各位分享. 如有遗漏或错误, 敬请指正.
(所有的词语释义和部分例句来自Longman英汉词典)
在英语中用来表达"极其, 非常, 很"的方式有26种:
1) most
(used for giving force)
a. (to an adjective) very
It really is most annoying.
b.(to an adverb) quite; very
Whatever happens, I shall most certainly attend the meeting.
注意:
most只能修饰具有主观意见或感情色彩的形容词和副词, 表示"非常, 很"的概念.我们可以说 most certainly, 但不能说most tall 或 most quick
2) awfully adv.
infml (used to give more force to an expression) very
awfully cold, awfully nice
I am awfully sorry for it.
3) badly adv.
(与"want", "need"连用) a great deal; very much
They want help badly.
He is badly in need of a haircut.
4) more than ...
fml, to a degree at which "..." is no longer a strong enough
or suitable word. 与中文的"无以名状"差不多
We were more than happy to hear of your escape.
I think his offer is more than fair.
5) ever so/such
infml. esp. BrE very
It's ever so cold.
She's ever such a nice girl.
6) immensely adv.
apprec very much
I enjoyed it immensely.
7) much adv.
to a great degree
I don't much like that idea.
I'm much surprised to hear that.
8) mighty adv.
infml. very
It was a mighty good meal, and everyone enjoyed it.
9) highly adv.
(esp. before adjectives made from verbs) to a high degree; very
highly pleased, highly skilled, highly interesting, highly
enjoyable
This is a highly amusing film.
10) greatly adv.
(with verb forms, esp. the past p.)
to a large degree; very
greatly moved by his kindnes
greatly to be feared
We are greatly obliged to you for your help.
11) mortally adv.
very greatly; deeply
She is mortally afraid of walking home alone on a
dark night.
He is mortally jealous.
12) deeply adv.
greatly
We are deeply obliged to you for your help.
13) like anything
very hard; fiercely
When they arrived, the house was burning like anything.
The maid wanted like anything to try on her mistress's clothes.
He is brave like anything.
14) only too
very
only too happy to come
I am only too glad to go there.
15) a thousand
It is a thouand pity.
A thousand thanks!
16) one hundred percent
I am sure the figure is one hundred percent correct.
17) to the world
He was tired to the world.
18) up to the handle
I am enjoying my trip up to the handle.
19) to a large extent
I agree with what you say to a large extent.
20) not half
BrE infml very
It isn't half windy today!
They didn't half support my proposal.
21) extremely
I am extremely sorry
22) exceedingly adv.
very; to an unusual degree
They were exceedingly kind.
23) terribly adv.
infml. very
I've been terribly worried about you all day.
We were terribly lucky to find you there.
24) quite adv.
more than usually; rather
It's really quite good; much better than we expected.
25) utterly adv.
completely
I found the books utterly charming, instructive, and
inspiring.
26) completely adv
wholly; altogether; in every way; totally
The army made a completely successful attack
on the enemy capital.