Ask & Learn聞問切英語口語:Any
讀者Angus從字典里得知any可以用在單數(shù)或眾數(shù)的名詞前面,因而產生一個疑問︰下面兩組句子有否不同?
1. Take any book you like.
Take any books you like.
2. I haven't read any book by Tolstoy.
I haven't read any books by Tolstoy.
Any后面可以是單數(shù)或眾數(shù),然而,什么時候用單數(shù),什么時候用眾數(shù),兩者之間又有何不同,眾說紛紜。本欄目的答案,相信也會引起讀者的回響。
Any之后用單數(shù)或眾數(shù),全憑說話人決定,因此,"If you have any question, please ask"和 "If you have any questions, please ask"的意思沒有兩樣。現(xiàn)在大多數(shù)人會說 "If you have any questions",可能因為聽起來好像更愿意去回答問題罷了。其實,即使說"If you have any question"也沒有只限定問一個問題。
因此,take any book you like和take any books you like完全一樣。后者改成take as many books as you like可能更自然。
至于第2組的句子,卻是一對一錯,這個留待下次再講。
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