核心问题
许多语法书上说, as long as 可以引导时间状语从句和条件状语从句, 而 so long as 则只能引导条件状语从句, 决不能引导时间状语从句。是这样吗?
词典解答
实际上完全没有必要作这样严格的区分。因为在语言的实际使用上, as long as 和 so long as 都可以表示时间。从理论上说, “时间” 和 “条件” 含义常常混合在一起, 简直难以区分。
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I do not care so long as you are happy. (Curme) 只要你高兴,我就无所谓了。
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So long as men believe that women will forgive anything, they will do anything. (Curme) 只要男人相信女人什么都会宽恕，他们就什么事都会做。
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He'll continue working so long as he has the strength. (CGEL) 只要他还有力气,他就会继续工作。
R. Quirk 等人和 G. Curme 都把上列句子中的 so long as 从句列为时间状语从句,但同时指出它们兼有条件含义。[参见 as (as long as/so long as)]
练习题
请做下面的英语试题：
- ____ he works hard, I don't mind when he finishes the experiment.
A. As soon as B. As well as C. So far as D. So long as(全国四级,98.1-35)
- He will surely finish the job on time ____ he's left to do it in his own way.
A. in that B. in case C. as far as D. so long as(全国四级,00.12-61)