Never again ____ political office after his 1928 defeat for the presidency. A. Alfred E. Smith seriously sought B. seriously Alfred E. Smith sought C. when did Alfred E. Smith seriously seek D. did Alfred E. Smith seriously seek (TOEFL) 书上给的答案是 D。但是我不明白为什么要选 D。
当否定性副词 never (hardly, seldom, little 等) 位于句首时, 要引起主谓语的部分倒装, 即:
否定性副词 + 助动词 + 主语 + 实义动词
Never once had he imagined Dumbledore's childhood or youth. (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) 他从未想象过邓布利多的童年或是年轻时候。(《哈利·波特与死亡圣徒》)
如果句子本身没有助动词,就要添加一个 do (does, did),就像你所提出来的上面那道托福题那样。
属于这种否定性副词的还有: scarcely, rarely, barely, in no way, on no account, under no circumstances。此外, 有一些连词也要引起主谓语部分倒装, 如 nor, not until, no sooner 等。请做下面的英语试题:
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“Did you enjoy the concert?” “Yes, ____ such a fine performance of the Grateful Dead.” A. never I have heard B. never have I heard C. ever I have heard D. ever have I heard (Michigan)
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“Look at this room.” “Never in my life ____ such a mess.” A. I see B. do I see C. have I seen D. I’ve seen (TOEFL)
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Little we did expect that he would fulfil his task so rapidly. (全国研考)
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Scarcely ____ such a nice girl. A. I have met B. have I met C. I had met D. had I met E. as(全国研考)
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Rarely ____ for more than a few seconds once they enter the Earth's atmosphere. A. while meteors blaze B. meteors that blaze C. do meteors blaze D. blaze meteors
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Not until the late 1870's ____ an outlet for her talents and sympathies in charitable work. A. that Anna Hallowell found B. did Anna Hallowell find C. when did Anna Hallowell find D. when Anna Hallowell found (TOEFL)
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The brown thrasher is not a particularly large or strong bird, ____ equipped for fighting. A. it is not B. but not C. neither is D. nor is it (TOEFL)
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On no account ____ be removed from the library. A. reference books may B. may reference books C. reference books cannot D. reference books (TOEFL)
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"Did John see the accident?" "No, no sooner ____ than the accident happened."
A. he had gone B. had he gone C. his going D. he went (Michigan)
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Scarcely had they settled themselves in their seats in the theatre ____ the curtain went up. A. than B. when C. before D. as soon as(全国研考)
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Hardly had he finished his speech ____ the audience started cheering. A. and B. when C. than D. as(全国研考)
(参见 account )