核心问题
我从辞典上知道, more often than not = 经常, 往往, 大半。但是, 我却无法分析这个结构。
词典解答
根据 CGEL 的解释, not 在这里起着代分句的作用, 它引导的从句是一个否定的比较从句:
He was found out more often than not. = More often than he was not found out. (DAI) 他经常被发现有错误。
类例:
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Ben is a fairly good runner, he wins more often than not. (DAI) 本是不错的赛跑运动员,他常常取胜。
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More often than not, we lay awake all night. 我们经常通宵不眠。
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More often than not conservative people look backward rather than forward. 保守的人们往往不是向前看,而是往后看。
对 more likely than not(很可能), 也应当作这样的分析。
She was satisfied with her job more likely than not. (CGEL) 她很可能对她的工作很满意。请做下面的英语试题:
Young readers, more often than , find the novels of Dickens far more exciting than (全国研考,92-61)