核心问题
（A）He didn't arrive until I returned.
(B) He didn't wait until I returned.
请分析这两个句子里 until 的用法。
词典解答
当连词 until(till) 与否定的主句连用时, until(till) 表达的通常是动作的起点。例如:
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I did not begin work until he had gone. (Doyle) 直到他走了我才开始工作。
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He didn't arrive until I returned. (CGEL) 直到我回来他才到。
但是,上面的说法不适用于某些具有持续意义的动词,如句(2)中的wait。与具有持续意义的动词连用时,until(till)表示主句的动作没有延续到从句所指的时间。He didn't wait until I returned. 的意思是:他没有等到我回来。
练习题
请做下面的英语试题：
——Was his father very strict with him when he was at school? ——Yes. He had never praised him ____ he became one of the top students in his grade. A. after B. unless C. until D. when(北京高考,03 春 - 29)