“Will you be able to finish the job this week?”“____” A. I can't say so. B. I'm not sure so. C. I don't know so. D. I don't expect so. (Nelson, 300B)
正确答案为 D(I don't expect so.)。但不知 I don't expect so. 的含义和用法。
大家知道,英语里有一类动词,叫做可否定转移的动词,如 believe, think, suppose, imagine 等。
I don't believe I've met you before. (“I believe I haven't met you before.”) (CGEL) 我认为我以前没有见过你。
expect 也属于可否定转移的动词：
He didn't expect to win. [“He expected not to win.”] (CGEL) 他曾预料不会取胜。
这类动词有一个特点, 就是其否定式既可采用 I don't think so 句型, 亦可采用 I think not 句型。但后者为非常正式的语体:
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I don't suppose so. (~I suppose not.) (CGEL) 我想不是这样。
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“Will it rain?” “I don’t expect so.” (~I expect not.) “会下雨吗?”“我想不会。”
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“Will he need help?” “No, I don’t expect so.” (ALD) “他需要帮助吗?”“不,我想不需要。”
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“You won’t be here tomorrow, will you?” “I suppose not.” (BEU) “你明天不来这里，是吗?”“我想是这样。”