(单词翻译:单击)
1.在只能做表语的形容词前不能用very,而要使用其他的词。
例如:
(1)I'm wide awake.(不能说very awake)我是完全清醒的。
(2)It's well worth trying.(不能说very worth)这很值得一试。
(3)She's fast asleep.(不能说very asleep)她在酣睡。
We are much beholden to you for your help.(不能说very beholden)我们非常感激你给我们的帮助。
(4)He felt quite sure of the appointment.他感到很有把握获得这个职位。
(5)I'm much afraid of snakes.我非常害怕蛇。(口语上也使用very)
类似这样不能和very连用的形容词还有:afloat,alight,alive,alone,alike等。它们可以和much或very much连用。例如:
(1)The two brothers are very much alike.这两兄弟非常相像。
(2)He is very much alive.他非常活跃。
2.在过去分词用作谓语动词时不可和very连用,要用much,very much或quite等说明程度。
例如:
(1)The financial situation seems to be much/very much improved.(不能说very improved)财政状况似乎有很大好转。
(2)Britain's trade position has been much/very much weakened by inflation.通货膨胀很大程度上削弱了英国的贸易地位。
(3)Ted was most surprised when he heard the news.特德听到这个消息很吃惊。
当过去分词指的是一种状态或性质时,可和very连用。
例如:
(1)a very frightened animal一只极度受惊的动物
(2)a very complicated problem一个很复杂的问题
当过去分词用作谓语动词,但表示一个人对某事的反应时,可与very连用。
例如:
(1)We were all very shocked by the news about Tony.我们听到关于托尼的消息都很震惊。
(2)I am very pleased to hear it.听到这话我很高兴。
有些人在这种情况下宁愿用much不用very,但在现代英语非正式文体中常用very。