释义 |
■ case1) 可以是“理由”,the case for + -ing 是要做某事的理由,make his case 是申述理由。 - With the case for supporting African countries so compelling, it may come as a surprise that...既然向非洲国家提供支持的理由如此有力,那么,…一事就可能使人感到惊讶。
- He made a strong case for peaceful settlement.他申述了和平解决的有力理由。
- The lawyer made a compelling case that the defendant is innocent of all the allegations made regarding his behavior.律师申述了强有力的理由,说明被告清白,有关他的行为的一切指控都不能成立。
- He tried to plead his case that he is over 18.他力图申辩,说他已经年满十八岁了。
- Washington has a "moral case" for removing Saddam...华盛顿要干掉萨达姆,是有一个“道义上的理由”的…
2) in case... 字面上看来,似乎是“在…情况下”的意思,接近“如果…”,但 in case 如果后面接着的是一个从句,意义同 if 就很不相同,不是“如果”,而是“为万一可能发生的事预先准备;以防…”,指的是为将来“未雨绸缪”,不是针对现在。所以,说 *Raise your hand in case you have any questions(有问题要提问请举手)是错误的(因为有没有问题是当前的事,举手也不是为了预防将来有问题),in case 应该改为 if。 in case 用得对的。 - Make a note in case you forget.记下来,以免忘掉。
- I took an umbrella this morning in case it rains today.我早上带了雨伞,准备今天下雨。
- I've got the key in case we want to go inside.准备我们万一要进去,我带来了钥匙。
- In case your checked luggage is lost in the confusion, label your bags well, with name, business address and phone on the outside and an itinerary and contact information packed inside, on top. (AP, Aug. 10, 2006)为了防备你的行李万一在混乱中丢失,你要把各袋行李标好标签,在箱子外面标明姓名、工作地点地址和电话号码,在箱子里面上方贴上途程及联系办法(注意:in case 不可以误解为“如果”)。
- Business travelers must carry essential tools with them, but be prepared in case a ban on all carry-on luggage is suddenly imposed domestically, the way it was in England.旅行的商务人员总要随身携带一些必要的工具,但是,要准备万一国内航线也像英国那样忽然对一切手提行李发布禁令。
in case 后面从句,既可以指将来发生的人力不可抗拒的事(如下雨),此时可以译为“以防”;也可以指可以由此而避免的事,此时可以译为“以免”之类。 - She drew herself up, but not too severely, in case she might freeze the poor man into silence. (John Fowles, The French Lieutenant's Woman, Chapter 6)她绷起了脸,但绷得不很紧,唯恐这个可怜的人看了太紧张,吓得说不出话来。
in case 是事先的“未雨绸缪,以防…”,而不是“一旦如何就到时对付”,这个重要但又容易模糊的区别,可以从下面的例子得到较好的说明:... the only constitutional duty of a vice president, which is standing by in case a president dies or becomes incapacitated. (Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris, Politico, Aug. 30, 2008) …副总统唯一的宪法职务,亦即备位准备万一总统去世或丧失履行职务的能力。这里的 standing by 是现在就必须实现的“未雨绸缪”延续状态,而总统缺位则是未来可能发生的瞬时事件,两者一先一后,这是使用 in case 所必须具备的条件。如果是同时发生的瞬时事件,就不能用 in case(例如不能理解为“一旦总统去世或丧失履行职务的能力,副总统就必须 stand by”)。 in case 还可以不作为连词词组,后面不引入从句,而作为副词词组,表示“以防万一”、“以备不时之需”、“有备无患”,此时前面还可以加上 just,成为 just in case。 - She ought to be there in case.她应该在那里,以备万一。
- ... and taking into consideration the vagaries of the English climate, I like to take some woollens just in case. (Graham Greene, Travels with My Aunt)…考虑到英格兰气候的变幻莫测,我打算随身带一些毛衣,以备不时之需。
但是 just in case 有时候也可以不是副词词组而是连词词组,引入一个从句。 - The room has a stained-glass window with two small light bulbs just in case there isn't enough natural sunlight to show off the artwork.厅房有一面彩色玻璃窗,装有两个小灯泡,以备天然阳光不足时给艺术品照明。
3) 但是 in case of 则的确是“如果遇到”、“万一发生”的意思,不是“(预先做某事)以防万一”。 - Do you know what to do in case of fire?你知道遇到火灾该怎么办吗?
in case of 有时候在 case 前面加上定冠词 the,此时 in the case of 则是“就…而论”。后面如果是不定指的名词,仍多少有点“如果”的意思。 - In the case of cancer or heart disease the only person who literally gets hurt is the one who failed to get to his doctor in time. (Glenn V. Carmichael, Ford Times, Sept. 1966)就癌症或是心脏病而论,唯一真正吃亏的人,就是没有及时去找大夫看的人。
- ... asked if he would, in the case of an emergency, be willing to lend me some money. (Jane Harriman, Atlantic, March 1970)…问他万一是急病的话他愿不愿意借给我一点钱。
但是如果 in the case of 后面是定指的名词,则没有“如果”的意思,单纯是“就…论”。 - ... leniency would be a mistake in the case of the confirmed young criminal... (Current Biography, 1947)…对于这个定了罪的青年罪犯来说,如果宽大处理,就是错误的…
- In the case of the Hollywood writers, some of the accused took their case to courts. (Collier's Year Book, 1949)具体到好莱坞的脚本写作者来说,有些被告把案子闹到法庭上去了。
4) 如果前面没有 case 的所指,第一次就出现 the case,这个 the case 相当于形容词 true(有点像 the matter 相当于形容词 wrong);is the case 相当于 is true。 - That is the case.那是真的。
- Can we assume that this is in fact the case?我们能假定事情的确如此吗?
- How can you know what he said was the case?你怎么能知道他说的是真的呢?
但是 the case 所表示的 true,倾向于指一件具体事情或一段有限时期的情况,而不是漫长时间比较普遍的情况。如果是后者,还是说 true 好些。 - This has been true (*the case) since time immemorial.自古以来就一向如此。
目录 |