Lecture 20Lecture 20

Infinitive (II)Infinitive (II)

Teaching ContentsTeaching Contents 20.1 Adjective + infinitive20.1 Adjective + infinitive

20.2 Noun (phrase) + infinitive20.2 Noun (phrase) + infinitive

20.3 Verb + infinitive20.3 Verb + infinitive

20.1 Adjective + infinitive20.1 Adjective + infinitive Here “adjective + infinitive” refers to the Here “adjective + infinitive” refers to the

combination that acts as complement in SVcombination that acts as complement in SVC patterns. These combinations were C patterns. These combinations were supersuperficially similarficially similar but but semantically differentsemantically different c constructions, varying in meaning with the onstructions, varying in meaning with the different categories of adjectives. Semanticdifferent categories of adjectives. Semantically, these combinations fall into three typeally, these combinations fall into three types, each of which contains several sub-types. s, each of which contains several sub-types.

1) Type 1 1) Type 1 This type of SCV pattern is characterized This type of SCV pattern is characterized

by the fact that the by the fact that the subject of the main clasubject of the main clauseuse is also the is also the logical subject of the infinitlogical subject of the infinitiveive. The adjectives occurring in this patter. The adjectives occurring in this pattern are all dynamic adjectives, which can be n are all dynamic adjectives, which can be subdivided into the following categories.subdivided into the following categories.

a) Adjectives showing emotional feelings, suca) Adjectives showing emotional feelings, such as delight, anger, joy and sorrow. etc.h as delight, anger, joy and sorrow. etc.

---Henry was happy to hear it.---Henry was happy to hear it. The feeling is caused from the action exprThe feeling is caused from the action expr

essed by the infinitive construction.The iessed by the infinitive construction.The implication is “Henry heard it and as a remplication is “Henry heard it and as a result he was happy.” sult he was happy.”

After some adjectives, if the logical subject After some adjectives, if the logical subject of the infinitive construction is not the subjof the infinitive construction is not the subject of the sentence, sometimes we use “for ect of the sentence, sometimes we use “for + noun + infinitive construction” to expres+ noun + infinitive construction” to express.s.

---He was ashamed for his son to ask such a ---He was ashamed for his son to ask such a simple question. simple question.

b) Adjectives showing good or bad luck b) Adjectives showing good or bad luck --- George was lucky to find it.--- George was lucky to find it. The infinitive construction here is the causThe infinitive construction here is the caus

e. If the logical subject of the infinitive cone. If the logical subject of the infinitive construction is not the subject of the sentence, struction is not the subject of the sentence, we often use that-clause.we often use that-clause.

-- George was lucky that Mary found it.-- George was lucky that Mary found it.

c) Adjectives showing mental state or personc) Adjectives showing mental state or personal attitude.al attitude.

--He is anxious to see her.--He is anxious to see her. The implication: “He wants very much to sThe implication: “He wants very much to s

ee her”.ee her”. The infinitive construction refers to the actiThe infinitive construction refers to the acti

on that does not take place.on that does not take place. --I’m determined to finish them tonight. --I’m determined to finish them tonight. If the subject of the main clause If the subject of the main clause is not the lis not the l

ogical subjectogical subject of the infinitive, the logical s of the infinitive, the logical subject should be expressed with an introduubject should be expressed with an introductory “for”.ctory “for”.

--I’m afraid for her to go swimming alone.--I’m afraid for her to go swimming alone.

d) Adjectives showing character or behaviorad) Adjectives showing character or behavioral trait. l trait.

--He is foolish to meet her again.--He is foolish to meet her again. The implication: “He is being foolish by mThe implication: “He is being foolish by m

eeting her again.”eeting her again.” In In spoken Englishspoken English, it’s very common to us, it’s very common to us

e the construction with the initial it.e the construction with the initial it. --John was careless to break the cup.--John was careless to break the cup. --It was careless of John to break the cup.--It was careless of John to break the cup. We use “of + noun phrase” rather than We use “of + noun phrase” rather than

“for + noun phrase”.“for + noun phrase”. --You are kind to say so.--You are kind to say so. --It’s kind of you to say so.--It’s kind of you to say so.

e) In some grammar books, there is another se) In some grammar books, there is another sub-type, that is, adjectives showing ub-type, that is, adjectives showing possibilpossibility, certaintyity, certainty, such as, likely, unlikely, certa, such as, likely, unlikely, certain, sure, etc.in, sure, etc.

--- He is likely to see Mary.--- He is likely to see Mary.too ready … to dotoo ready … to do1. too1. too 放在某些形容词，比如放在某些形容词，比如 ready, apt, anxiouready, apt, anxiou

s, eager, glad, willings, eager, glad, willing 之前，其后不定式不再之前，其后不定式不再有否定意义，而有肯定意义。有否定意义，而有肯定意义。

e.g. She is too ready to suspect. e.g. She is too ready to suspect. 她太好疑。她太好疑。 / / 她爱起疑心。她爱起疑心。

She is too willing to marry him. She is too willing to marry him. 她很愿意她很愿意嫁给他。嫁给他。

2. too...to"2. too...to" 结构之前带有结构之前带有 but, only, all, never, notbut, only, all, never, not时，是强调肯定的表示法，译作时，是强调肯定的表示法，译作 "" 非常……非常…… "" 、、 "" 十十分……分…… "" 、、 "" 实在……实在…… "" 、、 "" 真是太……真是太…… "" 等。例如： 等。例如：

I am but too glad to do so.I am but too glad to do so. 我非常喜欢这样做。 我非常喜欢这样做。 We are only too happy to live in China.We are only too happy to live in China.

生活在中国，我们太幸福了。 生活在中国，我们太幸福了。 They are all too satisfied to go and do this work.They are all too satisfied to go and do this work.

他们很乐意地去做这项工作。 他们很乐意地去做这项工作。 You're never too old to enjoy a Christmas stockiYou're never too old to enjoy a Christmas stocking.ng.

你绝对不会老得不能获得圣诞长袜带来的快乐。 你绝对不会老得不能获得圣诞长袜带来的快乐。 English is not too difficult to learn.English is not too difficult to learn. 英语并不难学。英语并不难学。

3.3. 在在 "too...to""too...to" 结构中，不定式为否定式时，是结构中，不定式为否定式时，是构成的双重否定，其意为构成的双重否定，其意为 "" 非常非常 (( 很，太，那很，太，那么么 )……)…… 不会不不会不 (( 必定能，所以能必定能，所以能 )……")……" ，也不，也不表示否定意义。例如： 表示否定意义。例如：

He is too kind not to help you.He is too kind not to help you. 他很善良，不他很善良，不会不帮助你。 会不帮助你。

The girl is too careful not to do it well.The girl is too careful not to do it well. 这姑这姑娘很细心，完全能干好那件事。 娘很细心，完全能干好那件事。

4.4. 除了上述情况外，还有一种除了上述情况外，还有一种 "too...to""too...to" 结构在结构在翻译上也有它的特殊之处。请试译： 翻译上也有它的特殊之处。请试译： The question is too easy(simple)to answer. The question is too easy(simple)to answer.

误：这个问题太容易误：这个问题太容易 (( 简单简单 )) 了，回答不了。 了，回答不了。 正：这个问题太容易正：这个问题太容易 (( 简单简单 )) 了，不值得回答。 了，不值得回答。

这里按这里按 "too...to""too...to" 结构表示否定意义来译，显然结构表示否定意义来译，显然不妥。这里不妥。这里 tootoo 也是也是 "" 过于过于 "" 、、 "" 太太 "" 的意思，的意思，但这个句子可以表达一种特殊的意义，即但这个句子可以表达一种特殊的意义，即 "" 太太……，不值得…………，不值得…… "" 。 。

再比较： 再比较： The question is too complicated(difficult)to aThe question is too complicated(difficult)to answer.nswer.

这个问题太复杂这个问题太复杂 (( 难难 )) 了，不好回答。 了，不好回答。 The question is simple enough to answer.The question is simple enough to answer.

这个问题很简单，容易回答。 这个问题很简单，容易回答。 比较：比较： ①①The room is too big to hold only afew peoplThe room is too big to hold only afew peopl

e.e. 容纳这么几个人，这个房间显然太大了。容纳这么几个人，这个房间显然太大了。 (( 意即：容纳这么几个人，不值得用这么大的房意即：容纳这么几个人，不值得用这么大的房

间。间。 ) ) This room is too small to hold so many people.This room is too small to hold so many people.

这个房间太小了，容纳不了这么多人。 这个房间太小了，容纳不了这么多人。

②②They got there too early to catch the bus.They got there too early to catch the bus.赶公共汽车，他们到那儿有点太早了。赶公共汽车，他们到那儿有点太早了。 (( 意即：意即：不必去得那么早。不必去得那么早。 ) ) 比较： 比较： They got there too late to catch the bus.They got there too late to catch the bus. 他他们去得太晚了，没有赶上公共汽车。 们去得太晚了，没有赶上公共汽车。

They got there early enough to catch the buThey got there early enough to catch the bus.s. 他们早早到了那里，完全可以赶上公共汽车。 他们早早到了那里，完全可以赶上公共汽车。

2) Type II2) Type II In this type of SVC pattern, the subject of thIn this type of SVC pattern, the subject of th

e main clause is the logical object of the infe main clause is the logical object of the infinitive. Here, the adjectives are generally stinitive. Here, the adjectives are generally stative adjectives, such as amusing, awful, chative adjectives, such as amusing, awful, cheap, convenience, dangerous, difficult, easeap, convenience, dangerous, difficult, easy, expensive, extraordinary, funny, hard, hy, expensive, extraordinary, funny, hard, horrible, important, simple, splendid, strangorrible, important, simple, splendid, strange, and useful. e, and useful.

--That question is difficult to answer.--That question is difficult to answer. --Dirty water is nasty to drink.--Dirty water is nasty to drink.

Anticipatory It –construction:Anticipatory It –construction: --It is difficult to answer that question.--It is difficult to answer that question. --It is nasty to drink dirty water.--It is nasty to drink dirty water. But there are constructions of the same typBut there are constructions of the same typ

e that cannot be so transformed.e that cannot be so transformed. --The coffee is bitter to taste. (You will feel t--The coffee is bitter to taste. (You will feel t

he coffee is biter when you taste it.)he coffee is biter when you taste it.) ≠≠To taste the coffee is bitterTo taste the coffee is bitter.(.(It is biter to tIt is biter to t

asteaste…)…) --- This map is very clear to read.--- This map is very clear to read.

3) Type III3) Type III In this type, the subject of the main clause In this type, the subject of the main clause

may be the logical subject or logical object may be the logical subject or logical object of the infinitive.of the infinitive.

--- These books are easy to sell.--- These books are easy to sell. ==It is easy to sell these books.==It is easy to sell these books. ==These books sell ==These books sell easilyeasily.. The adjective can be turned into a correspThe adjective can be turned into a corresp

onding adverb in deep structure:onding adverb in deep structure: --He is quick to take offence.--He is quick to take offence. =He takes offence quickly.=He takes offence quickly.

20.2 Noun (phrase) + infinitive20.2 Noun (phrase) + infinitive Here the infinitive is used as postmodificatioHere the infinitive is used as postmodificatio

n in noun phrases. Three points are worth mn in noun phrases. Three points are worth mentioning.entioning.

1) Semantic relations1) Semantic relations A.A. A A subject-verbsubject-verb relation, that is, the noun is t relation, that is, the noun is t

he logical subject of the infinitive.he logical subject of the infinitive. --Jim was the last guest to arrive. --Jim was the last guest to arrive. B.B. The noun is the logical object of the infiniti The noun is the logical object of the infiniti

ve, that is, a ve, that is, a verb-objectverb-object relation. relation. --He has a large family to support.--He has a large family to support. Intransitive infinitive + preposition Intransitive infinitive + preposition --There is nothing to talk --There is nothing to talk aboutabout..

We need a room to live in.We need a room to live in. Night was coming on and I had to look for a Night was coming on and I had to look for a

place to sleep.place to sleep.

一般情况下，人们还是使用一般情况下，人们还是使用 a place to live ina place to live in ；；但是，也可常常看到但是，也可常常看到 a place to livea place to live 的用法。英的用法。英语语法学家认为，这种用法符合英语惯用法。除语语法学家认为，这种用法符合英语惯用法。除placeplace 外，外， day, way, timeday, way, time 的动词不定式定语的动词不定式定语也可省略介词。也可省略介词。

e.g. Carrie looked about … for a place to sit e.g. Carrie looked about … for a place to sit and eat.and eat.

C.C. Sometimes the noun phrase is in appositio Sometimes the noun phrase is in apposition to the infinitive that follows.n to the infinitive that follows.

--I have no wish to quarrel with you.--I have no wish to quarrel with you.

2) Infinitive—active or passive2) Infinitive—active or passiveA. In some contexts, both A. In some contexts, both active and passivactive and passiv

ee forms are possible. forms are possible. --Give me a list of people to invite/to be in--Give me a list of people to invite/to be in

vited.vited.B. But in other cases, an active form seems mB. But in other cases, an active form seems m

ore natural than the passive.ore natural than the passive. --I have got a lot of letters to write.--I have got a lot of letters to write. --There is a lot of work to do.--There is a lot of work to do.

C. In still other cases, a passive form sounds C. In still other cases, a passive form sounds more appropriate.more appropriate.

--The cases to be investigated must not be --The cases to be investigated must not be made public in press.made public in press.

--The question to be discussed at the next --The question to be discussed at the next meeting will be a hard nut to crack.meeting will be a hard nut to crack.

如果句子主语是不定式所表动作的施动者时，大如果句子主语是不定式所表动作的施动者时，大多采用不定式的主动形式作名词的后置修饰语。多采用不定式的主动形式作名词的后置修饰语。

e.g. I want a book to read.e.g. I want a book to read. You need something to eat.You need something to eat. 当不定式的施动者并非句子主语时，两种结构都当不定式的施动者并非句子主语时，两种结构都

可以使用，而且语义上没有什么区别。可以使用，而且语义上没有什么区别。 e.g. The best thing to do / to be done is as foe.g. The best thing to do / to be done is as fo

llows.llows. Give me a list of the people to invite / to be iGive me a list of the people to invite / to be i

nvited.nvited. He is the man to choose / to be chosen.He is the man to choose / to be chosen.

这一点在存在句型中尤其明显：这一点在存在句型中尤其明显： e.g. There were many things to be done. e.g. There were many things to be done. 有有

许多事情要干。许多事情要干。 There is one thing to do / to be done. There is one thing to do / to be done. 只需干只需干

一件事。一件事。 There is a lot to do / to be done.There is a lot to do / to be done. 有许多事要做。有许多事要做。

但某些有限情况下，存在句型使用动词不定式的但某些有限情况下，存在句型使用动词不定式的主动与被动形式作后置修饰语在语义上有些差别。主动与被动形式作后置修饰语在语义上有些差别。

e.g. There is nothing to do. e.g. There is nothing to do. 没事可干。 没事可干。 (( 表义表义务 务 duty)duty)

There is nothing to be done about it. There is nothing to be done about it. 对于对于此事毫无办法。此事毫无办法。 (( 表可能性 表可能性 possibility)possibility)

3) “Noun + infinitive” vs. “noun + preposition + -3) “Noun + infinitive” vs. “noun + preposition + -ing” ing”

A. With some nouns such as attempt, chance, effort, fA. With some nouns such as attempt, chance, effort, freedom, the postmodifier may be an infinitive or a reedom, the postmodifier may be an infinitive or a “preposition + -ing” with no difference in meanin“preposition + -ing” with no difference in meaning. g.

---These is no necessity to buy/of buying a new car.---These is no necessity to buy/of buying a new car.B. With some other nouns such as ability, agreement, B. With some other nouns such as ability, agreement,

ambition, anxiety, curiosity, disposition, mind, obliambition, anxiety, curiosity, disposition, mind, obligation, permission, refusal, reluctance, temptation, gation, permission, refusal, reluctance, temptation, tendency, wish, etc. it is appropriate to use an infintendency, wish, etc. it is appropriate to use an infinitive rather than a “preposition + -ing” as postmoitive rather than a “preposition + -ing” as postmodifier.difier.

--They have the ability to produce nuclear weapons.--They have the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

C. There are still other nouns which do not C. There are still other nouns which do not admit of an infinitive as postmodifier; a “padmit of an infinitive as postmodifier; a “preposition + -ing” is normally used.reposition + -ing” is normally used.

--There is no hope of winning the game.--There is no hope of winning the game. The nouns in the same use include aptitudThe nouns in the same use include aptitud

e, delay, difficulty, excuse, experience, intee, delay, difficulty, excuse, experience, interest, etc.rest, etc.

20.3 Verb + infinitive 20.3 Verb + infinitive The infinitive can function as the object of The infinitive can function as the object of

some verbs. There are three groups:some verbs. There are three groups:1) Verb + infinitive (SVO)1) Verb + infinitive (SVO) These are verbs that can be directly followeThese are verbs that can be directly followe

d by an infinitive rather than an-ing form ad by an infinitive rather than an-ing form as object. These verbs include agree, apply…s object. These verbs include agree, apply…etc.etc.

--- We must agree to differ.--- We must agree to differ. --- I aim to finish it tomorrow.--- I aim to finish it tomorrow.

Some of these verbs such as agree, arrangSome of these verbs such as agree, arrange, promise, resolve, claim, decide, demane, promise, resolve, claim, decide, demand, determine, hope, pretend, profess, swed, determine, hope, pretend, profess, swear, threaten, etc, can also be followed by a ar, threaten, etc, can also be followed by a corresponding that clause.corresponding that clause.

--- I hope to be able to come.--- I hope to be able to come. I hope that I’ll be able to come. I hope that I’ll be able to come. 2) verb + object + infinitive2) verb + object + infinitive There are verbs that There are verbs that cannot be directly folcannot be directly fol

lowed by an infinitivelowed by an infinitive unless the verb and unless the verb and the infinitive are intervened by the infinitive are intervened by a noun or a noun or pronounpronoun. These verbs include five groups.. These verbs include five groups.

a) Verbs of a) Verbs of perception or sense verbsperception or sense verbs such a such as see, hear, watch, feel, etc.s see, hear, watch, feel, etc.

--Did you see him enter the building?--Did you see him enter the building?b) b) Causative verbsCausative verbs such as have, let, make, e such as have, let, make, e

tc.tc. --Don’t forget to have your children come --Don’t forget to have your children come

with you.with you.c) Some c) Some prepositional verbsprepositional verbs such as arrange such as arrange

for, ask for, rely on, etc.for, ask for, rely on, etc. --I’ll arrange for you to meet the manager.--I’ll arrange for you to meet the manager.

d) Verbs showing mental state such as consider, dd) Verbs showing mental state such as consider, declare, find, prove, think, believe, discover, feel, eclare, find, prove, think, believe, discover, feel, imagine.imagine.

---I believe him to be reliable.---I believe him to be reliable. The infinitive after verbs under this group is invThe infinitive after verbs under this group is inv

ariably “to be”.ariably “to be”. ---We know him ---We know him to beto be reliable. reliable.After such verbs as consider, declare, find, prove, After such verbs as consider, declare, find, prove,

think, the infinitive “to be” can be omitted.think, the infinitive “to be” can be omitted. ---He proved himself innocent.---He proved himself innocent. If the infinitive “to be” is in the perfective forIf the infinitive “to be” is in the perfective for

m, then it cannot be omitted.m, then it cannot be omitted. --We considered him --We considered him to have beento have been foolish. foolish.

e) Verbs having the force of “advice”, “permissioe) Verbs having the force of “advice”, “permission,” “forbiddance” etc. such as advise, allow, fon,” “forbiddance” etc. such as advise, allow, forbid, permit, recommend, require, urge, etc.rbid, permit, recommend, require, urge, etc.

--- I advised him to give up smoking.--- I advised him to give up smoking. Some of the verbs of this group such as advise, allSome of the verbs of this group such as advise, all

ow, forbid, permit, recommend can also be folloow, forbid, permit, recommend can also be followed directly by an –ing form as object.wed directly by an –ing form as object.

--She advised us to give up smoking.--She advised us to give up smoking. --she advised --she advised giving upgiving up smoking. smoking. And some may also be followed by a that clause.And some may also be followed by a that clause. --They required us to get there before nine.--They required us to get there before nine. --They required that we get there before nine.--They required that we get there before nine.

3) Verb + (object) + infinitives (SVO, SVOC)3) Verb + (object) + infinitives (SVO, SVOC) With some verbs such as ask, can’t bear, With some verbs such as ask, can’t bear,

hate, intend, like, prefer, want, etc. the objhate, intend, like, prefer, want, etc. the object is optional: “ect is optional: “verb + infinitiveverb + infinitive” , “” , “verb verb + object + infinitive+ object + infinitive”.”.

---Do you intend to make a long stay there?---Do you intend to make a long stay there? ---We didn’t intend them to act like that.---We didn’t intend them to act like that.

Most of these verbs can also be followed by Most of these verbs can also be followed by a that-clause.a that-clause.

--She --She asked to doasked to do more work. more work. --She --She asked them to giveasked them to give her more work to her more work to

do.do. --She asked that she be given more work to --She asked that she be given more work to

do.do. Some may also be directly followed by an -iSome may also be directly followed by an -i

ng form.ng form. --I --I hate troublinghate troubling you about trifles. you about trifles.

1. It’s no use dong.1. It’s no use dong. 是常见的标准用法。而是常见的标准用法。而 IIt’s no use to dot’s no use to do 有时也见于著名作家和语言学有时也见于著名作家和语言学家著作中。家著作中。

It’s no use your running away.It’s no use your running away. It’s no use for you to run away.It’s no use for you to run away. It’s no use asking Tod. (It’s no use asking Tod. ( 由于他无知或不愿由于他无知或不愿

助人助人 )“)“ 问他是无用的”。问他是无用的”。 It’s no use to ask Tod. (It’s no use to ask Tod. ( 由于他不了解这个问由于他不了解这个问

题或此时没有时间题或此时没有时间 ) ….) …. 动名词表经常情况，动词不定式表某一具体情况。动名词表经常情况，动词不定式表某一具体情况。

2. not to say / let alone2. not to say / let alone 1)let alone1)let alonenot to mention, to say nothing of (not to mention, to say nothing of ( 更更

不用说不用说 )) 。。 e.g. There’s no room for her, let alone the childre.g. There’s no room for her, let alone the childr

en.en. He hasn’t enough money for food, let alone amuHe hasn’t enough money for food, let alone amu

sements.sements. 2)not to say2)not to sayeven, perhaps even, and almost, if neven, perhaps even, and almost, if n

ot to use a more moderate word or statement than ot to use a more moderate word or statement than (( 甚至、甚至也许、甚或、即使不…也、简直可以说、甚至、甚至也许、甚或、即使不…也、简直可以说、虽不能说、即使不能说虽不能说、即使不能说 ))

e.g. It is warm, not to say hot. e.g. It is warm, not to say hot. He sound impolite, not to say rude. He sound impolite, not to say rude. 他那样说话，他那样说话，

虽说不上粗鲁，也够不礼貌的了。虽说不上粗鲁，也够不礼貌的了。 他的话听起来很不礼貌，甚至有些粗鲁。他的话听起来很不礼貌，甚至有些粗鲁。

3)3) 用法上，用法上， let alonelet alone 一般用于否定句：一般用于否定句： if you say soif you say something is not the case, let alone something else, mething is not the case, let alone something else, you mean that since the first thing is not the case, you mean that since the first thing is not the case, the second thing cannot be, because it is difficult the second thing cannot be, because it is difficult or unusual.or unusual.

e.g. I had never seen him, let alone spoken to him.e.g. I had never seen him, let alone spoken to him. Let aloneLet alone 用于肯定句的情况比较罕见。用于肯定句的情况比较罕见。 e.g. It will cost us a fortune for the food, let alone e.g. It will cost us a fortune for the food, let alone

the wine. the wine. 单食品就得花去我们一大笔，更不用说酒了。单食品就得花去我们一大笔，更不用说酒了。 4)let alone4)let alone 与与 not to saynot to say 都是准并列连词都是准并列连词 (quasi-coor(quasi-coor

dinators)dinators) 。它们可以连接各种句子成分或各类词。绝。它们可以连接各种句子成分或各类词。绝不要把不要把 not to saynot to say 中的中的 saysay 看作及物动词，因而认为它看作及物动词，因而认为它只能后接名次短语。 只能后接名次短语。

3.not to speak of = to say nothing of“3.not to speak of = to say nothing of“ 更不用说、且不更不用说、且不说”。说”。

1)(=not to mention)1)(=not to mention)既可以用于肯定句之后，亦可以用既可以用于肯定句之后，亦可以用于否定句之后。于否定句之后。

e.g. He can dance, not to speak of singing.e.g. He can dance, not to speak of singing. He has no scholarship, not to speak of experience.He has no scholarship, not to speak of experience. 2)to say nothing of2)to say nothing of ：有时为了补充追加某种不重要的：有时为了补充追加某种不重要的东西，有时为了强调更为重要的东西。东西，有时为了强调更为重要的东西。

e.g. The effort required is immense, to say nothing e.g. The effort required is immense, to say nothing of the cost. the costof the cost. the cost 在程度上在程度上 // 重要性上比重要性上比 efforteffort 更进更进一步。一步。

Three people badly hurt, to say nothing of damage Three people badly hurt, to say nothing of damage to the building. to the building. 程度上，前者重后者轻。程度上，前者重后者轻。

He had his wife and 7 children with him in the car, He had his wife and 7 children with him in the car, to say nothing of two dogs, a cat and a parrot. to say nothing of two dogs, a cat and a parrot. 所引所引部分处于次要地位，仅仅是附带说明而已；部分处于次要地位，仅仅是附带说明而已； =as well as, =as well as, in addition, includingin addition, including 。 。

4.not to mention4.not to mention 与与 let alonelet alone 都是准并列连词，都是准并列连词，但是有一个重要区别：前者后面只接名词短语，但是有一个重要区别：前者后面只接名词短语，而后者可以接任何词性的词项；另外，后者只用而后者可以接任何词性的词项；另外，后者只用于非正式语体。于非正式语体。

e.g. He rejected it for its cost, not to mentioe.g. He rejected it for its cost, not to mention its ugliness. n its ugliness. 更不用说它很难看了。更不用说它很难看了。

We’re too busy to take a long holiday this We’re too busy to take a long holiday this year, not to mention the fact that we can’t year, not to mention the fact that we can’t afford it.afford it.

David is handsome and smart, not to mentiDavid is handsome and smart, not to mention being a good athlete. on being a good athlete. 更不用说还是个好运更不用说还是个好运动员。动员。