比较级和比较结构(2)

的比较结构包括进去。英语中有几个不定限定词和不定代词也有原级、比较级和最高级。它们是many/much，more most；few，fewer，fewest；little，less，least。它们在句中也能形成比较结构。 1） As````as结构

这种结构的基本模式是：as+形容词或副词原级+as-分句。例如：

John is as bright as Bob。

John behaves as politely as Bob（does）。 This parcel is as heavy as that one。 This car runs as fast as that one。 这种比较结构的否定形式是： John is not as/so bright as Bob。

John does not behave as。So politely as Bob。 以上否定意义还可以用less```than 结构来表示： John is less bright than Bob。 John behaves less politely than Bob。

但是，less```than结构在实际使用上不如not so/as```as结构普通。

由以上诸例可以看出，在带有as```as结构的句子中，通常是主句主语和as-分句的主语不同，而比较项目相同，比如是John 和Bob就两人的举止是否有礼貌进行比较。这是

as```as结构最基本的用法。此外，带有as```as结构的句子也可能主语相同，而比较项目不同。例如： The girl was as brilliant as she was beautiful。 （这姑娘既漂亮又聪明）

This swimming pool is as wide as it is long。 （这个游泳池宽度和长度相等） He is not wise as he is witty。 （他为人风趣，但有欠明智） She is not so witty as she is pretty。 （她相貌美丽，但不太风趣）

也可能两个主语和两个比较项目都不同，即两个不同的人或物就不同的方面进行比较。例如：

This swimming pool is not twice as wide as that one is long。 （这个游泳池的宽度并没有那个游泳池长度的两倍） His uncle was as base and unworthy as his father had been upright and honourable。

（他的叔叔卑鄙龌龊，不象他父亲那样正直可敬） 由上述诸例可以看出，当主句主语和as-分句主语不同而比较项目相同时，as-分句总是有所省略，即通常用不完全句。但若两个主语相同而比较项目不同或者两个主语和两个比较项目都不相同，（除个别外）as-分句便不能用省略句，而必须用完全句。More````than结构也有类似的情况。

as```as结构的另一种模式是：as much/many+名词+as-分句，这时much/many是限定词。例如：

he took as much butter as he needed。

She has written as many essays as her brother（has）。

这种结构的否定形式是：

He did not take so/as much butter as he needed。

She has not written so/as many essays as her brother（has）。 as```as结构还有一个变体形式，这就是as+形容词原级+名词词组+as-分句。例如：

George is as efficient a worker as Jack。 I do not want as expensive a car as this。

Hardly ever have I heard as impressive music as this。 I can not drink as sweet coffee as this。

这类结构显然是由as```as结构的基本模式转换而来：

George is as efficient a worker as Jack。

=George is a worker（who is）as efficient as Jack。 I do not want a car as expensive as this。

Hardly ever have I heard music as impressive as this。 I can not drink coffee as sweet as this。

以上所讲的基本模式和变体形式含义基本相同，但是读起来调核（Nucleus）位置不同。用变体形式，调核落在名词上，从而名词的意义受到强调；用基本形式，调核落在形容词上，从而形容

词的意义受到强调。试比较：

I have not seen as old a car as this for years。 I have not seen a car as old as this for years。

因此，as```as结构的基本模式和变体形式尽管可以相互转换，但在语义上却有些差别。

另一个值得注意之点是，在上述变体形式中，那嵌入在as```as结构的名词词组通常是“不定冠词

+单数可数名词”或者“零冠词+不可数名词”。至于“零冠词+复数可数名词”作如此用法则比较罕见。例如：

I do not smoke cigarettes as expensive as these。 I do not smoke as expensive cigarettes as these。（罕见） 2）more````than结构

这种结构的基本模式是：形容词或副词比较级+than-分句。例如： John is brighter than Bob。

John behaves more politely than Bob。 This parcel is heavier than that one。 This car runs faster than that one。

这种比较结构的否定形式是用less```than表示： This parcel is less heavy than that one。 This car runs less fast than that one。 也可用not so/as```as表示：

This parcel is not so/as heavy as that one。

This car does not run so/as fast as that one。

如前所述，less```than结构的使用没有not so/as```as结构那样频繁。有时， less```than结构听起来不够自然，在这种情况下，也可用原句中形容词或副词的反义词的比较级+that-分句来表示，但含义略有区别。例如：

This street is less wide than that one。 This street is narrower than that one。 Bill speaks French less well than he writes it。 Bill speaks French worse than he writes it。

上述第二组第一句的含义是，Bill的法文写的好，说的没有写的好；而第二句的含义则是，Bill的法文写的不好，说的更不好。 more````than结构的另一种模式是：限定词more/less/fewer+名词+than-分句。例如：

she has written more essays than he。 I have done more work this morning than he。 I spent less money on clothing than my sister。 There is less alcohol in this bottle than in that one。

You have made fewer mistakes in your homework than I have。 There are fewer visitors today than yesterday。

more````than结构也有其变体形式，其中之一是：形容词比较级+名词+than-分句。例如：

my brother has a larger house than mine。