very是英语口语和书面语中使用频率较高的词之一。但笔者发现,许多同学在运用该词进行口语交际和书面表达时经常出错。本文列举一些常见错例,谈谈使用very需要注意的几点。
一、忌修饰形容词或副词的比较级。修饰形容词或副词的比较级,应借助于下列程度副词:much(……得多),still(还要,还),even(更),far(……得多,大大……)。例如:
1. 吉姆比凯特高得多。
误:Jim is very taller than Kate .正:Jim is much taller than Kate .
2. 昨天很热,但今天更热。
误:It was hot yesterday , but it is very hotter today .正:It was hot yesterday , but it is still/even hotter today .
3. 这部电影比那一部好得多。
误:This film is very better than that one .正:This film is far better than that one .
二、忌修饰动词。修饰动词必须用a lot , a litte , very much等。例如:
4. 我非常喜欢英语。
误:I very like English .正:I like English very much .
5. 布朗太太非常喜欢吃肉。
误:Mrs Brown very likes meat .正:Mrs Brown likes meat a lot.
三、忌修饰作表语的形容词alive(有活力的,有生气的),asleep(睡着的),awake(醒着的,警觉的),alone(单独的)等。例如:
6. 我此刻非常清醒。
误:I am very awake at the moment .正:I am wide awake at the moment .
7. 学生们仍在熟睡。
误:The students are still very asleep .正:The students are still fast asleep .