This meeting will finish before very long. 比 very long还要之前,到底是久?还是不久?
答案是「很快」,可以用在未来和过去。
1 | Before long, we received DNA results. |
before long vs long before
把before跟long两个字调换成long before,表示「很久以前」a long time ago。
We’d moved to California long before. 我们很久以前就搬到加州了。
英文有很多像这样的片语,看起来似懂非懂,你就自以为你已经略懂,可是往往这些片语不是「你以为的那种意思」,来看看还有哪些。
for good
(X) 为了好
(O) 永远、一劳永逸
for虽然有为了、因为的意思,但for good的意思是表示永远、一劳永逸
1 | A: Are you leaving? |
and so on (and so forth)
(X) 所以、然后
(O) 诸如此类、等等
也可以换成etc. (et cetera的缩写),唸做/ɪtˈset.ər.ə/。
1 | John is into soccer, cycling, table tennis and so on. |
Will you be about tonight?
(X) 今晚跟你有关係吗?
(O) 你今晚会在吗?
「关于」什麽事,用have something to do with sb./sth.,be about表示「在附近」。
1 | Will Harper be about Friday evening? I want to ask her a little favor. |