问
Miss Helen is tidiness ____.
A.herself B. itself C.it itself D.in herself
我们班同学大都选了 A 或 D, 因为 Miss Helen 为阴性。请给出正确的答案。
答
英语里有一个很特殊的表达方法:抽象名词 + itself = very + (该抽象名词的)形容词。这个表达方法与汉语相去甚远,因此很难理解。但是,如果我们学会了把这种结构转化为 very + 形容词结构,也就不难理解和翻译了。The sentence is simplicity itself. = The sentence is very simple. 类例:
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She is beauty itself. 她非常漂亮。
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The bridge is magnificence itself. 这座桥非常雄伟。
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Washington was discretion itself in the use of speech, never taking advantage of an opponent, or seeking a short-lived triumph in a debate. (Smiles) 华盛顿对于措辞非常谨慎，在辩论中他从来不欺骗他的对手，或是争取暂时的胜利(钱歌川译)。
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“It is simplicity itself,” he remarked, chuckling at my surprise, “so absurdly simple that an explanation is superfluous.” “那简直是再简单也没有了，”他望着我惊奇的神情，咯咯地笑着，“简直简单到用不着再加说明。”