问
At first I was of the opinion that you were decidedly right; ____ I am not sure. A. on the second thought B. on second thought C. on second thoughts D. on the second thoughts(《大学英语》1996年第3期) 书上给的答案是 C(on second thoughts)。难道不能选 B(on second thought) 吗?
答
on second thought 也是正确的,主要用于美国英语,与 on second thoughts 同义。 I said I wouldn't do it, but on second thoughts(BrE)/on second thought(AmE) I think I will. (LDCE) 我本来说是不干的,但经过了再三考虑后,我想我还是干吧。
下面的托福题就没有让考生在 on second thoughts 与 on second thought 之间进行选择：
“Why didn’t you go to his party last night, John?” “____, I changed my mind.”
A. On a second thought B. By second thoughts
C. On second thoughts D. On the second thought (TOEFL)