1. 当think, believe, suppose, expect, fancy, imagine等动词的主语为第一人称,且本身为一般现在时态时,其后的宾语从句的否定词通常转移到主句中,即主句的谓语动词用否定式,而从句的谓语动词用肯定式。如:
I don’t believe you need worry. 我相信你不必忧虑。
I don’t think you need take it too seriously. 我想你不必对此过于认真。
但是,若谓语动词为hope,宾语从句中的否定词不能转移。如:
I hope it doesn’t rain. 我希望不要下雨。
I hope you don’t mind my saying it. 我希望你别介意我说这些话。
2. 许多动词后面可以接动词不定式。在非正式文体中,我们常常愿意把第一个动词加上否定词,而不用否定的动词不定式。其实这样做一点也不改变意思。例如与appear, seem, expect和happen连用时,就是这样的。如:
Sibyl doesn’t seem to like you. 西比尔好像不喜欢你。
I don’t expect to see you before Monday. 我估计星期一之前不会见到你了。
It does not seem that the man understand what I am saying. 那男人似乎不了解我在说什么。
与“intend / want+动词不定式”连用时,我们几乎总是将not / never与第一个动词放在一起。如:
I don’t want to fail this exam. 这次考试我不想考不及格。
After I’ve finished this contract I never intend to teach again. 这个合同期满后,我决不想再教书了。
请注意can’t seem to…这一结构。如:
I can’t seem to get anything right. 看来我什么事也干不好。
3. 有时将动名词,介词短语或整个从句的否定转变为对谓语动词的否定。例如:
I don’t remember having ever seen such a man. 我记得从未见过这样一个人。(not否定动名词短语 having…)
It’s not a place where anyone would expect to see strange characters on the street. 在这里,人们不会想到在街上会碰上陌生的人。(anyone 作主语,从句中的谓语动词不能用否定形式。)
4. 有时状语或状语从句中否定可以转移到谓语动词前。如:
The ant is not gathering this for itself alone. 蚂蚁不只是为自己采食。(否定状语)
He was not ready to believe something just because Aristotle said so. 他并不因亚里斯多德说过如何如何,就轻信此事。(否定because状语)
She had not been married many weeks when that man’s younger brother saw her and was struck by her beauty. 她结婚还不到几个月,这个人的弟弟就看见她了,并对她的美貌着了迷。(否定状语many weeks)