① cannot but不得不
I cannot but admire his courage.我不得不佩服他的勇气。
② cannot (couldn't) help + doing 情不自禁;如:
When I heard what the little girl said I couldn't help laughing.当我听见小女孩所讲的,不禁大笑起来。
③ can but只好,不得不
We can but agree with him.我们只好同意他。
④ cannot ...too...怎么......也不过分
You cannot be too careful in the choice of your friends.你在选择朋友时,怎么小心也不过分。
⑤ 表示经过努力才能完成之事不可用could, 而只可用be able to-如:
Because he worked hard he was able to pass the exam.
⑥ 可表示轻微的怀疑。如:
His story couldn't be true but I really think it is.他的故事有可能是真的.但我几乎不信。
Well, I couldn't do the job today, but I'd rather put it off until Saturday.我今天是可做这件事.但我宁愿拖到周六。
(二)may和might的用法
1.表示许可。
表示请求、允许时,might比may的语气更委婉一些,否定回答时要用mustn't表示"不可 以"、"禁止"、"阻止"之意。例如:
You may drive the car.Might I use your pen?
No,you mustn't.
用May I...征询对方许可在文体上比较正式,在口气上比较客气。在日常用语中.用Can
1.征询对方意见在现代口语中更为常见。
2.表示推测、可能(疑问句不能用于此意)
He may be very busy now.
3.用于析使句中表示祝愿。例如: