容易感冒“容易”有两层意思。一是与“困难”相对,即“难易”的“易”。英语可用两种句型表达:
1. It is easy to learn English. / To learn English is easy.
学英语是容易的。/ 学英语容易。
2. English is easy to learn.
英语容易学。
使用这两种句型时,所做的事都是经过一番努力方可做到的好事。注意第一个句型的两种表达方法在意义上是一样的。在第二个句型里,to learn 与句子主语English在逻辑上是动宾关系。请看下面例句:
3. 冬天,人们容易感冒。
误译 * In winter, people are easy to catch cold.
解释 英语只有Sth is easy to do的句型,to do与句子主语sth在逻辑
上是动宾关系。英语没有Sb is easy to do sth的句型。“容易”的第二层意思是“易于”或“倾向于”,所做的事都是效果不好的事。
英语要用to tend to do sth; to be tending to do sth; to be apt to do sth; to be liable to do sth 等方法表达。
正译
1) In winter, people tend to catch cold.
2) In winter, people are tending to catch cold.
3) In winter, people are apt to catch cold.
4) In winter, people are liable to catch cold.
又如:
4. 在结冰的路上走容易摔交。
One is liable to fall down when walking on the icy road.
5. 酒后开车容易出车祸。
1) One who drives under influence of alcohol tends to cause a traffic accident.
2) One who drives when intoxicated is liable to cause a road accident.