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| 你知道如何使用“however”和“on the contrary”这类表“相反”的连接词(transitional phrases)吗？你以前的表达正确吗？本期Jamie将结合实例具体讲解这类词的用法。 English textbooks and study guides usually group similar phrases to aid students in memorizing terms. Such a group often appears as: Phrases of opposition: but, however, in contrast, on the contrary, on the other hand, oppositely, nevertheless. The problem with such lists is they lead the reader to believe that all these phrases are interchangeable1), and that he can select any one at will to use in a similar context. This belief is not correct. Students are also told to follow one train of thought2): state topic → insert contradictory3) transition → state opposing idea → insert contradictory or supporting transition → state opinion/thesis. A student who reads a phrasebook, then follows this line of thought, will consequently write like so: “Many people believe the years spent at college are the most important of one’s life. On the contrary, other people think the time could be better spent working. However, I agree with the former, that college is an invaluable experience.” The example above follows all the rules in grammar and vocabulary books, yet it has two logical errors and is unacceptable writing for an advanced exam or essay. This month we will try to understand and correct such errors. On the contrary vs. in contrast There are two ways to use on the contrary: one in dialogue to contradict another person, and the other in composition to emphasize (not contradict) a point. ● In a dialogue, on the contrary opposes the idea or belief of another person who just spoke: Jamie:You’re lazy. Trent:On the contrary, I work very hard playing video games4). (√) In this example, are lazy and work very hard are exact opposites. Jamie’s opinion is in contrast to Trent’s. This usage can be replaced by That’s wrong without changing the sentence’s meaning.A) Jamie:You’re lazy. Trent:You’re wrong. I work very hard playing video games. (√) Here is another example of the correct use of (on) the contrary in conversation: A:I thought you hated going to Sylvain’s class. B:No. Quite the contrary, he’s one of my favorite teachers. [=You’re wrong.] (√) ● In a composition, on the contrary emphasizes(not contradicts) an idea that was just mentioned. To use this phrase, either the sentence before or after it must have a negative expression of the emphasized idea: Ex:I’l not lazy. On the contrary, I work very hard playing video games. (√) In this example, am not lazy and work very hard mean the same thing. Work very hard emphasizes not lazy. The first phrase uses a negative expression (not lazy) and the second says the same thing positively/affirmatively. Work very hard may be contrary to what the reader or a third party thought or believed, but it is NOT in contrast to what has been said.B) This usage can’t be replaced by That’s wrong. Ex:I’l not lazy. I’l wrong. I work very hard playing video games. (×) On the contrary and in contrast are not equal in writing, and should not be used interchangeably. Many non-native English writers mistakenly use on the contrary when they mean to say in contrast: |
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