I might even keep a pet dog 我甚至?xí)B(yǎng)一條寵物狗
even是一個常用的副詞.該詞用法較廣,位置較活.現(xiàn)將其用法歸納如下：
一、用在比較級前,加強(qiáng)語氣,表示程度.具有still,yet,much的意義,漢語意思為“(比……)更,還要”
這種句型意味著兩個被比事物都是怎樣,而其中的一個更為怎樣.如：This dictionary is even more useful than that one.這本詞典比那本更為有用.
This time he did it even better.這次他做得還要好.
二、放在它所強(qiáng)調(diào)的詞、短語或從句前,用來加強(qiáng)語氣,表示“即使,甚至連……都”之意
1.強(qiáng)調(diào)名詞.Even a child can understand the book.即使小孩也能看懂那本書.
Even the movements of the heart and lungs are greatly reduced.(冬眠動物)甚至連心臟和肺部的運動也大大減少了.
2.強(qiáng)調(diào)形容詞.Bamboo is so strong that people use it to build houses and even high bridges over rivers.竹子很結(jié)實,人們用它建造房屋,甚至在河上架大橋.
The chain was even worthy of the gold watch.這條表鏈甚至配得上那只金表.
3.強(qiáng)調(diào)副詞.I have explained everything,but even now she doesn′t understand.我已做了全面的解釋,甚至到現(xiàn)在她還不明白.
Even then he would not admit his mistake.甚至那時他還不承認(rèn)錯誤.
4.強(qiáng)調(diào)數(shù)詞.Then the need to turn to a dictionary or a reference book,perhaps ten or even twenty times a page,tires him out.后來,每讀一頁需要查閱詞典或參考書10次甚至20次,這就使他疲憊不堪.
5.強(qiáng)調(diào)動詞.I even forget what my mother said.我連母親的話都忘了.
I can′t even remember the name of that old friend of mine.我甚至連那位老朋友的名字都記不起來.
6.強(qiáng)調(diào)介詞短語.He was afraid to go out,even for food.他不敢出門,甚至連食物都不敢去找.
With that man′s permission and even with his help,he seized her and took her away.在那個人的許可下,甚至在他的幫助下,他把她抓走了.
7.強(qiáng)調(diào)從句.It happened even as we expected.事情正如我們所預(yù)料的那樣發(fā)生了.
從以上各例可以看出,even的用法不僅廣泛而且位置也較靈活.大體上說,它可位于句首,也可位于句中或句末.但是,even在句中的位置不同,全句的意思或重點也有所不同.一般來說,even的位置應(yīng)靠近它所強(qiáng)調(diào)的詞語和短語.例如：
Even John doesn′t go out in the summer(so certainly nobody else does).即使約翰夏天也不外出(所以別人也不一定外出.)
John doesn′t go out in the summer(so he certainly does nothing else).約翰夏天甚至連家門都不出(所以他一定不做別的什么事情.)
三、even和if,even和though可分別組成連詞,引導(dǎo)讓步狀語從句,意思是“即使”
Nothing could have saved him even if he had been tended without delay.即使當(dāng)時他得到了及時的救護(hù),也無法挽救他的生命.
It would not matter even though he should refuse.即使他拒絕,那也沒有什么關(guān)系.
四、even as連用,表示“恰恰在……的時候(just at the same moment as)”的意思.
Even as I started,it began to rain.正當(dāng)我出發(fā)時,天下起雨來了.
She went away even as you came.就在你來的時候,她走了.