"the doctor will soon be here" "the book will appear shortly" "she will arrive presently" "we should have news before long"
误 How long is he coming?
正 How soon is he coming?
析 当表示“(在某事发生之前)将有多长时间”时,要用how soon,不可用how long。
她听到敲门时,很快就打开了门。误 When she heard the knock, she opened the door soon.
正 When she heard the knock, she opened the door immediately.
析soon的意思是“不久之后”,不是“立刻”的意思。
在他回来前不久,午饭准备好了。误 Lunch was ready soon before he came back.
正 Lunch was ready shortly before he came back.
析 表示“在…前不久”,可说shortly before...,不可说soon before。
他说他宁愿死也不愿背叛自己的朋友。误 He said he'd sooner die than to betray his friend.
正 He said he'd sooner die than betray his friend.
析 would sooner...than...表示“宁愿…而不愿…”, would sooner和than后面都可接不带to的动词不定式。
他一到就会给我打电话。误 He will phone me as soon as he will arrive.
正 He will phone me as soon as he arrives.
我一有空就会再写的。误 I will write again as soon as I shall be free.
正 I will write again as soon as I am free.
析 as soon as引导的状语从句中的谓语动词,只能用现在时来表示将来的时间。
