1."I suppose..."常用于以谦逊态度表示肯定事
实。这属于一种委婉修辞(understatement)的表达法。例如:
I suppose the old man is over seventy.我想这位长者已年逾七十。
"I suppose"也可放在句末(可视为插入语)。例如:
You're right,I suppose.我想你是对的。
"I suppose"后面的宾语从句虽是陈述句,但有时能委婉地表示疑问,此时其句末常用问号。例如:
I suppose they know how to find theplace?我想,他们知道怎么找到那个地方吧?
"I/We suppose"后接宾语从句时,如需用反意疑问句(the disjunctivequestion)提问,应根据宾语从句的谓语确定其具体形式。例如:
I suppose you are ill,aren't you?我想你病了,是吗?
2."I don't sup-pose..."可委婉地表示否定。例如:
I don't suppose I shall do it very well.我想我可能做不好。
当然,直接说"I can not do it very well."也可以,但语气较为生硬,用"I don'tsuppose..."则比较温和婉转,尤其在拒绝他人的要求时,使用这一结构更为妥贴。又如:
I don't suppose you need to worry.在我看来,你不必着急。
3."I suppose so."与"I am supposed tobe(...)"用在答语中,礼貌或谦虚地表示"Yes"。例如:
-I hear you are going to be awarded a medal for yourbravery.听说你因勇敢而将被授予奖章。
-I suppose so.是的。
-Are you the speaker today?你是今天的演讲者吗?
-I am supposed to be(the speaker).是的。
当然,在这样的答语之前,也可以先说"Yes"。
"I suppose so."的否定形式有两种:"I suppose not."与"I don't supposeso."
4."You don't suppose..."可委婉地表示否定。例如:
You don't suppose I am going to believe thatstory.我不会相信那些话。(实际上是说"I am not going to believe that story.")
5.在一定的上下文中,"be supposedto...."能表示与"应该"相反的事实,或暗示情况不一定如此,或礼貌而又含糊地表示"大概是"。例如:
These government officials are supposed to be publicservants.这些政府官员应该是社会公仆。(言外之意是,究竟是不是还很难说。)
-Is he responsible for the passengers'safety?他是对乘客的安全负有责任吗?
-He is supposed to be responsible for the passengers'safety.大概是吧。(言外之意是,不一定真能负责,因而只能含糊其辞。)
6.suppose可表示"意味着"。例如:
Life supposes death.有生必有死。
Every effect supposes a cause.一切结果都必然有其原因。
7.suppose有时能起祈使或提议作用,但这种祈使或提议是相当温和的,似无坚持之意。例如:
Suppose we go for a walk.出去散散步,好吗?(相当于"Let's go for awalk.",但语气颇为温和。)
Suppose you give me a hand.请你帮助我。
Suppose we start(ed)tomorrow.(用started时语气更为婉转)我们明天动身吧。
8.suppose在当代英语中,可用作连词,相当于if。例如:
Suppose you don't give me a hand,I am afraid I can't lift thistrunk alone.(=If you don't...)假如没有你帮忙,恐怕我一个人提不起这个箱子。
Suppose it rains,what's to be done?假如天下雨,怎么办呢?
suppose用作连词,并略去表示结果的主句,则表示"假如……结果会怎样"。例如:
Suppose a tiger should come out of theforest?要是森林里走出一只老虎来呢?
Suppose he were to see us!要是他看见我们,那可不得了!
和if一样,suppose引导非真实条件从句时,从句应该用虚拟语气。