① all but意為“差不多,幾乎”,相當于almost。
This is all but impossible. 這幾乎是不可能的。
The explorers were all but frozen when they were found. 探險隊員們被發(fā)現(xiàn)時,幾乎凍僵了。
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all but還可表示“除了……全部都”。
All but one will go there. 除一人外都將去那里。
② anything but意為“決非,并不,決不”,相當于not at all,far from。
It is anything but cheap. 這決不便宜。
It is anything but pleasant to be caught in the rain. 遭雨淋并不是愉快的事。
The man is anything but honest. 這人一點也不誠實。
The room is anything but sunny. 這房間陽光并不充足。
He is anything but an expert. 他絕不是什么專家。
anything but還可表示“除……之外什么都,只不”。
I'll do anything but that. 除了那件事外,我什么都干。
③ nothing but意為“不過是,只有,單單”。
He said nothing but laugh. 他笑而不言。
Genius is nothing but labour and diligence. 天才無非是勞動加勤奮。
A hundred and fifty years ago,Shanghai was nothing but a small unknown town. 150年前,上海不過是個小小的無名小鎮(zhèn)。
He does nothing but sit idle all day long. 他整天閑坐著,什么也不干。
It is nothing but rubbish. 這無非是垃圾。