7. as… as…结构在某些固定搭配中,要注意分清是用于本义还是用于习语义。如:
(1) as good as用于字面义,表示“与……一样好”,可视为as…as结构与good的自然搭配;若用作习语,则表示“几乎”“无异于”“实际上”。如:
A: Is he as good as her at chess? 他下棋也像她下得一样好吗?
B: There's no comparison. 根本不能比。
He as good as said I'm a liar. 他无异于说我撒谎。
The matter is as good as settled. 这事等于解决了。
另外,还有以下习惯搭配,其翻译不能随便从字面来理解:(as) good as a play 非常有趣;(as) good as gold 表现很好的;(as) good as new 完好如新;as good as one’s word 守信; as good as pie 很好的,可爱的,讨人喜欢。
(2) as often as用于字面义,表示“与……一样经常”,可视为as…as结构与often的自然搭配;若用作习语,则表示“每当”。如:
I don't visit my parents as often as I should. 我去看望的次数不够经常。
As often as I tried to phone him the line was engaged. 每次我给他打电话都占线。
另外,习惯搭配as often as not的意思是“往往”“通常”,不能按字面来理解。如:As often as not, he forgets his homework. 他常常忘做家庭作业。
其他的还有:
as soon as 字面意思为“与……一样快”;作为习语,其意为“一……就”。
as long as字面意思为“与……一样长(久)”;作为习语,其意为“只要”。
as well as字面意思为“与……一样好”; 作为习语,其意为“不但……而且”“既是……也是”“而且”“还”。等等。