Ask & Learn聞問切英語口語:Need be
上一期讀者William問及the Need be,令我想起另外一句慣用語:if need be,意思是「如有必要」。南非前總統(tǒng)曼德拉就有一句名言:
"But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."「有必要的話,我愿意為這個理想付出生命。 」
我們在曼德拉的例子看到,If need be也有人說成if needs be。用日常用語說出來,應(yīng)該是if there is a need或者if the needs are there,兩個都有人用,但比不上if need be或者if needs be那么常用。
再舉一個日常生活例子。F先生前幾天小病,不得不向上司請假,信中他說:
"I would be appreciative if I could be excused from the meeting this afternoon, but if need be, I'd be happy to come, too."
今天下午的會議,我希望你容許我缺席,但若有必要,我還是愿意出席的。
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