摘要:“have no alternative but to do”的核心语义是“因缺乏其他可行选项,不得不采取某一特定行动”,强调“无替代性选择”与“行动的必然性”。其固定搭配为“have no alternative but + 动词不定式(to do)”,若主
“have no alternative but to do”的核心语义是“因缺乏其他可行选项,不得不采取某一特定行动”,强调“无替代性选择”与“行动的必然性”。其固定搭配为“have no alternative but + 动词不定式(to do)”,若主句中存在实义动词“do”的某种形式(do/does/did/done),but后可省略to(如“He did nothing but wait”),但“have no alternative but”中“have”非实义动词do,故通常需保留to,即“have no alternative but to do”。
词源溯源“alternative”源自拉丁语“alternare”(意为“交替、轮流”),16世纪进入英语,最初仅表示“两者择一的”;“have no alternative but”这一短语于18世纪末开始广泛使用,最早见于英国政治家的演讲与正式文书(如议会提案),用于表达“在两种或多种可能中因排除其他选项而只能选择其一”;19世纪后,短语逐渐扩展到日常语境,弱化“两者择一”的原始含义,强化“无奈之下的唯一选择”。
请看:
She had no alternative but to end the relationship when she found out he was lying to her.
当她发现他在对自己撒谎时,除了结束这段关系,她别无选择。
He has no alternative but to confess his love for her, as he can’t hide his feelings any longer.
他除了向她表白爱意别无选择,因为他再也无法隐藏自己的感情了。
When the two realized they lived in different countries with no way to relocate, they had no alternative but to put their romantic relationship on hold.
当两人意识到他们住在不同的国家,且没有办法迁居时,他们别无选择,只能暂停这段恋爱关系。
After arguing for months about their future plans, they had no alternative but to admit their relationship wasn’t going to work.
就未来计划争论了几个月后,他们别无选择,只能承认这段恋爱关系无法继续下去了。
The couple had no alternative but to seek marriage counseling to resolve their constant conflicts.
这对夫妇别无选择,只能寻求婚姻咨询来解决他们频繁的矛盾。
He had no alternative but to distance himself from that friend, who kept encouraging him to do bad things.
他别无选择,只能和那个总怂恿他做坏事的朋友保持距离。
Due to the limited number of places, the student had no alternative but to accept the offer from the second-choice university.
由于名额有限,这个学生别无选择,只能接受第二志愿大学的录取通知。
The government had no alternative but to adjust its policy after receiving strong opposition from the public.
在收到公众的强烈反对后,政府别无选择,只能调整其政策。
Facing a severe financial crisis, the company had no alternative but to lay off some employees to cut costs.
面对严重的财务危机,该公司别无选择,只能裁员以削减成本。
The two countries had no alternative but to resume diplomatic talks to ease the tension on the border.
为缓解边境紧张局势,这两个国家别无选择,只能重启外交谈判。
When the enemy launched a sudden attack, the troops had no alternative but to fight back immediately.
当敌人发动突然袭击时,部队别无选择,只能立即反击。
I have no alternative but to go with Cal. My mother’s future depends on it. 《泰坦尼克号》
我除了跟卡尔走别无选择,我妈妈的未来全靠这个了。
I have no alternative but to propose to you, Miss Elizabeth. As a clergyman, it is my duty to secure a wife. 《傲慢与偏见》
我除了向你求婚别无选择。作为一名牧师,找到一位妻子是我的职责。
I have no alternative but to tell Ross how I feel—if I don’t, I’ll regret it forever. 《老友记》
我除了告诉罗斯我的感受别无选择——如果不说,我会后悔一辈子的。
Faced with the sudden flood, the villagers ______ have no alternative but ______ to the higher ground with the help of the rescue team.(2022高考)
A. could; move B. had; to move C. would; moving D. should; move
- 答案:B
Translate the following sentence into Chinese.
The local government had no alternative but to postpone the construction of the new subway line due to the shortage of financial resources.(2024年考研英语(一)句子翻译)
由于财政资源短缺,当地政府别无选择,只能推迟新地铁线路的建设。
- 解析:本题考短语准确译法与语序调整。①“have no alternative but to do”需译为“别无选择,只能……”,避免直译“没有替代但……”;②“due to...”(原因状语)前置更符合中文逻辑;③易错点:漏译“alternative”的“替代性选择”含义,或误将“postpone”译为“暂停”(正确为“推迟”)。
来源:翅膀英语一点号