After more than four decades of research and development, a new type of jet engine is being tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help boost cargoes into space at significantly lower costs than current methods permit. (A) tested that could eventually propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two or help (B) tested that could eventually have the capability of propelling aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or to help (C) tested, eventually able to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping (D) tested, and it eventually could propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours, or helping (E) tested, and it could eventually have the capability to propel aircraft anywhere in the world within two hours or help 我觉得,E是更好的选择。 理由1,首先,A选项的定语从句的位置没有任何问题;但是这样一个定语从句,从结构上说,先修饰了engine,因此出现某种逻辑错误:即(将要,或者可能)拥有该能力的engine正在被进行测试,而实际上,显然的先后关系是,先被进行测试,然后才拥有该能力; 理由2,针对E选项最大的争论是在Could 和have capability的重复,看起来wordy and redundant。但事实上,我们知道could本身除了具有“能”的意思以外,更重要的作用是表现一种情态,即对未来不肯定的猜测,亦即“可能”,略带虚拟语气,per the explanation of Longman, could: ▶OSSIBILITY◀ a) used to say that something is possible or might happen ... 因此,could在这里并不不和have the capability重复;事实上,我们在写作的时,有时候为了表达这样的一种含蓄的感觉,经常用could代替can,用would 代替will,甚至凭空加一个could or would。 |