Ask & Learn闻问切英语口语:Need be
上一期读者William问及the Need be,令我想起另外一句惯用语:if need be,意思是「如有必要」。南非前总统曼德拉就有一句名言:
"But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."「有必要的话,我愿意为这个理想付出生命。 」
我们在曼德拉的例子看到,If need be也有人说成if needs be。用日常用语说出来,应该是if there is a need或者if the needs are there,两个都有人用,但比不上if need be或者if needs be那么常用。
再举一个日常生活例子。F先生前几天小病,不得不向上司请假,信中他说:
"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."
今天下午的会议,我希望你容许我缺席,但若有必要,我还是愿意出席的。
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