英语短语 "without number" 的核心含义是 “无数的,多得数不清的,无法计算的”(too many to be counted),用于强调事物的数量极大、难以枚举。
"without number" 字面直译为“没有数量”,引申为“数量多到无法统计”,等同于 countless、innumerable 或 myriads of,但更偏向 正式书面语(尤其在文学、散文或庄重语境中使用)。
该短语通常作 表语 或 后置定语(修饰名词时需放在名词之后),不能前置修饰名词(如不能说 "without number stars",需说 "stars without number")。
直接说明主语的数量特征,结构为:主语 + be + without number。
The stars in the night sky are without number.(夜空中的星星数不胜数。)
The mistakes in his report are without number.(他的报告里错误多得数不清。)
放在被修饰的名词后,说明该名词的数量之多,结构为:名词 + without number。
There are books without number in the ancient library.(这座古图书馆里有无数本书。)
She has overcome difficulties without number to achieve her goal.(她为实现目标克服了无数困难。)
有时可与 "of" 搭配,但更常见的是直接修饰名词(无需 "of"):
He has friends without number in the city.(他在城里有无数朋友。)
The garden is full of flowers without number.(花园里开满了数不清的花。)
语域差异:"without number" 是正式书面表达,口语中更常用 countless(无数的)、tons of(很多,非正式)或 a lot of(大量)。
与 "unnumbered" 的区别:
"without number" 强调“数量多”;
"unnumbered" 则表示“未编号的”(如 unnumbered pages 未编号的页码),切勿混淆。
1、 The reasons for her success are without number—hard work, talent, and luck all played a part.(她成功的原因数不胜数——努力、天赋和运气都起了作用。)
2、 In the old town, there are alleys without number waiting to be explored.(老城里有无数小巷等待探索。)
3、 The hero has saved lives without number during his career.(这位英雄在职业生涯中救过无数人的命。)
综上,"without number" 是一个强调数量极多的正式短语,核心用法是表语或后置定语,适用于需要庄重或文学化表达的场景。