"liable to do" 是一个常用的英语短语,核心含义是“易于/可能做某事(尤指不好的、麻烦的或意外的事)”,强调主语(人或物)有内在倾向或较高概率发生某个(通常负面的)动作或结果。
"liable to do" 侧重表达“因自身特性、状态或外部条件,容易陷入某种(负面)行为或结果”。例如:
人:睡眠不足的人容易犯错误(People who lack sleep are liable to make mistakes.)
物:旧电器容易着火(Old appliances are liable to catch fire.)
法律/规则:违法可能被起诉(You're liable to be prosecuted if you break the law.)
需与系动词(be)搭配,基本结构为:
人:描述某人的行为倾向(多为负面情绪或错误)。
例:She's liable to snap at you if you interrupt her.(如果你打断她,她很可能冲你发脾气。)
物:描述物体的危险性或故障倾向。
例:This old ladder is liable to break if you stand on the top rung.(这把旧梯子如果你踩最上面的横档,可能会断。)
抽象事物:如规则、情况等,指向潜在的负面后果。
例:Rushing through the project is liable to lead to mistakes.(仓促完成项目容易导致错误。)
"liable to do" 几乎只用于负面或不希望发生的结果,这是它与 "likely to do"(可用于正面/中性/负面)的核心区别:
✅ He's likely to win the prize.(他可能获奖。→ 正面,用likely)
❌ He's liable to win the prize.(× 不能用liable,因为“获奖”是正面结果)
✅ He's liable to forget the meeting.(他可能忘记会议。→ 负面,用liable)
在法律或规则语境中,"liable to do" 常表示“需承担某种(负面)责任”,如罚款、起诉等:
例:If you park in a no-parking zone, you're liable to get a fine.(如果你在禁停区停车,可能会被罚款。)
短语 | 含义差异 |
---|---|
liable to do | 侧重“内在倾向/易受影响”,仅负面结果 |
likely to do | 侧重“概率高”,可用于正面/中性/负面 |
prone to do | 与liable接近,但更强调“习惯性倾向”(如prone to headaches:易头痛) |
"liable to do" 是一个负面导向的短语,用于描述“主语容易发生某件不好的事”,常见于日常对话、书面语(如新闻、法律文本)中。记住它的核心:易犯(错)、易出(问题)、易遭(惩罚)。
1、 Kids are liable to get hurt if they play near the road.(孩子在路边玩容易受伤。)
2、 This cheap phone is liable to stop working after a few months.(这部便宜手机几个月后可能会坏。)
3、 You're liable to miss the bus if you don't hurry up.(你不赶紧的话可能会错过公交车。)