英语中没有单独的“cannot too”短语,正确的结构是“cannot...too...”(也可写作“can’t...too...”),这是一个常用的否定表肯定的句式,核心含义是:
“cannot...too...”的结构本质是用否定形式(cannot)强化肯定的语气,强调“做某事的程度无论多高都合理/必要”。具体结构可拆解为:
下面通过不同语境的例子,帮你理解其用法:
强调“某人/某物的某种属性再强也不为过”,最常用的搭配之一。
You cannot be too careful when crossing the street.
过马路时,你再小心也不为过。
This task is so important—we cannot be too precise.
这项任务太重要了,我们再严谨也不为过。
强调“做某事的方式/程度再怎样都不过分”。
You cannot study too hard for the final exam.
为了期末考试,你学习再努力也不为过。
We cannot praise him too highly for his contribution.
对于他的贡献,我们怎么夸他都不为过。
I cannot thank you too much for your help.
你的帮助,我感激不尽(再怎么谢都不够)。
有时会在“too”后接不定式,强调“做某事的频率/次数再多也合理”。
Parents cannot spend too much time with their kids.
父母花在孩子身上的时间,再多也不为过。(= Parents cannot spend too much time [in] being with their kids.)
“cannot...too...”常与“cannot...enough”互换,意思完全一致:
You cannot be too careful. = You cannot be careful enough.
你再小心也不为过。
I cannot thank you too much. = I cannot thank you enough.
我对你的感谢无以言表。
这个结构的核心是“否定表肯定”,不要误解为“不能太……”(比如“cannot be too careful”不是“不能太小心”,而是“再小心也不为过”)。
常见的误用是漏掉中间的成分,比如把“You cannot be too careful”说成“You cannot too careful”(缺少be动词),注意结构完整性。
“cannot...too...”是一个强调必要性/程度的高频句式,记住它的本质是“否定形式表肯定含义”,用“再……也不为过”翻译最准确。多结合例句练习,就能熟练掌握啦!