凡以“Yes”,“No”来回答的疑问句叫一般疑问句,但是,一般疑问句并非全用“Yes”和“No”来回答。
1、不用于询问,而用于表示请求、建议,邀请或劝告的一般疑问句,常用OK/Certainly/All right等替代Yes表示乐意接受请求或建议,体现出答话人办事的果断利索。如:
a. ——Could you help me ? ——Certainly.
b. ——Can I see your licence ,please ? ——OK.
c. ——Do you want a go ? ——OK, Thanks.
d. ——Can I borrow it, please? ——Certainly.
2、如果回答的目的不仅仅在于“是”或“不是”,而侧重于陈述事实,不用Yes或No。干脆准确,一听了然,以免误解。如:
a.——Do you speak Chinese? ——A little.
b.——Can I help you?
——Thank you. I want some milk, please.
c.——Is that too small? ——I think it’s all right.
d.——Can it fly? ——I don’t think so.
3、拒绝接受请求或建议,常用Sorry等替代No表示语言谦恭,留有余地,委婉客气。如:
a.——Can you play football with me now?
——Sorry, I’m doing my homework .
b.——Can I borrow your ruler? ——Sorry.
c.——Can I have some meat?
——Sorry, you can’t have any meat. There isn’t any.
4、因不能给对方满意的回答,用Sorry表示歉意。如:
a.——Is Bill in, Sam? ——Sorry, he’s not at home.
b.——Can you mend it? ——I think so.
c.——Do you have any other shoes?
——Sorry, I don’t have any.
5、为了加强语气,或表示某种情感,或使自己的心态不外露,又不伤大雅,免用“Yes”或“No”。如:
a.——Do you like China ? ——Very much.
b.——Do you like cooking ? ——I don’t know.
c.——Would you like some bananas?
——Bananas! I like them very much.
6、没有把握时用提问、商量的回答,不断然结论,显得礼貌客气,不失分寸。如:
a.——Where’s Wuhan ? Do you you know?
——Er, is it in Hebei?
b.——Where’s my skirt, Mom? Do you know?
——Is it in the box ?
——Let me have a look. Oh, here it is.