请看下面一题:

It is so difficult a problem that _________ student in this class _________ work it out.

A. any, can't B. no, can C. every, can D. no, can't

【分析】此题很容易误选A,因为从句意上看,选A可将此句理解为“这个问题是如此之难,这个班任何一个学生都不可能做出来”。但按英语习惯,any(任何一个)作为非肯定句,它只能出现在否定词 not 之后,而不能在其前,即可说 not any, 但不说 any not。所以正确答案应选B。又如:

这工作太难了,恐怕谁也干不了。

正:The work is too difficult. I'm afraid no one can do it.

误:The work is too difficult. I'm afraid any one can't do it.

什么也阻碍不了我同她结婚。

正:Nothing can prevent me from marrying her.

误:Anything can't prevent me from marrying her.

类似地,either (两者中的任意一个)作为非肯定词,它也应出现在否定词之后,而不能出现在否定词之前。如:

这两兄弟都不聪明。

正:Neither of the brothers is clever.

误:Either of the brothers is not clever.

惯用语法:no……can用法精讲