请专家老师分析一下这个句子中 at all 的用法。谢谢!
Make sure you avoid getting overtired or missing meals, when at all possible.
尽可能避免过度劳累或不按时吃饭。
刘老师:
at all 除了用于否定句,加重否定语气外(如:not at all,一点也不),还常用于if 引导的条件从句和when 引导的时间从句,表示“既然,真要,果真,凡是”的意思,具有强调作用。
你给的句子属于省略了it is,此外,at all 的位置可以放在句末。
1. when at all possible = when it is at all possible = when it is possible at all.
2. if at all possible = if it is at all possible = if it is possible at all.
例如:
The U. S. imperialists are very arrogant; when at all possible, they always refuse to talk reason. 美帝国主义者很傲慢;凡是有可能的时候,他们总是不讲道理。
But try to avoid that if at all possible. 但只要有可能,就尽量不要这样做。
黎老师:
if at all possible, if possible 如果有可能的话
I'd like the money back by next week if possible. 如果有可能的话,希望在下周之前还我钱。(以上摘自《牛津英语搭配词典》英汉双解版第2版)
据此可知,when at all possible = when possible,意思是“在可能的时候”。