下面这道题,所给答案是C,为什么不能是A:
I thought her nice and honest________ I met her.
A. first time
B. for the first time
C. the first time
D. by the first time
好像 any time, each time, every time, the first time, last time, next time 等都可以用作从属连词引导时间状语从句,它们都没有定冠词the,为什么这道题一定要 the first time 呢?
“英语语法网”有篇《六个含有time的状语从句引导词》的短文,摘录如下:
像any time, each time, the first time之类短语,表面上看好像是名词性质的短语,但实际上它们都可用作连词,用以引导状语从句。
1. any time
any time 的意思是“随时”“任何时候”,用作连词时,引导时间状语从句,表示“无论什么时候做某事”。如:
You can come up and see me any time (that) you like. 你什么时候想来看我就来好了。
Any time you come to London do look me up. 你无论什么时候到伦敦来,一定要来看我。
Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask. 亲爱的,你什么时候需要人帮忙照看孩子,只要开口说一声就行。
2. each time
each time 的意思是“每次”,用作连词时,引导时间状语从句,表示“每次做某事的时候”。如:
The colours gently fade each time you wash the shirt. 衬衣每洗一次都会褪点色。
They complimented me on the way I looked each time they saw me. 每次见到我,他们都称赞我的外貌。
Each time I returned I was struck by the uniqueness of Australia and its people. 每次返回,我都会惊讶于澳大利亚及其国民的与众不同。
3. every time
every time 的意思是“每次”,与each time用法相同,用作连词时,也是引导时间状语从句,表示“每次做某事的时候”。如:
You don’t have to go running upstairs every time she rings. 用不着她一来电话你就往楼上跑。
The child is afraid of dogs and cries every time one comes close by. 那孩子怕狗,每当有狗靠近他就哭。
Every time she travels on the bus it’s delayed by at least three hours. 每次她乘公车出行都至少耽搁3个小时。
4. the first time
the first time 的意思是“第一次”,用作连词时,引导时间状语从句,表示“第一次做某事的时候”。注意,the first time中的冠词不能省略。如:
The first time I came here, I had the best night’s sleep for months. 我第一次来到这里就睡了数月来头一个晚上的好觉。
The company struck out the first time it tried to manufacture personal computers. 该公司初次尝试生产个人电脑时就失败了。
5. (the) last time
(the) last time 的意思是“上次”,用作连词时,引导时间状语从句,表示“上次做某事的时候”。注意,the last time中的冠词可以省略。如:
Last time I took my pulse, it was a bit fast. 我上次量脉搏的时候有点快。
The last time we moved house there were very few breakages. 我们上次搬家几乎没什么物品被破损。
6. (the) next time
(the) next time 的意思是“下次”,用作连词时,引导时间状语从句,表示“下次做某事的时候”。注意,the last time中的冠词可以省略。如:
Do look me up the next time you’re in London. 你下次到伦敦,务必来找我。
Next time you go shopping, throw in a few extra fruit and vegetables. 下次你去买东西,多买点水果蔬菜。
the first time / the next time / the last time 用作从属连词引导时间状语从句时必须带定冠词 the,例如:
He didn't confide anything to you the last time he saw you? 他最后一次见到你时,没有向你吐露任何事吗?(《薄冰英语惯用法词典》p.1179)
I knew that the next time I saw my niece she would be walking and talking. 我知道下一次看到侄女时,她就会走路会说话了。(《薄冰英语惯用法词典》p.1179)
The first time I saw Todd, I didn't notice him at all. 我第一次见到托德时, 根本没注意他 。( 《张道真高级英语词典》p.513)