下面一句摘自2014湖南省高中学业水平考试英语试题的“信息摘录”题:
People from the West like to use these words in cases where some people in Asia may not think it necessary.
句中为什么用的是 in cases 呢?但在词典上只能查到 in case 这样短语,而没有 in cases 这样的短语啊!
▲你说得没错,in case 是固定短语,在词典上可以查到。它有多个意思:
1. 用作连词,表示条件,意思是:如果,万一。如:
In case he comes, let me know. 如果他来,告诉我一声。
If case I forget, please remind me about it. 万一我忘记,请请醒我一下。
2. 用作连词,表示目的,意思是:以防,免得。如:
Take your umbrella (just) in case it rains. 带上雨伞,以防下雨。
Be quiet in case you should wake the baby. 安静些,免得把婴儿吵醒。
I’ll make a cake in case someone drops in at the weekend. 我将做个蛋糕以防周末有人来。
3. 用作副词性短语,在句中作状语,意思是:以防万一,免得。如:
You had better carry some money in case. 你最好带些钱,以防万一(要用)。
It may not rain, but you had better take an umbrella incase. 可能不会下雨,但你最好还是带把雨伞,以防万一。
▲但在你的句子中,不能用 in case,因为你的句子语境不适合用它。你句子中的 in cases 意思是“在某些场合”,其中的 case 表示“特定的情况或场合”。你的句子:
People from the West like to use these words in cases where some people in Asia may not think it necessary.
其字面意思是:可能在一些亚洲人认为不必使用这些词的场合,西方国家的人却喜欢用这些词。
类似的例子如:
in cases where the nerve fibres are severed. 在一些神经纤维被割断的病例中
Solicitors may not accept instructions in cases where they would have a conflict of interests. 律师遇到利益冲突的情况可能不跟从指示。
In cases where it proves difficult to place a child, the reception centre provides long-term care. 遇到难以安置的孩子,收容中心会提供长期的照顾。