488 no more than,not more than和no/not+比较级+than
① no more than表示数量时,意为“只有,仅仅”,相当于only,含有少的意思。not more than表示数量时,意为“不超过”,相当于at most。not more than强调不超过某一数目,可能低于某个数目。比较:
The wounded soldier could walk no more than a couple of miles. 那个受伤的士兵只能再走两三英里路。
I have no more than five dollars. 我只有5美元。(仅有5美元)
I have not more than five dollars. 我的钱不超过5美元。(可能是4美元或3美元)
He caught no more than six fish. 他只捕了6条鱼。(数量之少,太不理想)
He caught not more than six fish. 他捕的鱼不超过6条。(可能是5条或4条)
② no+比较级+than表示程度时,意为“同……一样不”,两者都否定;not+比较级+than表示程度时,意为“并不比……强”,两者都肯定。比较:
Tom is no richer than Jim. 汤姆同吉姆一样不富有。(两人都穷)
Tom is not richer than Jim. 汤姆并不比吉姆更富有。(两人都富有)
Jack is no more diligent than he is. 杰克同他一样不用功。(=Jack is as lazy as he is.)
Jack is not more diligent than he is. 杰克并不比他更用功。(两人都用功)
Her husband is no more ill than she. 她没有病,她丈夫也没有病。
He is no more an expert than I am. 我不是专家,他也不是。
他们住在这里最多不过三个月。
They have lived here for not more than three months.
=They have lived here for three months at(the)most.