1. Affirmative in English, but Negative in ChineseSuch cases are found in a wide range of expressions：words of different parts of speech, various phrases, or sentence structures.●Such a chance was denied（to）me.（v.）我没有得到这样一个机会。

●Time is what we want most，but what，alas，many use worst.（adv.）时间是我们最缺少的，但可叹之至，偏偏许多人最不善于利用。

●I have read your article. I expect to meet an older man.（adj.）拜读了你的大作，没想到你这样年轻。

●It was beyond his power to sign such a contract. (prep.) 他无权签订这种合同。

●The guerrillas would rather fight to death before they surrendered.（cons.）游击队员们宁愿战斗到死也决不投降。

●They feel great anxiety about his sickness.（n.）他们对他的病情感到焦虑不安。

●The lecturer spoke above the heads of his audience.（preposition）讲演者讲得太深奥，听众听不懂。

●I'm at my wit's end to keep this child quiet.（phrase）我实在是没办法让这孩子安静下来。

●The mother said she would let off her son washing the dishes if he could finish his assignment before supper.（pie）母亲说，如果儿子晚饭前能做完作业，就不让他刷碗了。

●If it worked once, it can work twice.（sentence）一次得手，再次不愁。

2. Negative in English, but Affirmative in ChineseThis is just opposite to the previous case.●The doubt was still unsolved after his repeated explanation.（v.）虽经他一再解释，疑团仍然存在。

●He carelessly glanced through the note and got away.（adv.）他马马虎虎地看了看那张便条就走了。

●All the articles are untouchable in the museum.（adj.）博物馆内一切展品禁止触摸。

●Some people can eat what they like and get no fatter. 有些人爱吃什么就吃什么，照样瘦。

●He manifested a strong dislike for his father's business.（n.）他对他父亲的行业表示强烈的厌恶情绪。

●Don't lose time in posting this letter.（phrase）赶快把这封信寄出去。

●Such flight couldn't long escape notice.（sentence）这类飞行迟早总会被人发觉的。

3. Same English Word, with Either Affirmative or Negative Equivalents in Chinese● I'm new to the w ork. 这工作我是生手。

（这工作我不熟悉。

）● He is free with his money. 他花钱大手大脚。

（他花钱从不吝啬。

）● He realized that he was in trouble. 他意识到遇到麻烦了。

（他感到自己的处境不妙。

）● The station is no dist ance at all. 车站近在咫尺。

（车站一点儿也不远。

）● It's no less than a fraud. 这简直是一场骗局。

（这无异于一场骗局。

）● The w orks of art were left intact, the money gone. 艺术品还在，钱却不冀而飞。

（艺术品原封未动，钱却不翼而飞。

）● The criminal is still at large. 罪犯还未捉拿归案。

（罪犯仍旧逍遥法外。

）4. Double Negativ e for EmphasisDouble negative in English，as in Chinese，is used for emphasis. In this case we may either drop both the negativ e w ords or keep to the original，depending on which version is idiomatic in Chinese.● There is no rule that has no exception. 任何规则都有例外。

● There is not any advantage without disadvantage. 有一利必有一弊。

● It nev er rains but it pours. 不雨则已，雨必倾盆。

● It is impossible but that a man w ill make some mistakes. 人不会不犯错误。

● I am not reluctant to accept your proposal. 你的建议我愿意接受。

● Its significance and importance can never be overemphasized. 它的意义和重要性，不管怎样强调，也不算过分。

● Hardly a month goes by w ithout w ord of another survey revealing new depths of scientific illiteracy among U. S. citizens. 美国公民科学知识匮乏的现象日益严重，这种调查报告几乎月月都有。

5. Roundabout AffirmativeThis is an indirect way of expressing a strong affirmative，and w hen translated into Chinese, the emotion of the original should be properly kept.● He didn't half like the girl. 他非常喜欢那姑娘。

● I couldn't feel better. 我觉得身体好极了。

● I couldn't agree w ith you more. 我太赞成你的看法了。

● If that isn't w hat I want！我所要的就是这个呀！● He can't see you quick enough. 他很想尽快和你见面。

6. Some Traps in Negativ e StructuresIn the practice of translation，we may find now and then that some negative structures c-an hardly be rendered into Chinese literally，and sometimes even their original meaning could be elusive. This is w here we are liable to make blunders. The following are some typical patterns that call for attention.1）not... because● The engine did n't stop because the fuel was finished. 引擎并不是因为燃料耗尽而停止运转。

● Do n't scamp your w ork because you are pressed for time. 不要因为时间紧而敷衍塞责。

● In that city，we had never suffered discrimination because we were Jews. 我们在那个城市从未因为是犹太人而遭受歧视。

● This version is not placed first because it is simple. 此方案并不因为简易而放在首位。

2) cannot...too● The importance of this conference cannot be over estimated. 这次会议的重要性无论怎么强调也不过分。

● I shall never be able to stress too much for your kindness. 不管我怎么感谢你，都不足以报恩于万一。

● You cannot be too careful in proofreading. 校对时，越仔细越好。

3) all/every...not● All that glitters is not gold. 发光的不一定都是金子。

● All cities did not look like as they do today. 在过去，城市面貌并不都像今天这样千篇一律。

● No，everything is not straightened out. 不，并非每一个问题都弄清楚了。

4) both... not● But you see, we both cannot go. 但是我告诉你，我们俩不能同时都走。

● Both the instruments are not precision ones. 这两件东西不都是精密仪器。