一、no+比较级+than

这类结构的实际意思是对待比较的两个对象进行否定,相当于该原级形容词或副词的反义词使用as…as结构的意思。如:

no better than = as bad as 与…一样不好 (即一样坏)

no faster than = as slow as 与…一样不快 (即一样慢)

no more expensive than = as cheap as 与…一样不贵 (即一样便宜)

He is no cleverer than her. 他与她一样不聪明。(即一样蠢)

He’s no richer than a beggar. 他同乞丐一样穷。(即穷如乞丐)

二、no+比较级+than与not+比较级+than

前者表示“与…一样不”,后者表示“不比…更”。如:

His English is not better than mine. 他的英语不如我的英语好。

His English is no better than mine. 他的英语同我的英语一样不好。(即一样差)

You are not more careful than he is. 你不如他仔细。

You are no more careful than he is. 你和他一样不仔细。(即一样粗心)

三、no more than与not more than

两者均可表示数量,前者表示“仅仅”、“只有”(= only),强调少;而后者表示“不多于”、“至多”(= at most)。如:

He is no more than an ordinary English teacher. 他只不过是个普通的英文老师。

He has no more than three children. 他只有 3 个孩子。

He has not more than three children. 他最多 3 个孩子(有或许还不到 3 个之意)。

四、no more…than与not more…than

两者均可用于比较,前者表示对两者都否定,意为“同…一样不”(=neither ... nor);而后者则指两者虽都具有某种特征,但程度不同,意为“不如”、“不及”(= not so ... as)。如:

He is no more a writer than a painter. 他不是画家,也不是作家。

He’s no more able to read Spanish than I am. 他和我都读不懂西班牙语。

She is not more clever than he is. 她不如他聪明。

This book is not more difficult than that one. 这本书不比那本书更难。

五、no less than 与not less than

均可表示数量,前者意为“多达”、“有…之多”,强调多;后者表示“不下于”、“至少”。如:

He has no less than seven daughters. 他有七个女儿之多。

He has not less than seven daughters. 他至少有七个女儿。

六、no more …than 与 no less…than

前者意为“与…一样不”,否定两者;而后者则表示“和…一样”,肯定两者。如:

She’s no more a great singer than I am. 他不是优秀歌手,我也不是。

Your brother is no less wise than you. 你的兄弟跟你一样聪明。

A whale is no more a fish than a horse is. 马不是鱼,鲸也不是鱼。

A dolphin is no less a clever animal than a dog is. 海豚与狗同样都是聪明的动物。