张爱红
how long主要用来提问动作延续了多长时间,答语通常用“for + 一段时间”、 “since + 时间点”或since引导的时间状语从句。问句和答语中的谓语动词通常为延续性动词。例如:
—How long can I keep this book? 这本书我能借多长时间?
—For two weeks. 两周。
how long也可以用来询问长度。例如:
—How long is the bridge? 这座桥有多长?
—About 1,000 metres. 大约1,000米。
how often用来提问动作发生的频率,即“多久一次”,答语通常为表示频率的词语。例如:
—How often do you go back home? 你多久回家一次?
—Once a week/Often/Sometimes. 一周一次/经常/有时。
how soon用来询问“过多久”动作才发生,谓语动词常为终止性动词,时态多为将来时,答语通常为“in + 一段时间”。例如:
—How soon will you get here? 你还有多大一会能到这里?
—In five minutes. 五分钟以后。
how far用来询问两地之间的距离“有多远”。例如:
—How far is it from your home to your factory? 你家离你的工厂有多远?
—About twenty minutes walk. 步行大约20分钟。
[跟踪练习] 从A,B,C,D中选择正确答案。
1. —______ does your brother go to the cinema?
—Twice a month.
A. How many times B. How soon
C. When D. How often
2. —______ will the shirt be ready?
—In about two days.
A. How soon B. How many
C. How often D. How long
3. —______ do I have to take the medicine?
—Every six hours.
A. How many hours B. How often
C. How soon D. How long
4. —______ will they come back from Shanghai?
—In three days.
A. How long B. How soon
C. How often D. How far
5. —______ did he stay there?
—Five days.
A. How many B. How long C. When D. What time
6. —______ has Tom lived in Dalian?
—Since 1999.
A. How soon B. How often
C. How much D. How long
7. —______ is this road?
—About 3,000 metres.
A. How long B. How much C. How many D. How often
8. —______ is it from Beijing to Zhengzhou?
—Its about 5 hours train now.
A. How long B. How many C. How often D. How far
Key: 1-5 DABBB6-8 DAD