PETS－2语法讲解(168)

My sister's hobby is dress making.
　　对话
　　Marion: You look slimmer than when I saw you last.
　　Hettie: Yes, I must have lost six pounds over the last two months. My best dress is now too big for me. I can't wear it any more.
　　Marion: Don't say that, I think I can help you.
　　Hettie: How do you mean?
　　Marion: Well my sister's hobby is dress making and I'm sure she wouldn't mind taking it in so that it'll fit you again. I'll ask her.
　　Hettie: That would be fantastic. I'm no good at sewing myself.
　　玛丽恩：你看来比我们上次见面时苗条了。
　　赫蒂：没错，过去两个月，我减了将近六磅。我最喜欢的衣服，今天穿在身上已嫌太大，不能再穿了。
　　玛丽恩：别这样说，我应可帮你一点忙。
　　赫蒂：帮忙？什么意思？
　　玛丽恩：我妹妹的嗜好是裁缝，我想，她不会介意替你把衣服改小，改得更合身。我可以问问她。
　　赫蒂：那就真是太好了。我自己不擅长。
　　玛丽恩说可以帮帮赫蒂，赫蒂问：How do you mean?这和What do you mean?有什么分别？What do you mean?和How do you mean?一样，都可译做‘你是什么意思？’但What do you mean?除了表示不明白人家的话，还常用来表示对人家的言、行不满，例如：(1) What do you mean when you say that he is overqualified?（你说他资历过高，是什么意思？）(2) What do you mean, you think I cheated in the exam?（你说什么？你认为我考试作弊吗？）(3) What do you mean by closing the window when I've just opened it?（我刚打开窗，你就把它关上，是什么意思？）第二、三句都有不满含意。How do you mean?却没有不满含义，只是不明白人家刚才说的话，请他解释一下，例如："Your bicycle is better than mine." "How do you mean?"（‘你的脚踏车比我那辆好。’‘为什么这样说？’）
　　现在再请读者回答一个问题：I must have lost six pounds和I must lose six pounds有什么分别？Must是条件上的‘必须’或推理上的‘一定’，常用来说现在或未来的事，例如：(1) You must work if you don't want to starve（你不想捱饿，就必须工作）。(2) Judging by her appearance, she must be over fifty（看样子，她一定有五十多岁）。I must lose six pounds即‘我必须减六磅’。Must have则是推理的‘一定已经’，用来说过去的事，例如：She must have been here（她一定来过这里）。I must have lost six pounds即‘我一定已减去了六磅’。