什么是 “pay attention to”?
“Pay attention to” 是一个常用短语,意思是“注意……”、“关注……”。它后面通常接名词、代词或动名词(即 -ing 形式)。
- Please pay attention to the teacher.
- She pays attention to details.
- He paid attention to solving the problem.
“Pay attention to” 的否定形式
在英语中,“pay attention to” 的否定不能直接在 to 后加 not,而应在助动词或情态动词后加 not,或者使用 “don’t / doesn’t / didn’t” 等构成否定。
✅ 正确用法:
- Don’t pay attention to him.(不要注意他。)
- She doesn’t pay attention to what you say.
- They didn’t pay attention to the warning.
❌ 常见错误:
- ~~Pay attention to not him.~~(错误!)
- ~~Pay attention to not talking.~~(错误!应说:Don’t pay attention to talking. 或 Pay attention to not talking? 实际上更自然的说法是:Don’t pay attention to the talking.)
注意:如果想表达“注意不要做某事”,英语中通常会换一种说法,比如 “Be careful not to...” 或 “Make sure not to...”,而不是强行使用 “pay attention to not + 动词”。
实用例句对比
- ❌ I pay attention to not make mistakes.
✅ I pay attention so I don’t make mistakes.
✅ I’m careful not to make mistakes. - ❌ Pay attention to not be late.
✅ Don’t be late. (更自然)
✅ Make sure you’re not late.
总结
“Pay attention to” 的否定应通过否定整个谓语动词来实现,而不是在 to 后加 not。若需表达“注意避免某事”,建议使用其他更地道的结构,如 “be careful not to...” 或 “avoid...”。