关于形容词 done

有一读者问: 有这样一句话:

(1)Also when in Thailand avoid touching the head of an adult — It's just not done.

“It's just not done.”是什么意思?

代词 it 在此指代前面的动名词短语 touching the head of an adult (意即“摸成年人的头”)。过去分词 done 在此已变为形容词(常用在英国,为非正式英语),意谓“可为人所接受的 (socially acceptable)”或“妥当的,合乎礼仪的”。所以 It's just not done 的意思是“那样做可不行”。已变作形容词的 done 意谓“可为人所接受的”时常在否定结构中用作表语。再如:

(2)My dear, such things are just not done ?

(3)Smoking between courses simply isn't done .

done 亦可用作前置定语,如:

(4)That's not the done thing.

the done thing 已成为习语,它也可以用在肯定结构中,如:

(5)It's the done thing to serve champaigne at weddings.

(6)For most people it is still the done thing to get married.

done 在肯定结构中还常用于对话,表示同意,如:

(7)— I'll give you £ 5 for it.

— Done!