英语，和汉语一样，也有不少反话。在这篇短文中，我们只谈形式上肯定而其实义则是否定的反话，以及其它一些常见的形式肯定实义则为否定的现象。
首先，让我们列举几句由整个句子构成的反话：
(1)I should worry. （其实义是：我才不放在心上哩）
(2)A fat lot you know. （其实义是：你屁也不懂）
(3)You are telling me. （其实义是：不用你说，我早已知道）
(4)— He said you were fat.
— I like that! （其实义是：真讨厌，我不爱听）
(5)Catch me doing that again! （= You won't catch me doing that again!）
(6)Much I care. （其实义是：我才不在乎哩）
(7)— I forgot to bring your money.
— Oh, thanks a lot! （其实义恰恰相反）
(8)— Is the wind staying where it is?
— She's coming to meet us, I think. (she 指 the wind)
— Jesus, that's all I need. （其实义是：真倒霉）
其次，英语中常用发誓、诅咒等表示否定，如：
(9)The man has gone God knows where. （God knows = nobody knows）
(10)The devil he is.（其实义是：他绝对不是）
(11)— Did you go?
— Like hell I did. （其实义是：我才不去哩）
(12)I am damned if it is true. （其实义是：绝没有这回事）
(13)I'll be hanged if I obey him. （其实义是：我死也不服从他）
第三，有许多形容语形式是肯定的，具有褒义，但其实义则相反，具有贬义，如：
(14)Who told you I wasn't straight? My loving brother-in-law. And you believe him.（loving有贬意）
(15)Imperialists are our “respectful teachers”, who teach us lessons by negative example.（respectful有贬意）
(16)— But how did it go? What happened?
— You're a fine one to ask me how it went!（fine有贬意）
注意下面两句中的 blessed 与 blooming 已变成咒骂语：
(17)There is that blessed dog again, barking at me like that!
(18)I wish this blooming rain would stop so that we could go on a picnic. （blooming = bloody）
用作定语的 some 也常被用作反语，如：
(19)That's some consolation, I must say! （some 实际上 = no kind of）
副词亦可被用作反语，如下面句中的 splendidly:
(20)Mr.Hughes, you are a fine fellow, and you have deceived me splendidly .
第四，may (might)as well 常被用作反语，暗示“还不如”，如：
(21)— What is it you're writing?
— A novel, I think.
— A novel? Well, may as well aim your sights high, I suppose.
might (just)as well 似乎更为常见，如：
(22)You never listen —— I might as well talk to a brick wall.
(23)— What a slow bus this is!
— Yes, we might just as well walk.
第五，有一些比较形式具有否定的意思，如：
(24)Fools may believe you, but I know better. （I know better 在此意谓“我可不相信你的话”）
(25)Robbie seemed to enjoy the danger, which was more than could be said of Polly or Mrs. Angus. （which 从句的意思是：Polly 和 Mrs. Angus 可不喜欢那危险的事）
(26)He is the last man that I want to see. （其实义是：他是我最不愿见的人）
(27)I was as surprised as anyone when they offered me the job.
(I was surprised as anyone = No one was more surprised than me)
(28)A nod is as good as a wink to the blind horse. （其实义是：根本不必点头）
还有我们很熟悉的 too...to 结构（意谓“太……因而不能”），如：
(29)The news is too good to be true.
第六，在连词 since （作“自从”解）所引导的状语从句中，谓语动词如是持续动词或连系动词的肯定形式，则其实义却是否定的，如：
(30)It has been a long time since I lived here. （其实义是：我不住在这里已有好久了）
(31)It has been ten years since I was a teacher. （其实义是：我已有10年不教书了）
上述两例句中的 lived 与 was 之所以具有否定意义乃是由于它们都表示其动作已结束的缘故。
最后，让我们谈谈一些由“It is a + 形容词 + 名词 + that...”变成具有反面意义的谚语或格言。请注意这里的 that 从句并不是修饰其前的名词的定语从句，而实际上是一主语从句，句首的 it 只是一个引词而已。如：
(32)It is a poor heart that never rejoices.
这句话从语法结构上讲 = The heart that never rejoices is poor.。 它的字面意义是：从未快乐过的才是可怜的人。其实义则是：世上没有从未快乐过的可怜的人。其汉译常为：即使可怜的人也有快乐的时候。再如：
(33)It's an ill wind that blows nobody good. （其实义是：没有使人人遭殃的恶风。可以译为：此失则彼得）
(34)It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. （其实义是：没有将自己的说教付诸实践的好牧师。可以译为：能言者未必能行）
(35)It is a long lane that has no turning. （其实义是：没有无拐弯的长路。可以译为：天无绝人之路）
(36)It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest. （其实义是：没有自毁其巢的恶鸟。可以译为：家丑不可外扬）
(37)It is a good workman that never blunders. （其实义是：没有不犯错误的好工人。可以译为：智者千虑，必有一失）
(38)It is a wise father that knows his own child. （其实义是：没有了解其子的聪明父亲。可以译为：无论怎样聪明的父亲也未必了解自己的孩子）
(39)It is a small flock that has not a black sheep. （其实义是：没有无害群者的小羊群。可以译为：无论羊群怎样小（或即使小羊群）也有害群者；或：家家有败家子）
如果 that 从句之前是人的名称，如上述例（34）、（37）、（38），it 有时也可以代之以 he。从翻译的角度来看，上述结构似乎都可以用“无论怎样……，也不会……”或“即使……的……也不……”等句型来译。
