He didn't go to sleep until 12 last night .
他昨晚直到十二点钟才睡觉。
They didn't realize their fault till we pointed it out to them .
直到我们向他们指出了他们的错误,他们才意识到。
Not until we pointed out their fault to them did they realize it .
直到我们向他们指出了他们的错误,他们才意识到。
但是,当主句是肯定句时,它引出的意思是"直到(某时某动作停止了)" 。例如:
The students made much noise till the teacher came into the classroom .
直到老师走进教室学生们才停止了大声喧哗。
The young couple were very happy until they used up all their money .
那对年青夫妇直到花光了所有的钱才沮丧起来。
另外,until 可以放在句首而till则不行。我们可以说:Until they used up all their money, the young couple were very happy .我们却不可以说:Till they used up all their money, the young couple were very happy .
此两个连词意义相同。肯定形式表示的意思是"做某事直至某时",动词必须是延续性的。否定形式表达的意思是"直至某时才做某事"。动词为延续性或非延续性都可 以。 正确使用这两个连词的关键之一就在于判断句中的动词该用肯定式还是否定式。
肯定句:
I slept until midnight. 我一直睡到半夜时醒了。