副词1ittle修饰动词的用法比较有限,主要用于believe, care, dream, expect, guess, imagine, know, realize, suspect, think, understand等之前,表示“毫不”“根本不”等意。如:
We little believed that he would harm us. 我们根本不相信他会加害于我们。
He little expected to find himself in prison. 他几乎没有料到自己会进监狱。
He little knew what he had started. 他一点也不知道他开始干的是什么。
They said goodbye, little knowing that they were never to meet again. 他们道别了,完全不知道他们再也不会见面。
She little thought she would be rewarded. 她一点没想她会受到酬谢。
注:在某些情况下也可用于动词之后。如:
I am tired because I slept very little last night. 我累了,因为我昨天夜里睡得很少。
另外,还要特别注意,由于副词little具有否定意义,所以当它被置于句首时,其后要用倒装句式。如:
Little does he care whether we live or die. 他一点也不管我们的死活。
Little did I dream that such a thing would happen. 我连作梦都没想到会有这种事情发生。
Little did he realise the danger he faced. 他几乎没有认识到他面临的危险。
Little did I think that we were talking together for the last time. 我没有想到我们这次谈话竟成诀别。