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问题: listen or are listening?

20.It is not until you____ a mistake that people
____
A.is making, listen B.make, listen
C.is making,are listening D.make,are listening
答案给的D,that从句为什么用进行时?B为什么不选?

解答:

it is not until是not until的强调形式。

It is not until you make a mistake that people are listening.

正常语序:People are not listening until you make a mistake.
大意:正是直到你犯了错误,大家才肯听得进去。

1)为什么用进行时?现在进行时的否定形式和感官动词结合,可表达一种强烈的情绪,特别是本题用了强调句式,更是加强了这种“愤懑”的情绪。请看例句:

听从,听信[(+to)]
That child is not listening to their parents.
那孩子就是不听父母的话。(一种正持续的状态,更是一种情绪在里面)

2)B为什么不选?
因为一般现在仅指一般事实和状态的描述,不含强烈感情在里面。实际上,用一般现在时,也就每必要用强调句了。