「もしかしたら、ひょっとすると、たぶん、自分が知る限り」
など、あまり自信がない情報について話すときに便利な言い回しです。
アルクの英辞郎の例文では文末にきていますが、
私の経験からすると文頭で使われることが圧倒的に多いです。
でも参考のために、文頭で使われる例と文末で使われる例、両方とも紹介します。
まずは文頭での使用例を「Chicago P.D. (シカゴP.D.）」から。
Voight: Well, what about your chief? You go to him about this?
Carter: Like I told my uncle I don’t know who I can trust. For all I know, they could be payin’ him off.
次は「Prison Break（プリズンブレイク）」から。
Veronica: Would you testify to that?
Chas: Oh, uh, I don’t know. I mean, the tape you gave me is a dupe you know. For all I know, you guys tampered with it. Look, if you want me to testify in court, I’m going to have to get my hands on the original.
次は「Burn Notice (バーンノーティス）」から。
Fiona: Have you considered turning this over to Homeland Security? They get paid for this sort of thing, you know.
Michael: For all I know, he could be working for Homeland Security.
次は「Desperate Housewives（デスパレートな妻たち）」です。
Gabrielle: “Carlos, this isn’t funny. I am scared to death of this maniac.”
Carlos: “Since when? Yesterday you were loving all the presents, the intrigue.”
Gabrielle: “The guy broke into the house. He went from secret admirer to stalker. For all I know, he’s trying to kill me so no one else will have me.”
次は「２４ーTwenty Four」から。
Novick: Did you tell the President about this?
Lynn: No, no, no. Not yet. Not until I find out more. For all I know, it could just be a rumour.
次は「Vampire Diaries (ヴァンパイア・ダイアリーズ）」から。
Bonnie: He saved my life, and… Have you seen him?
Elena: No since he’s used he’s leaving. For all I know, he’s probably gone.
ここからは、文末で使用されている例を紹介します。 🙂
まずは「Prison Break（プリズンブレイク）」から。
Sofia: What did you buy?
Lincoln: …Supplies…
Sofia: Who am I going to tell, honestly?
Lincoln: You could be a Russian spy for all I know!
Michael: Show me the pictures Linc.
次は「Supernatural（スーパーナチュラル）」から。
Sam: I’m sorry.
Lily: Whatever. I feel like I’m in a nightmare, and it just keeps getting worse and worse.
Sam: I’ve lost people, too. I have a brother out there right now that could be dead, for all I know.
次は「Manifest（マニフェスト）」から。
Ben Stone: Zeke, when’s the last time you saw your dad?
Zeke Landon: He left a few months after my sister died. Haven’t seen him since. He’s dead for all I know.
