1. 用作形容词,表示“相同的”、“相等的”等。如:
They are of equal height. 他们一样高。
The two men are equal in ability. 这两个人能力相等。
Cut the cake into six equal parts. 把蛋糕分成六等分。
用于be equal to 表示“等于”、“能胜任”、“能应付”等,其中的 to 是介词(其后接动词时应用动名词)。如:
This is equal to saying that he knows her well. 这就等于说他很熟悉她。
He is equal to (the job of) running the office. 他能胜任管理办公室(的工作)。
有时可用其他连系动词代替 be。如:
She didn’t feel equal to receiving visitors. 她感到身体不适,不能会客。
2. 用作动词,意为“等于”、“比得上”等,是及物动词,不要受其形容词用法的影响,在其后加介词 to。如:
Six times eight equals forty-eight. 6乘以8等于48。
No man equals him in strength. 没有谁的力气比得上他。
但是不说:No man equals to him in strength.
3. 用作名词,意为“相等的事物”、“(地位等)相同的人”等,是可数名词。如:
Let x be the equal of y. 假设 x 等于 y。
No one could be his equal at telling a story. 讲故事没有比得上他。
The teacher is popular because he treats the students as (his) equals. 这位教师受人欢迎,因为他平等地对待学生。