上一期谈过了“形式义异”的混淆词,这期要谈“义同形异”的常用词。
1.Over / above
"Over"和"above"这两个介词的意思是在…….上面。“我们可以说(1)The sky is above our heads,也可以说(2)The sky is over our heads.我们也可以说(3)He Spread his handkerchief over his face.但不能说*(4)He spread his handkerchief above his face. 同样的,可以说(5)John has travelled all over the world以及 (6)The King reigns over a great empire,但是(5)和(6)里的 "over"却不可以"above"取代。
2.bring / take
"Bring"和"take"的意思相同,但用法并不一样。
"Bring"指东西向说话的人的方向去,如:
(7) Bring me the book, please.
"Take"指东西向说话的人离去,如:
(8)Take the dictionary away from me .
由此可见,"bring"和"take"都表示东西要移动,只是方向不同:"bring"向说话者而来;"take"向说话者而去。
3.Certain / sure
"Certain"和"sure"都含“确定”之意,只是在句中的用法有些不同。下列第九到十一的句子都对,但第十二的句子就不行了:
(9) We are certain to come to the party. / Tom is sure to come today.
(10) I am not certain whether I will be able to do it. / Are you sure that you will do it?
(11) It is certain that Jason will leave me.
*(12) It is sure that Jason will leave me.
4. rob / Steal
虽然这两个字都是及物动词,但用法不同,不可互相取代。
"Steal"的宾语通常是被偷的东西,如“钱,手表”之类。"Rob" 的宾语必须是“人”或“地方”。如:
(13) A thief entered her house and stole her valuables.
(14) A stranger robbed a passer-by.
(15) Who robbed the bank last night?
5.chase / follow
这两个动词,一个是“追逐”,另一个是“跟随”,都是人家在前,他在后,但用起来不一样;"chase"不但是动词,也是名词,如:
(16)The cat chased the mouse and caught it soon after.
(17)The puplis followed the teacher to the classroom.
(18)There was a thrilling car chase in the film.
(19) Social unrest follows widespread unemployment.
(20) I could not follow what he was saying.