相似詞語(yǔ)辨析【36】clean和clear

字號(hào):

clean,clear
    這兩個(gè)詞都可用作形容詞、動(dòng)詞或副詞,意義相近,故易混淆。
    Clean的本義是“清潔干凈”,強(qiáng)調(diào)沒(méi)有塵污,其反義詞是dirty;clear的本義是“不模糊”、“不難解”,即:“清晰”、“明白”故前者的同義詞是neat和tidy;后者的同義詞是obvious和apparent.例:
    Everything is spotlessly clean in their room.
    他們的房間里樣樣?xùn)|西都是一塵不染。
    It is essential that we keep the city clean and green.
    重要的是我們應(yīng)保持城市整潔和綠化。
    Her pronunciation is clear and her words are understandable.
    她的發(fā)音清晰,話也易懂。
    Do I make myself clear on this point?
    關(guān)于這一點(diǎn)我說(shuō)清楚了嗎?
    Clean作動(dòng)詞用時(shí)義為“清潔/使清潔”;clear作動(dòng)詞時(shí),義為“清除”或“轉(zhuǎn)晴”,作副詞時(shí),義:“清楚地”、“完全地”。例:
    The rubbish must be cleared away.
    一定要把這些垃圾清除掉。
    It will clear up in no time.
    天氣即將放晴。
    A bullet went clear through the stone wall.
    有一顆子彈完全穿過(guò)了石墻。
    如所周知,clear的另一副詞是clearly,但在下列語(yǔ)句中,應(yīng)用副詞clear,而不用clearly:
    ten feet clear足足有十英呎
    They cried clear through the night.
    他們整整哭了一個(gè)晚上。
    It vanished clear away(=clean away).
    它完全消失不見(jiàn)了。
    He spoke loud and clear.
    他講得既響亮,又清楚。
    值得注意的是,如果clear之前用另一副詞very或quite,就必須將clear改為clearly,即:
    He spoke very(or quite)clearly.