英語講義【20】“義同形異”的常用詞

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上一期談過了“形式義異”的混淆詞,這期要談“義同形異”的常用詞。
    1.Over / above
    "Over"和"above"這兩個介詞的意思是在…….上面?!拔覀兛梢哉f(1)The sky is above our heads,也可以說(2)The sky is over our heads.我們也可以說(3)He Spread his handkerchief over his face.但不能說*(4)He spread his handkerchief above his face. 同樣的,可以說(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"卻不可以"above"取代。
    2.bring / take
    "Bring"和"take"的意思相同,但用法并不一樣。
    "Bring"指東西向說話的人的方向去,如:
    (7) Bring me the book, please.
    "Take"指東西向說話的人離去,如:
    (8)Take the dictionary away from me .
    由此可見,"bring"和"take"都表示東西要移動,只是方向不同:"bring"向說話者而來;"take"向說話者而去。
    3.Certain / sure
    "Certain"和"sure"都含“確定”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對,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
    雖然這兩個字都是及物動詞,但用法不同,不可互相取代。
    "Steal"的賓語通常是被偷的東西,如“錢,手表”之類。"Rob" 的賓語必須是“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
    這兩個動詞,一個是“追逐”,另一個是“跟隨”,都是人家在前,他在后,但用起來不一樣;"chase"不但是動詞,也是名詞,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.