大學英語相似詞辨析(22):await,wait

字號:

await,wait  
    這兩個詞都是動詞,又都有“期待”、“等候”之意,但用法有所不同,它們的區(qū)別如下:
    (一)await是及物動詞,后面直接接賓語;wait雖然也可用作及物動詞,但在現(xiàn)代英語中,一般作不及物動詞用,與for,to,till,until等詞連用。
    (二)await的賓語大都是抽象名詞,如:decision,reply,arrival,announcement,return等;wait for的賓語一般是人或事物。
    The judge awaits the coroner’s inquest before giving a verdict.
    法官在作裁決前等待驗尸官的調查。
    I have been waiting for her for an hour at the bus stop.
    我在公共車站等候她已一小時了。
    (三)await之后接動名詞;wait之后接動詞不定式。例如:
    We shall await hearing further from them.
    We shall wait to hear further from them.
    我們在靜候他們進一步的消息??荚嚧?BR>    (四)await多用于書面語;wait 多用于口語。如:
    This plan awaits the approval of the board of directors.
    這項計劃有待董事局批準。
    I have been waiting here for a long time.
    我已在這里等了好久了。
    (五)wait 除作動詞外,還可用作名詞。例:
    I had a long wait for the train.
    我等火車等了好久。
    They pursue a policy of wait and see.
    他們采取等待和觀望的政策。
    如上所述,wait在特定情況下也可以用作及物動詞,例如:to wait your turn;to wait one’s opportunity。
    請注意下列句子中await和wait的使用場合:
    We await (or wait for)your reply.考試大
    We wait for(不能用await)you to reply.
    I shall wait to bring her home.(不能用await)
    I await (or wait for)your ruling on the matter with some impatience.
    當await的主語是沒有生命的事物而賓語是人時,await表示 be in store或lie in wait for之意。如:
    On arriving at the guest house,he found a telegram awaiting him.
    Little did he realize what a surprise awaited him at home.
    A hearty welcome will await you.
    請注意,Time and tide wait(s)for no man(歲月不待人)的wait既可以加s,亦可不加s。