英語中有許多拼寫相近的單詞,有的僅一個字母之差,意義卻相差較遠(yuǎn),可謂"貌"相近,意相遠(yuǎn).因其"貌"近,難辨者眾,常指鹿為馬.其實(shí)這些詞有很多都是同"根"生的"兄弟姐妹".本文試圖把某些常。
1. conform, confirm
它們可稱得上是一對"貌"差無幾的"雙胞胎",僅一字母之差.con-:共同、一起,form:形式、形成,con + form"形式相同"是為"一致、符合";firm:堅硬、牢固,con + firm "一起堅硬"引為"確定、證實(shí)".
例:(1) This phrase doesn’t conform to present-day usage.
這一短語不合現(xiàn)代慣用法.
(2) The expected result confirmed me in my belief that I was right.
預(yù)期的結(jié)果使我確信我是對的.
2. contract, contact
tract:拉、拖,con + tract"拉向一處之物,常指法律文件"即"合同、契約";tact:碰,con + tact "碰到一起"乃為"聯(lián)系、接觸".
例:We’ll contact again and sign the contract as soon as possible.
我們還會再次聯(lián)系,盡快把合同簽了.
3. contend, content
tend:伸張、奮力,con + tend"一起伸張"乃"競爭、角逐";tent:保持、容納,con + tent"保持在一起的東西"就是"目錄、容量".
例:(1) The content of the report concerns the new building plans.
報告的內(nèi)容涉及新的建筑計劃.
(2) A good teacher can contend with several problems at the same time.
