英语中有许多拼写相近的单词,有的仅一个字母之差,意义却相差较远,可谓"貌"相近,意相远.因其"貌"近,难辨者众,常指鹿为马.其实这些词有很多都是同"根"生的"兄弟姐妹".本文试图把某些常。
1. conform, confirm
它们可称得上是一对"貌"差无几的"双胞胎",仅一字母之差.con-:共同、一起,form:形式、形成,con + form"形式相同"是为"一致、符合";firm:坚硬、牢固,con + firm "一起坚硬"引为"确定、证实".
例:(1) This phrase doesn’t conform to present-day usage.
这一短语不合现代惯用法.
(2) The expected result confirmed me in my belief that I was right.
预期的结果使我确信我是对的.
2. contract, contact
tract:拉、拖,con + tract"拉向一处之物,常指法律文件"即"合同、契约";tact:碰,con + tact "碰到一起"乃为"联系、接触".
例:We’ll contact again and sign the contract as soon as possible.
我们还会再次联系,尽快把合同签了.
3. contend, content
tend:伸张、奋力,con + tend"一起伸张"乃"竞争、角逐";tent:保持、容纳,con + tent"保持在一起的东西"就是"目录、容量".
例:(1) The content of the report concerns the new building plans.
报告的内容涉及新的建筑计划.
(2) A good teacher can contend with several problems at the same time.
