2. regardless of，notwithstanding

regardless后面必須有of，notwithstanding后面則不能再接其他介詞：

Regardless of danger, he climbed the tower. 他不顧危險爬上該塔。

They insisted on trying, utterly regardless of the possible grave consequences. 他們?nèi)徊活櫩赡墚a(chǎn)生的嚴重后果，執(zhí)意要試一試。

Notwithstanding the long delay, I shall still go abroad for further study. 盡管拖延了很久，我還是要出國深造。

3. for all ones...，with all ones...

for all ones...和with all ones...都作in spite of解，但應(yīng)注意，for和with都必須跟all ones...才能表示讓步的意思。

With all their achievements, they remain modest and prudent. 盡管有成就，他們依然保持謙虛謹慎。

For all his faults, he is still a good friend. 盡管有很多缺點，他仍不失為一位好朋友。

4. 在特殊情況下，through也被用來表示“讓步”，如：

On hearing the good news , the girl smiled through (her) tears. 聽到那好消息，姑娘破涕為笑了。

九、表示“關(guān)于”，“至于”的介詞在用法上的區(qū)別

表示“關(guān)于”，“至于”的介詞有with regard to, in regard to, regarding, as regards, concerning, respecting, touching, with reference to, in respect of, in the matter of, as to, as for, about, on等?，F(xiàn)說明如下：

1. with regard to, in regard to, regarding, as regards

1　with regard to和in regard to這兩詞組里的to是介詞，不能以of或其他介詞換用。

With（或In）regard to writing essays, I should like to have your advice.［注意，在上面例句中，writing不可改作write］

2　regarding后面不能再加上to或其他介詞。

Nothing is known regarding her plans for the future.

3　as regards 可看作復(fù)合介詞，regards 中的結(jié)尾“s”不能去掉，as regards前面不能加介詞。

At the time I knew very little as regards philosophy. 那時關(guān)于哲學的東西我懂得極少。

As regards the matter you brought up, I think it should be settled as speedily as possible. 關(guān)于你提出的那個問題，我認為應(yīng)該盡快解決。

2. concerning, respecting, touching, as regards

concerning，respecting和touching這三個表示“關(guān)于”的介詞都用于正式文體中：

1　concerning=about；with regard to

They showed anxiety concerning their retired allowance. 關(guān)于他們的養(yǎng)老金，他們顯得很焦急。

concerning還可和as連用，有兩種形式，即as concerning和as concerns都作“關(guān)于”解，但意思比concerning（更強調(diào)些）：

As concerning the subject of my research, I should like to keep a secret for the time being. 關(guān)于我研究的課題，我想暫時保密。

As concerns that matter, Id like to add two points. 關(guān)于那件事，我想補充兩點。［注意，concerns有“s”］

2　respecting=with regard to

A discussion arose respecting the merits of different automobiles. 關(guān)于各種汽車的優(yōu)點引起了一場討論。

3　touching=concerning；as regards

He asked me many questions touching my home and school life. 他問了我許多關(guān)于我的家庭和學校生活的問題。

3. with reference to，with respect to，in respect of，in the matter of

1　with reference to或in reference to意同in connection with，但with reference to比in reference to普通。

I would like to draw some conclusions with（或in）reference to what has been said at the meeting. 我想就大家剛才在會議上所講的問題得出一些結(jié)論來。

With（或 In）reference to editing a school paper, Professor Brown has given us several valuable suggestions.（注意：to是介詞，故editing不能改為edit。）

2　with respect to和in respect of均同with reference to或with regard to。

With respect to the Presidents views on the matter, nothing has yet been published in the press. 總統(tǒng)關(guān)于此事的觀點尚未在報上發(fā)表。

His work is good in respect of quality but bad in respect of quantity. 他的工作就質(zhì)量而論是好的，但就數(shù)量來說是差的。

例　The colleges vary so greatly that the problem was finally answered only_____.

A. with respect to a specific college（專科學校）

B. with a view to specific college

C. getting to specific college

D. with a regard to a specific college

［分析］答案為A，with respect to=with regard to。B不合句意，因with a view to不作“關(guān)于”解，作“為了……的目的”解。C不合語法。D錯，應(yīng)把with a regard to改為with regard to。

3　in the matter of=concerning，后面通常接具體的東西。

The children have everything they need in the matter of clothes, but few toys. 這些孩子在衣著方面的需要得到了滿足，但玩具甚少。

4. as for，as to

1　as for和as to均可作“關(guān)于”或“至于”解。

As for the terms, they are too harsh to be acceptable. 就那些條件來說，它們太苛刻了不能令人接受。

You can have a bed, but as for the children, theyll have to sleep on the floor. 你可以睡在床上，至于這些孩子，他們只能睡地板了。

I dont know anything as to the others. 關(guān)于其他人的事，我一無所知。

As to that technical problem, I will deal with it in detail later. 至于那個技術(shù)問題，我以后再詳細講。

2　as for和as to的不同。

A. as for還經(jīng)常用來表示輕蔑的意思。

As for Esmond, I never want to see him again. 至于埃斯蒙德，我再也不要見到他了。

I only want you to join in my research; as for others, they dont count. 我只要你參加我的研究工作；至于其他的人，他們并不重要。

B. as to常與表示訊問、爭論、疑問等動詞連用。

I have no doubts as to your daughters ability. 我對你女兒的能力一點也不懷疑。

We will inquire again as to that matter. 我們將再次了解那件事情。

C. as for后面通常只接名詞或動名詞；as to后面可接動名詞、名詞從句或疑問詞+不定式構(gòu)成的短語。

As for going back — that is out of the question.［接動名詞］

As to doing that, I havent decided yet.［接動名詞］

He asked my advice as to what to do.［接疑問詞+不定式］

We made enquiries as to when the next train would be leaving.［接名詞從句］

Im terribly uncertain as to whether Eve is the right girl for me.［接名詞從句］

5. on，about

在表示“關(guān)于”時，on用于有準備的、正式的語言交流，如講演、講學、寫作等；而about多用來表示非正式談話或是隨便提到：

He spoke on basic economic concepts. 他論述了經(jīng)濟學的基本概念。

He spoke about basic economic concepts. 他談到有關(guān)經(jīng)濟學的基本概念。

例　“Here is an article on disarmament（裁軍）?！?/p>

“Ive heard many debates_____that issue recently.”

A. at

B. from

C. on

D. for

［分析］答案為C。on能用作“關(guān)于”解，含有論述的意思，比about強調(diào)；A，B和D中的各介詞都不能表示“關(guān)于”的意義。

例　“Why is Dr.Jones speaking at the seminar?”

“Because he is an authority_____urban planning.”

A. at

B. from

C. on

D. for

［分析］答案為C。an authority on...系固定搭配，作“……方面的權(quán)威”解，on也是表示“關(guān)于”的意思，不能以in，of或with代之。

十、表示方法、手段或工具的介詞在用法上的區(qū)別

表示方法、手段或工具的介詞有by，on，in，with，through等，可譯作“通過”，“用……”，“以……”，“憑……”，“藉……”，“靠……”，“由于……”，“按照……”等。

1. by

by=by means of或by dint of，表示方法或手段：

Though he has no great abilities, the student gained his scholarship by dint of close application. 雖然無很大才能，該學生卻靠刻苦學習獲得了獎學金。

We want to settle this by direct negotiation with them. 我們要通過跟他們直接談判來解決此事。

Multiply the amount by ten and then divide by three. 把該數(shù)乘以10，然后除以3。

Judged by ordinary standards, he is quite competent. 按照一般的標準來看，他是很能干的。

By my watch, it is already past ten oclock. 按我的表，已10點過了。

I knew by his appearance that he was not English. 憑他的外表我知道他不是英國人。

例　“How do you know John was angry?”

“I could tell_____his face.”

A. for

B. with

C. to

D. by

［分析］答案為D。by可用來表示方法或手段，這里作“憑……；靠……”解，意同from。

?? by表示方法或手段時，有兩個變體，即：

by+交通工具（單數(shù)，無冠詞）=交通方式

by+通訊工具（單數(shù)，無冠詞）=通訊方式

? 表示交通方式：

I came back by bus.

Barbara has probably gone off somewhere by boat.

They went there by underground/tube/subway/metro.［by后之四詞都表示地鐵、underground和tube是英國英語，subway是美國英語，metro指法國及歐洲其他國家城市中的地鐵］

Are you going by plane or by train?

The senator（參議員）went to California by helicopter yesterday.

The delegation arrived here by air（乘飛機）at nine sharp（九時整）this morning.

This time he came by land（從陸路來）.

They are going to travel by sea（乘船）next month.

? 表示通訊方式：

It will be cheaper to send that package by express（以快遞方式）.

The store will send your order（訂貨）by parcel post（以郵包方式）.

Ill inform you of our decision by letter（以函件方式）.

Nowadays people prefer to communicate with each other by telex（電傳方式）in business.

It is much quicker to send a letter by air mail than by sea mail.

The matter is urgent.Please let me know by telegram.

Shall I send it by post（郵寄）or by hand（專人遞送）?

The information was delivered by messenger（信使）.

We can listen to music broadcast by radio.

從上面眾多的例句中可以一眼看出，用by表示交通方式或通訊方式時，by后面的名詞必須用單數(shù)，且不帶任何冠詞。如換用on，in表示交通方式，則須在名詞前加上不定冠詞a(n)，如換用on，over，through表示通訊方式，便須加定冠詞the。比較：

這里還要作三點補充說明：

A. on/in+不定冠詞+交通工具這一模式除表示方式外，還可表示“處于運送狀態(tài)之中”，而by則不能表示這一含義。

I met Miss Parker on（或in）a bus.［表示“在乘公共汽車途中碰到帕克小姐”這句可以成立］

I met Miss Parker by bus.［表示“以乘公共汽車方式碰到帕克小姐”用得不當，是病句］

B. 要表示交通工具的具體出發(fā)時間或到達時間時，by或on后都應(yīng)接定冠詞the：

He will arrive by（或on）the 9:20 train.［乘9時20分的列車到達］

I shall leave by（或on）the 10:40 train.［乘10時40分的列車離開］

C. by表示方法或手段時一些常見的習語：

by all means 務(wù)必；一定要

Come and see me by all means this evening. 今晚務(wù)必要來見我。

by any means 總之；無論如何

Fanny said that she would by any means make a tour of France. 范妮說她無論如何都要去法國旅游。

by backstairs influence 幕后勢力；用不正當?shù)氖侄?/p>

Fergus was elected as a congressman by backstairs influence. 弗格斯通過幕后勢力當選為國會議員。

by dint of 由于；憑借

Ellen succeeded by dint of hard work. 埃倫憑借其艱苦努力的工作獲得了成功。

by fair means or foul 不擇手段；用種種方法

In capitalist countries many businessmen make their fortune by fair means or foul. 在資本主義國家里許多商人不擇手段地發(fā)財致富。

by fits and starts 斷斷續(xù)續(xù)

I have studied English by fits and starts for several years. 我斷斷續(xù)續(xù)地學了幾年英語。

If you work by fits and starts, you will never achieve much. 做事情一曝十寒是永遠不可能取得多大成就的。

An athlete should do his drills regularly, and not by fits and starts. 一個運動員應(yīng)該經(jīng)常鍛煉，而不能三天打魚，兩天曬網(wǎng)。

by force 用武力；強迫

You cant obtain my consent by force. 你不能強迫我同意。

by halves 不完全地；半途而廢地

He never does anything by halves. 他做事從不半途而廢。

Whatever you do, do it with your might; things done by halves are never done right. 不論做什么事都要全力以赴，半心半意是什么也做不好的。

by hand 用手工；由專人遞送；人工［喂養(yǎng)］

Are these woolen socks knitted by hand or machine made? 這些羊毛襪是人工織的還是機器織的？

This valuable parcel was delivered by hand. 這個貴重的包裹是派專人送的。

The child was brought up by hand. 孩子是一口一口喂大的。

by heart 熟記；牢記

This is a good poem; you should learn it by heart（背下來）.

by hook or by crook 千方百計地；不擇手段地

Intent on nothing but profit, the merchant tried to get rid of the defective goods by hook or by crook. 那商人唯利是圖，千方百計想把那批次貨脫手。

by leaps and bounds 飛快地；迅速地

Production in our factory has increased by leaps and bounds in the past few years. 最近幾年我們工廠的產(chǎn)量有了飛躍的發(fā)展。

The school enrollment is going up by leaps and bounds. 入學人數(shù)正在迅速增加。

by means of 用；以；依靠

Shirley has laid aside some money by means of thrift and frugality. 雪莉靠省吃儉用節(jié)約了一些錢。

by no means 決不；決沒有

Judes fury by no means showed his strength, but rather his weakness. 祖德的大發(fā)脾氣并不說明他有力量，而恰恰說明他的軟弱。

I have ideals, but I am by no means a visionary. 我有理想，但我絕不是一個空想家。

by profession/trade 職業(yè)是……

Leonard is a lawyer by profession. 倫納德的職業(yè)是律師。

That friend of mine used to be a plumber by trade. 我的那位朋友過去是當水管工的。

by right(s) 按理

By right this house belongs to me. 按理這幢房子是屬于我的。

By right, all the small and medium-sized countries should have their say on the question of disarmament. 所有中小國家在裁軍問題上理應(yīng)都有發(fā)言權(quán)。

By rights, I think I should have an opportunity to reply to the criticisms of my article. 公正地說，我認為我應(yīng)該有機會對批評我的文章的言論作出回應(yīng)。

by proxy 代理；代表

by rote 機械地；死板地

Its not advisable to learn things by rote. 死記硬背的學習方法不足取。

by rule and line 按規(guī)矩；按程序；正確地

The students were told to do the experiment by rule and line. 教師告訴學生要按程序做試驗。

by rule of thumb 憑經(jīng)驗［不根據(jù)理論］

The figure was worked out by rule of thumb. 這個數(shù)字是憑經(jīng)驗算出來的。

by some means or other 用某種方法；設(shè)法

Dont worry. Well solve the problem by some means or other. 別擔心，我們會想方設(shè)法把這個問題解決掉的。

by surprise 出其不意地；使……大吃一驚

The passenger took the pickpocket by surprise. He caught the latters hand as it sneaked into his pocket. 那位乘客在扒手剛把手伸進他口袋里的時候，出其不意地抓住了他。

The guests all came half an hour early, taking the hostess by surprise. 客人們都提前半小時到了，弄得女主人措手不及。

The deans appearance in the dormitory took the students by surprise. 學監(jiān)突然出現(xiàn)在宿舍里，使學生們大吃一驚。

by the sweat of ones brow 靠自己的辛勤勞動

Even with modern labor-saving machinery, the workers support their families by the sweat of their brows. 即使有現(xiàn)代化的省力機械，工人們還是以自己的血汗養(yǎng)家糊口的。

by virtue of 憑借；依靠；由于

Plastic bags are useful for holding many kinds of food by virtue of their cleanness, toughness, and low cost. 塑料袋因其清潔、耐用而又價廉，可用來裝各種食物。

by way of 取道；經(jīng)由；當作；作為；通過；以……方式

They returned to China by way of Japan. 他們?nèi)〉廊毡净氐街袊?/p>

Steffan was not serious.He said it by way of a joke. 斯蒂芬并沒有當真，他是說著玩的。

In many countries the state gives the farmers support by way of subsidy. 在許多國家，國家以貼補的方式支援農(nóng)業(yè)經(jīng)營者。

by word of mouth 口頭地

The news spread quickly throughout the city by word of mouth. 這消息很快在全市傳開了。

2. with

表示方法或手段時with和by用法上的差異

A. by表示方法，而with則表示行為所使用的具體工具或手段（包括人身上的器官和四肢）。

We see with our eyes and hear with our ears. 我們用眼睛看，用耳朵聽。

The housemaid cleaned the table with a rag and swept the floor with a broom。

The urchin（頑童）broke the window with a stone.

比較下面兩例：

The front door is closed; well have to leave by the back door. 前門關(guān)了，我們得從后門走。［表示方法，故用by］

He killed the leopard with bare hands. 他赤手空拳把豹子打死了。［表示具體手段，故用with］

再以hand為例；hand前用by，表示行為方式，作“用手工”解；with ones hand(s) 則表示行為所使用的具體手段。

Was this made by hand? 這是手工做的嗎？

He plays pingpong with his left hand. 他用左手打乒乓球。

注意by hand（無冠詞）和by the hand（有定冠詞）的區(qū)別。by the hand 則著重手在身體上的部位：

The mother took her child by the hand. 媽媽拉著孩子的手。

He came forward and shook me by the hand. 他走上前來，握住了我的手。

B. 在被動語態(tài)中，表示行為者用by，表示使用的工具用with。

The passerby was killed by a falling flowerpot.［falling flowerpot是行為執(zhí)行者，故前用by，應(yīng)譯為“那個過路人被墜落的花盆砸死了?！敝鲃邮绞牵篈 falling flowerpot killed the passerby.］

He was killed with a stone.［stone是執(zhí)行動作時使用的工具，故前用with；實際上，動詞killed后面省去了行為執(zhí)行者（by someone），正確的譯文應(yīng)是“他被（人用）石頭砸死。”主動式是：Someone killed him with a stone.］

下面一例同時使用by和with這兩個介詞，更能說明問題：

The lock was opened by the thief with a skeleton key. 門鎖是被竊賊用萬能鑰匙打開的。［by后面接行為執(zhí)行者thief，with接行為的使用工具skeleton key］

掌握這一區(qū)別，有助于在被動語態(tài)中正確地判斷和使用by和with。試判斷下列兩句的正誤：

（√）The members of the prospecting team were driven indoors by the storm wind. 勘探隊的隊員被暴風驅(qū)趕到室內(nèi)。［storm wind是行為的執(zhí)行者，故by用得不錯，此句能成立］

（×）The members of the prospecting team were driven indoors with the storm wind.［此句把by改用with，則意味著storm wind是“驅(qū)趕”這一行為所使用的工具，那么誰是行為的執(zhí)行者呢？人不具備操縱這種自然力的能力，除非所謂神道。故此句改用with后便不能成立］

由于在被動語態(tài)中by表示行為執(zhí)行者，故書籍的著作者不能用with來表示，只能用by：

Of Human Bondage was written by Somerset Maugham. 《人性的枷鎖》一書是薩默塞特?毛姆所寫。

C. 如果行為者是抽象的無形之物，如思想、感情、意見、狀態(tài)、疾病等，一般要用with，而不用by：

We were struck with terror. 我們感到非?？植?。

Many people were attacked with influenza. 許多人得了流行性感冒。

當然，當行為的執(zhí)行者是可看到或可觸及的具體事物時，就得用by。比較：

He was seized by a policeman. 他被警察抓住了。［policeman是具體的人，故用by］

He was seized with pneumonia. 他得了肺炎。［pneumonia是無形，故用with］

D. 當句子的謂語由be+由分詞轉(zhuǎn)化成的形容詞時，行為者則不管其是抽象還是具體，通常都用with：

The teacher was pleased with the pupils answer.

The scientist was disappointed with the result of the experiment.

E. by表示無形的手段，with則表示有形器具：

The houses are lighted by electricity.

The houses are lighted with electric lights.

上兩例意思相同，均作“燈光照亮了房屋”解；在第一例中，electricity（電）是無形的，前用by；在第二例中，electric lights（電燈）是有形的器具，前用with。同樣，動名詞表示無形的動作概念，前用by構(gòu)成一種方法。一句話或一首歌則顯得比較具體，便用with表示一種具體的手段。試比較：

The speaker concluded his speech by remarking that intelligence, hard work and honesty are the elements of success. 演講人結(jié)束他的發(fā)言時說，智慧、努力和誠實是成功的要素。［remarking是動名詞，前用by］

The speaker concluded his speech with a remark that intelligence, hard work and honesty are the elements of success.［句意同上。remark指“智慧、努力和誠實是成功的要素”這一句具體的話，故前用with］

例　“How can I help you the most?”“_____out of the way.”

A. For you to stay

B. To stay

C. By staying

D. With your staying

［分析］答案為C。by staying out of the way表方法。

例　“Did you find the dog?”“It was tearing the cloth_____its teeth.”

A. with

B. by

C. through

D. in

［分析］答案為A，with its teeth表示狗撕破布頭所使用的工具。B不行，因這里用by表示方法在句意上講不通。

例　With passing (A) the referendum（市民表決）to establish the civilian reviewing board（市民評議會）, the voters have made certain (B) that the actions of the police will be observed (C) more closely (D).

［分析］A錯。動名詞前用by表示一種方法，不能用with。句意是“通過公民表決成立市民評議會，選民已確保能更清楚地注意警方的作為。”

例　It is remarkable (A) how much (B) a scientist can learn about (C) the structure and history of the moon by (D) a sample of lunar soil.

［分析］D錯。sample（樣品）是具體手段，故應(yīng)把by改為with。

3. on

如前所述，on也可用來表示交通方式及通訊方式；它和by的不同在于，by后面不能用冠詞，而on后面則要加冠詞；定冠詞表示特指，不定冠詞表示泛指。有一點還得注意，交通工具除bike這類無廂、無艙的用on以外，其他則用in或on都可，但car則以用in較為常見：

He has gone out for a ride on a bike. 他騎自行車出去兜風去了。

Mr. and Mrs. Robinson will take me in their car（帶我坐他們的轎車）this afternoon.

Dont read books in（或on）a bus.

同時，還要注意在foot，horseback，tiptoe三詞前不能用by或in，只能用on，而且該三詞必須用單數(shù)，前面不可加上冠詞：

Did you come on foot or by bus? 你是走來的還是乘公共汽車來的？

I like riding about the country on horseback. 我喜歡騎馬在鄉(xiāng)間周游。

Nigel walked into the room on tiptoe for fear he might disturb his wife who was sleeping. 奈杰爾踮著腳尖走進房里，以免打擾他正在睡覺的妻子。

?? on foot，on horseback和on tiptoe這三個介詞詞組還用于比喻用法中：

There is a scheme on foot to build another two high-rise buildings in this area. 正在籌劃在本地區(qū)再造兩座高層建筑。

Disease comes on horseback but goes off on foot. 疾病來得快去得慢。

They were on tiptoe to learn the result of the election. 他們迫切希望知道選舉的結(jié)果。

除交通方式及通訊方式之外，on還可用來表示以下兩種方式、方法：

A. 表示行為的方式、方法。on常見的習語如下：

on ones best/good behaviour 表現(xiàn)很好

The naughty boy is on his best behaviour today. 今天這個調(diào)皮鬼表現(xiàn)得很好。

on end 豎著地；繼續(xù)不斷地

Please put the barrel on end. 請把這只桶豎起來。

The horse ran forty minutes on end. 那匹馬不停地跑了40分鐘。

For miles on end the road was lined on both sides with plane trees. 那條大路兩旁栽的梧桐樹綿延了好幾英里。

on ones feet 站起來，恢復(fù)［健康］

Look! The baby is on its feet. 瞧！這小孩站起來了。

The doctors careful treatment soon put the patient on his feet. 醫(yī)生的精心治療很快使這位病人恢復(fù)了健康。

It took a long time for our corporation to get on its feet after the big loss. 那次重大虧損后，我們公司花了好長時間才恢復(fù)元氣。

on good authority 有確實可靠的根據(jù)

I heard it on good authority; Im sure that its true. 我聽到的這話有根據(jù)，我相信它是真的。

on ones high horse 趾高氣揚；目空一切；自高自大

When he got good marks in the exam, Colin began to get up on his high horse. 科林在考試中得了高分后便自高自大起來。

on ones knees 跪著；屈服；處于困境

The captured enemy soldier fell on his knees and begged for his life. 被俘的敵兵跪下來乞求饒命。

The corporation is on its knees owing to its failure in speculation. 由于投機失敗，該公司陷入了困境。

on ones last legs 行將就木；垂死掙扎

The sick old man is on his last legs. 那個生病的老人快要死了。

On account of a sharp decrease in its sales, my uncles business is on its last legs. 由于銷售額急劇下降，我叔叔的企業(yè)瀕臨破產(chǎn)。

on pins and needles 如坐針氈；坐立不安

The young boy was on pins and needles, wondering whether his father was going to beat him for misconduct. 那小男孩做錯事后感到如坐針氈，不知道他父親是否會因此而打他。

on purpose 故意地

Its not likely that Reuben broke the vase on purpose. 魯本不像是故意摔壞這個花瓶的。

on schedule 按照預(yù)定時間；準時

The school bus arrived at school on schedule. 校車準時到達學校。

on sbs shoulders 在（某人的）肩上

Dont take too much work on your shoulders. 別承擔太多的工作。

The success of the research rests on your shoulders. 這次研究能否成功全要看你了。

on strike 罷工

The coal miners went on strike a few days ago, demanding shorter working hours and higher pay. 幾天前，煤礦工人舉行罷工，要求縮短工時，增加工資。

on the crook 不正當?shù)?；欺騙地

They tried to win the game on the crook but in vain. 他們想用不正當?shù)氖侄乌A得這場比賽，但未得逞。

on the cuff 以賒賬方式

We bought this expensive car on the cuff. 我們以賒賬方式購買這部昂貴的汽車。

on the level 誠實公正；說實話

You can trust Terence; he always acts on the level. 你可以相信特倫斯，他行事一向誠實公正。

on the stroke 準時地

He arrived on the stroke in spite of the heavy snow. 盡管下大雪，他還是準時到了。

on the trot 連續(xù)地；接連地；跑來跑去；忙個不停

Since her child fell ill, the mother hasnt slept well for three nights on the trot. 自從孩子生了病，那位媽媽已接連三個晚上沒有睡好覺了。

The job kept me on the trot most of the day. 這件事使我大半天忙個不停。

on thorns 如坐針氈；焦急不安

The parents were on thorns, waiting for their son to come back. 爸爸媽媽焦急不安地等著他們的孩子回來。

B. 表示處理方式。on常見習語如下：

on approval［商品］供使用的；包退包換的

One way to secure more orders is to send samples on approval. 要想獲得更多訂單的一個方法就是提供試用樣品。

This refrigerator was bought on approval. 這個冰箱買的時候講明包退包換。

on business 因公

The managing director has left for New York on business. 總經(jīng)理已出差去紐約了。

on call 隨時可支付的；隨叫隨到的

The money is payable on call. 這筆錢可隨時支付。

The doctors in our factory clinic are on call day and night. 我們工廠醫(yī)務(wù)室的醫(yī)生們，不論白天黑夜，總是隨叫隨到。

on sbs coattails 利用或依靠［某人的］威望；沾［某人的］光

The lazy son could muddle along simply because he rode on his fathers coattails. 這個懶兒子之所以能混下去完全是仗著他父親的威望。

Many of the governors supporters rode on his coattails and got important offices. 州長的許多追隨者都依仗他的勢力爬了上來擔任要職。

on credit/on tick 用賒欠的方法

Can I buy goods on credit? 我能賒賬貨物嗎？

Goods in our shop are not sold on credit but have to be paid for in cash. 我店貨物現(xiàn)金交易，概不賒欠。

on deck 準備就緒

Everyone was on deck for the dress rehearsal. 大家都為彩排做好了準備。

on demand/on application/on request 提出要求就可

A complete list of new books will be sent on application/on demand. 完整的新書目錄承索即寄。

Further information will be sent on request. 如提出要求，將繼續(xù)提供有關(guān)情況。

on equal terms 以平等關(guān)系；按照平等的條件

All the nationalities in our country participate on equal terms in the management of state affairs. 我們國家的各族人民一律平等地參與管理國家事務(wù)。

on faith 毫不懷疑地

If you love him, youll have to accept his word on faith. 如果你愛他，就應(yīng)該完全相信他的話。

on file 存檔

We put on file all the data we had collected for future reference. 我們把收集到的全部資料存檔以供將來參考。

on ones head 易如反掌地

The boy said that he could lift the big wooden case on his head. 那男孩說他能不費吹灰之力把那只大木箱抬走。

on ones (word of) honor 以自己的信譽擔保

The man pledged on his honor never to gamble again. 那人以自己的信譽保證今后不再賭博。

on ice 冷藏；把……擱置起來；把……關(guān)入牢獄中

If you keep the vegetables and meat on ice for too long, they wont taste nice. 你如把蔬菜和肉冷藏太久，它們吃起來就會沒有味道。

As no fund is available, we cannot but put the plan on ice for the moment. 因無資金，我們不得不把這計劃暫時擱置起來。

The murderer was put on ice before he was on trial. 該殺人犯在受審前被關(guān)在獄中。

With the score so much in our favor, our volleyball team has the match on ice. 我們比分領(lǐng)先這么多，這場比賽我們排球隊贏定了。

on ones mettle 奮發(fā)；激勵

My parents encouragement put me on my mettle, and I finally managed to pass the difficult entrance examination. 我爸爸媽媽的一番鼓勵使我振奮起來，我終于設(shè)法通過了這場很難的入學考試。

on orders 遵照命令

He said he did it on orders. 他說他是遵照命令行事的。

on ones own 獨自地，獨立地；憑自己的力量；主動地；自愿地

Halph is a promising student.He is able to solve academic problems on his own（獨自解決學業(yè)上的問題）.

No one asked them to come;they came on their own. 沒人請他們來，是他們自己要來的。

on ones own account 獨自地；自擔風險地

He started to go into business on his own account last year. 去年他開始獨立經(jīng)商。

on ones own time 在規(guī)定工時以外的時間；在非工作時間

He wrote the work report mainly on his own time. 這份工作報告他基本上是利用業(yè)余時間寫出來的。

on paper 以書面形式；表面上；理論上；在籌劃中

We think it advisable to get the agreement down on paper. 我們認為宜把此項協(xié)議以書面形式確定下來。

The plan looks good on paper, but whether it is workable remains to be seen. 這個計劃看上去不錯，但是否切實可行，還有待于觀察。

The project had been on paper for two years before it was put into construction. 這項工程籌劃了兩年才動工的。

on parole 作出不逃跑的保證后獲釋

The prisoner was released on parole. 那犯人獲假釋后出獄。

on tenterhooks 提心吊膽；焦慮不安

The students are on tenterhooks to learn about the result of the examination. 學生們焦慮不安地打聽考試的結(jié)果。

I should like to have the matter settled as soon as possible, because it keeps me on tenterhooks. 我愿這件事盡早解決，因它使我煩躁不安。

on the sly 偷偷地；秘密地

The man smoked on the shy though his wife forbade him to do so. 雖然妻子不讓他抽煙，但他還是偷偷地抽。

on the spot 當場

The criminal tried to run away, but he was killed on the spot. 那名罪犯試圖逃跑，但被當場擊斃。

on the spur of the moment 即席地；臨時地；憑一時沖動地

Though unprepared, he was nevertheless able to make a speech on the spur of the moment. 盡管毫無準備，他還是能夠即興發(fā)表演說。

We had not planned to do any shopping;we just bought these things on the spur of the moment. 我們事先并未打算買東西，只是憑一時興起才買了這些物品。

C. 表示對人、對物的態(tài)度。on的習語如下：

be hard on 對……太嚴厲

Dont be so hard on your children. 別對孩子太嚴厲。

be keen on 喜歡

I am not keen on cold drinks. 我不喜歡吃冷飲。

be on bad terms with 與［某人］不和睦

They have been on bad terms with each other since they quarrelled last month. 打上月吵了架，他們的關(guān)系就一直不好。

be on good/friendly terms with 與……和睦，與……友好

Mrs. Ford is on good terms with all her neighbors. 福特夫人和她的左鄰右舍都相處得很好。

4. in

1　表示書寫的方式。

Dont write your name in pencil; write it in ink. 名字不要用鉛筆寫，要用墨水寫。（注意，pencil和ink前均無冠詞。）

Corrections are made in red pencil or red ink. 作業(yè)是用紅鉛筆或紅墨水批改的。

由于in表示書寫方式，故在單數(shù)可數(shù)名詞pencil前不用冠詞。試與with比較，with表示書寫的工具，由于工具是具體的東西，因此with的賓語前需加冠詞。

A: What are you writing with?

B: Im writing with a pencil（或with a pen）.

例　“How do I write my composition?”

“Write your composition_____ink.”

A. in

B. on

C. with

D. by

［分析］答案為A，in表示書寫方式。C錯，因with表示書寫工具，需把with ink改為with a pen。

但如說“用鋼筆與墨水”時，則用with pen and ink，但不能在pen前加不定冠詞：

The teacher told us to write our compositions on every other line with pen and ink, but not with a pencil. 老師叫我們寫作文時要隔行寫，要用墨水和鋼筆寫，不要用鉛筆。［兩個或兩個以上名詞并列使用時，通常省去冠詞，故不講“with a pen and ink”］

2　表示表達的方法（包括語言、原料等）。

He wrote a paper in English. 他用英語寫了一篇論文。

A book bound in hardback is far more expensive than one bound in paperback. 精裝本要比平裝本貴得多。

It is bad manners to talk in a loud voice. 大聲講話是不禮貌的。

3　表示行為的方式，作“以……”，“按照……”，“……地”解。

After I explained the hidden meaning of the passage to him, the student still looked at me in a puzzled way. 我向該學生解釋了這段文章的隱晦的意義后，他仍然困惑地看著我。

The hotel is built in European style. 這座旅館是按歐式建造的。

Most past participles end in-ed. 大多數(shù)的過去分詞以-ed結(jié)尾。

在習慣用語中，in后面還可接某些形容詞，表示行為的方式、形式。以下在習慣用法中，是一些由in+形容詞構(gòu)成的常見習語：

in brief 簡單地說

Could you tell us in brief how to operate this machine? 你能簡單扼要地給我們說說怎么操作這臺機器嗎？

in common 共同；共有；公有

After a full discussion we found that we shared some views in common. 經(jīng)過充分討論，我們發(fā)現(xiàn)我們有一些共同的觀點。

The swimming pool is used in common by all the children in the neighborhood. 這個游泳池供鄰近所有的孩子共同享用。

in earnest 認真地

Sidney is likely to succeed; he works in earnest. 西德尼有可能會成功，因為他工作很認真。

in full 詳細；全部

Would you describe the circumstances in full? 你能否將情況詳細敘述一下？

The prime ministers speech was published in full in all the newspapers yesterday. 總理的講話昨天全文刊載在各家報紙上。

in general 總的來說；概括地說；籠統(tǒng)地

In general, I agree with what you said. 總的來說，我同意你講的話。

We just talked in general, and didnt discuss anything specific. 我們只是泛泛而談，并未涉及到具體情況。

in particular 特別；尤其

First, the teacher gave a general outline, and then dealt in particular with the main points. 老師首先講了個大意，然后著重講解重點。

in private 私下地；秘密地

Joseph said he would like to have a talk with you in private. 約瑟夫說他想私下里找你談?wù)勗挕?/p>

in public 當眾；公開地

I dont like to speak in public. 我不喜歡在公開的場合講話。

in secret 私下；暗地；秘密地

The information was sent out in secret. 這個情報被秘密地送出去了。

in short 簡言之

There is not much time left; Ill tell you about it in short. 時間不多了，我簡單地給你講一下。

in vain 無效；徒勞

They protested to the President, but in vain. 他們向總統(tǒng)抗議，但無效。

Everyone advised him not to do that, but it was all in vain. 人人都勸他不要那么做，但都無效。

5. through

在表示方法、媒介手段時，常可和by相互替用，但不如by那么直截了當：

Inflammable articles must not be sent through（或by）post. 易燃物品不得郵寄。

The old woman makes her living（或makes a living）through（或by）washing. 這位老婦人以洗衣為生。

Eugene achieved success through（或by）sheer hard work. 尤金的成功完全是通過苦干得來的。

如果單純強調(diào)手段時，by用得比through更普通。我們過去常說“在游泳中學習游泳，”常見的譯文便是“l(fā)earn to swim by swimming”。但是當through所表示的意思超過一般的或間接的媒介手段，便不能為by所替用：

I got the job through my father. 我的工作是靠我父親的影響謀來的。［這里，through的意思超越一般的媒介手段，=by the influence of，故不能換用by］

十一、表示標準、比率、對比、速度、價格的介詞在用法上的區(qū)別

表示標準、比率、價格的介詞有by，at，for，to，against等。

1. by可用來表示標準、度量單位，作“以……計”，“按……計算”解

Milk is sold by the pint, butter by the pound, and eggs by the dozen. 牛奶論品脫賣、黃油論磅賣、雞蛋論打賣。［品脫為容量名稱，1品脫=1/8加侖］

In Britain most workers are paid by the week. 在英國大多數(shù)就職人員按周領(lǐng)工資。

注意，by后有定冠詞the時，用作計量單位的賓語必須是單數(shù)。再看：

Meat and fish are sold by the catty. 肉和魚按斤出售。

Time is measured by the hour. 時間按時計算。

The temporary workers here are paid by the day. 這里臨時工是按日計酬的。

在前面三例中，用作計量單位的catty，hour和day都采用單數(shù)形式。但如by后的計量詞由數(shù)詞來擔任，該數(shù)詞可以是單數(shù)，也可以是復(fù)數(shù)，采用復(fù)數(shù)形式則需去掉定冠詞the。

比較：

This small commodity is counted by the hundred.［hundred用單數(shù)，前有the］

This small commodity is counted by hundreds.［hundreds 用復(fù)數(shù)，便不用the］

這兩例意思相同，指“這一小商品按百計數(shù)?！?/p>

Books come in by the thousand.

Books come in by thousands. 書籍按千進貨。

注意　by還可和retail（零售），wholesale（批發(fā)），auction（拍賣）等詞一起用表示計量標準。這樣用時，習慣用法要求這些詞都用作單數(shù)，而且不用冠詞。在美國英語中，則往往用at代替by：

Some goods are sold by retail and some goods are sold by wholesale. 有些貨物是零賣的，有些貨物是批發(fā)賣的。［英國式］

Some goods are sold at retail and some goods are sold at wholesale.［美國式］

I am going to sell my furniture by auction.［英國式］

I am going to sell my furniture at auction. 我打算拍賣我的家具。［美國式］

?? 從表示計量標準這一用法加以引申，by還常被用來表示時間、空間、數(shù)量等的相差：

The prices of most commodities have risen by 10 percent. 大多數(shù)商品的價格上升了百分之十。

Adam is my senior by five years. 亞當比我大五歲。

They increased the amount by one third. 他們把金額增加了三分之一。

The bullet missed my head by half an inch. 子彈差半英寸就擊中我的頭部。

The rope is short by two feet. 這繩子短了二英尺。

A master is below a doctor by one degree. 碩士比博士學位低一級。

This is by far the best of all. 顯然，這是最適當?shù)姆绞健?/p>

例　“Is she older than you?”

“Yes, she is older than_____two years.”

A. me for

B. me by

C. I for

D. I by

［分析］答案為D。原句=...older than I (am old) by two years，by在此表示相差的程度。B在口語中可用，但在正式英語中不算正確。

例　The bond issue, proposed as (A) a way of financing (B) a centennial celebration, (C) failed in (D) a narrow margin.

［分析］D錯，改為by a narrow margin，作“差一點兒”解，是常用的副詞短語，這里修飾failed，by表示程度上的相差。

2. at可用來表示速度、比率、價格、價值

He ran all the way here at full speed.［full speed前一般不用冠詞］

The airplane came to land at (a) low speed. 飛機開始以低速降落。

Normally, we walk at a（或the）speed of 4 miles per hour.

The train is running at the rate of 80 miles an hour.

The bell rings at regular intervals. 每隔一定時間鈴就響一次。

有時候，speed前也用with：

Martin finished the job with amazing speed. 馬丁以驚人的速度完成了這項工作。

The car moved with great speed.

All right, well dispatch him with all possible speed. 好，我們將盡快地派遣他來。

注意　speed和with一起用時，中間不能用冠詞，和at一起用時可以用也可以不用冠詞。

例　“I think John will win the race.”

“Yes, he started off_____a great speed.”

A. with

B. at

C. through

D. by

［分析］答案為B。at在此表速率，作“以……的速度”解。A錯，with表速度時，后面不用冠詞，應(yīng)把a去掉，即with great speed方可。

We sell goods at reasonable prices. 我們以合理價格售貨。

The house with the garden is valued at 300,000 US dollars. 這幢房子連同花園估價300,000美元。

The amusement park was built at an immense cost. 這座樂園造價極高。

例　Modern technological advances are being made, but_____.

A. with highly considerable expense

B. at a great expense

C. with great expense involved

D. by a lot of expenses

［分析］答案為B。at可用來表示價格、價值，at a great expense作“花了很大的代價”解；but是并列連詞，后面省去了they are being made，they指modern technological advances。

?? at和for的區(qū)別。

at用來表示代價、單價或按……價出售或買進；要表示“花……錢（買進）”或“以……價錢（賣出）”時，也就是說，指整個價錢時，則用for。比較：

I bought these back numbers of magazines at 50 cents a piece. 我以每本5角的價格買了這些過期的雜志。

I bought these back numbers of magazines for five dollars. 我花了5美元買了這些過期的雜志。

He sells his apples at one dollar a pound. 他以1美元一磅的價格出售蘋果。

He sold the remaining apples for three dollars. 他3美元賣掉了剩下的那些蘋果。

3. at在表示速度、比率、價格方面的一些常見習語

at a blow 一下子；一舉

It cant be finished at a blow; well have to come again tomorrow. 這不能一下子完成；明天還得再來。

at a dash 一氣呵成地；一鼓作氣地

The boy finished his homework at a dash and sat down to watch TV. 這個男孩一口氣把作業(yè)做完了，然后坐下來看電視。

at a discount 打折扣；沒有銷路；有保留地

Those unsalable goods are to be sold at a discount. 那些滯銷貨擬打折扣出售。

Im afraid they will take your suggestion at a discount. 恐怕他們對你的建議會有保留。

at a fast pace 快速

The plane brought food and medicine to the people of the severely afflicted area at a fast pace. 飛機快速給重災(zāi)區(qū)的災(zāi)民送來了食品和藥品。

at a foots pace 用步行速度

Philip went to school at a foots pace. 菲利普以步行的速度走到學校。

at a run（跑步）

The soldiers went at a run on their way back to camp. 士兵一口氣跑回到營房。

at a snails pace 緩慢地；爬行地

It has taken you nearly two hours to get here! You must have walked at a snails pace. 你花了將近兩個小時才來到這里!你也實在走得太慢了。

at a sitting 一口氣；一下子

The story was so thrilling that I finished reading it at a sitting. 這故事非常扣人心弦，我一口氣把它讀完了。

at a stretch 一口氣地；不休息地

He worked (for) 14 hours at a stretch. 他不休息地連續(xù)工作了14小時。

at an increasing rate 以逐漸增長的速度

The production of our factory has been expanding at an increasing rate in recent years. 我們廠的生產(chǎn)近幾年來正在以逐漸增長的速度增加。

at all costs/at any cost 不惜任何代價；無論如何

The border must be defended at all costs. 必須不惜一切代價守衛(wèi)邊界。

The bridge must be repaired within three days at any cost. 無論如何要在三天之內(nèi)把橋修好。

at any price 無論代價如何

I wont sell this painting at any price. 無論給多少錢我也不賣這幅畫。

at any rate 無論如何；不管怎樣

At any rate you should have a try. 無論如何你應(yīng)該試一試。

Its going to snow tomorrow; at any rate, the weather caster (=weather forecaster) says so. 明天要下雪，不管怎樣，氣象預(yù)報員是這樣說的。

at intervals/at intervals of 隔一會兒；每隔一段距離

She brought us coffee at intervals. 她每隔一會兒就給我們送咖啡來。

During the march we took a rest at two-hour intervals. 在行軍途中，我們每隔兩小時休息一次。

Willows are planted along the lake at intervals of 50 feet. 湖濱每隔50英尺栽種一棵柳樹。

at one stroke 輕而易舉；一蹴而就

The four modernizations cannot be realized at one stroke.We must exert our utmost to attain the goal. 四個現(xiàn)代化不能一蹴而就，我們必須盡最大努力求其實現(xiàn)。

at that rate 照那樣的話；照那種情況

It doesnt do to write your book without leaving out unnecessary material; youll never get it finished at that rate. 你寫書不刪去多余的材料是不行的，你那樣搞是永遠寫不完的。

at the cost of 犧牲；以……為代價

He saved the life of the child at the cost of his own. 他犧牲了自己的生命救了那孩子。

at the expense of/at sbs expense 由（某人）負擔費用；使（某人、某物）受損失

I was educated at my sisters expense. 我讀書的費用是由我姐姐負擔的。

We had a good laugh at his expense. 我們盡情地取笑他。

He became a brilliant writer, but at the expense of his health. 他成為一位卓越的作家，但卻犧牲了健康。

In writing, it is inadvisable to think too much of style at the expense of content. 在寫作中，不宜一味追求文體而忽視內(nèi)容。

at this rate 按這樣速度

At this rate, well be through in half an hour. 按這個速度，我們半小時就可干完。

4. to 在表示數(shù)量、價值、比率時的幾個意思

A. 比，對比。

Tim stands 1.90 meters, but he weighs only 130 pounds.His height is not in proportion to his weight. 蒂姆身高1米9，但體重僅130磅。他的身高和體重不成比例。

Our football team won the match with the score of three to one. 我們的足球隊以3比1贏了那場比賽。

The ratios of 2 to 8 and 20 to 80 are the same. 2比8和20比80的比率是相同的。

Ten to one (=In nine out of ten) the film will win an Oscar. 十之八九該電影將獲奧斯卡獎。

例　The specific gravity of a gas is the numerical (A) ratio of its (B) density with (C) the density of a standard of reference, usually (D) air.

［分析］C錯，with不能表示比率，應(yīng)改為to，the ratio of A to B作“A與B的比率”解，其中的to不能改用其他介詞。

從以上可以看出，介詞to表示“比”或“對比”時，著重比率；要著重表示“比較”這一含義的對比時，則要用against：

5,000 students have passed the entrance examination this year against 4,000 last year. 今年有5 000個學生通過入學考試而去年只有4 000。

Mr. Hall was elected Chairman of the board of directors by a majority of twelve votes against three. 霍爾先生以12票對3票的多數(shù)當選為董事長。

?? against還可和as連用，使其意義得到強化，作“對比則為……”解：

The business done this year amounts to five hundred thousand pounds as against three hundred thousand pounds last year. 今年營業(yè)總額500 000鎊，去年則為300 000鎊。

against由“對比”這一意義常被引申來表示“襯托；相映”的意思：

Red flowers look more beautiful against green leaves. 紅花有綠葉扶助才更好看。

A huge tree was boldly silhouetted against the blue sky. 大樹輪廓在藍天的襯托下清晰醒目。

B. 比喻這是從“比”中引申出來的意義，只用于極正式的書面語言中，句型是：

A is to B what（或as）C is to D意指“A對于B猶如C之對于D”。

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. 讀書對于思想，好比運動對于身體一樣。

Parks are to the city as (=what) lungs are to the body. 公園對于都市正如肺對于人的身體一樣。

An individual is to the collective as (=what) a screw is to a machine. 個人對于集體猶如螺絲釘對于機器一樣。

Air is to us what (=as) water is to fish. 我們離不開空氣，猶如魚離不開水。

C. 到……表示數(shù)量上之增加或減少

The price of this article has been reduced to six dollars. 此物品的價格已降低到6美元。

The interest rate was raised to 3%. 利率提高到百分之三。

The child can already count up to one hundred. 這孩子已能數(shù)到一百。

D.（數(shù)量上的）配給

Ten pieces of cake are packed to each box. 10塊蛋糕裝一盒。

In our dormitory, every four students are assigned to one bedroom. 在我們宿舍中，每四個學生分配給一間寢室。

十二、表示比較的介詞在用法上的區(qū)別

表示比較的介詞有than，to，of，above。

1. than

than表示比較時，通常用作連接詞，但在現(xiàn)代英語中也常被用作介詞。比較：

He is older than I (am).［than用作連詞，后接主格代詞I，am通常被省略，這是than的正統(tǒng)用法］

He is older than me.［這里than用作介詞，故后面也可接賓格代詞。這種用法在現(xiàn)代英語里很常見，但在正式英語中仍被認為不正規(guī)］

例　Nobody speaks more clearly (A) than him (B), but his writing is frequently (C) difficult to make out (D).

［分析］B錯，than him應(yīng)改為than he，he后面的speaks或does省略了。

但在than whom（與……比較）這一固定詞組中，than作為介詞的用法已為正式英語所接受：

He is a person than whom I can imagine no one more courteous. 我想不出一個比他更有禮貌的人。

Present also was Sheridan, than whom there was no abler speaker in the group. 謝里登也出席了，在場人中沒有一個人比他更有口才。

例　“Whose son?”

“He is her son, _____whom a kinder son does not exist.”

A. in

B. than

C. with

D. except

［分析］答案為B。在關(guān)系代詞whom之前than可用作介詞，已列為正式英語。句意是“他是她的兒子，世界上再也沒有比他更好的兒子了?！?/p>

?? than用作介詞的一些常見詞組：

less than/less...than... 少于；與其說是……倒不如說……

I wont sell my house for less than 60,000 dollars. 這幢房子少于6萬美元我是不賣的。

Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal.The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul. 經(jīng)驗告訴我們：成功與其說是由于才能，不如說是由于熱心。傾全身心于事業(yè)的人必能獲得成功。

more than 超過；多于；不止

These chocolates cost more than three dollars a pound. 這些巧克力糖一磅要賣3美元以上。［more than可接名詞］

I was more than pleased to hear of your success. 聽到你的成功的消息我是十二分的高興。［more than可接形容詞］

I wish youd come to my home, youd be more than welcome.［接形容詞］我希望你能來我家。我們都十分歡迎你。

Youll find my father in the pub more than likely.［接副詞］你會看見我父親八成是在酒店里。（more than likely作“很有可能”解）

She dresses more than simply. 她衣著何止樸素而已。［more than 可接副詞］

The gain more than compensated for the loss. 所得多于所失。［more than 可接動詞］

more...than meets the eye/ear 隱藏在背后的東西

On a first reading the plan looked all right, but there was more to it than met the eye. 乍一看，這個計劃很好，但背后還有問題呢。

Everybody says there is more in his statement than meets the ear. 大家都說他話中有話。

more...than... 與其……倒不如說；是……而不是……

Jimmy is more mad than stupid. 吉米簡直是發(fā)瘋而不是愚蠢。

It is more a prose than a poem. 這與其說是一首詩，倒不如說是一篇散文。

Your son is more shy than unsocial. 你的孩子太靦腆而不是孤僻。

After doing the hard job for two hours, I was more dead than alive. 干了兩小時那個重活后我簡直累死了。［more dead than alive是習語，作“累死”解］

more praise than pudding=more flattery than material benefit 恭維多而實惠少，此習語源自俗語Praise is not pudding（恭維不能當飯吃）

I spent a whole day translating that important contract into English, but I got more praise than pudding. 我花了一整天把那份重要合同譯成英文，但我得到的是很多贊揚，報酬卻很少。

注：more... than... 通常都接平行結(jié)構(gòu)，但也有例外，如be more sinned against than sinning［more后是分詞詞組，than后是動詞化名詞］，意指“所受的懲罰超過自己所犯的過失”。如：The jewelry robber was more sinned against than sinning. 該珠寶搶劫犯受到過重的處罰。該習用語源出莎士比亞名劇King Lear《李爾王》第3幕第2場：He was a man more sinned against than sinning. 他是個過錯不多而報應(yīng)過重的人。

(bite off) more than one can chew 貪多嚼不爛；承擔力所不能及的事

He was biting off more than he could chew when he offered to finish proof-reading the book in a couple of hours. 他提出可以在兩三個小時內(nèi)校完這本書，真有點自不量力。

have more sense than+不定式有　理智（有頭腦）不至于……

He has more sense than to go where he is not wanted. 他很有頭腦不至于會到不需要他的地方去。

I have more sense than to do such a stupid thing. 我不會糊涂到做出這種蠢事。

no further than 只到……

We went no further than the station. 我們只走到車站。

no less than/little less than 不少于

There was no less than 30 dollars in the drawers. 抽屜里的錢不少于30美元。

no（或little）less...than... 與……一樣地……

Sally is no less charming than Jean. 莎莉和簡一樣嫵媚動人。

no（或little）better than... 完全是；簡直是

Jack is in the habit of walking off with things; he is little better than a thief. 杰克有順手牽羊的習慣，他簡直和竊賊差不了多少。

no more than 只是

He is no more than a puppet. 他只不過是個傀儡。

no more...than.../not...any more than... 與……一樣，也不……

I am no more insane than you (are). 我和你一樣，也沒有神志不清。

I can no more play tennis than you (can). 我同你一樣，也不會打網(wǎng)球。

He is no more able to do it than I am. 他和我一樣，也不能做這件事。

other than/other...than 除了；不是……

Do you have any books other than novels（或any other books than novels）? I want to read something on science. 你有沒有除了小說以外的書籍？我想看一點科技方面的。

Have you no other suit than this? 你就只有這么一套衣服嗎？

All parts of the car other than the brakes are in good condition. 除了剎車，這輛汽車的其他部件都很好。

The result was quite other than what I expected. 結(jié)果跟我預(yù)料的完全不同。

no (not, none, hardly) other than 就是；正是；只有

The new arrival was no（或none）other than the managing director. 新來的人就是總經(jīng)理。

I can hardly（或can not）be other than grateful to you. 我對你只有感激。

nothing else than/nothing less than 完全是；只是；與……沒有兩樣

What he told me was nothing else than nonsense. 他告訴我的完全是胡言亂語。

It is nothing less than stealing to take a thing away without the permission of its owner. 沒有得到物主的同意擅自把東西拿走，和偷竊沒有什么兩樣。

nothing other than 不過是

It is nothing other than the usual difficulty. 這不過是常有的困難。

else...than 除……以外還……

How else can we come than on foot? 除了步行以外，我們還能怎么來呢？

rather than/rather...than 寧愿……而不要；與其……倒不如

He is an artist rather than a philosopher.他與其說是哲學家，倒不如說是個藝術(shù)家。

Fred is rather diligent than clever. 弗雷德并不聰明，但很勤勉。

would sooner（或would rather）...than... 寧愿……而不

He would sooner（或rather）die than consent to such a plan. 他寧愿死也不肯同意這個計劃。

這里要作幾點說明：

① 在上列與than搭配詞組中，than可看作介詞或連詞，這里一并作為介詞歸在一起，是以便于讀者記憶。

② more...than...（與其……倒不如說；是……而不是……）這一詞組結(jié)構(gòu)表示的是同一人或同一事物的自身特點的比較，不是同類中兩者間的比較，這一特殊性也體現(xiàn)在用法上的特殊性，即more后面如果接形容詞，形容詞必須用原級，否則便犯雙重比較級的錯誤；也不能去掉more而改用形容詞比較級，如果這樣，就違反了這一特殊句型結(jié)構(gòu)的要求。比較：

Your son is more shy than unsocial.［√］

Your son is more shier than unsocial.［×犯雙重比較級錯］

Your son is shier than unsocial.［×違反句型要求］

Oliver was more angry than frightened.［√句意是“奧利弗不是受了驚嚇，而是很生氣?！保?/p>

Oliver was more angrier than frightened.［×雙重比較級］

Oliver was angrier than frightened.［×違反句型要求］

③ 掌握這些詞組對日后應(yīng)用、應(yīng)試均有裨益。試以no more...than/not...any more than...為例。這一詞組，雖具兩種形式，但意義相同，均作“與……一樣，也不……”解。掌握了“I am no more insane than you (are)”和“I can no more play tennis than you can”這兩個例句后，便能正確理解下面一句難度較大的句子：

Nations are not to be judged by their size any more than individuals.

不難看出，上列句子含有“not...any more than...”這一詞組，即等同于“no more...than...”，作“與……一樣，也不……”解，實際上在individual后面省去了“are to be judged by their size”，故應(yīng)理解為“國家和個人一樣，也是不應(yīng)該以其大小來判斷的”。

例　“Anne acts quite unfriendly.”

“I think shes_____than unfriendly.”

A. shyer

B. shy

C. more shy rather

D. more shy

［分析］答案為D。符合more+原級形容詞+than這一句型結(jié)構(gòu)；Shes more shy than unfriendly作“她倒不是不友好，而是怕羞”解。A錯，因無此句型。C應(yīng)去掉rather或more。B不合語法。

例　“This cake is delicious!”

“Well, at least its_____the one I baked last week.”

A. as worse as

B. no worse than

C. as better than

D. not better as

［分析］答案為B，no worse than（不比……差）是上列一系列than詞組中no more than之反義詞組。A，C及D三項均不合語法。

例　“The exam was very stiff.”

“Now dont begin making excuses. Other boys_____have passed.”

A. not cleverer like you

B. no cleverer than you

C. as clever not like you

D. clever not than you

［分析］答案為B。no cleverer than和no better than屬同一句型結(jié)構(gòu)，句意是“其他不比你聰明的男孩都通過了?！逼溆嘟圆缓险Z法。

例　He was so poor that he had_____than one hundred dollars.

A. no less

B. not less

C. no more

D. not more

［分析］答案為D。這四個選項意義近似，要搞清它們之間的微細差別才能作出正確的選擇。A項no less+than作“不少于；多達”解，意同as much as；B項not less+than作“至少”解，意同at least；C項no more+than作“只；不過”解，意同only。D項not more+than作“至多”解，意同at most?？创司涞囊馑紤?yīng)是“他非常窮，至多只有100美元?！惫拾淳湟鈶?yīng)選D (not more)，其他三項不太合句意。

例　Our native language is a part of our natural heritage, a personal possession_____.

A. no more than our own as the geography of our birthplace

B. no less than our own as the geography of our birthplace

C. not so little our own than the geography of our birthplace

D. no less our own than the geography of our birthplace

［分析］答案為D, no less...than作“與……一樣”解，=as...as；a personal possession系native language之同位語，后面省略了which is，句意是“我們的本國語是我們自然遺產(chǎn)的一部分，它和我們誕生地的地理環(huán)境一樣，屬我們個人所有。”A和B不合句意；C不合語法。

例　The population of many Alaskan cities has_____doubled in the past three years.

A. larger than

B. more than

C. as great as

D. as many as

［分析］答案為B。more than后可接動詞，這里doubled用作動詞。more than doubled作“不止增加一倍”解，又如His merits more than offset his demerits（more than后接動詞），意思是“他的功不止抵過他的過失”；即“他功大于過”。其他皆不合語法。

2. to

介詞to也可用來表示比較，源出拉丁文。表示比較時，to通常用在以-or結(jié)尾的形容詞后面，再接被比較的對象。這類形容詞不多，常見的有superior（優(yōu)于），inferior（劣于，低于），senior（年長于），junior（年幼于），anterior（早于），prior（較先于），posterior（后于）等，多用于書面語言中：

Bobs strength is superior to mine. 鮑勃的力氣比我的大。

Open-door policy is superior to closed-door policy. 開放政策比閉關(guān)政策優(yōu)越。

My knowledge is inferior to yours. 我的知識不如你。

Colored people are by no means inferior to white people. 有色人種絕不比白人低劣。

Your father is senior to hers. 你的父親比她的父親年紀大。

His appointment is junior to mine by six months. 他的任命比我的遲六個月。

His arrival in New York is posterior to that (=the arrival) of his brother. 他比他的兄弟后到紐約。

I called on him prior to my departure. 我動身前去拜訪了他。

從上列例句中可以看出，這些以-or結(jié)尾的形容詞本身已具比較含義，前面不可再加more，后面只能接介詞to，不能接than：

例　The songs of Bob Dylan are very popular among young people (A) who regard (B) him as more superior (C) to other musicians. (D)

［分析］C錯，把其中的more去掉。

to還可用在動詞prefer后面表示比較，作“喜歡……而不喜歡……”或“寧愿……而不愿……”解：

I prefer green tea to coffee. 我喜歡綠茶而不喜歡咖啡。

I prefer reading to talking. 我寧愿多看點書而不愿空談。

如果prefer接不定式，則應(yīng)把to改為rather than，句型是prefer+不定式+rather than+省掉to的不定式。比較：

I prefer reading to talking.

I prefer to read rather than talk.

I prefer staying home to going out on Sundays.

I prefer to stay home rather than go out on Sundays.

例　“What kind of pen do you want to have?”

“I prefer_____to that blue one.”

A. having this red pen

B. to have this red pen

C. had this red pen

D. this red pen having

［分析］答案為A，原句在介詞to后面省略了動詞having，即I prefer having this red pen to (having) that blue one，符合prefer+名詞/動名詞+to+名詞/動名詞這一句型。B錯，prefer接不定式時，后面應(yīng)用rather than不能用介詞to。C及D不合語法。

3. of

of和than一樣，也可用于兩者之間的比較，但of和than的句型結(jié)構(gòu)不一樣。比較：

...+比較級+than+...

Jim is more stupid than Tom. 吉姆比湯姆更蠢。

...+the+比較級+of the two

Jim is the more stupid of the two (boys). 吉姆是兩個男孩中更為愚蠢的一個。

注意，用than時比較級前無冠詞，用of時則應(yīng)在比較級前加定冠詞the，of后面的the不可省掉。

Dorothy is prettier than Nancy.

Dorothy is the prettier of the two (girls).

有時候，為了強調(diào)可以把of the two這一表示比較的短語置于句首。

例　Of the two houses the family prefers_____.

A. the most isolated one

B. the one isolated more

C. the more isolated one

D. the isolated one more

［分析］Of the two houses置于句首，表示兩者之間的比較，必須接帶定冠詞the的比較級，故應(yīng)選C。

4. above

above表示比較時表現(xiàn)在以下幾個方面：

A.（在質(zhì)量、價值等方面）勝于……，重于……（better than；more than）

Health is above wealth. 健康比財富更重要。

I value honor above life. 我把名譽看得比生命更重要。

A statesman should put the interests of the public above everything else. 政治家應(yīng)把大眾的利益看得高于一切。

B.（表示品質(zhì)、行為、思想、音量、清晰度等方面）超越；勝過；不屬于；不至于?？梢曰\統(tǒng)地歸納為higher in quality than。

He is far above me in knowledge of history and geography. 他的歷史、地理知識遠勝于我。

Tommy is above meanness. 湯米是決不吝嗇的。

Mr. Roberts is above taking profits for himself. 羅伯茨先生不屑為自己謀利。

The public official is very honest; he is above bribery. 這位公務(wù)人員非常誠實，他不會受賄的。

否定式be not above...作“不恥于……”解，正反兩方面意思都可用：

If we want to learn well, we must not be above asking questions. 我們想要學得好，就得不恥下問。

The girl is not above telling a lie if it will serve her purpose. 只要能達到目的，撒撒謊那姑娘是無所謂的。

I cant hear the speaker above the din of the crowd. 人群聲嘈雜，我聽不清講話人在說什么。

Never be above yourself. 切不可超越自己，即切不可自命不凡（或：自高自大）。

C.（表示等級、職位等）較高于……

His brother is above him by two grades in the school. 他的哥哥在學校里比他高兩級。

A colonel is above a major. 上校高于少校。

下面一些above的常用詞組表示有關(guān)比較或由比較引申出來的近似意義：

above all 尤其是；最重要的是

Dont tell it to anybody, above all to my father. 別把此事告訴任何人，尤其是［別告訴］我的爸爸。

Think about what I have told you; above all, dont breathe a word of it to any one. 考慮考慮我對你講的話，最重要的是不要對任何人泄露一個字。

above price 無價的；極貴重的

The canvas stolen from the art gallery is above price. 從畫廊偷走的那幅油畫是無價之寶。

above suspicion 不容置疑

The students good character is above suspicion. 該學生的良好品行是不容置疑的。

above sbs head 過于深奧，使人不能理解

The lecture was above the heads of the audience. 這個講座過于深奧，聽眾理解不了。

get above oneself 自高自大；自視過高

Its not wise to get above yourself over your success. 你有了一點兒成就就自高自大，這是不明智的。

keep ones head above water 脫離困境；擺脫債務(wù)

My fathers business is not doing well; he is finding it difficult to keep his head above water. 我父親的生意近來不好，他開始感到債務(wù)難逃了。

十三、表示屬性、特性的介詞在用法上的區(qū)別

表示屬性、特性的最常見介詞是of和with。

1. of

1　of后面通常接抽象名詞。

這樣用的of短語一般講相當于該抽象名詞相應(yīng)的形容詞；這一of短語可置于名詞后作后置定語或置于be后作表語：

用作后置定語

a man of wisdom=a wise man

an explorer of determination=a determined explorer

a person of property=a wealthy person

men of courage=courageous men

a lady of virtue=a virtuous lady

fifty years of age=fifty years old

a man of years=an old man

a woman of learning=a learned woman

但有的of習語具有獨特的意思，不能以相應(yīng)的形容詞代之來加以理解。如a man of his word是個習語，作“a keeper of promise（言而有信的人）”解，不能錯誤地理解為 a wordy（啰嗦的）man。

用作表語

This matter is of great importance (=very important).

Your information is of value (=valuable) to us.

The new products at the fair（交易會）are of particular interest (=particularly interesting) to the visitors.

2　在日常應(yīng)用中，of和age，color，help，height，length，no use，shape，size，thickness，width等名詞一起用時，不論用作后置定語還是表語，of往往被省略，這種省略在正式英語中也得到確認。

When I was (of) your age, I was already learning a trade. 我像你這個年齡時，已在學做生意了。

The autumn leaves are (of) a glorious red. 秋葉紅得一片絢爛。

The door was (of) a dark brown. 這門是深褐色的。

I am afraid my book will not be (of) much help to you. 恐怕我的書對你不會有多大幫助。

The two boys are (of) the same height. 這兩個男孩一樣高。

It is (of) no use learning without practice. 光學習而不實踐是無用的。

My wardrobe is (of) the same shape as yours. 我的衣柜式樣和你的相同。

Please give me a rope (of) that length. 請給我一根那么長的繩子。

I want another pair of shoes (of) the same size. 我再要一雙同樣尺寸的鞋子。

This wooden case is (of) the same thickness and weight as that one. 這個木箱的厚度和重量同那個木箱相同。

The plank is not (of) the right width. 這塊木板的寬度不合適。

注：with和of的不同：

表示屬性、特性時，with后面接的通常不是抽象名詞，而是具體名詞。with+具體名詞這一結(jié)構(gòu)用于說明人或事物的形狀：

a coat with four pockets

A magazine with a pretty girl on the cover（封面）

a young man with curly hair（卷發(fā)）

a ship with two funnels（煙囪）

但with也可接具有某種抽象屬性或特性的名詞：

Asian countries with brilliant ancient civilizations（具有燦爛的遠古文明的亞洲國家）

socialism with Chinese characteristics（具有中國特色的社會主義）

2. with

由“of+抽象名詞”表示屬性，特性這一結(jié)構(gòu)可引申出另一結(jié)構(gòu)，即of+a+名詞，用以表示不同事物的共同性質(zhì)、特征：

Birds of a feather flock together. 這是諺語，直譯是“羽毛相同的鳥類聚在一起。”即“物以類聚?！?/p>

They are all songs of a type. 它們都是同一類型的歌曲。

These are two of a kind. 這些是同類中的兩個。

由“of+a+名詞”再可引申出“of+a+形容詞+名詞”這一結(jié)構(gòu)，常用以表示人或事物的某種特性或特征：

Charlie is a man of an unyielding spirit（頑強不屈的人）.

The student is of an inquiring turn of mind（很有鉆研精神）.

“with+具體名詞”則沒有這種引申結(jié)構(gòu)；of，with所表示的屬性、特性帶有“具有”的含義，但這個“具有”的含義是指：人或物所具備的特性是和有關(guān)的人或物連在一起不可分開的。但當這一不可分開的“具有”含義引申為可分開的“具有”，即“隨身攜帶”這一含義時，便需用with而不能用of：

I have no money with me.［在此句中也可換用about或on］我身邊沒帶錢。

Never mind the rain; I have an umbrella with me. 下雨沒關(guān)系，我?guī)Я税褌恪?/p>