英語中include,contain,involve,cover和hold這些動詞都有“包含;包括;容納;牽涉”的意思,是同學們普遍容易混淆的詞。下面結合相應的例子,就其意義和用法加以辨析。
一、 辨析
(1) include相當于“to have as a part or member”,意為“包含;包括”,表示組成整體的部分、能明確劃分的部分,多指抽象的概念。
例1The price includes postal charges. 郵資已算入了價格中。
(2) contain相當于“to have within itself ”,意為“包含;容納”,指較大事物中所包括的可分離的部分,可以是具體的實體。
例2This book contains important information. 這本書中有重要的信息。
例3The atlas contains forty maps. 這本地圖冊里有40張地圖。
(3) involve相當于“to cause (sb.) to be included in or troubled by sth.”,意為“包括;牽涉”,多指某種局勢或活動涉及了人或物。
例4Don’t involve me in your quarrel, please. 請不要把我牽涉到你們的爭吵中。
(4) cover相當于“to include, esp. in planning, discussion, etc.”,意為“談到;涉及;包含”,尤指計劃、討論中的事。
例5We covered everything at the last meeting. 在最后一次會議中我們談及了所有的事情。
例6The report covered all aspects of the problem. 這個報告涉及了問題的各個方面。
(5) hold相當于“to be able to contain”,意為“容納;包含”,指某物能裝下一定數量的人或物。
例7The car can hold four adults. 這個車子可以乘坐四個成年人。
例8His eyes hold pity for the homeless woman. 他的眼神中充滿著對這個無家可歸的婦人的憐憫。
二、 練習題
1. The hall is large enough to _____ 2,000 people.
A. containB. include
C. involveD. hold
2. The conference delegates _____ representatives from abroad.
A. includedB. held
C. involvedD. contained
3. The discussion ______ a wide range of subjects.
A. involvedB. included
C. containedD. covered
4. Orange juice ______ things which help keep you healthy.
A. coversB. contains
C. involvesD. includes
5. Whether we like it or not, we are all _______.
A. heldB. contained
C. involvedD. included
6. He ____ an MP3 on the list of souvenirs to buy.
A. includes B. contains
C. coversD. holds
7. This short story ______ only a few days but it is very exciting.
A. containsB. covers
C. includesD. holds
8. Newly produced computer can ______ huge amounts of information.
A. coverB. include
C. holdD. contain
( Keys:1~5 DADBC6~8 ABC)