名詞辨義的錯誤

【誤】There must be a cause for his optimism.

【正】There must be a reason for his optimism.

他樂觀積極一定有其原因。

cause強調(diào)造成某種原因、結(jié)果，多自然的原因、結(jié)果，后接of

reason是理論上的理由、結(jié)論，該結(jié)果已經(jīng)產(chǎn)生或已經(jīng)為人所知，后接for

如：

Carelessness is the cause of his failure.

粗心大意是他失敗的原因。

That's the reason why he has failed to appear.

這就是他為何未能到場的原因。

形似異義詞辨異的錯誤

【誤】The IQ test shows in some way that the capacities of the two students are different.

【正】The IQ test shows in some way that the capabilities of the two students are different.

智商測驗在某種程度上表明這兩個學(xué)生的才華是不同的。

capacity“容量”“生產(chǎn)量”“能力”“身份”“職能”

capability“才能”“性能”“功能和潛力”，指智力和能力時可與ability互換。如：

He has the capability of solving your problem.

他有能力解決你的問題。

The Shanghai Stadium has a seating capacity of 80,000 people.

上海體育場可以容納八萬人。

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