高考英语语法:高中英语语法-词语辨析(一)

词语辨析(一)

able / capable

able和capable均用于谈及某人能够做某事。

若说someone is able to do something意为某人能做某事，因为有知识或技能，或具备做该事的条件。

Breslow wondered if he could be able to climb over the rail. 布雷斯洛不知道是否能爬过栏杆。

They must be able to use their profiles for new investment. 他们必须能把利润用于新的投资。

注意，过去时表明某人实际上已经做了某事。

We were able to reduce costs. 我们能够降低成本。

若说someone is capable of doing something 指某人如有需要的话，是具有做某事的知识或技能的，或指他有可能会做某事。

Workers are perfectly capable of running the organizations which employ them. 工人完全有能力经营受雇的机构。

She was quite capable of dropping off to sleep. 她往往会不知不觉入睡。

也可说to be capable of a feeling or an action，意为具有某种感情，或会做得出某事的。

I think he's capable of loyalty and seriousness. 我想他会忠诚，认真。

Bowman could not not believe him capable of murder. 鲍曼不相信他会杀人。

在谈及汽车或机器等的性能时，通常用capable of。

... water turbines, which are capable of producing more economical electricity. ……能降低发电成本的水动涡轮机。

The car was capable of 110 miles per hour. 这车每小时能跑一百一十英里。

若把某人描述为able或capable，其意为某人聪明能干。两词用作这一意义时，基本相同。

... the able and methodical King Charles V of France. ……能干、有条理的法国国王查理五世。

This very able man totally failed to see the possibilities of the telephone. 这位非常能干的人根本没看到电话的潜在价值。

Newborn babies are more capable than was once thought. 新生婴儿的能力比以前人们想象的要强得多。

Well, you certainly have a capable gardener there. 哟，你的园丁一定能干。