英語萬用字(1)

    像許多語言一樣，英語當中也有所謂的萬用字(versatile vocabulary)；只要一字在手，便可表達相當多種語意。通常這類字都是基礎而常見的基本字彙(root word)，如“make”、 “take” 、“get”等。而在使用萬用字時，重點在於將其搭配適當的字詞，而能夠精準搭配兩個或以上的字詞是一種極為重要的字彙能力，稱為 “collocation”，這部份我們日後再談。今日先談談“make”的搭配使用，其搭配使用可粗分為兩類，即搭配名詞或搭配介系詞或副詞，今日我們先討論第一類中常見的幾種搭配：

1. 搭配名詞

      a.     Make an apology (通常單數)：道歉，用於正式情況，如：

            The Prime Minister made an apology and bowed to the victims’ families.

      b.     Make an appointment (單複數皆有)：預約(看診、會面等)，如：

            John has a bad toothache, so he makes an appointment with his

       dentist.

 c.      Make an arrangement (單複數皆有)：作安排，如：

       They spent the whole day making arrangements for the guest

  from the U.S.

    d.     Make one’s bed：整理床鋪，如：

 Tom was scolded for forgetting to make his bed this morning.

 注意：如是由他人整理床鋪例如在旅館，則用

 “turn down the bed”。

     e.      Make a call /fax (通常為單數)：打電話或發出傳真，如：

  Let’s make a call to confirm if they will arrive tomorrow.

     f.       Make a claim (通常為單數)：宣稱(意指尚無法證實其真實性)，

 如：

  The group made a claim that it was responsible for the bombing.

 註：bombing 炸彈爆炸 (n.)

     g.       Make a complaint (通常為單數)：提出抱怨，如：

  The customer made a complaint about the quality of her salad.

     h.       Make a deal (通常為單數)：雙方達成約定，如：

  The two countries make a deal on lowering import taxes.

      i.       Make an excuse (單複數皆有)：找藉口，如：

  Bob always makes an excuse when being late for work.

      j.       Make it: 除指達成目標外，也常用於時間安排，如：

           Could you make it this Friday afternoon?

  (您這星期五下午方便嗎？)

      k.     Make a law (單複數皆有)：立法，為通俗之用法。而立法委員可稱

      為“lawmaker”。如：

  The Legislature Yuan is making a law to increase penalties for drunk driving.

 註：drunk driving：酒醉駕車，其實英語中有較道地之用法，有機會再談。

      l.       Make an offer (通常為單數)：提供某種機會、方案或條件，如

 工作面試時：

  The interviewers were satisfied with the interviewee’s qualifications, so they 

  decided to make an offer at the end of the interview.

 註：Interviewer面試官(n.)； interviewee參加面試者(n.)

      m.   Make a plan (單複數皆有)：擬定計畫，如：

  The mayor is making an evacuation plan for the approaching hurricane.

 註：evacuation撤退(n.)；hurricane 颶風(n.)

      n.     Make a proposal (單複數皆有)：提出方案，如：

  The team made a proposal to relocate the plant, but it was soon

  Rejected.

 註：relocate遷移(v.) ； plant廠房(n.)

      o.     Make a purchase (單複數皆有)：進行購買(正式的購買名詞可

      用procurement)，如：

  If you make a purchase now, we will offer a 50 percent discount.

      p.    Make a reservation (單複數皆有)：預約(餐廳、旅館等，與

            b.不同)，如：

  I already made a reservation for a table for three at this restaurant.

      q.     Make a statement (通常為單數)：發表(正式)聲明，如：

  The minister makes a statement to defend his reputation.

      r.      Make a threat (單複數皆有)：進行威脅，如：

  The gangster made a threat to hurt his family.

      s.      Make trouble (不可數)：製造麻煩，如：

  Tim has to stay after school again for making trouble in the Chemistry class.

      t.      Make＋drinks (通常是coffee/tea)：沖泡(咖啡或茶)，正式用法為 “brew”

           (v.)。如：

  Our guest must be thirsty; Judy, could you please make some black tea?

     u.      Make＋Identity(身份)：能夠稱職扮演某種身分，如：

  I am sure he/she will make an ideal husband/wife.

  Being patient and caring, Melissa/Ken will make a great mother/father.

 註：ideal理想的 (n.)

     (待續)

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