跟同词根的 alternate 和 alternative 的区别类似,assistance 和 assistants 具有同词根 assist,所以它们的意思很接近,除此之外发音也很接近。
一、assistance 是不可数名词,意为“帮助;援助;支持”,它通常意味着提供资金、资源或信息来协助,是正式用语,通常可以用 help 代替,例如:
I am unable to drive without assistance from my glasses.
没有眼镜的帮助,我无法开车。
解析:此句可以改为 I am unable to drive without help from my glasses.
The first teams sent to provide assistance after the earthquake began arriving in the affected region yesterday.
地震发生后第一批派往灾区提供援助的队伍昨天开始抵达灾区。
The company needs more financial assistance from the government.
这家公司需要政府更多的财政援助。
常用的组合:
need/seek assistance
需要/寻求帮助
offer/provide/receive assistance
提供/接受帮助
be of assistance (to sb) (in doing sth)
(在做某事时)对(某人)有帮助
例如:
The grant was of great assistance to us in setting up the organization.
这笔赠款对我们建立这个组织大有帮助。
financial/economic assistance
财政/经济援助
federal/state/government assistance
联邦/州/政府援助
food/humanitarian/disaster assistance
粮食/人道主义/灾害援助
technical/legal assistance
技术/法律援助
二、assistants 是 assistant 的复数,意为“助理,助手”,例如:
I have two assistants who help with the admin.
我有两个助手协助经营。
The shop assistants didn't really want to discuss the matter, saying it was just my hard luck.
店员根本不想谈论此事,说这完全是我运气太差。
A crew of assistants oiled and adjusted the release mechanism until it worked perfectly.
一班助手给排放装置加润滑油并作调试,直到其达至理想工作状态。
三、推荐的记忆方法
英语中有很多 ant 结尾的单词表示人,例如:
applicant 申请人
merchant 商人
immigrant 移民,侨民
可以把 assistant 与它们结合起来记忆,但是并不是所有的 ant 结尾的单词都表示人,例如:elephant,plant 等等。
标签: 调试英语