clean,clear
这两个词都可用作形容词、动词或副词,意义相近,故易混淆。
Clean的本义是“清洁干净”,强调没有尘污,其反义词是dirty;clear的本义是“不模糊”、“不难解”,即:“清晰”、“明白”故前者的同义词是neat和tidy;后者的同义词是obvious和apparent。例:
Everything is spotlessly clean in their room.
他们的房间里样样东西都是一尘不染。
It is essential that we keep the city clean and green.
重要的是我们应保持城市整洁和绿化。
Her pronunciation is clear and her words are understandable.
她的发音清晰,话也易懂。
Do I make myself clear on this point?
关于这一点我说清楚了吗?
Clean作动词用时义为“清洁/使清洁”;clear作动词时,义为“清除”或“转晴”,作副词时,义:“清楚地”、“完全地”。例:
The rubbish must be cleared away.
一定要把这些垃圾清除掉。
It will clear up in no time.
天气即将放晴。
A bullet went clear through the stone wall.
有一颗子弹完全穿过了石墙。
如所周知,clear的另一副词是clearly,但在下列语句中,应用副词clear,而不用clearly:
ten feet clear足足有十英呎
They cried clear through the night.
他们整整哭了一个晚上。
It vanished clear away(=clean away).
它完全消失不见了。
He spoke loud and clear.
他讲得既响亮,又清楚。
值得注意的是,如果clear之前用另一副词very或quite,就必须将clear改为clearly,即:
He spoke very(or quite)clearly.