fairly,quite,rather,pretty這四個(gè)副詞都表示程度,一般英漢詞典的釋義都是“相當(dāng)”或“頗”.這幾個(gè)詞單憑其漢語釋義是看不出它們的差異的,似乎漢語沒有與它們相當(dāng)?shù)脑~.在英語中這幾個(gè)副詞表示的“程度”相差很大.它們的詞義按照上面的排列順序,從fairly 開始到pretty 為止,是逐漸加強(qiáng)的.比fairly
In spite of this,many people are confident that "The Revealer" may reveal something of value fairly soon.
盡管如此,許多人相信“這架探寶器”不久就會探測出有價(jià)值的東西來.
The car is fairly large for the four of us.
這輛車我們四個(gè)人勉強(qiáng)坐得開.
They were also quite sure that a cigarette end did not start the fire.
他們還相當(dāng)肯定,一個(gè)香煙頭不會引起這場火災(zāi).
The car is quite large for(the two of us.
這輛車我們倆乘坐相當(dāng)大了.
To make matters worse,the room is rather small.
使得事情更糟糕的是,這個(gè)房子相當(dāng)?。ǚ孔犹?不太合適）.
當(dāng)rather修飾large、small或其它性質(zhì)的形容詞時(shí),往往表示太大或太小而不合適,特別是在形容詞前有too時(shí)
The book is rather too difficult for the boy.
這本書對于這個(gè)孩子來說太難了.
It is a rather surprising result.
這是相當(dāng)令人吃驚的成就.
It's pretty cold outside.
戶外相當(dāng)冷啊.
The situation is pretty hopeless.
這局面叫人感到相當(dāng)絕望.
p.s.very比他們程度都強(qiáng)