| 词组 | mean |
| 释义 | mean ◊ 'mean' used as a verb Mean is usually used as a verb. Its past tense and past participle is meant , not 'meaned'. You use mean when you are talking about the meaning of a word or expression. For example, you might say 'What does ''promissory'' mean?' What does 'imperialism' mean? 'Pandemonium' means 'the place of all devils'. Note that you must use the auxiliary 'does' in questions like these. You do not say, for example, 'What means ''promissory''?' You can use mean with an '-ing' form to say what an attitude or type of behaviour implies or involves. Being aware means being free from prejudice. Some people will buy them even if it means defying the law. What someone means is what they are referring to or are intending to say. I know the guy you mean. I thought you meant you wanted to take your own car. ◊ WARNING You do not use mean when you are talking about people's opinions or beliefs. You do not say, for example, 'Most of the directors mean he should resign'. You say 'Most of the directors think he should resign'. Similarly, you do not say 'His subjects mean that he is descended from God'. You say 'His subjects believe that he is descended from God'. I think a woman has as much right to work as a man. Most scientists believe the atmosphere of Jupiter is too unstable for life. ◊ 'means' used as a noun A means of doing something is a method or thing that makes it possible. Scientists are working to devise a means of storing this type of power. The essential means of transport for the islanders remains the donkey. The plural of 'means' is also means. An attempt was made to sabotage the ceremony by violent means. ◊ 'by means of' If you do something by means of a particular method or object, you do it using that method or object. The rig is anchored in place by means of steel cables. ◊ 'by all means' You can say 'by all means' to indicate that you are very willing to allow something to be done. If you feel you need to ask any questions, by all means do so. 'Would it be all right if I left a bit early?' ---'Yes, yes, by all means.' ◊ WARNING You do not use by all means to mean 'using whatever methods are necessary'. You do not say, for example, 'He was determined to become leader by all means'. You say 'He was determined to become leader by whatever means'. Should not its alleviation by whatever means be the prime consideration? ◊ 'mean' used as an adjective Someone who is mean is unwilling to spend much money or to use much of something. You describe someone as mean when you disapprove of their behaviour. Become a regular customer and don't be mean with the tips. ◊ similar adjectives The following adjectives can also be used to describe someone who does not spend much money: economical, frugal, miserly, parsimonious, penny-pinching, stingy, thrifty, tight, tight-fisted Economical and frugal are neutral words. Spaghetti, ravioli, and noodles have for years been the staple dishes of economical Italian countryfolk. Make some stringent economies, be as frugal as a monk. Thrifty is a complimentary word. The people were industrious and very thrifty. Miserly, parsimonious, penny-pinching, stingy, tight, and tight-fisted are used to show disapproval. Parsimonious is a formal word. He was commercially stingy, absorbed with the cost of glue, paper clips and string. At home he was churlish, parsimonious, and unloving to his daughters. Penny-pinching is used mainly by journalists and public speakers. He said the Government's penny-pinching policies were causing loss of life. |
| 随便看 |
英语用法大全包含2070条英语用法指南，基本涵盖了全部常用英文词汇及语法点的翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。