并列，并排　side by side (with sb/sth) and facing the same way

1. abreast的基本意思是“并列，并排”，在句中常用作状语（多位于词尾）或表语，用作表语时常用于be〔keep〕 abreast of〔with〕短语中。
2. abreast不用于比较等级。

　Five cars stood abreast.　五辆汽车排成一行停靠。
　They lined up six abreast.　他们排成六人一行。

 ♣ be〔keep〕 abreast of〔with〕
（使）保持与…并列；了解…的最新情况(cause to) remain level with (sb or sth ahead);(cause to) know the most recent facts about
　Brooks was abreast of the leading runner for a few minutes but then fell behind.　布鲁克斯赶上领先的赛跑运动员好几分钟，可是后来落后了。
　This building is abreast of the tip of the island.　这幢建筑物与该岛的尖端齐头。
　Read the papers if you want to keep abreast of time.　如果你想跟上时代就要看报。
　She kept abreast with the flood of communications that had poured in.　她及时回复如雪片般飞来的大批信件。
　Even this arrangement did not keep wages abreast of the rising living cost.　即使这样的安排也不能使工资水平跟上日益上涨的生活费用。