在《新概念英语》第二册第61课的难点部分(Special difficulties)中,提到了cost、price与value的用法区别。这三个词因为意思相近,而且都可以同时用作名词和动词,所以的确容易混淆,今天我们就来做个梳理对比。
【注】
为了更好地理解和对比三个单词的用法,在以下的内容中,我会引用柯林斯在线词典的定义(www.collinsdictionary.com),以下就简称为词典定义了。
一、cost
(一)用做名词
【词典定义】Thecostof something is the amount of money that is needed in order to buy, do, or make it.
由该定义我们可以得知:
cost作为名词,主要表示费用;成本。但是,cost也因此可以引申为代价的意思,此时常用于at a cost of及其变形的短语中。如:
费用:We calculated the cost of building a new house. (我们计算了造1座新房子的费用。)
成本:We have to sum up the costs of production. (我们得计算一下生产成本。)
代价:Im determined to attain my purpose at any cost. (我决心不惜任何代价达到目的。)
(二)用作动词
【词典定义】If somethingcostsa particular amount of money, you can buy, do, or make it for that amount.
由该定义可以得知:
cost作为动词,主要表示值多少钱;花费,但也因此可以引申为使付出...代价。如:
值多少钱:How much do the vegetables cost? (这些蔬菜怎么卖?)
花费:That car must have cost a fortune. (这辆汽车一定花了不少钱。)
使付出...代价:Her irresponsible behaviour cost her father many sleepless nights. (她那不负责任的行为使她父亲许多夜不得安眠。)
二、price
(一)作为名词
【词典定义】Thepriceof something is the amount of money that you have to pay in order to buy it.
由该定义可以得知:
与cost不同的是,price侧重表达的是价格;物价。不过,price也可以表示代价,而且也常用语at a price及其变形的短语中。如:
价格:I wonder why the company keeps its price so low. (我奇怪那个公司为什么把他们的价格压得那么低。)
代价:But prosperity comes at a price. (但繁荣是有代价的。)
【cost与price】
这两个词都有价格的意思,有时可以互换。如:
Whats the cost/price of this pen? (这支笔多少钱?)
两者的区别是:
cost侧重原价;成本的意思,而price指的是商品的销售价格,尤指卖方对商品所要求的价格,所以一般情况下,物品的price总比它的cost高些。
(二)作为动词
【词典定义】If something ispricedat a particular amount, the price is set at that amount.
由该定义可以得知:
price作为动词,表示的是定价;估价。如:
Ill ask an expert to price the old car. (我将请一位专家来给这辆旧车定价。)
三、value
(一)作为名词
【词典定义】Thevalueof something such as a quality, attitude, or method is its importance or usefulness. If you place a particularvalueon something, that is the importance or usefulness you think it has.
由该定义可以得知:
value作为名词,主要表示的是价值;重要性。如:
价值:This book will be of great value to him in his study. (这本书将对他的研究有很大价值。)
重要性:No one knows the value of health until he loses it. (直到失去了健康,人们方知健康的重要性。)
(二)作为动词
【词典定义】If youvaluesomething or someone, you think that they are important and you appreciate them.
由该定义可以得知:
value作为动词,主要表示的是估价;重视。如:
估价:Youd better ask an expert concerned to value your apartment. (你应该请一位有关的专家来对你的房子进行估价。 )
重视:The Chinese highly value the strong family ties. (中国人高度重视家庭关系。)
四、小试牛刀
下面我们就来看看教材上配套的这7道题,大家可以试试选择适合的词语:
1. There has been a sharp rise in theprice/cost/valueof living.
2. Whenever I buy anything new, my father always asks me thevalue/cost/price.
3. If you have to work for something, you willvalue/price/costit more.
4. That housevalued/cost/priceda fortune to build.
5. Dr. Jamess work is of enormousvalue/cost/priceto the community.
6. Jane hasvalued/cost/pricedthe alternative products and she recommends this one.
7. So far, ten countries have given money towards thevalue/price/costof rebuilding after the earthquake.
参考答案请到文章底部的讨论区里查找。
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