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高中实用英语语法精粹 part1 不定冠词
一、不定冠词“a”和“an”
1. 不定冠词的常见用法
（1）用在普通单数名词前，表“类别”。
Miss Brown is a primary school teacher. 布朗小姐是小学教师。［不宜译为“布朗小姐是位小学教师。”］
（2）用在普通单数名词前，表“泛指，即整体一类的事物或人”。
A square has four right angles. 凡正方形皆有四个直角。［或：正方形有四个直角。］
An ant is a gregarious insect（群居昆虫）. 蚂蚁是群居昆虫。［指蚂蚁，不论其为何种类，皆为群居昆虫，同义词：sociable; living in groups］
（3）用在单数名词前，表示“每个”。
He earns about 4, 000 dollars a year. 他一年大约挣4万美元。
He works downtown. 他在市中心工作。
（4）用在专有名词前，表示“某一个”。
He introduced me to a Mr. Edwin, who was one of the richest men in the world. 他把我介绍给了一位名叫埃德温的先生，此人是世界上最富有的男人之一。
A Ms. Jean Murphy has been waiting for you at the gate for half an hour. 有个叫琼·墨菲的女士在门口等你半小时了。
注： 有时候不定冠词 + 专有名词，表示与该专有名词相仿的人或物，译时可灵活掌握。
Paul is a pretty good playwright, but he is not a Shakespeare. 保罗是一位很不错的戏剧家，但却不能与莎翁相提并论。
He talks volubly like a Johnson. 他说起话来滔滔不绝，很像约翰逊。［Samuel Johnson是英国18世纪著名学者，以健谈闻名］
That guy is a Shylock. 那家伙是另一个夏洛克。［夏洛克是莎士比亚的名剧《威尼斯商人》中一个非常刻薄吝啬的人］［注：shylock可用作vi.，意为“放高利贷”，如：His income derived from shylocking. 他的收入是靠放高利贷得来的。］
She wishes her son to be a Bell or a Lincoln. 她希望儿子成为像贝尔那样的发明家或像林肯那样的政治家。
（5）用在单数名词前，表“具有相同的性质”，a=the same。
Birds of a feather flock together.［谚］物以类聚，人以群分。
If you ask me what I think of the two, I would say they are much of a muchness. 如果你问我对这两个的看法，我会说他们非常相似，不分伯仲。［much of a muchness 系习惯用语，=they are very much the same意谓“大同小异”。］
The two boys are of an age. 这两个男孩同年。
（6）用在没有形容词修饰的单数名词前面，以强调“程度”。
It has snowed for a time（= for a long time）. 雪下了好长时间了。
Yours is an idea（=a great idea）. 你讲的真是个高见。
（7）用在有修饰语修饰的抽象名词或物质名词前，表“某种特殊性质或类别”。
This is wine.［wine是物质名词，前面不用冠词］
This is a fine red wine.［上品红葡萄酒，表示特殊性质或级别，故需用不定冠词］
*此部分有更为详细的讲解和实例，请参见本书“名词”一章有关“不可数名词用法”部分。
当turn或go作“变成”解时，其后作表语的名词前不用冠词。如果主语为复数，其后的名词也不能用复数。例如：
Her turned concert pianist in his twenties. 他在20多岁成为在音乐会上演奏的钢琴家。
Two of them turned traitor after being arrested. 其中两人被捕后成了叛徒。［注意：尽管主语是Two，但traitor仍用单数］
John has gone Democrat. 约翰成了民主党人。
注：若作表语的名词前有形容词修饰时，则需要用不定冠词。
He's turned a good husband. 他变成了一个好丈夫。
The maple leaves have turned a dark red. What a fantastic sight! 枫叶变得通红。多么棒的景象啊！
2. “a”和“an”用法上的区别
（1）名词发音以辅音开始的，用a。
a cup/a camel/a one-eyed man/a European
（2）名词发音以元音开始的，用an。
an orphan（孤儿）/an eagle（老鹰）/an hour（一小时）/an heir（继承人）
He is an orphan and lives with his uncle. 他是个孤儿，和他叔父一起生活。
He is heir to a large fortune. 他是大单遗产的继承人。
3. a（n）和one含义上的差别
（1）at a time 指“逐一地，一次地；同时”，而at one time 指“从前，一度”。
比较：
（2）比较以下两组句子：
（3）as a man 意为“从普通人的观点”，而as one man 则是“一致地”。
I speak as a man , not as a president. 我是从普通人的观点而不是从总统的观点来讲话。
The audience stood as one man and applauded. 观众一致起立鼓掌。
（4）当表示“对照”的时候，用one而不用a（n）。
One man's meat is another man's poison.［谚］对甲有利的未必对乙也有利。
That's only one way of translating it, but there are other and better ways. 那仅仅是翻译的一种方法，但其他更好的方法有的是。
（5）在以下习语中，a（n）和one可以互换。
in a/one word 简而言之
In a/one word, if we want to do our work well, we must make preparations carefully. 简而言之，如果要把工作做好，我们就必须仔细做好准备工作。
注： 此处in a/one word可以为in short或in brief所替代，意思不变。
be of a/one mind 看法一致；一条心；一个心愿
The people of the various nationalities are of one/a mind in building China into a prosperous socialist country. 各族人民同心同德，要把中国建设成一个繁荣昌盛的社会主义国家。
at a/one blow 一下子；一击，一拳
He felled three enemy soldiers at a blow. 他一下子撂倒了三个敌兵。［这里fell不是fall的过去式，而是另一个动词，作“击倒；致……于死地”解］
When I bought this expensive pair of spectacles, two thirds of my monthly income was gone at one blow. 买了这副昂贵的眼镜后，我三分之二的月收入一下子就没了。
注： at a/one blow 可被at a/one stroke 代替，意思不变，也可用at a single blow，但不能用at one single blow。
a/one hundred percent 十足的
He is a/one hundred percent idiot. 他是个十足的傻瓜。
例外 有些习语中，a（n）和one不可互换。例如：用one evening，不用an evening，用on an evening，不用on one evening；用a friend of mine，不用one friend of mine。
4. a（n）的一些惯用结构
（1）so + 形容词 + a（n） + 单数可数名词。
so useful a book = such a useful book
so hot a day = such a hot day
注： ①这里带so的结构颇具文学色彩，如：I have never met so charming a person. 我从未见过如此有魅力的人。
②此结构只适用于单数可数名词，复数名词和不可数名词不可用于此结构。
so tall buildings［错，应该用such tall buildings］
so expensive furniture［错，因为furniture是不可数名词，该用 such expensive furniture］
③根据不同情况，此结构中so可以被as, too, how等所代替。
I bet that she is as pretty a girl as you can wish to meet.
It is too difficult a book for my class.
The boy didn't realize how serious a mistake he had made till much later.
*有关此部分更详细的解析，请参见本书“代词”一章有关“指示代词”一节。
（2）a（n） + 单数可数名词 + of + a（n） + 单数可数名词。
该结构颇具文学色彩，of前面部分充当定语成分，修饰of 后面部分，相当于中文“……般的……”：
an angel of a wife 天使般的妻子
a doll of a girl 洋娃娃般的女孩
a beast of a place 像畜生般令人厌恶的脏地方
She has got an unfeeling brute of a husband. 她丈夫简直是一个没有感情的畜生。
She lives in a palace of a house, but she is leading a hell of a life. 她住在宫殿般的官邸中，却过着地狱般的生活。
注： 这一结构中第一个不定冠词可以用所有格或指示代词等来替换，但不能用定冠词the；第二个不定冠词不可省略。例如：that kitten of a girl（那个像小猫般温顺的女孩），this skeleton of a dog（这条骨瘦如柴的狗），that idiot of a woman（那个傻女人），故“I got the devil of a headache yesterday.”是错的，应把the devil改为a devil，即I got a devil of a headache yesterday.（ 我昨天头痛得要命。）
（3）of + a（n） + morning（afternoon, evening, etc.）。
这一表示时间的结构用于指一种经常性的行为，即“一般……，通常……”之意。
What do you do of a Saturday（ = on Saturdays） 星期六你通常干什么？
They always like to go there of an evening（ = in the evening ）. 他们总是喜欢晚上去那里。
注： ①这一结构在现代英语口语中不常用，用“on Sundays, on Saturdays, in the evening, etc.”更好。
②这一结构用于经常性的事，而不是一次性的事。比较：
Often, of an afternoon we'd go for a walk along the street.［对，此处表经常性］
The patient died of a morning.［错，此处表示一次性的情况，of a morning须改为in the morning］
（4）a（n） + 单数名词 + or two。
an hour or two 一两个小时；a day or two 一两天
注： 在此句型中，a（n）不能由one所代替。例如：
one day or two［错，改为a day or two或one or two days］
one person or two［错，改为a person or two或one or two persons］
5. 带a（n）的若干习惯用语
Don't be a stranger! 别这么见外嘛！
Don't be a stranger! In case you need money, just let me know. 别这么见外嘛！要是你需要钱，尽管告诉我。
an eye for an eye 血债血还 ［出自圣经，“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”通常后半句省略］
They hanged him for killing their friend. That is what people call “an eye for an eye”. 他们因他杀了他们的朋友而把他吊死了。这就是人们所谓的“血债血还”。
have a heart 行行好［用于祈使句中］
Come on, Mike! Give him another chance. Have a heart! 迈克，得了！再给他一次机会吧，行行好嘛！
注： ①用于带有主语的陈述句中，have a heart作“勇气”解。
He has a heart to defend the honor of his country. 他有勇气保卫国家的荣誉。
②在否定疑问句形式中，“Don't you have a heart ” 作“你有没有良心啊？”解。
I can't believe you beat your parents. Don't you have a heart 想不到你竟然动手打你爸妈，你有没有良心啊？
It's a deal. 一言为定/就这样定了。
A: OK, the matter is settled then. 好，这事就这样解决了。
B: It's a deal. 一言为定。
many a + 单数名词接单数动词 = a large number of / many + 复数名词接复数动词
Many a man has been destroyed by gambling. 好多人都毁在赌博上。
Many a true word is spoken in jest.［谚］笑谈之中有至理。
Many a pickle makes a mickle.［谚］积少成多。
Many a time（=Many times） I have watched the trees glow as the sun sets behind them. 我曾好多次观看这些树在落日的映照下熠熠生辉。
注： 因many a ... 比 many ... 更具强调性与文学性，故上列最后一例中之主谓也可倒置，即Many a time have I watched the trees glow as the sun sets behind them.
Not a chance. （= No chance.） 门儿也没有。 ［作“There is no possibility of that.”解］
A: Do you think we can get a raise next month 你认为我们下个月会加薪吗？
B: Not a chance. 门儿也没有。
That's a bad idea if I've ever heard one! 你怎么想得出这么个馊主意！
A: Why don't we falsify the accounts to hide the company's loss from the board of directors 我们干吗不篡改账目，向董事会隐瞒公司的亏损呢？
B: That's a bad idea if I've ever heard one! 你怎么想得出这么个馊主意！
a+抽象名词+定语从句，表示“于……中见……”
Lao She wrote with a simplicity that was coupled with humour. 老舍写作的风格于质朴中见幽默。
you are a one +现在分词再接宾语短句
You are a one telling that joke in front of the priest. 你真大胆，竟然在神父面前讲那样的笑话。
Never is a long time. “决不”两字莫轻言。
注： 这一习惯用语用于批评他人过早把话说绝，其中time一字也可换用word或day，但不及time普遍。
All things must come to an end. 天下没有不散的筵席。
I hate to say goodbye, but all things must come to an end. 我真不想说再见，但天下没有不散的筵席啊。
a private conversation 说几句悄悄话
My wife took me aside for a private conversation. 我太太把我拉到一边说了几句悄悄话。
a + 人名 （用于某人姓名前）有个名叫……的人
There is a Miss Irene to see you at the school gate. 校门口有位艾琳小姐要见你。
throw sb. a bone/throw a bone to sb. 对某人施以小惠
The principal of the primary school threw a bone to angry teachers with a small pay increase. 该小学校长稍涨一点工资对愤怒的教师施以小惠。
注： principal指小学或中学校长，president指大学校长。
break out in a（cold） sweat （因恐惧、焦急）冒出一身（冷）汗
He broke out in a cold sweat and fled from the room, his face（being） as pale as death. 他冒出一身冷汗，逃出房间，面无人色。
注： break out in a（cold）sweat也可用He was all of a sweat. 替代，指因恐惧，焦急或担心而冒出一身汗。
in a manner of speaking （可用于句首或句末）不妨说；可以说
In a manner of speaking, you are putting the cart before the horse. 不妨说，你本末倒置了。
They have got him in a jam, in a manner of speaking. 可以说，他们已让他陷入困境了。
reach a climax 达到高潮
The story reaches a climax in Chapter Eight. 故事在第八章达到高潮。
注： 如要表达“逐渐发展到高潮”则用“work up to a climax”。
bring sth. to a close 使某事了结
We have been involved in the matter for too long; we must bring it to a close as soon as possible.
我们卷入这件事太久了，须尽早把它了结。
by a hair's breadth 间不容发地，险些
He escaped death by a hair's breadth 他死里逃生。
He escaped by a hair's breadth. 他险些遇难。
注： ①to a hair's breadth和by a hair's breadth 在意思上有明显差别。to a hair's breadth作“精确地；丝毫不差地”解，如Their measurements are correct to a hair's breadth. 他们的测量非常精确，丝毫不错。②在现代英语中也常用by a hair来替代by a hair's breadth，如He missed the target by a hair. 他差一点儿射中目标。I lost the table tennis game by a hair. 我以微弱的差距输了这场乒乓球比赛。
by a whisker 以毫厘之差
He missed the opportunity by a whisker. 他以毫厘之差失去了这次机会。
注： within a whisker of指“险些儿……”或“差一点儿……”，如My father was within a whisker of bankruptcy. 我父亲险些破产。/They came within a whisker of being killed. 他们险些丢了性命。
a bird's-eye view of
①鸟瞰
From the helicopter we obtained a bird's-eye view of the town. 我们从直升机上鸟瞰到城镇的全景。
②概述
The professor of economy gave a bird's-eye view of the global economic situation. 该经济学教授概述了全球的经济形势。
③概观
All you need is a bird's-eye view of the important events of World War II to pass the test. 你只需要概观一下第二次世界大战的重大事件便能通过该项测试。
a blank check
①空白支票，即未填金额的签名支票
Mr. Smith was given a blank check in the choice of personnel for the new department. 史密斯先生被授予全权为这个新部门挑选人才。
②自由处理权，全权，自由行动权
The President was given a blank check by congress to continue the war. 国会授予总统自由行动权可继续这场战争。
bang one's head against a brick wall 白费力气，枉费心机
You really expect that he will pay you back You are banging your head against a brick wall.
你真的指望他会还你钱吗？你这是在白费力气（或枉费心机）。
注： 在上面这一习惯用语中，a brick wall也可换用the wall。
bring matters to a head 使事态进入（陷入）紧急关头
Their sudden refusal to circulate necessary funds brings our project to a head. 他们突然拒绝周旋必需的资金使我们的项目陷入紧急关头。
注： 以上表达法也可换用Our project comes to a head because of their sudden refusal to circulate necessary funds.
burn with a low blue flame 心里憋着一股闷气
By the time she showed up three hours late, I was burning with a low blue flame. 迟到了三个小时她才到来，这让我心里憋着一股闷气。
much of a muchness （口）很相像，差不多，半斤八两
The two candidates are much of a muchness — it's hard to choose between them. 这两位候选人不相上下，很难挑选。
drive a hard bargain 杀价；迫使对方接受苛刻的条件
The shrewd businessman is adept at/in driving a hard bargain with the sellers.
该精明的生意人善于狠杀卖主的价格。
do a dry run of 排练；演习
Before the speech contest, you had better do a dry run of your speech in front of a mirror.
演讲比赛前，你最好对着镜子试讲一下。
not a dry eye 无不流泪
After the tragic drama there wasn't a dry eye in the theatre. 看完那出悲剧，观众中没有一个不掉眼泪的。
a drug on/in the market 市场上的滞销品
Right now, small computers are a drug on/in the market. 现在，小型计算机已是市场上的滞销品。
get a thumbs-down 遭到反对
The proposal got a general thumbs-down. 这项提议遭到普遍反对。
注： 这一惯用法的反面惯用语为thumbs-up，表示赞同或满意，经常与动词give连用。如The workers applauded and gave the new economic management system a thumbs-up. 工人们拍手欢迎并竖起大拇指表示赞同新的经济管理体制。
at a premium
①以超过一般的价格（价值），以高价
Hard-to-get rare-earth minerals are now sold at a premium. 紧俏的稀土矿物现在以高价出售。
②奇缺的，非常需要的
In many big cities of China labor is at a premium（=is difficult to get）. 在中国许多大城市中，劳动力奇缺。
stretch a point 破例通融，破例让步
We'll stretch a point and reduce the price by five dollars. 我们愿意破例通融，降价5美元。
I think if we do not make too high a demand, they will be sensible enough to stretch a point.
我想如果我们不是提出太高的要求，他们会通情达理破例让步的。
注： 在stretch a point 这一习语中，stretch 也可换用strain。
by a mile
①离目标尚远
Your shot missed the target by a mile. 你的射击离目标很远。
②大错特错
Tom was not conscientious in his studies. He just tried to guess on the examination and resultantly his answers missed by a mile. 汤姆不认真学习，考试时只是试图猜答案，结果答的大错特错。
③一败涂地
Colin wanted to be governor, but in the election he missed by a mile. 科林想当州长，但在竞选中一败涂地。
hang by a thread 千钧一发，岌岌可危
The old patient is hanging by a thread. 该老年患者现在生命垂危。
by a run 突然
The temperature came down by a run in the middle of the night. 在半夜中温度突然下降。
have an embarrassment of... 多得难以选择
The collector has an embarrassment of art curiosities. 该收藏家收藏的艺术珍品多得难以选择。
My father has an embarrassment of friends. 我爸爸的朋友多得让他难以应付。
an act of God 天灾，指不可抗力，如风暴、洪水、地震
My insurance company would not pay for the damage because it was an act of God. 因该损失是天灾造成，我的保险公司不予赔偿。
an act of kindness 善行
An act of kindness bears good fruit. 善行结善果。
put on an act 装模作样
He was not really angry; he was putting on an act. 他并没有真的发怒，他是在装腔。
as an aside 小声（低声）说的话
At the wedding, Tom said as an aside, “The bride doesn't look well.” 在婚礼上，汤姆悄悄地说：“新娘长得不好看。”
within an inch of 差一点儿，险些
In that car crash he was within an inch of his life. 在那次撞车事故中，他差一点儿丧命。
He was beaten by the sinister gang to within an inch of his life. 他被黑帮人员打得半死。
A little boy fell into water and was within an inch of drowning. 一个小男孩掉进水里，险些淹死。
Give him an inch and he'll take an ell. （谚）得寸进尺
That guy is insatiably greedy. Give him an inch and he'll take an ell. 那家伙贪得无厌，得寸进尺。
注： ell埃尔（旧时量布的长度单位，相当于45英寸或115厘米）在现代美语中，已把ell改用mile，意思不变，通常采用两种形式：Give him an inch, and he will take an ell.或If you give him an inch, he will take a mile. 如 First we let John borrow our car for a day. Now he wants to use our car on a two-week vacation. If you give him an inch, he will take a mile.
cast sth./sb. aside like an old shoe 弃之如敝屣
I won't trust him an inch. He'll cast you aside like an old shoe when he has no further use of you. 我不会相信他。他一旦用不着你，就把你弃之如敝屣。
be on an upbeat 上升，向好的方向发展
Our business is on an upbeat. 我们的生意越来越红火。
keep an eye on sth./sb.
①留心，不停地注意
Keep an eye on the stove in case the milk boils. 注意炉子，别让（或以防）牛奶沸出。
②照顾，看护
Please keep an eye on the children while I am out, will you 我出去时请照顾一下孩子们好吗？

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