这三个介词的用法既有相同之处,也有不同之处。分述如下:
1. 三者均可表示随身带着,有时可互换。如:
I have no money about [on, with] me. 我身边没带钱。
2. 严格说来,这三个词是有区别的:
(1) about 一般指随身带的小物品。如:
Have you a ballpoint pen about you? 你身上带圆珠笔了吗?
2) with 多指带较大的东西(也可指较小的东西)。如:
He took an umbrella with him. 他随身带了把伞。
3) on 表示带在身上(如在口袋里)。如:
Have you any money on you? 你身上带着钱吗?
注:此例若用 with 或 about,则不一定放在身上,可能放在皮包里等。
3. 用于引申义,表示某人或某物的特性或特征,通常用 about。如:
There is something noble about him. 他有一种高贵的气质。
He always has his wits about him. 他一向不失机智(www.nmet168.com)。
We can see something beautiful about the old cottage. 从这座古老的小屋本身我们可以看到一些美的东西。
注:以上用法中的 about 有时可与介词 in 换用,前者侧重指外在表现,后者侧重指内在素质。
Scalded woman fighting for life
Obama vows to pursue nuclear cuts with Russia
Obama to stress security alliance in Seoul visit
Online group buying to be regulated
James Murdoch: 'I could have asked more questions'
Fishing bans imposed on Pearl, Yangtze to help declining stock
BBC TV teaches children yi, er, san
Monks' radical moves in Tibet opposed
US urged to stop meddling over Tibet
New Zealand focuses on Eastern promise
Soldiers in Mali seize power after attack on palace
First US Marines arrive in Australia
Man kills 4 outside French school
Obama, Lee warn DPRK rocket test
Tougher penalties required against illegal food additives
Obama's incumbency vs Romney's hurdles
Wen asks Chongqing to reflect
Blood-lead level testing resumed amid outcry
Afghan Taliban say US must rebuild trust
Translation errors cause disputes over contract terms
Cuisine lexicon offers tasty food for thought
China-New Zealand relationship 'best ever'
UK paper claims to have Assad's e-mails
Taxis get subsidy to soften fuel hike blow
15 dead as train collides with taxi in India
Pandas show interest, but fail to mate at zoo
Iran mulls venues for nuclear talks
High winds warning for weekend
Sydney Harbour Bridge turns 80
Satellite launch 'harmful'