less,lesser
这两个词都是little的比较级,都可指较少或较小。less偏重于not so much的意思,而lesser偏重于not so great或smaller、minor、lower的意思。它们都可用于数量、重量、程度、重要性、价值等方面。它们最大的区别在于用法及跟其他词语搭配上的不同,二者又不能互掉使用。请比较下面各例:
(一)less所修饰的名词是不可数的,且没有冠词在前,如:
I received less pay than he.
我收的薪金比他少。
I was given the lesser sum of money.
我得到较少的一份金钱。
I want less sugar for my coffee.
我的咖啡要加少些糖。
I prefer a lesser amount of meat.
我选择较少量的肉食。
(二)less可带than,并指二者或多于二者的比较;lesser不用than,而用of,并只限于二者的比较。
These days,I eat less rice than I used to.
近来我比以前少吃饭。
Rice and wheat are two staple foods in China.In the north,rice is the lesser of the two.
米和小麦是中国的两种主要食粮。在北方,米较小麦为次要。
(三)涉及程度、价值、重要性等方面时,一般用lesser(指 smaller,not so great,minor,lower):
Wealth is of less importance than health.(较不重要)
Between health and wealth,the former is of lesser importance.(较次要)
I have less difficulty with my work now.(较少困难)
In times of political crisis,juvenile delinquency is the lesser difficulty facing the government.(较次要的困难)
The accused pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Otherwise,he would have to face murder charges.(较轻的罪状)
The lesser poets are not respected like the great ones.(名气稍逊的诗人)
Compared with fossil fuels,nuclear energy is the lesser evil(the lesser of two evils).(较轻微的坏事)
Do you know where Lesser Asia(Asia Minor)is?(小亚细亚)
Tonight,the lesser light(the moon)appears in full splendour.
A cashless society 无现金社会
Loss of biodiversity affects human society 生物多样性减少给人类社会带来影响
Need glasses? Try kale instead. 视力不好吃羽衣甘蓝试试
Young and in business 年轻人创业从商
Are you a team player? 你是一名具有团队精神的人吗?
Sweat it out – in a bath! 泡热水澡等于做运动
Old-school 老一套,老派
How to live longer 怎么才能长寿
Closing the doors on paradise 为生态修复关闭旅游天堂岛屿
Bye bye Big Ben's bongs 与大本钟的钟声暂时告别
The problem with big brains 聪明大脑所带来的问题
Are you addicted to your phone? 你是不是玩手机上瘾了?
Why do we laugh? 为什么我们会笑?
Brain training 如何训练大脑?
Are you ready for your exam? 考试,你准备好了吗?
Mobiles at the movies 在电影院里玩手机
Is VR the new reality? 虚拟现实会成为现实吗?
A matter of waste 废物回收一两事
Online Shopping 网上购物-英语点津
Summer in Britain 英国夏季的节日和活动