listen to,listen for
这两个片语都有听的意思,但词义有细微的差异。
Listen to表示静静地听的意思,多半用于已被听见的场合。例:
Fellow students,you should listen to what the teacher says carefully.
同学们,你们要认真地听老师讲课。
We listen to Radio Hong Kong every morning.
每天早上我们收听香港电台。
Listen for表示用心倾听之意,目的是要找出声音来,多用于尚未听到的场合。例:
Annie will come in any moment;we are all listening for her footsteps.
安妮可能随时来到,我们大家都在侧耳倾听她的脚步声。
We stood without the gate and listened for the sound of his voice,but in vain.
我们站在门外侧耳倾听他的说话声,但一点也听不到。
Listen in也表示倾听的意思,但它专用以指收听无线电或广播。如:
I listened in to the President this morning.
今天早上我收听总统演说。
Listen in 也可解作偷听如:listen in to a private conversation(窃听私人谈话)。