放大圖片
■每一個小孩子都懂得閱讀。 資料圖片
余黎青萍 前教育署署長
日常我們用涉及數目的前置詞(介詞)、形容詞、代名詞或相互代名詞,可有留意到需要小心?若是普通閒談,或可較為隨便,但書寫時應該講究、嚴格,盡量採用正宗的表達方式。
譬如:between限指「兩者」之間,among則用於「三」或更多的情況,amongst亦然。
There is no secret between you and me.
我倆之間,並無隱瞞。
It is good to be among friends.
處於朋友當中是樂事。
Between these two, which do you choose?
兩者之間,你選哪個?
The team has to decide on a captain among themselves.
那團隊需從多名隊友當中推選隊長。
The two friends often write to each other.
該兩友人常互相通信。
With extended families, distant relatives may not know one another.
在大家庭裡,遠親未必互相認識。
The twin brothers love each other.
那孿生兄弟互相愛護。
When in need, true friend will help one another.
有需要時,摯友會互相幫助。
Each強調「各自」
Each和every雖同是表示「每一」、「各一」,但each則強調是「各自」,而every描述較整體、一般性。
Each child knows how to read.
每一個小孩都曉得閱讀。
Every man knows the way. 人人皆識路。
Each guest will come dressed in his best.
每一位人客都會盛裝赴會。
Every guest knows when to come.
人客都知道甚麼時候蒞臨。
Every cloud has a silver lining.
大凡(烏)雲都有銀白邊緣(一線光明)。
Each與every非通用
從以下例子,可以更清楚each與every並非通用,故不能調換:
I wish you every success.
祝你事事有成!
I like to travel every now and then.
我喜歡時不時旅遊。
不過,亦有同時用each and every這兩個字的詞句,以加重語氣:
The resourceful adviser has a solution for each and every problem.
機智的顧問對大凡每一個難題都有解決的良方(策略)。
Each and every contestant has done well.
每一名參賽者均表現優良。
運用數目的詞彙,實有一門學問,值得考究。
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