英语相似词辨析 out of question,out of the question

out of question,out of the question

这一对片语仅差一字之微，涵义却大相径庭。

Out of question的意思是“毫无疑问”，它是副词性短语，修饰谓语动词或整个句子。其义相当于beyond question，beyond doubt。例：

The general trend of the situation in Bosnia is out of question，developing in a direction more favourable¹ to peace．

毫无疑问，波斯尼亚形势的总趋势是朝着更加有利于和平的方向发展。

The sabotage² is out of question a fresh blow to international peace efforts．

那次阴谋破坏无疑对国际和平努力又是一个新的打击。

Out of the question的意思是“毫无可能”、“根本不必讨论”。它是形容词性短语，用作verb “to be”的补语。例：

Asking a miser³ to donate to charity is out of the question．

要求一个守财奴为慈善捐献是完全不可能的。

Without the participation⁴ of ten thousand workers，completion of such a mammoth⁵ undertaking⁶ in so short a period would be out of the question．

如果没有上万名工人参加，在这样短的时期完成如此巨大的工程是决不可能的。

在英语中，由于多了一个冠词而变得意义大相径庭的例子是不少的，下面再举一些常见的片语和句子。

They are in church．他们在做礼拜。

They are in the church．他们在教堂里。

When did he go to school?他是几岁上学的？

When did he go to the school?他是什么时候到学校去的？

at table在吃饭

at the table围桌而坐

1 favourable   

adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The company will lend you money on very favourable terms.这家公司将以非常优惠的条件借钱给你。
• We found that most people are favourable to the idea.我们发现大多数人同意这个意见。

2 sabotage   

n.怠工，破坏活动，破坏；v.从事破坏活动，妨害，破坏

参考例句：

• They tried to sabotage my birthday party.他们企图破坏我的生日晚会。
• The fire at the factory was caused by sabotage.那家工厂的火灾是有人蓄意破坏引起的。

3 miser   

n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly)

参考例句：

• The miser doesn't like to part with his money.守财奴舍不得花他的钱。
• The demon of greed ruined the miser's happiness.贪得无厌的恶习毁掉了那个守财奴的幸福。

4 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

5 mammoth   

n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的

参考例句：

• You can only undertake mammoth changes if the finances are there.资金到位的情况下方可进行重大变革。
• Building the new railroad will be a mammoth job.修建那条新铁路将是一项巨大工程。

6 undertaking   

n.保证，许诺，事业

参考例句：

• He gave her an undertaking that he would pay the money back with in a year.他向她做了一年内还钱的保证。
• He is too timid to venture upon an undertaking.他太胆小，不敢从事任何事业。