VOA名师答疑2023--Source or Resource?

Source or Resource?

Hi there! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between the words "source" and "resource."

Question:

Hello friends,

I'm Isac, one of your followers¹ from Mexico. I have a question. What is the difference between "source" and "resource?" Many thanks.

Answer

Thanks for your question, Isac. Both "source" and "resource" have similar word histories. One is the root of the other. That is the reason they look similar and might be confused. But these two words are quite different! Let's consider each one.

Source

"Source" can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, a "source" is the origin or beginning of something.

For example, we often talk about the source of rivers. This source is where the river starts, like another body of water such as a lake.

The Nile River has two sources, the Blue Nile and the White Nile.

A source can also be a person or something like a book or an article that supplies information.

When you write an essay, you should write down your sources.

A source can also be what something is made of.

Red bugs² called cochineal are the source for a red color used in dyes.

"Source" can also be verb. It can mean to find materials for something, or it can mean to provide something.

The cook sourced ingredients for the dish from her own garden.

Many jewelry³ companies source diamonds grown in a lab.

Let's move onto "resource."

Resource

The word "resource" is a noun. It has many meanings. A "resource" is something that can be easily found and used quickly in a time of need. It can be a supply of something, support or aid.

This kind of resource can include money, assets or human power in cases of emergencies.

The United States supplies military resources to its allies in times of conflict.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent provide resources to people following natural disasters.

A "resource" can also be something naturally found in the Earth's environment or underneath⁴ its surface.

Natural resources include metals, oil, water and even sunlight.

And lastly, a "resource" can be something or someone that can help you get information or is an expert in a subject or industry.

Her college advisor⁵ became a great resource to her when she was choosing her field of study.

Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Isac.

Do you have a question about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

And that's Ask a Teacher.

Words in This Story

ingredient – n. something that enters into a compound or is a component⁶ part of any combination or mixture

asset – n. something that is owned and that has value

1 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

2 bugs   

adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误

参考例句：

• All programs have bugs and need endless refinement. 所有的程序都有漏洞，都需要不断改进。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The sacks of rice were swarming with bugs. 一袋袋的米里长满了虫子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

4 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

5 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

6 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。