estimate、appraise、assess、evaluate、value与rate这些动词均有“估价、估计”之意。
estimate : 通常指由个人作出的主观估价。
- It was difficult to estimate how many trees had been destroyed.
很难估计有多少树被毁。 - They estimate (that) the journey will take at least two weeks.
他们估计这次行程至少需要两周时间。
appraise : 指以专家身份作了最终精确的估价。
- He coolly appraised the situation, deciding which person would be most likely to succeed.
他冷静地审时度势，判断哪个人最可能获得胜利。 - In cooperation with other professionals, social workers will appraise the individual's needs.
社会工作者将与其他专业人士携手合作，对个体的需要作出评估。
assess : 原义指对为确定交多少税而估计，引申指通过估价以便更好利用。
- Exams are not the only means of assessing a student's ability.
考试并不是评定学生能力的唯一手段。 - It's too early to assess the long-term consequences of the two countries' union.
现在判定两国联盟的长期影响还为时过早。 - We need to assess whether the project is worth doing.
我们需要评估一下这个项目是否值得去做。
evaluate与appraise相似，指使判断绝对准确，但多用于对人物的某方面的评价，很少用于评价某物的市场价值。
- It's impossible to evaluate these results without knowing more about the research methods employed.
如不能对使用的研究方法有更多了解，就无法对其结果作出评价。 - We shall need to evaluate how the new material stands up to wear and tear.
我们需要对新材料的耐磨损度作出鉴定。
value : 侧重指一般人对某物的价值或价格所作的估计。
- He valued the painting at $2,000.
他给那幅画估价2000美元。 - The insurance company said I should have my jewellery valued.
保险公司说我应当把我的首饰进行估价。
rate : 专指评定价值等级的高低。
- How do you rate him as a football player?
你怎么评价他作为一个足球运动员的表现？ - She is rated very highly by the people she works for.
雇主对她的评价都很高。
