content 的用法及固定搭配

content

1.content(单数形式)是“容量”或“要旨”,contents(复数形式)是“内容”。如一个斗的content是一斗,在里头只有一升东西的时候它的contents是一升。又如一本语法书的content是语法,但它的contents是若干章或若干语法规则和例子。

2.说一篇文章或一本书的“内容”(如说“形式和内容”或“思想内容”)该用content。例如:

  • The essay is excellent both in form and in content.
  • The content of the article is not clear.
  • The story has plenty of thought content.
  • We must base our judgement on the content of the book.
  • All these stories have a revolutionary content.

3.contents noted(来信的内容已经被注意了)和contents duly noted是商业信函里的陈套语。在一般通信里该避免。

4.contents(目次、目录)跟table of contents意思相同。说“一个目录”偶尔用a contents。例如:A complete contents is to be found in Volume I.

5.content(形容词)和contented都是“知足的”,但下面几点该注意:

(1)content是表语形容词,不用在定语用法里,如可以说He is content with a little,不可说He is a content man,该说He is a contented man。

(2)用在表语用法里content着重在“无所它求”的意思,contented着重在“被使满足”的意思,是动词content的过去分词。现在content比contented普通,下面各句里用content比用contented自然:

  • Never be content(ed) with your first draft, always revise it.
  • We must not rest content(ed) with these victories.
  • I shall be quite content(ed) if you will continue to help me.
  • She is always happy and content(ed).

(3)content后面接不定式作“因为别无它法而愿意…的”解。例如:I should be content to remain where I am. contented用在这种结构里不普通。

6.content(知足),contentedness,contentment和contentness不同,下面几点该注意:

(1)除在to my(或his等)heart's content(尽情地、心满意足地)中必须用content以外,content现在不普通。

(2)content跟contentedness的不同,相当于content跟contented的不同。

(3)contentment跟content相同,但比content普通。

(4)contentness极不普通,不该用它。

7.I must content myself with answering only part of your questions里的with不可改作by。