Ⅰ. another 指不定数目中的“另一个、又一个” (三个以上)用来代替或修饰可数名词。如:
I don’t think the coat is good enough. Can you show me another?
Ⅱ. other 泛指“另外的”修饰复数名词。如:
We study Chinese, maths, English and other subjects.
Ⅲ. others 泛指“另外的人或物”, 但不指其余的人或物的全部。如:
Some like swimming, others like boating.
Ⅳ. the other 指两个中的“另一个”如:
He has two sons, one is in Shanghai, the other is in Beijing.
Ⅴ. the others 特指某一范围内的“其余全部的人或物”如:
There are thirty books on the bookshelf. Five are mine, the others are my father’s.
§37 answer/ reply
Ⅰ. answer “回答、答复”。是最普通的用语,包括用口头、书面或行动回答。它可以用作及物动词或不及物动词。如:
① He answered my question.
② It is a difficult question to answer. 这是一个难以回答的问题。
③ Please answer my letter as soon as possible.
④ They left a boy to answer the bell. 他们留下一个孩子应门。
Ⅱ.reply “回答、答复”。 但比answer 正式些。它指用口头或书面回答。严格地讲,是指有针对性地详细地回答。 它也指用行动回答。 Reply 常用作不及物动词,回答某人或某事。后接to; 当它与直接引语或从句连用时,才用作及物动词。如:
① I didn’t reply to him.我没有答复他。
② He replied that he might go. 他回答说他可能去。
§38 any/ either
二者所指的相关名词或代词的数量不同。
Ⅰ. any 指二个以上的“任意一个”人/物。如:
When can you go with me to the city? Any day of this week will do. 什么时候你能陪我去城里? 这个星期的哪天都行。
Ⅱ. either 一般指两个中的“任意一个”且其后不能接不可数名词。如:
Can you come on Friday or Saturday? Either will do .你能在星期五还是星期六来吗? 哪天都行。
§39 any/ some
Ⅰ.any “一些、一点、(有时不宜译出)” 一般用于疑问句、否定句。 如:
① Have you any new books? 你有(什么)新书吗?No, I have not any new books. 我没什么新书。
② Have you any money with you? 你身边带了一些钱吗?
Ⅱ.some “一些、一点” 一般用于肯定句。如:
① I have some new books. 我有一些新书。
[注]:① any用于肯定句中时,表“任何……、随便……”等意思。 如You may come at any time. 你随便什么时候来都可以。
②some 用于疑问句时,表“期望得到肯定的回答”或“邀请”或“请求”等意思。通常用在带情态动词的问句是。如:
1. Aren’t there some envelops in that drawer? 那个抽屉不是有些信封吗?
2. Would you have some tea?您喝点茶吗?
§40 anyone/ any one
Ⅰ. anyone “任何人”其后不跟of 短语。如:
Is there anyone at home.?
Ⅱ. any one “任何人/物”其后可跟 of 短语。如:
I’ll send you any one of these pens.
[注]:类似的用法还有:everyone & every one.