thing
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++thing /θɪŋ/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 idea/action/feeling/fact 想法/行动/感觉/事实 [countable]THING an idea, action, feeling, or fact that someone thinks, does, says, or talks about, or that happens 事情；行动；想法；话语 People say things they don’t mean when they are angry. 人生气时就会口不择言。 It was a horrible thing to happen. 发生这样的事情太糟糕了。 I plan to do all the things I’ve been meaning to do for ages. 我打算去做我多年以来一直想做的事。 The first thing to do is to give them food and shelter. 首要的事是给他们提供食物和住所。 That’s a terrible thing to say. 这话说得太难听了。do the right/decent/honourable etc thing I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing. 我一直在怀疑我这么做是否正确。this/that/what sort of thing A priest has to arrange funerals, marriages, that sort of thing. 牧师得负责安排葬礼、婚礼之类的事情。 Getting more American ideas into British business would be a good thing. 将更多的美国式理念注入英国商界会是一件好事。 ‘I did no such thing, ’ he protested. “我没干过这样的事。”他抗议道。 I know a thing or two (=a lot) about dogs. 我对狗所知甚详。 In a democracy, it is no bad thing to be able to compromise (=it is good, even though it may not seem good). 在民主国家，能够妥协并非就是坏事。2 object 物体 [countable]THING an object that you are talking about without saying its name, or whose name you do not know 东西，物 What’s that red thing? 那个红色的东西是什么？ I’ll just switch this thing off. 我把这东西关一下。 There was a round metal thing on the path. 小路上有一个圆圆的金属物。... and things (=and other similar things) …类似的东西 The shed is where we keep our tools and things. 这棚子是我们放工具等东西的地方。3 CLOTHES/POSSESSIONS 衣服/所有物things [plural] especially British EnglishCLOTHES clothes and possessions 东西〔指衣服等所有物〕 SYN American English stuffsomebody’s things Jim began to unpack his things. 吉姆打开包开始整理他的东西。 I want to sell some of my things, but they aren’t worth much. 我想卖掉一些东西，但它们值不了几个钱。4 EQUIPMENT 设备things [plural] especially British EnglishEQUIPMENT the tools, equipment, clothes etc that you need for a particular job, sport etc 〔某一工作、体育活动等所需的〕东西，用品，设备，物件 SYN stuff American Englishsomebody’s writing/school/Christmas etc things I left my swimming things at home. 我把游泳用的东西落在家里了。 the shed where he kept his gardening things 他放置园艺工具的棚子5 SITUATION 情况things [plural]SITUATION life in general and the way it is affecting people 情况，形势 By the end of 1942, things were starting to change. 到1942年底，情况开始发生变化。 Things could be worse. 事情还不算太糟。 As things turned out, we didn’t have much time. 结果我们也没有很多时间。 How are things with you, Sarah? 萨拉，近来怎么样？make things easy/difficult/hard She would get angry quickly, which made things difficult for me. 她动不动就生气，让我日子很难过。 We can’t change the way things are. 我们无法改变现状。6 nothing 没有任何事情NONE/NOTHING [singular, uncountable] used as part of a negative statement to mean ‘anything’ 任何东西；任何事〔用于否定句〕7 person/animal 人/动物 [countable]TALK TO somebody used to talk to or about a person or animal, when you are describing what they are like or showing sympathy for them 家伙，东西〔用于形容人、动物或对其表示同情〕8 make a comment 评价 [countable usually singular] used to say something about a particular part of a situation, person etc 〔某一情况、某个人等的〕特点9 the thing is EXPLAIN spoken used when you are going to explain something, give the reason for something, or give an opinion 问题是；原因是10 the last thing somebody wants/expects/needs etc XXsomething that someone does not want, expect etc at all 某人根本不想要/指望/需要等的事11 last thing END British English at the end of a day, afternoon, evening etc 〔一天、下午、晚上等做的〕最后一件事情12 first thing BEGINNINGat the beginning of a day, morning, afternoon etc 〔一天、上午、下午等的〕第一件事，最开始13 among other things AND/ALSOused when you are giving one fact, reason, effect etc but want to suggest that there are many others 〔除了已陈述的事实、原因外〕还有许多其他的14 for one thing EXAMPLEused to give one reason for something 其中一个原因是15 be a thing of the past EXISTto no longer exist or happen 成为过去，成为历史16 it’s a good thing (that) LUCKY spoken used to say that it is lucky or good that something has happened 幸亏，幸好17 something is just one of those things AVOIDused to say that something unpleasant or unlucky cannot be prevented 这是没办法的事，这是不可避免的事18 the thing about/with somebody/something PROBLEMused to say what the problem with someone or something is 某人/某事物的问题是19 all (other) things being equal used to say that something is true in general, but that other things may cause the situation to change 其他都一样，只是…20 just the thing/the very thing NEEDexactly the thing that you want or that is necessary 正是想要的东西；正是需要的东西21 of all things SURPRISEDused to show that you are surprised or shocked by something that someone has done or said 偏偏，真没想到22 do your own thing informalFREE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT to do something in the way that you like instead of copying other people or following strict rules 按照自己的方式做事，走自己的路23 it’s a girl/football/music etc thing informal used to say that something involves or affects a particular group of people only 是女孩子/关于足球/关于音乐等的事24 all things considered THINK ABOUTwhen you consider all the parts or events of a situation 所有情况考虑进来，综合考虑起来25 be all things to all men/people LIKE somebody OR somethingto try to please or be useful to all of many different groups, often without succeeding 力图讨好所有人〔往往都未能达到目的〕26 be onto a good thing informalPROFIT if you are onto a good thing, you are in a situation that is very helpful, comfortable, or profitable for you 处境不错；过得舒服27 make a big thing of/about/out of something EXAGGERATEto make something seem more important than it really is 对某事小题大做，对某事大惊小怪28 the done thing British English old-fashioned informalRULE/REGULATION the way of behaving or doing something that is socially acceptable 符合社会习俗的事情29 it’s one thing to ..., (it’s) another thing to ..., (it’s) another thing to ..., it’s one thing to ... DIFFERENTused to say that doing one thing is very different from doing another thing, especially where the second thing is more difficult, important, or serious 是一回事，…则是另一回事30 what with one thing and another BUSY/HAVE A LOT TO DO British English spoken used to explain that you have had a lot of work, problems, or jobs that you had to do 忙了这个又要忙那个，忙这忙那地31 have a thing about somebody/something informalDON'T LIKE to like or dislike someone or something very much, often without a good reason 〔常指莫名其妙地〕对某人/某事物非常喜欢［反感］32 one thing leads to another used to explain how a series of events caused something to happen without giving any details 事情一件接着一件发生〔用于解释一连串事件如何引起某事，但是不说明细节〕33 the (latest) thing informalFASHIONABLE something that is popular or fashionable at the moment 时下流行的东西34 (do/try) the ... thing American English spokenTHING used to talk about an activity and everything that is involved with it （做）…方面的事35 there's only one thing for it British English spoken used to say that there is only one action that you can take 只有一个办法36. one (damn/damned) thing after another SERIOUS SITUATIONused to say that a lot of unpleasant or unlucky things keep happening to you 倒霉事一桩接一桩37. taking one thing with another British EnglishIN GENERAL considering all the facts 综合考虑38. do things to somebody to have a strong effect on someone 使某人十分激动；震撼某人 → amount/come to the same thing at same1(4), → the best thing since sliced bread at sliced bread(2), → first things first at first1(7), → living things at living1(1), → be hearing things at hear(10), → be seeing things at see1(27)n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 3: verbsthings go well/badly etcIf things went well, we would double our money in five years.How did things go?things changeThings have changed dramatically over the last few years.things improveThings appear to be improving.things get worseAs the recession proceeds, things will get worse.phrasesmake things worse/easier/difficultMeasures to slow down traffic on the main street have actually made things worse.as things stand (=at present)As things stand at the moment, I have no intention of becoming a candidate myself.as things turned out (=used to say what happened or was discovered in the end)Obviously, there had to be some mistake. As things turned out, there was.the way things are (=the present situation)I’m not at all dissatisfied with the way things are at the moment. THESAURUSthing used when you do not need to say the name, or when you do not know the name 东西〔用于不必说出名称或不知其名时〕What’s that thing on the kitchen table? 厨房桌子上那东西是什么？Have you got all your things? 你的东西都拿好了吗？something a thing – used when you are not sure what the thing is 某物〔用于不确定为何物时〕There’s something on your shirt. 你衬衫上有什么东西。object especially written a solid thing 物体a sharp metal object 尖锐的金属物item formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things 〔某一种类或一组之中的一件〕物品household items 居家物品a luxury item 奢侈品an item of equipment 一件设备The items included pieces of old pottery. 物品中有几件旧陶器。nYou are not allowed to take sharp items onto the plane.article formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things. Article is very formal, and is used especially in the phrase an article of clothing 物件〔该词很正式,尤用于短语an article of clothing〕They found several articles of clothing in the bushes. 他们在灌木丛中找到几件衣服。suspicious articles 可疑物品nEach article has a card with it giving more information.artifact (also artefact) formal an object that someone has made, especially one that is very old and has historical value 人工制品，〔尤指旧的、有历史意义的〕手工艺品The museum has a collection of early Roman artifacts. 这家博物馆拥有一批古罗马时代早期的器物。thingy (also thingamajig/thingamabob) spoken informal a thing – used especially when you cannot remember the name of the thing, but often the other person knows what you are talking about 那东西〔尤在说话人记不住名称但对方知其为何物时使用〕Can you pass me the thingy? 你把那东西递给我好吗？
Examples from the Corpus
thing• I don't have a thing to wear!• All that lovely fresh air -- that's the best thing about living in the country.• I have better things to do with my time.• I know I shouldn't have hit him - it was a dumb thing to do.• He's got one of those electronic things, you know, that you can record all your addresses in.• In the new version of the story, a few things have been changed.• The first thing I'm going to do when I get home is take a nap.• The first thing we have to discuss is the price.• The first thing we need to do is call Becky.• The first thing you should do is connect the printer to the computer.• The first thing they realised was that they would have to slow things down.• A funny thing happened to me on the way to work this morning.• She was wearing one of those Spanish type jacket things.• So many things have happened since I last saw you.• Sources say most things work but hundreds of fine points have to be checked.• That was a really nice thing to do - I know Leona enjoys your visits.• The nicest thing about Richard is that he doesn't mind being criticized.• There was a sense of importance, of being at the heart of things.• The only thing she ever talks about is her boyfriend.• He has a good point, but there are other things to consider.• The most outstanding thing about the palace is the ceilings in several rooms.• He gave her half the money because it was the right thing to do.• She was never in doubt about one single thing in her entire life.• One of the things I like about Susan is the way she always keeps smiling, even when there are problems.• The thing that I really hate about this job is having to work late at night.• I cried during the whole thing.it is no bad thing to• In a new democracy, it is no bad thing to master the art of compromise.• With the temperature at -15°C maybe it is no bad thing to run them slowly.... and things• And things that are truer than true.• And things weren't going as well as hoped.• Barnum started it all more than 150 years ago, and things have never been rosier for self-promoters.• There were a lot of fights at dances and things like that.• The business is going downhill fast, and things are even worse between me and your father.• But soon the rain set in and things began to go wrong.• People and Things Children will be fascinated by the wealth of information in this book.• Leaders Sunderland made the short trip to Seaham and things looked close at half time as they nosed in front 19-14.no such thing as• Since there is normally no movement of funds there can be no such thing as exact financial statistics.• For Leibniz, there can be no such thing as a perfect vacuum.• We had no strong drink, no such thing as whiskey, before the white man came to our country.• But in spite of what is often claimed, there is no such thing as a dead marriage.• There is no such thing as deciding to do something, at least as this is usually understood.• There is no such thing as Higley, Arizona.poor thing• What a poor thing you must all think me!• My pigeon can't fly, poor thing.• She was at the funeral, Victorine said: she would go, poor thing.• Whack, the sound of the hatchet decapitating the poor thing.• Even if they are fictional characters, it doesn't bode well for the poor things.• Interracial couples were under surveillance wherever the poor things raised their heads anywhere in the city.• The poor thing lives in Brooklyn.It’s a ... thing• It's one thing failing to see some white posts.• It's the other things, like the Exhilarator - a playground for young executives.• Of course, marriage is impossible, and, anyway, it's the last thing you'd want.• With the recession in this country, it's the last thing I expected.• As you know it's the only thing that brings Gesner to heel.• Male speaker It's a cowardly thing to do.• I think it's a blow-up thing - you know, like a rubber ring you go swimming with.• Looking at it from a businessman's point of view, it's the obvious thing to do.Origin thing Old English “meeting, council, thing”thing noun →10-19 →20-29 →30-38
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →THESAURUS1LDOCE OnlineChinese
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →THESAURUS1LDOCE OnlineChinese
feeling, someone action, does, Corpus that an fact thinks, or idea,
thing
thing S1 W1 /θɪŋ/
noun
People say things they don’t mean when they are angry.
It was a horrible thing to happen.
I plan to do all the things I’ve been meaning to do for ages.
The first thing to do is to give them food and shelter.
That’s a terrible thing to say.
do the right/decent/honourable etc thing
I kept wondering if I was doing the right thing.
this/that/what sort of thing
A priest has to arrange funerals, marriages, that sort of thing.
Getting more American ideas into British business would be a good thing.
‘I did no such thing,’ he protested.
I know a thing or two (=a lot) about dogs.
In a democracy, it is no bad thing to be able to compromise (=it is good, even though it may not seem good).
2. OBJECT [countable] an object that you are talking about without saying its name, or whose name you do not know:
What’s that red thing?
I’ll just switch this thing off.
There was a round metal thing on the path.
... and things (=and other similar things)
The shed is where we keep our tools and things.
3. CLOTHES/POSSESSIONS things [plural] especially British English clothes and possessions
SYN stuff American English
sb’s things
Jim began to unpack his things.
I want to sell some of my things, but they aren’t worth much.
4. EQUIPMENT things [plural] especially British English the tools, equipment, clothes etc that you need for a particular job, sport etc
SYN stuff American English
sb’s writing/school/Christmas etc things
I left my swimming things at home.
the shed where he kept his gardening things
5. SITUATION things [plural] life in general and the way it is affecting people:
By the end of 1942, things were starting to change.
Things could be worse.
As things turned out, we didn’t have much time.
How are things with you, Sarah?
make things easy/difficult/hard
She would get angry quickly, which made things difficult for me.
We can’t change the way things are.
6. NOTHING [singular, uncountable] used as part of a negative statement to mean ‘anything’
not a thing
I couldn’t find a thing that I wanted to buy.
He took his glasses off and couldn’t see a thing.
Don’t worry about a thing.
There’s no such thing as ghosts (=they do not exist).
7. PERSON/ANIMAL [countable] used to talk to or about a person or animal, when you are describing what they are like or showing sympathy for them:
The baby is a nice little thing when he’s not screaming.
She was terribly upset, poor thing.
8. MAKE A COMMENT [countable usually singular] used to say something about a particular part of a situation, person etc
thing about
The thing about teaching is that it takes more time to prepare than most people realize.
the funny/strange/best etc thing
The funny thing is, I really enjoyed it, even though I hadn’t expected to.
It’s a good thing you saw her before she saw you.
9. the thing is spoken used when you are going to explain something, give the reason for something, or give an opinion:
‘It sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you invest?’ ‘Well, the thing is, I can’t afford to.’
the thing is that
The thing is that you can’t always judge your own work.
10. the last thing somebody wants/expects/needs etc something that someone does not want, expect etc at all:
The last thing I want is to upset him.
The last thing I should have done was let her move into my house.
11. last thing British English at the end of a day, afternoon, evening etc:
She likes a hot bath last thing at night.
12. first thing at the beginning of a day, morning, afternoon etc:
Jean liked to go for a swim first thing in the morning.
13. among other things used when you are giving one fact, reason, effect etc but want to suggest that there are many others:
The substance is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and drugs, among other things.
14. for one thing used to give one reason for something:
Well, for one thing, it’s too big.
He’s not that wonderful. He’s bad-tempered for one thing.
15. be a thing of the past to no longer exist or happen:
Before AIDS, many health care experts believed that large-scale infectious diseases were a thing of the past.
16. it’s a good thing (that) spoken used to say that it is lucky or good that something has happened:
It’s a good thing we brought some food with us.
17. something is just one of those things used to say that something unpleasant or unlucky cannot be prevented:
It wasn’t really the driver’s fault; it was just one of those things.
18. the thing about/with somebody/something used to say what the problem with someone or something is:
The thing about talk shows is that you never know how they will turn out.
19. all (other) things being equal used to say that something is true in general, but that other things may cause the situation to change:
All things being equal, smaller animals need smaller brains.
20. just the thing/the very thing exactly the thing that you want or that is necessary:
A holiday is probably just the thing for you.
21. of all things used to show that you are surprised or shocked by something that someone has done or said:
She gave up a promising career as a stockbroker to become a weaver, of all things.
22. do your own thing informal to do something in the way that you like instead of copying other people or following strict rules:
I just want to live my own life and do my own thing.
23. it’s a girl/football/music etc thing informal used to say that something involves or affects a particular group of people only:
Computer games aren’t just a guy thing.
24. all things considered when you consider all the parts or events of a situation:
All things considered, we had surprisingly few injuries.
25. be all things to all men/people to try to please or be useful to all of many different groups, often without succeeding:
In order to get votes, he tries to be all things to all men.
26. be onto a good thing informal if you are onto a good thing, you are in a situation that is very helpful, comfortable, or profitable for you
think/know you are onto a good thing
Directors who take dividends instead of salary may think they are onto a good thing but could have problems on retirement.
27. make a big thing of/about/out of something to make something seem more important than it really is:
You can apologise without making a big thing out of it.
28. the done thing British English old-fashioned informal the way of behaving or doing something that is socially acceptable:
It is not the done thing for teachers to hit children.
29. it’s one thing to ..., (it’s) another thing to ..., used to say that doing one thing is very different from doing another thing, especially where the second thing is more difficult, important, or serious:
It’s one thing being able to run fast, but quite another to win a marathon.
30. what with one thing and another British English spoken used to explain that you have had a lot of work, problems, or jobs that you had to do:
I’ve been so busy these last few days, what with one thing and another.
31. have a thing about somebody/something informal to like or dislike someone or something very much, often without a good reason:
She’s always had a thing about Peter.
32. one thing leads to another used to explain how a series of events caused something to happen without giving any details:
One thing led to another and, before I knew it, I had invited her family to stay.
33. the (latest) thing informal something that is popular or fashionable at the moment:
When Amelia bought a new car it had to be the latest thing.
34. (do/try) the ... thing American English spoken used to talk about an activity and everything that is involved with it:
Jody tried the college thing but finally dropped out.
35. there is only one thing for it British English spoken used to say that there is only one action that you can take:
There’s only one thing for it. We’ll have to call the police.
36. one (damn/damned) thing after another used to say that a lot of unpleasant or unlucky things keep happening to you
37. taking one thing with another British English considering all the facts
38. do things to somebody to have a strong effect on someone
⇨ amount/come to the same thing at same1(4), ⇨ the best thing since sliced bread at slice2(4), ⇨ first things first at first1(7), ⇨ living things at living1(1), ⇨ be hearing things at hear(10), ⇨ be seeing things at see1(28)
■ verbs
▪things go well/badly etc If things went well, we would double our money in five years. | How did things go?
▪things change Things have changed dramatically over the last few years.
▪things improve Things appear to be improving.
▪things get worse As the recession proceeds, things will get worse.
■ phrases
▪make things worse/easier/difficult Measures to slow down traffic on the main street have actually made things worse.
▪as things stand (=at present) As things stand at the moment, I have no intention of becoming a candidate myself.
▪as things turned out (=used to say what happened or was discovered in the end) Obviously, there had to be some mistake. As things turned out, there was.
▪the way things are (=the present situation) I’m not at all dissatisfied with the way things are at the moment.
▪ thing used when you do not need to say the name, or when you do not know the name: What’s that thing on the kitchen table? | Have you got all your things?
▪something a thing – used when you are not sure what the thing is: There’s something on your shirt.
▪object especially written a solid thing: a sharp metal object
▪item formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things: household items | a luxury item | an item of equipment | The items included pieces of old pottery. | You are not allowed to take sharp items onto the plane.
▪article formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things. Article is very formal, and is used especially in the phrase an article of clothing: They found several articles of clothing in the bushes. | suspicious articles | Each article has a card with it giving more information.
▪artifact (also artefact ) formal an object that someone has made, especially one that is very old and has historical value: The museum has a collection of early Roman artifacts.
▪thingy (also thingamajig/thingamabob ) spoken informal a thing – used especially when you cannot remember the name of the thing, but often the other person knows what you are talking about: Can you pass me the thingy?
thing S1 W1 /θɪŋ/
noun Language: Old English
Origin: 'meeting, council, thing'
1. IDEA/ACTION/FEELING/FACT [countable] an idea, action, feeling, or fact that someone thinks, does, says, or talks about, or that happens:Origin: 'meeting, council, thing'
do the right/decent/honourable etc thing
this/that/what sort of thing
2. OBJECT [countable] an object that you are talking about without saying its name, or whose name you do not know:
... and things (=and other similar things)
3. CLOTHES/POSSESSIONS things [plural] especially British English clothes and possessions
SYN stuff American English
sb’s things
4. EQUIPMENT things [plural] especially British English the tools, equipment, clothes etc that you need for a particular job, sport etc
SYN stuff American English
sb’s writing/school/Christmas etc things
5. SITUATION things [plural] life in general and the way it is affecting people:
make things easy/difficult/hard
6. NOTHING [singular, uncountable] used as part of a negative statement to mean ‘anything’
not a thing
7. PERSON/ANIMAL [countable] used to talk to or about a person or animal, when you are describing what they are like or showing sympathy for them:
8. MAKE A COMMENT [countable usually singular] used to say something about a particular part of a situation, person etc
thing about
the funny/strange/best etc thing
9. the thing is spoken used when you are going to explain something, give the reason for something, or give an opinion:
the thing is that
10. the last thing somebody wants/expects/needs etc something that someone does not want, expect etc at all:
11. last thing British English at the end of a day, afternoon, evening etc:
12. first thing at the beginning of a day, morning, afternoon etc:
13. among other things used when you are giving one fact, reason, effect etc but want to suggest that there are many others:
14. for one thing used to give one reason for something:
15. be a thing of the past to no longer exist or happen:
16. it’s a good thing (that) spoken used to say that it is lucky or good that something has happened:
17. something is just one of those things used to say that something unpleasant or unlucky cannot be prevented:
18. the thing about/with somebody/something used to say what the problem with someone or something is:
19. all (other) things being equal used to say that something is true in general, but that other things may cause the situation to change:
20. just the thing/the very thing exactly the thing that you want or that is necessary:
21. of all things used to show that you are surprised or shocked by something that someone has done or said:
22. do your own thing informal to do something in the way that you like instead of copying other people or following strict rules:
23. it’s a girl/football/music etc thing informal used to say that something involves or affects a particular group of people only:
24. all things considered when you consider all the parts or events of a situation:
25. be all things to all men/people to try to please or be useful to all of many different groups, often without succeeding:
26. be onto a good thing informal if you are onto a good thing, you are in a situation that is very helpful, comfortable, or profitable for you
think/know you are onto a good thing
27. make a big thing of/about/out of something to make something seem more important than it really is:
28. the done thing British English old-fashioned informal the way of behaving or doing something that is socially acceptable:
29. it’s one thing to ..., (it’s) another thing to ..., used to say that doing one thing is very different from doing another thing, especially where the second thing is more difficult, important, or serious:
30. what with one thing and another British English spoken used to explain that you have had a lot of work, problems, or jobs that you had to do:
31. have a thing about somebody/something informal to like or dislike someone or something very much, often without a good reason:
32. one thing leads to another used to explain how a series of events caused something to happen without giving any details:
33. the (latest) thing informal something that is popular or fashionable at the moment:
34. (do/try) the ... thing American English spoken used to talk about an activity and everything that is involved with it:
35. there is only one thing for it British English spoken used to say that there is only one action that you can take:
36. one (damn/damned) thing after another used to say that a lot of unpleasant or unlucky things keep happening to you
37. taking one thing with another British English considering all the facts
38. do things to somebody to have a strong effect on someone
⇨ amount/come to the same thing at same1(4), ⇨ the best thing since sliced bread at slice2(4), ⇨ first things first at first1(7), ⇨ living things at living1(1), ⇨ be hearing things at hear(10), ⇨ be seeing things at see1(28)
| COLLOCATIONS |
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| THESAURUS |
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rather
aspect 方面 ：◆ That was the most puzzling aspect of the situation. 那是整个局势中最令人费解的一面。 ◆ (…the most puzzling thing about…) attribute 属性；特性；特质 ：◆ Curiosity is an essential attribute for a journalist. 好奇心是新闻记者的基本素质。 ◆ (…an essential thing for a journalist to have.) characteristic 特性；特征；特点 ：◆ This bird has several interesting characteristics. 这种鸟有几个有趣的特征。 ◆ (There are several interesting things about this bird.) detail 细节；详情 ：◆ I want to know every detail of what happened. 我想了解所发生事情的全部详情。 ◆ (…everything about…) feature 特征；特点；特色 ：◆ Noise is a familiar feature of city life. 噪音是城市生活的常见特征。 ◆ (…a familiar thing in city life.) issue 议题；课题 ：◆ She has campaigned on many controversial issues. 她就许多具争议性的问题发起过运动。 ◆ (…many controversial things.) matter 事情；情况；问题 ：◆ We have several important matters to deal with at this meeting. 我们有几个重要问题要在这次会议上处理。 ◆ (…several important things…) point 观点；论点；见解 ：◆ That's a very interesting point you made. 你提出的这个观点很有意思。 ◆ (…a very interesting thing you said.) subject 主题；题目；学科 ：◆ The book covers a number of subjects. 本书涉及几个课题。 ◆ (…a number of things.) topic 议题；话题；题目 ：◆ We discussed a wide range of topics. 我们就广泛的话题进行了讨论。 ◆ (…a wide range of things.) trait 个性；特征；特点 ：◆ Her generosity is one of her most attractive traits. 慷慨大方是她最具魅力的个性之一。 ◆ (…one of the most attractive things about her.) Don't use thing after an adjective when the adjective can be used on its own.形容词可单独使用时，切勿在后面加 thing ：◆ Having your own computer is very useful. 自己有一台计算机用处很大。 ◆ Having your own computer is a very useful thing. It is often more natural to use words like something ,anything , etc. instead ofthing .以 something、anything 等词代替 thing 使用常常更自然 ：◆ I have something important to tell you. 我有重要的事情要告诉你。 ◆ I have an important thing to tell you. ◆ Do you want anything else? 你还想要点儿别的什么吗？ ◆ Do you want any other thing? It is more natural to say a lot ,a great deal ,much , etc. rather thanmany things .* a lot、a great deal、much 等词比 many things 说起来更自然 ：◆ I have so much to tell you. 我要对你讲的事情太多了。 ◆ I have so many things to tell you. ◆ She knows a lot about basketball. 她对篮球很有研究。 ◆ She knows many things about basketball.
rather
situation all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place 指情况、状况、形势、局面 ：◆ the present economic situation 目前的经济形势 circumstances the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, an event or an action; the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have 指条件、环境、状况、境况，（尤指）经济状况 ：◆ The ship sank in mysterious circumstances. 那艘船神秘地沉没了。 position the situation that sb is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do 指处境、地位、状况 ：◆ She felt she was in a position of power. 她觉得她自己有权力。 conditions the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how sth happens 指居住、工作或做事情的环境、境况、条件，影响某事发生的物质环境、状态、条件 ：◆ We were forced to work outside in freezing conditions. 我们被迫在户外天寒地冻的环境下工作。
circumstances or conditions? 用 circumstances 还是 conditions？
things ( the general situation, as it affects sbrather
指形势、局面、情况、事态 ：◆ Hi, Jane! How are things? 喂，简，近来怎么样？ ◆ Think things over before you decide. 先把情况考虑周全再作决定。 the case the true situation 指实情、事实 ：◆ If that is the case (= , we need more staff.if the situation described is true )如果真是那样，我们就需要更多的员工了。 state of affairs a situation 指事态、情况、形势 ：◆ How did this unhappy state of affairs come about? 这种不幸的情况是怎么发生的呢？
situation or state of affairs? 用 situation 还是 state of affairs？
State of affairs is mostly used withthis . It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such ashappy ,sorry ,shocking ,sad andunhappy , as well as those relating to time, such aspresent andcurrent .Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts.* state of affairs 多与 this 连用，亦与表示形势好坏的形容词（如 happy、sorry、shocking、sad 和 unhappy）以及与时间有关的形容词（如 present 和 current）连用。situation 常用得多，且用于更广泛的语境中。
Patterns
in (a) particular situation/circumstances/position/state of affairsthe/sb's economic/financial/social situation/circumstances/position/conditions(a/an) happy/unhappy situation/circumstances/position/state of affairsto look at/review the situation/circumstances/conditions/things
often
especially
things ( objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purposerather
指个人拥有或作特定用途的物品、衣服、用具 ：◆ Shall I help you pack your things? 我帮你打点行装好吗？ ◆ Bring your swimming things. 随身带上游泳用品。 stuff [ ( used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about指名称不详、名称无关紧要或所指明确的东西、物品、玩意儿 ：◆ Where's all my stuff? 我那些东西都哪儿去了？ property [ ( a thing or things that are owned by sbrather
指所有物、财产、财物 ：◆ This building is government property. 这座大楼是政府的财产。 ◆ Be careful not to damage other people's property. 小心别损坏别人的财物。 possessions things that you own, especially sth that can be moved 指个人财产、私人物品（尤指动产） ：◆ Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions except letters and photographs. 囚犯除信件和照片外不允许有任何私人物品。 junk [ 指无用的东西、无价值的东西 ：◆ I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic. 我把阁楼里所有的废旧杂物都清除干净了。 belongings possessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time 指动产，尤指随身物品 ：◆ Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane. 请确保在下飞机前带好所有的随身物品。 goods ( possessions that can be movedor rather
指动产、（可搬运的）私人财产 ：◆ He was found guilty of handling stolen goods .他被判犯销赃罪。 valuables things that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewellery or cameras 尤指私人的贵重物品（如首饰、相机等） ：◆ Never leave cash or other valuables lying around. 现金或其他贵重物品请勿乱放。
Patterns
personal things/stuff/property/possessions/belongingsto collect/gather/pack (up) your things/stuff/possessions/belongingsto search sb's/your/the things/stuff/property/belongingsto go through sb's/your/the things/stuff/belongings