核心问题
in state 与 in a state 意思是否相同?
词典解答
in state 意为“隆重地”“正式地”“庄严堂皇地”：
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The Queen drove to the palace in state. (LDCE) 女王的车隆重地驶向皇宫。
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The flower girl enters in state. 卖花姑娘庄严地走了进来。
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The President was received in state. (OSD) 总统受到隆重接待。
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The king received the ambassador in state. 国王隆重地接见了那位大使。
in a state 意为“处于焦急、激动的状态”“处于混乱、不整洁等不良状态”：
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What a state you are in! 看你弄成了什么样子!
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She was in a state when she heard her mother was ill. 听说妈妈病了,她很焦急不安。
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He is, as the parlormaid has said, in a state. 正如客厅女仆所说，他的精神状态不好。
至于 in a state of 结构,那是比较容易理解和翻译的:
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Everything was in a state of disorder. (Palmer) 一切都处于混乱之中。
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For some days the family lived in a state of excitement. (Maugham) 全家人有好几天一直生活在兴奋之中。