核心问题
the late prime minister 是指前任总理(现在仍活着),还是指已故总理?
词典解答
late 可用来表示“前任的”(former)(现仍在世), 如 the late prime minister(前总理, 前首相), the late government(前政府, 前内阁), the late headmaster(前任校长)。但是语言学家们认为, 最好是避免使用这种用法, 因为 late 的另一个含义是: “已故的”(dead):
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She was an admirer of the late President. 她是已故总统的崇拜者。
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This prize was given by the late Mr. Smith. 这笔奖金是由已故世的史密斯先生颁发的。
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It has been decided that a memorial will be built in honor of the late President. 已经决定建立一个纪念碑来纪念故去的那位总统。
因此,可用 former 和前缀 ex-来表示第一种意义:“前任的”“前”。
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The former Headmaster (The ex-Headmaster) will present the awards at this year's Prize Day. (Wood) 前任校长将在今年的发奖日发奖。
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My former wife (My ex-wife) works in a school. 我的前妻在一所学校工作。