Essential English Dictionary 对 partly 的释义是: to some extent, but not completely, 对 partially 的释义也是: to some extent, but not completely。两者的中译文均是: “部分地”。这是否意味着两者在任何情况下都可以互换?
当谈论一部分如何,另一部分又如何时,必须使用 partly...partly...例如:
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This is partly a political and partly a legal question. (Collins) 这是一个一半是政治、一半是法律的问题。
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It was made partly of wood and partly of metal. (Palmer) 这件东西部分是用木头做的,部分是用金属做的。
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Mr. Pelumpton moved very slowly, partly because he suffered from rheumatism, and partly because he was a man of great dignity. (Priestley) 皮拉姆普顿先生走得很慢,一半是因为他有风湿病,一半是因为他是个举止庄重的人。
因此之故,语言学家们认为下列结构是错误的:
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× A soup made partially of meat and partially of vegetables. 一半是肉一半是蔬菜的汤。
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×The letter was written partially in French and partially in English. 信是一半用法语,一半用英语写的。
我们发现,在其他情况下常常是可以互换的。
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The work is only partially finished. (FWF) 这件工作只是完成了一部分。
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I am partially to blame for the accident. (LDCE) 这次事故我要承担部分责任。
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Although he could not be held entirely responsible, there is no doubt that he was partly to blame for what happened. (RBE) 尽管他不负全部责任,但是他对发生的事无疑要承担部分责任。
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The actors were not happy, partly because of the scenery... (EED) 演员们不高兴,部分原因是场景……
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He refused, partially because he was too tired. 他拒绝了,部分原因是他太累了。
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I have partly finished it. (LDCE) 我已经完成了一部分。
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I admit that what you said is partly true. (LDCE) 我承认你所说的有部分的真实性。