核心问题
beneath 与 under 有无区别?
词典解答
beneath 与 under 都作“在……下面”解,但是,前者为正式语体,因而用得较少。请考察下面的实例:
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The village was situated beneath a wooded hill. (Cronin) 村庄位于一座林山的下面。
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She concealed the bottle beneath her mattress... (EED) 她把瓶子藏在她的垫子底下……
在现代英语里, beneath 更多地用于引申意义:
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As a scholar, he is far beneath his brother. (ALD) 他作为一个学者,远远在他的兄弟之下。
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A captain is beneath a major. 上尉比少校低。
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Her recent book is beneath criticism. 她最近出版的那本书不值一评。
其他成语有 beneath contempt(不值一理), beneath notice(不值一顾), beneath one's dignity (不合身份)等。
当然, under 有时也用于比喻义:
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The bridge is under construction. (CGEL) (这)桥正在建造中。
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He had a hundred people working under him. (CGEL) 有一百人在他领导下工作。