about可以用作介词,也可以用作副词,我们分两部分来说,今天主要谈谈about用作介词。1.about的意思可以是“关于”,在不同的场合有不同的译法,这时我们要注意它的各种搭配。
1)about可以和某些动词连用,常见的有talk、ask等。比如: He began to ask her about herself.她开始问自己。My aunt has often spoken to me about you.我婶婶经常跟我说起你。What have you been thinking about?你在想什么?
2)about可以和某些形容词连用,常见的有:happy、sorry、anxious、right、worried、crazy、foolish、mad、uncomfortable等。比如:
We were very anxious about him.我们很担心他。You are entirely wrong about the whole matter.这件事情你错了。
2.about可以指“在……附近,围绕”。比如:Everything about me is so beautiful.我周边的一切都是非常漂亮的。They stood all about him as he sat.他坐在那里,他们都围着他。I went closer,and he put his arms about me.我走上前,他抱住了我。
3.about可以表示“在……范围,到处”。比如:The papers were scattered about the floor.地板上到处散落着纸张。He got up and strolled about the room.他起身在房间里来回的溜达。
4.about指“在……附近,在……一带,在身边”。比如:This is the most beautiful country about here.这是附近最漂亮的乡村了。She is a woman who likes to have her children about her.她是一个喜欢孩子们守在她身边的人。
5.about指“某人,某地,某物有某种特点”。比如:There is a strange smell about him.他身上有一种奇怪的味道。He has a certain way about him.他有一种特殊的气质。There was something about him that I did not like.他身上有些东西我不喜欢。
6.about指“在身边,身上带有某物”。比如:Have you a pencil about you?你带铅笔了吗?I suddenly realized that I had no money about me.我突然发现我没带钱。这是考试的考点之一。
7.about可以用在成语当中。
2)go about,意思是“着手做某事”,比如:Do you know how to go about it?你知道怎么做这个事情吗?
3)see about意思是“负责处理”。比如:I will see about it.我来负责处理这件事情。
5)how about的意思是“你认为…怎样”。比如:How about going to bed?上床怎么样?How about sending him a copy?送给他一本怎么样?
需要注意的what about 和how about后面都要跟名词、代词或者动名词,这也是完形填空考试中常见的考点。