在英语句子里,使用不同的介词往往会使该句产生截然不同的意义,题例两句就是如此。
“This building is in repair.”的意思是“这幢大楼已修理好了”,in repair等于in good repair之意。“This building is under repair.”的意思是“这幢大楼正在修理中”,它相当于“This building is undergoing repair.”。其意为该楼在修理,但还没有修理好。
In good repair相当于in repair,其对义语为 in bad repair in(a state of)disrepair/fallen into disrepair。out of repair是“已损坏”;past repair/beyond repair是“坏得不能修理”;need putting into repair和stand in need of repair 都是“需要修理”。repair是名词或动词。
Repairs done while you wait.(名词)
= Repair while you wait.(动词)
马上修理,稍等可取。
The shop is closed during repairs.(名词)
内部装修,暂停营业。
Repair的形容词是repairable(可以修理的),其反义词是irrepairable或unrepairable。与其形似的是reparable (反义词为irreparable),但这个词用于抽象事物,意为“可补救的”、“可补偿的”。例:
The death of Mother Teresa is an irreparable loss to the destitute.
德兰修女逝世是赤贫人们无可弥补的损失。