這兩個詞都是動詞,又都有“期待”、“等候”之意,但用法有所不同,它們的區別如下:
(一)await是及物動詞,後面直接接賓語;wait雖然也可用作及物動詞,但在現代英語中,一般作不及物動詞用,與for,to,till,until等詞連用.
(二)await的賓語大都是抽象名詞,如:decision,reply,arrival,announcement,return等;wait for的賓語一般是人或事物.
The judge awaits the coroner's inquest before giving a verdict.
法官在作裁決前等待驗屍官的調查.
I have been waiting for her for an hour at the bus stop.
我在公共車站等候她已一小時了.
(三)await之後接動名詞;wait之後接動詞不定式.例如:
We shall await hearing further from them.
We shall wait to hear further from them.
我們在靜候他們進一步的消息.
(四)await多用於書面語;wait 多用於口語.如:
This plan awaits the approval of the board of directors.
這項計劃有待董事局批准.
I have been waiting here for a long time.
我已在這裡等了好久了.
(五)wait 除作動詞外,還可用作名詞.例:
I had a long wait for the train.
我等火車等了好久.
They pursue a policy of wait and see.
他們採取等待和觀望的政策.
如上所述,wait在特定情況下也可以用作及物動詞,例如:to wait your turn;to wait one's opportunity.
請注意下列句子中await和wait的使用場合:
We await (or wait for)your reply.
We wait for(不能用await)you to reply.
I shall wait to bring her home.(不能用await)
I await (or wait for)your ruling on the matter with some impatience.我迫不及待地等待你對此事的裁決。
當await的主語是沒有生命的事物而賓語是人時,await表示 be in store或lie in wait for之意.如:
On arriving at the guest house,he found a telegram awaiting him.
一到賓館,他就發現有一封電報在等著他。
Little did he realize what a surprise awaited him at home.
他幾乎沒有意識到有一個驚喜在家裡等待著他。
A hearty welcome will await you.衷心歡迎您的光臨。
請注意,Time and tide wait(s)for no man(歲月不待人)的wait既可以加s,亦可不加s.
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