neglect
1. neglect(动词)后面接不定式比接动名词普通,如 He neglected to reply to my letter 比 He neglected replying to my letter 普通。
2. your neglect to write the address是“因为你的疏忽而不曾写地址”,your neglect in writing the address 是“因为你的疏忽而把地址写错或写得不好”。
3.neglect(名词)和negligence意思略有不同。neglect往往有“该做而不做”的含意,如neglect of duty(玩忽职守),negligence往往有“经常不注意”的含意,是一种习惯或倾向,如negligence in dress(不修边幅)。比较下面两句:
- His neglect of the notice cost him dearly.
他对于那通告的忽略使他吃了苦头。 - His negligence used to cause his family much distress.
他的疏忽成性时常使他的家属受到许多痛苦。
4.常见搭配 benign neglect 用来表示“善意忽视、不作为、顺其自然”,常作贬义指处理问题的方式是什么都不做,指望问题能够自行解决。比如:
- 美国和日本又回到了不作为货币政策的老路。
America and Japan have settled back into a policy of benign neglect of their currencies.
(拓展学习:小词详解 | benign)