词义辨析：choice selection option alternative

 

choice 普通用词，指一任何方式进行选择，侧重指自由选择的权利或特权。

1）The choice facing the company is simple: diversify or go bankrupt.

摆在公司面前的道路不难选择：要么进行多种经营，要么破产。

2）Given my choice of reading matter, I am happy to have a classic book to read.

如果让我选择阅读材料，我会非常高兴地选一本经典著作。

 

selection 用法同其动词的用法，着重选择者的识别力或鉴赏力。

1）The selection of sewage treatment processes is important in the construction of sewage treatment plants.

（建造污水处理厂时选择用什么污水处理工艺非常重要。）

2）The process by which the fittest are singled out for survival is natural selection.

(适者生存的过程就是自然选择。)

 

option 强调选择者有选择的权利。

1) It is really very hard for me to make my option between these alternatives.

(让我在这两个选择上作出选择真的是非常难。)

2）For dessert, pieces of fruit are generally the best option.

(说起餐后甜品，切成片的水果通常是最好的选择。)

 

alternative 作“选择”解时只用于两者之间的选择。另外alternative可表示“可供选择的

东西”、“可替代的物”、“可供选择的解决办法(或方案)”。

1) After graduation, she has the alternative/choice of either being employed in a company or of taking

on a career of her own.

（毕业后她可以选择受雇于一家公司工作或者自己创业。）

2) While homeschooling offers an alternative to the school environment, it has become a controversial issue.

（虽然父母在家教孩子提供了替代的学校环境学习的一种选择,但它一直是一个有争议的问题。）

3) When traveling, you are advised to take traveler’s checks, which provide a secure alternative to carrying

your money in cash.

（出去旅行时建议你使用旅行支票。旅行支票提供一种替代携带现金安全方法。）

 

no choice / alternative / option to do sth.

这是特定句型结构，表示“别无选择只能做某事”的意思。

1）The house having been surrounded by the police, the kdnappers fell into despair and had no choice /

alternative / option but to surrender.

（这房子已经被警察包围,绑匪陷入绝境之中,除了投降别无选择。）

2）It was so serious a matter that I had no choice / alternative / option but to call the police.

(这是一个十分严重的事,我没有选择只能报警。)

3）Since neither of them gives in, we have no choice / alternative / option but to invoke the law

to settle the dispute between them.

(既然他们双方都不肯让步,我们没有选择只能付诸于法律来解决他们之间的争端。)

4) There was no option but to quit her job in order to take care of her child.

(为了照顾孩子，她别无选择只好辞职。)