容易被误解的以-ly结尾的英语单词

容易被误解的以-ly结尾的英语单词

有些以-ly结尾的词语并非是副词，或并非只有副词属性，其意思也容易被搞错，如deadly，likely，costly，等等。

◆deadly用作形容词时意思是“致命的；殊死的；极度的”。如：

The shock was deadly to him. 这次打击对他是致命的。

He has become my deadly enemy. 他成了我不共戴天的敌人。

It was deadly poison and if he drank it he’d probably die.

这是致命的毒药，他要是喝下去很可能会丧命。

◆deadly用作副词时意思是“非常，极度地”。如：

The north wind was bitter and deadly cold. 北风寒冷刺骨。

Broadcast news was accurate and reliable but deadly dull. 新闻广播准确可靠但却非常枯燥。

The United States had been deadly serious in its threat of military action.

美国威胁说要采取军事行动绝对是认真的。

◆likely用作形容词时意思是“可能的，有希望的；适合的”。如：

很可能他今晚会给我打电话。

正：He’s very likely to ring me tonight.

正：It’s very likely that he’ll ring me tonight.

很可能他会成功。

正：It’s highly likely that he will succeed.

正：He is highly likely to succeed.

◆likely用作副词时意思是“可能”，通常与 most，very连用。如：

I think she’ll very (most) likely be late.

我想她很可能会迟到。

Most likely he had gone for a glass of beer. 很可能他去喝啤酒了。

◆costly用作形容词时意思是“昂贵的，代价高的”。如：

The castle will undergo extensive and costly renovations.

那城堡要用巨资进行全面整修。

The long and costly strike proved to be the last nail in the company’s coffin.

由长期罢工导致的巨大损失致使该公司一蹶不振。

The costly renovation of the old college building was criticized by most teachers.

花费很大的旧校舍的修复工程受到大多数老师的批评。

◆costly通常不用作副词。