1. 认识这个词(基础篇)
词:edge
英英释义:something that gives you an advantage over others
例句:Being able to speak good English is widely considered an edge in China.
2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)
“edge”作名词最基本的意思是“边缘”“刀刃”,不过它也常可以引申表示“优势”,我们可以用它来替换“advantage”。
找工作时,有一定的实习或工作经验绝对是一种优势,我们就可以说:
As far as job hunting is concerned, experience is an absolute edge.
使用“edge”时,最常见的一个搭配是“A has an edge over B”,表示 A 比 B 更好。比如,许多人选择在一线二线城市生活,因为相比其它城市,大城市的文化更多元,工作机会更多。
First- and second-tier cities always have an edge over other cities in terms of cultural diversity and job opportunities.
另外,常和“edge”搭配的动词有“maintain”(保持)和“lose”(失去),比如我们想说美国的军事优势还在,不过移民优势正在减弱。我们就可以说:
It seems the US is losing its immigrant edge, but it has maintained its military edge.(建议把这个句子背下来)
想表达在某人或某物在某一方面有优势,我们可以在“edge”前添加相应的形容词。比如《经济学人》在一篇讨论美国创新的文章中,就有这样一句话:
Indeed, the assumption that America is losing its innovative edge is open to question.
这句话的意思是:“的确,美国正在失去它的创新优势这个假设是可以质疑的。” 这句话的主语是“the assumption that America is losing its innovative edge”,这里的“innovative edge”就表示在创新方面的优势。
3. 从认识到会用(作业)
1)使用《牛津英语搭配词典》查“edge”,了解它的常用搭配。
形容词:a competitive/slight/decided ege
动词:give/gain/have sb/sth.an edge over
2)翻译下面的句子:
这款新的电动汽车将会优于它的竞品。
(参考翻译:The new electric car will have an edge over its competitors/rivals.)
3)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景,再造句。
场景:强化训练使她占尽优势。
造句:The intensive training she had done gave her the edge over her rivals.