source ♦︎ cause ♦︎ origin ♦︎ root ♦︎ starting point ♦︎ beginningsThese are all words for the point that sth starts from.这些词均表示来源、起源、起因。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆(a) common source / cause / origin / roots / starting point◆a possible / natural source / cause / origin / starting point◆the real source / cause / origin / roots / beginnings◆the true / obscure source / cause / origin / beginnings◆a / an known / unknown source / cause / origin◆to have a source / a cause / origins / roots / a starting point / beginnings◆to identify the source / cause / origin / starting point / beginnings of sth◆to find the source / cause / origin / root / starting point of sth◆to locate / discover / investigate / trace the source / cause / origin / roots of sth■source [countable] a place, person or thing that you get sth from来源；出处◆We need to obtain more energy from renewable sources.我们需要从可再生资源中获取更多能源。◆Your local library will be a useful source of information.你们当地的图书馆将是很好的资料来源。◆The tiny window was the only source of light.那扇小窗户是唯一的光源。■cause [countable] the thing or person that makes sth happen原因；起因◆Unemployment is a major cause of poverty.失业是贫困的主要原因。◆There was discussion about the fire and its likely cause.对那场火灾及其可能的起因有过讨论。◆He died of natural causes.他是自然死亡的。 see also cause ⇨ causeverb■origin [countable, uncountable] ( origins [plural]) (especiallywritten) the point from which sth starts; the first or early ideas, signs or stages of sth起源；源头；原始阶段◆The origin of the word remains obscure.该词的来源尚不清楚。◆Most coughs are viral in origin(= caused by a virus).咳嗽大多是由病毒引发的。◆Bottles are labelled by country of origin.那些瓶子上贴有原产国标签。◆The TV series examines the origins of life on earth.这个电视系列节目探究地球上生命的起源。◆This particular custom has its origins in Wales.这种特殊风俗起源于威尔士。■root [countable] (especiallywritten) the main cause of sth, such as a problem or difficult situation; the origin or basis of sth（问题、困境等的）根源；起源；根基◆We have to get to the root of the problem.我们必须找到问题的根源。◆What lies at the root of his troubles is a sense of insecurity.他的一切忧虑源于一种不安全感。◆What would you say was the root cause of the problem?你认为问题的根本原因是什么？◆The two languages share a common root.这两种语言同源。◆Flamenco has its roots in Arabic music.弗拉门科舞曲起源于阿拉伯音乐。NOTE辨析 Origins or root?In some cases you can use either word.在有些情况下这两个词可以通用◆The custom has its origins / roots in Wales.这种风俗起源于威尔士。Both words can mean 'cause' but in slightly different ways: use root to talk about the cause of a problem.二者都可表示原因、起因，但用法稍有区别。root指问题的起因◆We have to get to the origin of the problem.Use origin to talk about when, where and how sth started. * origin指某事在何时、何地及如何开始◆the origin of life / species / the universe生命／物种／宇宙的起源◆the roots of life/species/the universeThe word roots can often suggest an emotional or cultural attachment; the word origins is more scientific. It is usual to talk about sb's social origins(= the social class they came from and the jobs their parents did)but their cultural roots(= the beliefs and customs of people in the family or place that they came from). * roots常有感情或文化色彩，origins则更具科学性。通常说某人的social origins（社会出身），但说他们的cultural roots（文化根源）。 see also origin,roots ⇨ family3■ˈstarting point [countable] a thing, idea or set of facts that can be used to begin a discussion or process（讨论或过程的）起点，基础◆The TV documentary served as a useful starting point for our discussion.这部电视纪录片成了我们讨论的有益起点。◆They reached the same conclusion from different starting points.他们的结论殊途同归。ⓘ Starting point is often used after positive adjectives such asconvenient, good, suitable and useful. * starting point常用在有积极意义的形容词后面，如convenient、good、suitable和useful。■beginnings [plural] (especiallywritten) the first or early ideas, signs or stages of sth原始构想；初始阶段◆Did democracy have its beginnings in ancient Greece?民主制度创始于古希腊吗？◆From these small beginnings it grew into the vast company we know today.这公司从这些小本生意起步，发展成为我们今天所知道的大公司。ⓘ Beginnings is usually used in the phrase sth had its beginnings in...or to describe how sth has changed from beginnings that were humble, modest, simple or small. * beginnings通常用在短语sth had its beginnings in ...中，或用humble、modest、simple或small修饰，表示事物如何发展起来。