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primary adj.
⇨ first (the primary stage) ⇨ main (the primary aim) first determiner , adjective first ♦︎ initial ♦︎ original ♦︎ preliminary ♦︎ opening ♦︎ earliest ♦︎ primary ♦︎ introductory ♦︎ preparatoryThese words all describe sth that happens or exists at the beginning. 这些词均表示最初的、开始的、最早的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆preliminary / preparatory to sth◆the first / initial / preliminary / opening / earliest / primary / introductory / preparatory stage◆first / initial / original / preliminary / opening / introductory remarks◆a first / an initial / an original / a preliminary estimate / draft / version◆the first / initial / preliminary / introductory / preparatory meeting◆a first / an initial / a preliminary step / appointment / visit◆the first / opening / introductory chapter / paragraph◆the initial / the original / a preliminary / a preparatory study◆the initial / original / preliminary findings■ first determiner (of a person or thing) happening or coming before all other similar things or people; 1st 第一◆his first wife他的第一任妻子◆King Richard I (= said as 'King Richard the First') 英王理查一世◆It was the first time they had ever met.这是他们初次见面。◆She resolved to do it at the first opportunity.她决定一有机会就去做。◆First impressions can be misleading.最初的印象有时会误导人。◆You can have first choice of all the rooms.所有房间由你优先挑选。◆We're having chicken for the first course.我们的第一道菜是鸡肉。OPP last ⇨ last 1 , last ⇨ last 2 ▸ first adverb ◆First I had to decide what to wear.首先我得决定穿什么。◆Who came first in the race (= who won)?赛跑谁得第一？▸ at first idiom ◆At first I thought she was joking but then I realized she meant it.起先我以为她在开玩笑，但随后意识到她是认真的。◆I didn't like the job much at first.起初我并不太喜欢这个工作。■ initial / /ɪˈnɪʃl/ / [only before noun] happening at the beginning; first 最初的；开始的；第一的◆My initial reaction was to decline the offer.我最初的反应是想要谢绝这个提议。◆It is the initial preparation that takes the time.花时间的是最初的准备工作。◆There is an initial payment of £60 followed by ten instalments of £25.首期付款60英镑，接下来还有十次25英镑的分期付款。ⓘ Initial is used especially to talk about a reaction or feeling that does not last very long * initial尤用以描述持续时间不太长的反应或感觉◆By 1960 the initial optimism had evaporated.到1960年时，最初的乐观主义已经消失了。◆sb's initial response / impression / instinct / shock / surprise / enthusiasm / euphoria / excitement / scepticism / reluctance某人最初的反应／印象／本能／震惊／惊诧／热情／兴奋／激动／怀疑／不情愿; about a stage in a process 还可形容过程中的一个阶段◆the initial stage / phase / step / planning / preparation初始阶段／时期；第一步；最初的计划／准备; or about paying or spending money. 亦可描述付款或花费◆the initial investment / payment / outlay首期投资／付款；初期项目经费 OPP final ⇨ last 1 ▸ initially adverb ◆My contract is initially for three years.我的合同最初订了三年。◆Initially, the system worked well.开始时系统运转良好。■ original [only before noun] existing at the beginning of a particular period, process or activity, especially before being changed into sth else 原来的，起初的，原本的（尤指后来发生了变化）◆The room still has many of its original features.房间还保留着当初的许多特点。◆I think you should go back to your original plan.我认为你应该回头执行你原来的计划。▸ originally adverb ◆The school was originally very small.这所学校一开始很小。◆He comes originally from Peru.他原本来自秘鲁。■ preliminary / /prɪˈlɪmɪnəri; NAmE prɪˈlɪmɪneri/ happening before a more important action or event, especially by introducing or preparing for it 预备性的；初步的；前期的◆After a few preliminary remarks he announced the winners.说了几句开场白后，他即宣布优胜者名单。◆This is just a pilot study preliminary to a full-scale study.这只是进行全面研究之前的试验性研究。■ opening [only before noun](especially of sth that sb says or writes, or a piece of music, etc.) happening at the beginning （尤指讲话或文字作品、乐曲等）开始的，开篇的◆She was humming the opening bars of a song she had heard on the radio.她正哼着在收音机里听过的一首歌的开头几句。◆United scored in the opening minutes of the game.比赛一开场没几分钟联队就得分了。OPP closing ⇨ last 1 see also opening ⇨ start noun , open ⇨ begin verb ■ earliest the nearest to the beginning of an event or period of time 最早的◆The earliest description of this species dates from 1816.对这一物种最早的描述可以追溯到1816年。◆The earliest possible date I can make is the third.我能定下来的最早的日期是3号。■ primary /ˈpraɪməri; NAmE ˈpraɪmeri/ [usually before noun] (formal or technical 术语) developing or happening first; earliest 最初的；最早的◆The disease is still in its primary stage.这病尚处于初始阶段。◆It is not self-evident what the primary causes of this phenomenon are.这种现象最初的原因是什么，并非显而易见。 see also primary ⇨ main ■ introductory /ˌɪntrəˈdʌktəri/ / written or said at the beginning of sth as an introduction to what follows; intended as an introduction to a subject or activity for people who have never done it before 引导的；介绍的；入门的◆The booklist at the end of the chapter contains some introductory reading on the subject.章节末尾的书单列出了一些有关该主题的导读材料。◆I took an introductory class in psychology during my first year at college.我大学一年级时修了一门心理学基础课程。 see also introduction ⇨ basics , introduction ⇨ introduction 2 ■ preparatory /prɪˈpærətri; NAmE prɪˈpærətɔːri/ [only before noun] (especially BrE, formal) done in order to prepare for sth 预备的；作准备的◆After a few preparatory drawings, she completed the portrait in one session.试画了几幅之后，她一气呵成地完成了这幅肖像。◆Security checks had been carried out preparatory to (= to prepare for) the President's visit.为迎接总统来访，已预先进行了安全检查。 see also preparation ⇨ planning , prepare ⇨ prepare 1 , prepare ⇨ prepare 2 main adjective ➡ See also the entry for ⇨ top 另见top条main ♦︎ major ♦︎ key ♦︎ central ♦︎ principal ♦︎ chief ♦︎ prime ♦︎ primary ♦︎ number one ♦︎ predominantThese words all describe sb/sth that is the largest or most important of its kind. 这些词均表示主要的、最重要的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to be key / central to sth◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary / number one / predominant concern◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary / predominant purpose / source / factor◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary aim / focus / function / objective / task / reason / consideration◆a / the main / major / principal / chief / prime / primary object◆a / the main / major / key / principal / chief / prime / primary / number one cause◆a / the main / major / principal / chief / primary / predominant effect◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime attraction◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / predominant theme◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / prime / primary / predominant role◆a / the main / major / principal / prime / number one contender◆the main / chief / prime / number one suspect◆a / the main / major / principal road / town / city◆the main / key thing is to...◆to be of major / key / central / prime / primary importance■ main [only before noun] largest or most important 主要的；最重要的◆Be careful crossing the main road.过大马路时小心点儿。◆We have our main meal at lunchtime.我们的正餐是午饭。◆The main course was roast lamb.主菜是烤羊羔肉。◆Reception is in the main building.接待处在主楼。◆Please use the main entrance.请走正门。◆Poor housing and unemployment are the main problems.住房差和失业是主要问题。◆ (spoken) The main thing is to remain calm.最重要的是要保持冷静。▸ mainly adverb ◆They eat mainly fruit and nuts.他们的食物以水果和坚果为主。◆The population almost doubles in August, mainly because of the film festival.主要是电影节的缘故，8月这里的人几乎比平时多一倍。■ major / /ˈmeɪdʒə(r)/ / [usually before noun] very large or important 主要的；重要的；大的◆A major road runs right through the centre of the town.一条大马路恰好从城中心穿过。◆He played a major role in setting up the system.他对该项制度的建立起了重要作用。◆We have encountered major problems.我们遇到了大问题。ⓘ Major is most often used after a with a singular noun or no article with a plural noun. When it is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means 'the largest or most important'. * major最常用于不定冠词a之后，与单数名词连用；或不用冠词，与复数名词连用。major与the或my/your/his/her/our/their连用时意为“最主要的、最重要的”◆Our major concern here is combatting poverty.在这里我们最关心的是解决贫穷问题。In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main. 表达此义时，major只用以修饰人的想法或忧虑，而非物质的东西，且较main正式◆Be careful crossing the major road. ◆The major thing is to remain calm. OPP minor ⇨ minor ■ key [usually before noun] most important; essential 最重要的；主要的；关键的◆The key issue here is taxation.这里的关键问题是税收。◆'Caution' is the key word in this situation.在此情形之下，caution为关键词。◆Attitude is a key concept in social psychology.态度是社会心理学中非常重要的概念。ⓘ Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that sb plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb. * key最常用于商务和政治语境，修饰想法或某人在某情形下所起的作用，而非物质的东西。key较major略非正式，用在名词加连系动词后尤其如此◆ (rather informal) Speed is key at this point.在这个时候速度是关键。 ■ central (rather formal) most important; having power or control over other parts 最重要的；首要的；起支配作用的；主导性的◆The central issue is that of widespread racism.最重要的问题是种族主义泛滥。◆She has been a central figure in the campaign.她一直是这场运动的首要人物。◆Reducing inflation is central to (= is an important part of) the government's economic policy.降低通胀是政府经济政策的重点。◆the central committee (= of a political party) 党中央委员会◆The organization has a central office in New York.该组织在纽约设有总部。ⓘ Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase sth is central to sth else and has a slightly smaller range of noun collocates than key. These mostly relate to the part sb/sth plays in sth ( character, component, feature, figure, motif, part, role, theme, topic), what sb is trying to achieve ( aim, focus, issue, preoccupation, problem, recommendation) or ideas that sb has about sth ( belief, concept, doctrine, truth). * central与key用法相似，但更正式，最常用于短语be central to中。与key相比，central可搭配的名词范围略小。这些搭配词大多与某人或某事物所起的作用(character、component、feature、figure、motif、part、role、theme、topic)、某人努力想完成之事(aim、focus、issue、preoccupation、problem、recommendation)或某人对某事物的看法(belief、concept、doctrine、truth)相关。■ principal / /ˈprɪnsəpl/ / [only before noun] (rather formal) most important 最重要的；主要的◆New roads will link the principal cities.新建道路将连通各主要城市。◆Tourist revenue is now our principal source of wealth.旅游业的收入现在成了我们主要的财富来源。◆My principal concern is to get the job done fast.我最关心的是把工作快点做完。ⓘ Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade sb of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central. * principal主要用于陈述无可争辩的事实。表明意见或说服别人相信你所认定的事实，较常用key或central◆The key / central issue here is ...这里的关键问题是⋯ ▸ principally adverb ◆The tax was very unpopular, principally because it hit the poor hardest.这项税收很不得人心，主要是因为它对穷人的打击最沉重。◆The farms are principally arable.这些农场主要是可耕地。■ chief [only before noun] (especially written) most important 最重要的；主要的◆Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.失业是贫穷的主要原因。◆Her chief rival for the gold medal is Jones of the USA.她争夺金牌的主要对手是美国的琼斯。ⓘ Chief also means 'highest in rank' when talking about the jobs that people have. In the meaning of 'most important' it is also often used to talk about people in various different roles. * chief修饰职位时意为“最高级别的、首席的”。chief表达“最重要的”之意时亦常修饰担任各种不同角色的人◆sb's chief enemy / rival / opponent某人主要的敌人／竞争对手／对手◆the chief architect / exponent of sth某事主要的缔造者／倡导者 ▸ chiefly adverb ◆Defence spending was cut, chiefly by reducing national service by six months.主要通过减少六个月兵役来削减国防开支。◆The scientists cannot be held solely or even chiefly to blame.责任不能完全甚至主要由科学家来承担。■ prime [only before noun] (rather formal) most important; to be considered first 最重要的；主要的；首要的◆My prime concern is to protect my property.我最关心的是保护自己的财产。◆The care of the environment is of prime importance.保护环境最为重要。◆He's the police's prime suspect in this case.他是该案中警方的首要怀疑对象。■ primary [usually before noun] (rather formal) prime 最重要的；主要的；首要的◆The primary aim of this class is to improve your spoken English.这门课的主要目的是提高英语会话能力。◆Our primary concern must be the children.我们首要关心的必须是儿童。▸ primarily adverb ◆In the 1790s Britain was still primarily an agricultural country.18世纪90年代，英国基本上还是个农业国。◆History is after all primarily about people.历史毕竟主要还是人的历史。NOTE 辨析 Prime or primary?In many cases you can use either word. 在许多情况下这两个词可以通用◆your prime / primary concern / purpose / aim / object / objective / task你最关心的事；你的首要目的／目标／宗旨／目标／任务◆to be of prime / primary importance最重要However, prime is used in some fixed collocations where primary cannot be used. 不过，在某些固定搭配中只能用prime，不能用primary◆the prime attraction / contender / suspect主要的景点／竞争者／怀疑对象◆the primary attraction/contender/suspect Primary also has the related meaning of 'earliest' or 'first'. * primary还有一个相关义项，即“最初的、最早的”。 see also primary ⇨ first ■ number one [only before noun] (informal) most important or best 头号的；最重要的；最好的◆Our number one priority is to find larger office space.我们的头等大事是找到大一些的办公场所。◆I just love your work! I'm your number one fan.我真是太爱你的作品了！我是你的头号仰慕者。■ predominant /prɪˈdɒmɪnənt; NAmE prɪˈdɑːmɪnənt/ (rather formal) most obvious or noticeable 显著的；明显的；盛行的◆A predominant feature of his work is the use of natural materials.他的作品的一个显著特征是使用天然材料。◆Yellow is the predominant colour this spring in the fashion world.黄色是今春时装界的主流行色。▸ predominantly adverb ◆The firm has a predominantly female workforce.该公司的员工以女性居多。◆Ours is a predominantly Buddhist country.我国国民大多信奉佛教。 |