offer、present、propose与volunteer这些动词均含“提出、提供”之意。
offer : 最普通用词,多指主动提出或提供意见或东西等,但是否接受由对方自行决定。
- He offered $4 000 for the car.
他出价4 000元买这辆汽车。
present : 既可指提出意见建议等,又可指拿出某物供人欣赏或赠送。
- The committee will present its final report to Parliament in June.
委员会将于六月向议会提交最后的报告。 - Eight options were presented for consideration.
已提出八项备选方案供审议。
propose : 指直接而主动地提出问题或建议等,也指在讨论或争辨中提出具体意见或建议。
- The government proposed changes to the voting system.
政府建议修改表决制度。 - It was proposed to pay the money from public funds.
有人提议用公款支付这笔钱。
volunteer与offer同义,侧重出于自愿,而不是受命做某事。
- Aunt Mary volunteered to clean up the kitchen.
玛丽阿姨主动要求清扫厨房。