这些形容词均含“清楚的,明白的,明显的”之意。
apparent :强调显而易见或一想便知。这个词从动词appear派生而来,故有时含有表面如此而事实上未必的意味。
- It was apparent from her face that she was really upset.
从面容上一眼就可以看出她确实心绪烦乱。
obvious :语气较强,指极为明显,有目共睹,无需说明和论证。
- It was obvious to everyone that the child had been badly treated.
人人一看便知,那个孩子受过虐待。
evident :指根据事实成为显然的。
- It has now become evident to us that a mistake has been made.
我们已经清楚出了差错。
clear :普通用词,侧重清楚明白。
- She gave me clear and precise directions.
她给了我清晰而准确的指示。
plain :普通用词,含义与clear很接近,可通用,但plain着重简单明了,不复杂。
- He made it plain that we should leave.
他明确表示要我们离开。
distinct :较正式用词,指轮廓的清楚或定义、含义的明确,不会弄错。
- His voice was quiet but every word was distinct.
他说话声音不大,但字字清晰。
definite :语气肯定,着重明白无误,无可怀疑。
- Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?
你最晚明天能给我一个确定的答复吗?
manifest :语义较强,书面用词,强调一目了然,暗示不要任何推论就一清二楚。
- Social tensions were manifested in the recent political crisis.
最近的政治危机显示了社会关系的紧张。