动词是句子的发动机,恰当的动词让句子更有灵性,并且传达更多的含义。 比如泛泛的动词walk或run只表达了基本动作,而精确的动词既会表达动作的发生(what),又会表达如何发生(how)。
如果你觉得上面的解释有点抽象,下面的例子会更直观地展现巧用动词来提升画面感:
急速奔跑:
Macon barely spoke three sentences before he bolted out of the room.
A small boy hurtled along the path toward the tree.
欢快小跑/连蹦带跳:
I trotted up to the messenger.
Children skipped down the street.
悠闲散步:
She sauntered through the park, enjoying the warm afternoon sun.
We moseyed down the street, taking in the sights and smells of the market.
步履沉重/艰难前进:
He staggered across the uneven floor.
Audrey waded through the icy water.
偷偷摸摸/轻手轻脚地走:
A figure skulked around the fence.
He sneaked past the sleeping dog to grab a cookie.
挤过人群:
He battled through the Manhattan crowd.
I tried to squeeze past the noisy group.
人群流动/涌动:
The crowd mills around us amidst shouts and orders from the guards.
A stream of kids poured onto the sidewalk.
动词的运用影响着作品的表达力度与层次。基本原则是,Verb = Action + Manner。之前我曾写过提高英文写作既有大处的着眼,又有小处的着手,而动词的使用就是“小处着手”的重要部分。很多时候,读者感受到的“文笔好”,其实并不是来自华丽辞藻,而来自准确恰当的词汇运用。
[相关阅读:英文写作技巧:如何提高写作的词汇使用]
[相关阅读:英文写作技巧: 如何写出生动的描写]
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