of the day 还是 of a day

问题处黑体标处:

全文如下(改错题原题病段,2013全国二卷):

The book I'm reading of talks about afternoon tea in Britain. It is said to have started in the early 1800's. Have tea in the late afternoon provides a bridge between lunch and dinner, that might not be served until 8 o'clock at night. This custom soon becomes another meal of day. Interesting, it had connection by the British porcelain (瓷器) industry. Tea in China was traditionally drank from cups without handles. When tea got popular in Britain, there was a crying need for good cup with handles to suit Britain habits. This made for the grow in the porcelain industry.

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最佳答案 2020-03-01 01:27

该题的正确答案是:of the day。

This custom soon becomes another meal of the day.

以下为个人观点:

1. 关于 of a day 和 of the day,这两个说法都存在。

2. 它们的区别,很多人都从“泛指、特指”做文章,这是非常错误的,误导性很强。

3. 首先记住,这两个词组都是作定语用的。前面说了,不要从“泛指、特指” 分析这个问题。具体分析如下:

(1)of a day  不表示 “任何一天”,而是指“一天的时间长度”。仔细体会例句:

I had a bummer of a day.   我一整天都很烦。

This is a flower of a day.  这花就开一天。(类似昙花一现)

(2)of the day 在本句不是特指“某白天”,与前面的 at night 更是没有关系。实际上,这里的 the day 表示“类指”。类指的概念是指“事物的类别”,是区别事物之间不同的属性和本质的。意思是“一天的另一餐”,不是“一周的、一月的...另一餐”。 以下是表示“类指”的例句,毫无“特指” 的意思。仔细体会:

Some stations broadcast 24 hours of the day.

Treat yourselves to a glass of wine to help you relax at the end of the day.

What day of the week is it today?

I don't like coffee; I'd rather have a cup of tea any day of the week.

4. 网友可能问:“一日三餐” 的英语是 three meals a day,说明可以用 a day,为什么这里能用 a day? 而 another meal of a day 不可以?

这个问题好!注意:这里的 a day 前面没有 of,说明它不是 meals 的定语,它实际是频度状语,修饰省去的动词。这里, a day 不表示“时间长度”,冠词 a 是“每一” 的意思,a day 等于every day。 一日三餐就是每日三餐之意。

5. 关于这句话的整体理解:This custom soon becomes another meal of the day. 不知网友发现了没有,这句话的主语是 custom,表语是 meal,是两个不对等的概念。但是,在meal 之后有了 of the day 这个定语,就变得对等了。

“习俗” 是 “一日外加一餐”,所以,another meal of the day 是一种描述性表语, of the day 是必具性的,不可或缺的。没有 of the day,就是逻辑错误。



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其它 1 个回答

黎反修   - 英语翻译 (已退休)
擅长:数词用法,存在句,英语考试

   of the day 的用法:

    (1)表示“当时的”,作后置定语:These officials are appointed by the government of the day. 这些官员都是当时的政府任命的。(摘自《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》)

    (2)表示“(餐馆)当日供应的”,作后置定语:the soup/fish of the day 当日供应的汤/鱼 (摘自《麦克米伦高阶英汉双解词典》)

    (3)表示“现代的(=of today);当代的”,作后置定语:young people of the day 现代的年轻人 / men of the day 时人,当代名人 / She was the best singer of the day. 她是当代最佳歌手。(摘自《英汉多功能词典》新编升级版)


    of a day 的用法:

    of a day 短命的 (摘自陆谷孙主编:《英汉大词典》第2版)stuff of a day 昙花一现的东西 (摘自《新英汉词典》第四版修订本)

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  • Dreamstar 提出于 2020-02-28 00:29

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