X for the meal,中的X食物表示是针对性的食物,针对这次晚餐的X食物,比如:
the wine for the meal,我们可以理解为这顿饭要用的酒
因此如果你改为for,就感觉是在挑选哪种bread and butter了,这跟语境中many farmers困境是不吻合的,所以你改了后失去了味道了。
用 as 还是 for ,我作一比较你就清楚了:
At that time, many farmers could only afford bread and butter as their meal.
At that time, many farmers could only afford bread and butter for their breakfast.
meal 强调“餐饮的食物”。as 表示“身份;是什么”。
breakfast 强调“吃饭的时间”(早饭、午饭、晚饭)。for 表示“目的或用途”。
所以,原句用 as 正确,不可以改为 for。
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