concern

concern, affair, business, matter, thing

这组词在含糊地指那些所做的事时意义相近,常可互换。例如：

It is a regretful affair〔business, concern, matter, thing〕.这是一件遗憾的事。

I don't talk to her about private affairs〔business, concerns, matters, things〕.我从不和她谈私事。

它们之间的区别在于：

1.从模糊程度上看, affair＜matter＜thing, thing的词义最不确切,常可用在有意使概念含混不清的场合。例如：

How did you find things in America?你觉得美国怎样?

2.从含义上看, affair强调运行或操作过程,如一道程序,一笔交易,一个行动,一项事业等。business强调职责关系,例如：

It is her business to take good care of the baby.看护好这个婴儿是她的职责。

concern强调利害相关,例如：

It is no concern of mine.此事与我无关。

matter强调必须考虑和处理,例如：

We have a lot of matters to do.我们有许多事情要做。

thing则是一般用语,口语中常表示说话内容预先未考虑好或说话者力图掩饰自己的观点,例如：

I've another thing to talk with you.我还有一件事跟你说。

3.从用法上看, business不能用复数,而affair在指重大的或头绪较多的事务时则需要用复数。

4.从搭配范围上看,与foreign、international、state等词连用时只能用affair,在短语have an affair with sb (与某人有不正当男女关系)中也只能用affair。在指商业上的生意和活动或指“公事”“正事”时只能用business,例如：

It's a pleasure to do business with you.很高兴和你做生意。

Business before pleasure.公事比娱乐要紧。

口语中作“出了毛病”“失常”解时,只能用matter而不能用affair和business,例如：

What's the matter with you?你怎么啦?

在泛指“东西”“物品”时,用affair和thing都可。例如：

And these Tubes were convenient things〔affairs〕.而这地下铁道是非常方便的东西。

concern, care

二者都可表示“关心”,有时可换用。它们的区别在于:

1.care后一般接介词for, concern后一般接for, about或at。例如:

He showed no care〔concern〕 for others.他对别人漠不关心。

He does not show much concern about it.他对那事不太关心。

He expressed much concern at the news.他对这条消息十分关心。

2.care可表示“小心”,而concern无此义。例如:

Great care should be exercised in the matter.对这件事应特别慎重。

3.concern后接with或in表利害关系,而care无此用法。例如:

I have no concern with〔in〕 this business.我与这事不相干。

be concerned about, care for

这组短语都有“关心”的意思。它们的区别在于:

1.care for主要用于人,且多用于口语中。例如:

I really care for the students in my class, though I've taught them only two months. 我确实喜欢我班上的学生,尽管我才教他们两个月。

Does she care for him at all? 她到底喜欢他吗?

2.be concerned about 既可用于人,也可用于物,多用于书面语中。例如:

Please don't be concerned about me.请不要为我的事操心。

Why are you so concerned about the boy's safety?你为何如此担心那孩子的安全?

He is concerned about her illness.他担心她的病情。

The leader was much concerned about the plight of the refugees.那位领导人对难民的悲惨处境很担忧。