上一期談過了“形式義異”的混淆詞，這期要談“義同形異”的常用詞。

1.Over / above

"Over"和"above"這兩個介詞的意思是在…….上面?！拔覀兛梢哉f(1)The sky is above our heads,也可以說(2)The sky is over our heads.我們也可以說(3)He Spread his handkerchief over his face.但不能說*(4)He spread his handkerchief above his face. 同樣的，可以說(5)John has travelled all over the world以及 (6)The King reigns over a great empire，但是(5)和(6)里的 "over"卻不可以"above"取代。

2.bring / take

"Bring"和"take"的意思相同，但用法并不一樣。

"Bring"指東西向說話的人的方向去，如：

(7) Bring me the book, please.

"Take"指東西向說話的人離去，如：

(8)Take the dictionary away from me .

由此可見，"bring"和"take"都表示東西要移動，只是方向不同："bring"向說話者而來;"take"向說話者而去。

3.Certain / sure

"Certain"和"sure"都含“確定”之意，只是在句中的用法有些不同。下列第九到十一的句子都對，但第十二的句子就不行了：

(9) We are certain to come to the party. / Tom is sure to come today.

(10) I am not certain whether I will be able to do it. / Are you sure that you will do it?

(11) It is certain that Jason will leave me.

*(12) It is sure that Jason will leave me.

4. rob / Steal

雖然這兩個字都是及物動詞，但用法不同，不可互相取代。

"Steal"的賓語通常是被偷的東西，如“錢，手表”之類。"Rob" 的賓語必須是“人”或“地方”。如：

(13) A thief entered her house and stole her valuables.

(14) A stranger robbed a passer-by.

(15) Who robbed the bank last night?

5.chase / follow

這兩個動詞，一個是“追逐”，另一個是“跟隨”，都是人家在前，他在后，但用起來不一樣;"chase"不但是動詞，也是名詞，如：

(16)The cat chased the mouse and caught it soon after.

(17)The puplis followed the teacher to the classroom.

(18)There was a thrilling car chase in the film.

(19) Social unrest follows widespread unemployment.

(20) I could not follow what he was saying.