问
attain 与 obtain 都是及物动词,很容易用混。请辨析。
答
attain 可译为“达到”“实现”“完成”，含有极强的抱负和渴望之意，有时则含有经过巨大努力才得以实现的意思，常见的搭配有：attain the end (goal)（达到目的），attain one's hope (object)（实现希望/达到目标）。obtain 可译为“获得”“取得”“找到”，不含有难以达到的意思，常见的搭配有：obtain a prize(获得奖金)，obtain a loan(获得一笔贷款)，obtain knowledge（获得知识）obtain an experience(获得经历)。请对比下列实例：
- ... the qualities which enabled him to attain his ambitions... (EED)
……使他得以实现雄心壮志的品质……
- They were unable to attain their objectives. (Hazen)
他们未能达到他们的目的。
- Howard had failed to obtain a scholarship. (Priestley)
霍华德未能得到奖学金。
练习
In order to learn to be one's true self, it is necessary to ____ a wide and extensive knowledge of what has been said and done in the world.