We must ____ that the telegram arrives in time. A. secure B. ensure C. assure D. certify(Nelson, 500D)
答案为 B。但我不明白为什么不能选 C(assure)。要知道, assure 也作“保证”解, 而且也可以接 that 宾语从句, 是不是?
从语义上说，ensure 和 assure 都可译作“向……保证”“担保”。但是，ensure 是指“保证事情一定能做到”，而 assure 是指“保证所说的是真的”。请对比下列实例：
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I assure you (that) there's no danger. 我向你担保不会有危险。
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I can't ensure that he will be there in time. 我不能保证他及时到达那里。
从结构上看 ensure 和 assure 在接 that 宾语从句时, 前者不带间接宾语, 而后者必须带间接宾语, 即 assure sb. that:
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I can assure you that this feeling will soon pass... (EED) 我可以向你保证,这种感觉很快就会过去……
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I assure you it is not only a question of money. 我向你保证,这不仅仅是一个金钱的问题。
我敢保证,在你读了上面的文字之后,你在做上面的试题时便会毫不犹豫地去选 B (ensure)。
We must ____ that the experiment is controlled as rigidly as possible.
I ____ you that the goods will be delivered next week.