先理解核心含义,再看它在真实句子里的用法。
以前的;从前的
former; from an earlier time
The erstwhile captain of the team now coaches young players.
这位以前的队长现在指导年轻球员。
用法提示:erstwhile 在此作形容词,位于名词前,表示‘以前的’。
We visited the erstwhile factory, which has been turned into an art museum.
我们参观了以前的工厂,如今它已变成艺术博物馆。
用法提示:erstwhile 修饰名词 factory,意为‘从前的’。
Her erstwhile classmates still remember her as a quiet student.
她以前的同学们仍记得她是个安静的学生。
用法提示:erstwhile 作定语,意为‘往昔的’,强调过去的关系。
erstwhile 作为形容词,仅用于名词前。
He returned to his erstwhile home.
他回到了他以前的家。
erstwhile 作为副词,常置于句首,修饰整个句子。
Erstwhile, he was a respected professor.
以前,他是一位受人尊敬的教授。
grammar · medium
易错句子I met the president erstwhile.
正确表达I met the erstwhile president.
词序错误:形容词“erstwhile”应置于名词之前,而非之后。中文学习者容易受到母语副词“以前”可后置的影响,但英语中形容词须前置。
grammar · medium
易错句子He is erstwhile a teacher.
正确表达He is an erstwhile teacher.
词性混淆:“erstwhile”作副词时表示“以前”,与现在时态矛盾;应使用其形容词形式修饰名词。中文中“以前”可作状语,但英语中此处需形容词。
former 是中性常用词,erstwhile 则较正式、文学性强,且可作副词。
formerly 是标准副词,erstwhile 作副词时极为书面化,现代英语中罕见。
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