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apply fertilizer to sth
apply 强调按一定方法施用；fertilizer 在此作不可数名词。
Farmers apply fertilizer to the crops every spring.
农民每年春天给庄稼施肥。
肥料
fertilizers — plural of fertilizer
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
肥料
A natural or chemical substance added to soil to help plants grow.
Farmers apply fertilizer to the crops every spring.
农民每年春天给庄稼施肥。
用于使土壤更适合植物生长的天然物质
A natural substance that is used to make the ground more suitable for growing plants.
任何如粪肥或硝酸盐混合物等用于使土壤更肥沃的物质
any substance such as manure or a mixture of nitrates used to make soil more fertile
具有同等效果的化合物
A chemical compound created to have the same effect.
Farmers often use organic fertilizer to improve crop yields.
农民经常使用有机肥料来提高作物产量。
This brand of fertilizer contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
这个品牌的肥料含有氮、磷和钾。
Overusing chemical fertilizers can damage the soil in the long run.
长期过度使用化肥会损害土壤。
apply 强调按一定方法施用；fertilizer 在此作不可数名词。
Farmers apply fertilizer to the crops every spring.
农民每年春天给庄稼施肥。
spread 表示把肥料撒开；over 后接面积较大的地面。
The workers spread fertilizer over the field before planting.
工人们在播种前把肥料撒在田里。
此句型表示把某物当作肥料使用。
You can use eggshells as fertilizer for the garden.
你可以把蛋壳用作花园的肥料。
Not this
We need to fertilizer the crops now.
Use this
We need to fertilize the crops now.
fertilizer 是名词（肥料），不能作动词；表示“施肥”应用动词 fertilize。汉语里“施肥”是动词性表达，学习者容易把名词直接用作谓语，应改为 fertilize。
Not this
The farmer fertilized in the field.
Use this
The farmer fertilized the field.
fertilize 是及物动词，必须直接接宾语（如 the field），不能在后面加 in/on 等介词。中文“在田里施肥”的介词结构在英语中要转换成宾语结构，所以应去掉 in。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
化肥
The plants need a chemical fertilizer with balanced nutrients.
这些植物需要营养均衡的化肥。
有机肥料
This organic fertilizer is safe for home gardens.
这种有机肥料对家庭菜园很安全。
氮肥
The corn field needs nitrogen fertilizer in summer.
玉米地夏天需要氮肥。
施肥
Farmers apply fertilizer before planting seeds.
农民在播种前施肥。
肥料使用
Reducing fertilizer use helps farmers lower costs.
减少肥料使用有助于农民降低成本。
花园最好的肥料是园丁的身影。
A popular English gardening proverb that emphasizes the importance of the gardener's constant care and presence, rather than any chemical product.
一句流行的英语园艺谚语，强调园丁长期照料和陪伴的重要性，胜过任何化学产品。
Use fertilizers naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
记忆：fert- 像 fertile（肥沃）。想象贫瘠的土地撒上 fertilizer 后变得肥沃，作物茁壮成长。
语域：neutral 常见场景：农业生产、家庭园艺、环境科学 fertilizer 是中性词，通常用于农业、园艺等场合，正式与非正式语境都比较常见；多指用于改善土壤肥力的天然或化学物质。
作可数名词时指不同种类的肥料，作不可数名词时指肥料这一物质。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.