free

free from, free of

这两个短语都可作“没有…的”或“免于…的”解, free from用得更普遍。在danger, pain, trouble, difficulty, influence等词前惯用free from; 而在charge, rent, duty等词前惯用free of。例如:

Not very many imports are free of all duty.全部免税的进口货不很多。

He offered to supply her with another clock free of charge.他答应免费再提供她一只钟。

另外, free of有时作“摆脱…”,“离开…”解。例如:

They like living in a village, free of crowds and noise.他们喜欢住在乡村里,远离人群和噪音。

下面两个句子意思相同:

It is free to you to do so.

It is free for you to do so.

你可以这么做。

free, freely

1.两者都可作副词,表示“自由地”。free指事物的状态,而freely指动作方式。试比较:

Let one end of the rope hang free.

把绳子的一端松开吊着。

Everyone can express himself freely at the meeting.

每个人在会上都可畅所欲言。

2.free还可作“免费地”解,而freely则无此意思。例如:

You can travel free with this special ticket.

你持这张专用票,可以免费旅行。

You can travel freely to all parts of the country.

你可以随便到全国各地去旅行。