§171 error/ mistake/ fault
Ⅰ.error的意思是错误、过失,指背离某种准则的偏差,表示精确、不正确、不对。在本组词中,这个词用得最广泛。例如:
① This is an error in grammar. 这是一个语法上的错误。
② He made an error in opinion. 你的意见有错误。
Ⅱ. mistake “错误”,指由于粗心、疏忽、缺乏正确的理解等原因而造成的“错误”。与error可通用,但在某些固定词组中不能换用。如:
by mistake. In error 等。如:
① You have made a mistake in your spelling. 你在拼写上弄错了。
② I took his umbrella by mistake. 我拿错了他的伞。
Ⅲ. fault“缺点、毛病”也可表“过失、过错”含有当事人对造成的过错有责任的意味。如:
① With all his faults , he is still a good comrade. 尽管他有缺点,分还是一个好同志。