大学英语四级写作指导：“介词+反身代词”的常用搭配

反身代词是一种表示反射或强调的代词。它的基本含义是：通过反身代词指代主语，使施动者把动作在形式上反射到施动者自己。因此，反身代词与它所指代的名词或代词形成互指关系，在人称、性质、数上保持一致。

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反身代词经常和介词有一些重要的搭配，接下来让我们来看看这些例子吧!

　　to oneself

该搭配的基本意思是“独自地”“单独地”“给自己用”，通常与某些动词配合使用，其含义也往往受所搭配动词意思的影响。如：

1. cry to oneself 哭着对自己说

Oh Ned, Nancy cried to herself, why did you have to leave me? 哦，内德，南希还哭着对自己说，你为什么一定得离开我呢?

2. have something to oneself 独自享用某物

I have the whole day to myself. 今天整天都是属于我自己的。

　　among oneself

该搭配中的反身代词通常为ourselves, themselves，且通常与动词agree, argue, quarrel, decide, divide, talk 等搭配，表示“彼此”“互相”“……之间”之类的意思。如：

They were busy arguing among themselves. 他们忙着互相争论。

We were always quarrelling among ourselves. 我们之间老是互相争吵。

They talked among themselves while they waited. 他们一边等着一边互相谈话。

Volunteers divided the different jobs among themselves. 志愿者们分担各种不同的`工作。

The trainees decide among themselves what programs to take. 受训者自行选择所学课程。

The trouble was they couldn’t agree among themselves. 麻烦的是他们自己不能取得一致的意见。

有时也与discussion, dispute等名词搭配。如：

They had a heated discussion among themselves. 他们之间进行了热烈的讨论。

They tried to settle disputes among themselves. 他们试图解决彼此之间的纠纷。

　　between ourselves

该搭配为英语中的固定短语，意思是“勿与外人道私下说的话”“咱们私下说说(不足为外人道)”等，在具体语境中通常可以有比较灵活的翻译。如：

All this is between ourselves. 这些我们只是私下说说。

Between ourselves, I think she’s a bit of a fool. 你可别对别人说啊，我觉得她有点儿傻。

Between ourselves, I don’t think he will live much longer. 咱们私下说说，他活不久了。

Between ourselves. I think Mr. Holmes had not quite got over his illness yet. 我们私下说说，我认为福尔摩斯先生病还没完全好。

有时也说成between you and me，意思一样。如：

Between you and me, I think he’s rather stupid. 这是我们私下里说的话，我认为他很笨。

　　by oneself

该短语有以下三个意思：

一是表示“单独地”“独自地”，与alone同义。如：

I often like to spend time by myself. 我平常喜欢独自消磨时间。

The dog was in the house by itself for several days. 狗在房子里单独呆了几天。

She is old enough to travel by herself. 她已经到了可以自己出门旅行的年龄了。

表示此义时有时还可用作表语。如：

My mother is by herself, so I must go home now. 我妈一个人在家，因此我得回家了。

二是表示“靠自己”“无他人帮助”，与without help同义。如：

I managed to do it by myself. 我是自己做成这件事的。

John managed to repair his car by himself. 约翰设法独力修理自己的汽车。

There are many things one must do by oneself without depending on others. 有许多事情你必须自己去做，不能依靠别人。

三是表示“自动地”，主要用于 by itself，意思相当于automatically。如：

This is a machine that works by itself. 这是一台自动工作的机器。

The door opens by itself as you approach it. 当你靠近时候门就会自动打开。

The machine will start by itself in a few seconds. 机器在几秒钟后会自动开启。

　　for oneself

该搭配主要有两个方面的意思：

一是表示“自己”“亲自”。如：

You can judge for yourself. 你可以自己做出判断。

He has a fight to decide for himself. 他有权自己做决定。

He demanded the right to decide for himself. 他要求得到自己做决定的权力。

二是表示“为自己”“替自己”。如：

He made no complaint for himself. 他没为自己诉苦。

He acted without thought for himself. 他那样做的时候并没考虑到自己。

She’s no shrinking violet—always ready to speak up for herself. 她可不胆小——任何场合都能为自己说话。

　　in itself

该搭配的意思是“本质上”“实质上”“本身”。如：

He is not bad in himself. 他本质不坏。

The idea is not bad in itself. 这主意本身不错。

Threading a needle is an art in itself. 穿针引线本身就是一种技巧。

You’ve managed to complete the course—that in itself is an achievement. 你设法修完了课程——这本身就是成绩。