这五个动词都含“改变”的意思:1、alter 指部分更改,仍保留本质和总体结构,其名词是 alteration。( 1)The sleeves of the shirt are a bit too long. I"ll have to ask the tailor to alter them.这件衬衫的袖子太有长了点。我得请裁缝改改。( 2)While frictions may cool their relationship, they will not alter the basic nature of their cooperation.尽管摩擦也许使他们的关系降温,但不会改变他们之间合作的基本性质。(3)In doing translation, one should not alter the meaning of the original to suit one" own taste.翻译时不应根据自己的好恶改变原文的意思.(4)The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了,可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。(5)It is human nature that people don"t like anything that will causealterations in their lifestyle.这是人类的本性,人们不喜欢导致他们的生活方式改变任何事物。(6)Some alterations to our original plans might be necessary.可能需要的我们原计划作一些修改。2、vary 指不规则的变化或断断续续的改变,其名词是 variation。(1)The doses used for surgical anaesthesia vary between 2 and 10 mg / kg. 外科手术麻醉药的用量从每公斤2毫克到10毫克不等。(2)The nature of these ties must vary withthe different problems of different areas. 这一些结合的性质必须视不同地区的不同问题而有所变化。(3)As opinions vary on that point, no decision can be reached. 在那一点上, 大家意见纷纷,莫衷一是。(4)Estimates of risk aversion vary widely, and no quantitative guidelines are available. 对于风险的躲避的估算具有很大的差异, 而且也没有适用的数量指标。(5)It is difficult to describe the climate of England because the variations are so frequent and unpredictable.很难描述英格兰的气候,因为其变化频繁难以预测。(6)Currency exchange rates are always subject to variation.货币兑换率是经常变的。3、convert 指为了能适应新的用途或目的而改变某物的状态、形态、特性等,常用结构是 convert …… into ……. 名词形式是 conversion。(1)The solar cell can convert the energy of sunlight into electric energy.太阳能电池能把阳光的能量转化为电能。(2)Internal combustion engines convert the energy in gasoline"s molecular bonds into motion.内燃机的工作原理是将汽油中分子团的能量转化为动能。(3)What"s the formula for converting pounds into kilos?英镑转换成公斤的公式是什么?(4)They have converted the barn into an exhibiting hall.他们把仓库转换成一个展览大厅。(5)Now there is a large team of experts who devote themselves to the research on the conversion of water into fuel, which is obviously a complicated problem.现在有一大批专家致力于研究将水转换成燃料,这些显然是一个复杂的问题。(6)You may need this exchange memo for convertion when you leave America. 离开美国需要兑换时,你可能用得着这个兑换证书。4、modify 使用较为广泛,可指改变意见、计划、结构、体系、方法、内容等,其名词是 modification。(1)The Industrial Revolution modified the whole structure of the English society.工业革命变革了英国社会的整个结构。(2)And you must modify it all times, and add new code in it.你需要随时的它进行修改,添加新的代码。(3)Instead of simply punishing them, the system encourages offenders to modify their behaviour.这种体系不是简单地惩罚罪犯,而是鼓励他们改变自己的行为。( 4)We have to modify our plan a little bit. 我们得对我们的计划稍加修改.(5)The architects made some modifications in the structure of the designed building.建筑师对设计好的大楼结构作了一些更改。(6)Modification of the engine to run on lead-free fuel is fairly simple.将发动改用无铅燃料是相当简单的。5、transform 指事物的面貌、功能或性质发生深刻的变化,失去原状成为全新的东西。其名词是transformation。(1)My hometown has tansformed into a modern town.我的家乡现在已经变成一个现代化的城镇。(2)After the Wilson family moved in, the eight children helped transform the neighborhood from dull to lively.威尔逊一家搬来后,他家8个孩子使原本死气沉沉街坊变得生气活泼。(3)A little paint will soon transform this old car. 只要喷上一点油漆就会马上使这部旧车变个模样。(4)We have transformed the hills nearby the village by afforestation. 通过治山造林我们已经改变了周围的山丘的面貌。(5)Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook. 上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。(6)But the breadth ofthe economic transformation can"t be measured by numbers alone. 巨大经济变化的程度单凭数据是不能衡量的。