cancel, delete, erase 这几个英语动词意思接近，但具体含义与用法不尽相同。通过以下中英文注释和举例，可以看出它们之间的区别：
cancel [ˈkænsl] vt./vi. 意思是“取消, 撤销, 终止”，指决定不去做事先已经安排好的活动或事情 (to decide that sth that has been arranged will not now take place)，例如:
- cancel a meeting 取消会议
- cancel the wedding 取消婚礼
- cancel a contract (an order) 取消合同 (订单)
- The final flight was cancelled. 最末航班被取消了。
- No charge will be made if you cancel within 10 days. 如果在10天以内取消，不收费用。
- The project has been cancelled because of lack of funds. 这个项目因缺乏资金已经撤销。
delete [dɪˈliːt] vt. 是"删除, 删掉"， 如删除书写的内容，或从电脑/手机里删除文件、照片、电话号码等 (to remove sth that has been written or printed, or that has been stored on a computer)。例如：
- Mr / Mrs / Ms ( delete as appropriate ) 先生 / 太太 / 女士（酌情删除）
- The editor deleted two paragraphs from the article. 编辑删除了文章中的两段内容。
- Please delete the unnecessary content in the report. 请删除报告里不必要的内容。
- He deleted all the files in his PC. 他删除了个人电脑里的所有文件。
erase [ɪˈreɪz] vt. 是“抹去 / 擦去” (to remove from memory or existence; to wipe out digitally or magnetically recorded information; to remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing)。例如:
- erase a disc 抹去光盘上的信息
- erase a memory 忘却一段记忆
- erase the words on the white board 擦掉白板上的字
- He had erased the wrong word. 他擦去了写错的字。
- It was unfortunate that she had erased the message. 不幸的是她已经删除了那条短信。
- Parts of the recording have been erased. 部分录音已被抹掉。
- I can't erase you from my mind. 我无法把你从脑海里抹去。
- And I hate the thought of finally being erased. 我痛恨最终被你从记忆中抹去。("Best Of Me"歌词)
- 比较：Your name has been deleted from the list. 你的名字已从名单上删掉。His name was erased from the list. 他已被除名。(前者只表示从名单里删掉或去除名字，后者则暗指取消/去掉人名背后的名义、身份、资格等。)
From “唱学英语”公众号，链接：
