easy常用作形容词,也可用作副词,而easily只用作副词。这里要讨论的是,它们都用作副词时的区别。其实,easy作副词和easily作副词,在意义上相同。
(1)easy作副词,仅仅局限于某些惯用的短语中。
If you're thinking of getting into shape, take it easy and build up slowly. 如果你想让身体健康,那就放松一点,慢慢锻炼。
Easy come easy go. 来得容易去得快。
Easier said than done. 说来容易做来难。
(2)easily放在动词之后,也可放在动词的过去分词之前。
The lost their temper easily. 它们很容易生气。
And he is easily hurt; he is not tough. 他不强健,容易受伤。
Western-style government could not easily be grafted on to a profoundly different country.
西方风格的政府是不可能轻易被移植到一个根本不相同的国家里。