1 look for 表示“尋找”,強調找的動作;find表示“找到,發(fā)現”,指找尋的結果;find是look for 的結果。
They were looking for the missing car. 他們在尋找丟失的汽車。
She looked for the book everywhere but did not find it. 她到處找那本書,但是沒有找到它。
2 find 指的是偶然的發(fā)現,指有形的東西;而find out 則表示“查明,弄清楚”,指經過調查、探聽或詢問后查明,查出來,指無形或隱藏的東西。
He found a wallet on the way home. 他在回家的路上發(fā)現一只錢包。
You must try to find out who has broken the window. 你必須設法查清誰打碎了窗戶。
提示
find和find out是非延續(xù)性動詞,在完成時中不能與表示一段時間的狀語連用。
她的地址我已經發(fā)現5天了。
I have found out her address for five days . (誤)
I have found her address for five days . (誤)
It is five days since I found out her address. (正)
3 find 的常用結構:find sb./ sth.doing(發(fā)現某人/某物在做……),find sth. +形容詞、介詞、副詞(發(fā)現……),find sth. done (發(fā)現……被做)。
I entered the room and found Frank playing computer games. 我走進房間,發(fā)現弗蘭克在打電腦游戲。
I found the lecture dull . 我發(fā)現這個講座很無聊。
We found nobody in . 我們發(fā)現里面沒有人。
He found the door closed . 他發(fā)現門關著。
They found the city greatly changed . 他們發(fā)現那座城市變化很大。
比較
She found a thief stealing a wallet. 她發(fā)現小偷在偷錢包。
She found her wallet stolen . 她發(fā)現錢包被偷了。
4 find oneself doing 常表示“發(fā)現自己竟不知不覺地或沒有事先計劃地在做……”。
Peter, who was usually shy, found himself talking to the girls. 彼得通常很害羞,卻發(fā)現自己不知不覺中在跟女孩子們說話。