8 动词adapt与adjust的用法区别

问：在学习中曾遇到这样一道题：（1）Having settled in that remote area, the young man quickly to the harsh weather there.

A. adjusted

B. adopted

C. adapted

D. adored

我选的答案是C，而所给答案是A并解释说B、C和D三个选择项的动词均是及物动词，不能与介词to搭配使用故应排除。特此请教。

答：adapt与adjust作“（使）适应，（使）适合”（make sth. suitable for a new use, situation, etc., become or make suited to new conditions）解，是同义词，均既可用作及物动词也可用作不及物动词。用作及物动词的实例：

（2）Old people find it difficult to adapt themselves to modern life.

（3）We have adapted ourselves to the cold weather here.

（4）Some animals adjust themselves to their environment.

（5）She must learn to adjust herself to English life.

用作不及物动词的实例：

（6）They are adapting to the new environment.

（7）The young man from the countryside adapted well to life in the big city.

（8）The eyes need several minutes to adjust to the dimness.

（9）Adjusting to the tropical heat was more difficult than they had expected.

应该注意，adjust用作及物动词时，其后接的反身代词oneself通常可以省略，这时也可以把adjust看作不及物动词。例如：

（10）This creature can adjust（itself）to external changes.

（11）Astronauts in flight must adjust（themselves）to weightlessness.

可见句（1）中的adjusted既可看作是及物动词后面省略了himself，也可看作是不及物动词。虽然，adjust与adapt在用法和意义上均有所不同，但在作“（使）适应”解时，两者均可后接environment、circumstances，以及weather和climate等。例如：

（12）They have adjusted to a new climate.

（13）The chameleon（变色蜥蜴）adapted to its surroundings by changing colour.

可见，你所选的答案C也是正确的。