equip、furnish、supply、provide与afford这些动词都含有“提供、供给”之意。
equip : 侧重提供与技术有关的装备或设备等。
- It’s going to cost $4 million to equip the hospital.
给这所医院配齐医疗设备将耗资400万美元。 - All the police officers were equipped with shields to defend themselves against the rioters.
所有警察都配备了盾牌以在与暴乱分子的对抗中防身。
furnish : 多指添置家具等供给生活的必需品或为生活舒适提供所需的服务设施。
- They’ve furnished the room very simply.
他们把房间布置得很简单。
supply : 普通用词，指提供任何所需求的东西。
- Electrical power is supplied by underground cables.
电力是由地下电缆输送的。 - Three people have been arrested for supplying arms to the terrorists.
有三个人因为向恐怖分子提供武器而被捕。 - The company has supplied the royal family (= provided them with something they need) for years.
多年来该公司一直为皇室供货。 - At the beginning of termthe semester, students are supplied with a list of books that they are expected to read.
在学期初，学生们拿到了一份阅读书目清单。
provide与supply近义，但强调人的深谋远虑，侧重用贮备等方法作充分准备。
- This booklet provides useful information about local services.
这本小册子提供了有关当地服务机构的有用信息。 - All meals are provided at no additional cost.
膳食均免费提供。 - The author provides no documentary references to support her assertions.
作者没有提供参考文献来支持她自己的论断。 - We have concerns about whether the government will be able to provide viable social services for poorer families/provide poorer families with viable social services.
我们对政府是否有能力为较贫困家庭提供可行的社会服务十分担心。 - Putting more police on patrol doesn’t provide a real solution to the problem of increasing violence.
派更多警力巡逻并不能真正解决暴力事件不断增长这一问题。
afford : 一般只用于对抽象事物提供，也可指经济能力上的供给或支付。
- The hut afforded little protection from the elements.
这间棚屋几乎不能遮风挡雨。 - Her seat afforded her an uninterrupted view of the stage.
她的座位很好，可以一览无余地看到整个舞台。
#词汇辨析