medium ♦︎ vehicle ♦︎ channel ♦︎ catalyst ♦︎ instrumentThese are all words for a person, thing or system that makes sth happen or allows sth to happen.这些词均表示使某事得以发生的手段、工具、方法。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a medium / a vehicle / a channel / a catalyst / an instrument of / for sth◆the / a / an main / important / major / effective medium / vehicle / channel / catalyst / instrument◆a powerful medium / vehicle / catalyst / instrument◆a useful medium / vehicle / channel / catalyst / instrument◆the ideal / perfect medium / vehicle / instrument◆a key / great catalyst / instrument◆(a / an / the) appropriate / proper / right medium / vehicle / channels◆(a) political vehicle / channels / catalyst / instrument◆a medium / a vehicle / channels / an instrument of communication / expression◆to see / use sb / sth as a medium / a vehicle / a catalyst / an instrument◆to regard sb / sth as a medium / a vehicle / an instrument■medium(pluralmedia) [countable] (ratherformal) a way of communicating information or ideas to people(传播信息或思想的)媒介,手段,方法◆The internet is the modern medium of communication.互联网是现代传媒。◆The classes look at various electronic and audio-visual media.这些课会探讨各种电子和视听媒体。◆English is the medium of instruction(= the language used to teach other subjects).授课语言是英语。■vehicle [countable] (ratherformal) something that can be used to express your ideas or feelings or as a way of achieving sth(表达思想或感情,或达到目的的)手段,工具◆Art may be used as a vehicle for propaganda.艺术可用作政治宣传的工具。◆The play is an ideal vehicle for her talents.这部戏是她施展才华的理想机会。■channel [countable] ( channels [plural]) a method or system that people use to get information, to communicate, or to send sth somewhere; a way of expressing ideas and feelings途径;渠道;(表达思想和感情的)方式,手段◆Complaints must be made through the proper channels.投诉必须通过正当途径进行。◆The company has worldwide distribution channels.这家公司拥有遍布全世界的经销网络。◆Music is a great channel for releasing your emotions.音乐是宣泄情感的好方法。NOTE辨析 Vehicle or channel?Channel is used especially to talk about a method or system used to give information, or to direct feelings and ideas, that might otherwise become dangerous or difficult to deal with. Vehicle is used more to talk about a way of getting creative and political ideas or other beliefs across to the general public. * channel尤指用以传递信息的途径或体系,或是调节感情和思想的方法-若不加以调节,这些感情和思想有可能变得危险或难以处理。vehicle较多指将创造性的思想、政治理念或其他信仰传达给大众的手段、工具。■catalyst ˈkætəlɪst [countable] (ratherformal) a person or thing that causes a change促使变化的人;引发变化的因素◆I see my role as being a catalyst for change.我认为我的作用是促成变革。◆The riots were later seen as the catalyst for the new political developments.这些骚乱后来被视为新的政治发展的催化剂。■instrument [countable] (formal) something that is used by sb in order to achieve sth; a person or thing that makes sth happen促成某事的人(或事物);手段◆The law is not the best instrument for dealing with family matters.法律并非处理家庭问题的最佳手段。◆Financial aid can become an instrument of control rather than a support.财政援助有时会成为实施操控的手段,而非单纯的支持。