区别辨析certainty、assurance与conviction

这些名词均含有“确信无疑”之意。

certainty : 指在客观上和主观上都无一丝一毫的怀疑。

  • There are few absolute certainties in life.
    世事无绝对。
  • political/moral certainties
    政治上 / 道德上确定无疑的事
  • Her return to the team now seems a certainty.
    她的归队现在似乎已成定局。

assurance : 侧重依靠个人力量、本能、方法或对其他人或事的完全信任,强调有信心。

  • She gave me her assurance (that) she would sign the contract immediately.
    她向我保证她会马上签署合同。
  • Despite the government's repeated assurances to the contrary, taxation has risen over the past decade.
    尽管政府一再保证不会增税,可在过去10年中税收还是提高了。

conviction : 多指在理性基础上清除了原有的疑虑或无把握,着重对证据的主观反应。

  • He said he was enjoying his new job, but his voice lacked conviction.
    他说他喜欢自己的新工作,但口气不怎么坚定。
  • He said he agreed but his voice lacked conviction.
    他说他赞同,但语气不坚定。
  • The leader's speech in defence of the policy didn't carry much conviction.
    那位领导人为政策辩护的讲话不是很有说服力。