这些名词均含有“选择”之意。
choice : 侧重指自由选择的权利或特权。
- If the product doesn't work, you are given the choice of a refund or a replacement.
如果产品不能使用，可选择退款或换货。 - It's a difficult choice to make.
这很难抉择。 - It's your choice/The choice is yours (= only you can decide).
这由你决定。 - It was a choice between pain now or pain later, so I chose pain later.
这是在现在痛苦还是以后痛苦之间作出选择，所以我选择以后痛苦。 - Now you know all the facts, you can make an informed choice.
既然你已经了解了实际情况，你可以作出相应的选择了。 - I'd prefer not to work but I don't have much choice (= this is not possible).
我倒是想不去工作了，可是我没有选择余地。 - He had no choice but to accept (= he had to accept).
他别无选择只能接受。 - Is she single by choice?
独身是她自己的选择吗？ - Champagne is their drink of choice (= the one they most often drink).
香槟是他们的首选饮品。
alternative : 指在相互排斥的两者之间作严格的选择，也可指在两者以上中进行选择。
- The opposition parties have so far failed to set out an alternative strategy.
反对党到目前为止还没有提出其他的策略。 - An alternative venue for the concert is being sought.
正在寻找其他可举办音乐会的地方。
preference : 侧重因偏见、爱好或判断等而进行选择。
- Her preference is for comfortable rather than stylish clothes.
她更注重衣服的舒适性，而非时髦的款式。 - I have a preference for sweet food over spicy.
比起辛辣食物我更喜欢甜食。 - Choosing furniture is largely a matter of personal preference.
挑选家具主要是个人喜好的问题。 - It would be wrong to discriminate against a candidate because of their sexual preference (= the sex of the people they are sexually attracted to).
出于应聘者的性取向而对他们有所歧视是错误的。
option : 着重特别给予的选择权利或权力，所选物常常相互排斥。
- The best option would be to cancel the trip altogether.
最好的选择是彻底取消这次行程。 - There are various options open to someone who is willing to work hard.
愿意努力工作的人有多种选项。 - They didn't leave him much option - either he paid or they'd beat him up.
他们没有给他多少选择余地——要么付钱，要么挨揍。
selection : 指作广泛的选择，着重选择者的识别力或鉴赏力。
- the selection process
挑选过程 - Success is achieved by the careful selection of projects.
成功是靠对计划的仔细甄选取得的。 - The coach made her selection (= chose who she wanted) for the team.
教练为球队挑选了她中意的队员。
election : 强调目的和达到目的判断能力。
- election campaigns/results
竞选运动；选举结果 - to win/lose an election
在选举中获胜 / 失败 - to fight an election
参加竞选 - to vote in an election
参加投票选举 - In America, presidential elections are held every four years.
美国每四年举行一次总统选举。 - The prime minister is about to call (= announce) an election.
首相即将宣布举行大选。 - (BrE) How many candidates are standing for election ?
有多少候选人参加竞选？ - (NAmE) to run for election
参加竞选
