这些动词均有“管理、支配”之意。
control : 含义广泛的常用词，指对人或物施以约束或控制的力量。
- If you can't control your dog, put it on a lead!
要是你管不住你的狗，就给它拴上皮带！ - You're going to have to learn to control your temper.
你必须学会控制住自己的脾气。 - The temperature is controlled by a thermostat.
温度由恒温器控制。 - The laws controlling drugs are very strict in this country.
该国管制药物的法律十分严格。 - The government is trying to control spending.
政府一直在努力控制开支。
direct : 侧重行使领导或指导权。
- A new manager has been appointed to direct the project.
已任命一位新经理来管理这项工程。 - He was asked to take command and direct operations.
他奉命统率并指挥作战行动。 - She directs a large charity.
她主管一家大型慈善机构。 - There was a police officer directing the traffic.
有一位警察在指挥交通。
govern : 侧重指运用任何控制的权力来统治或管理一个国家、一个社会或一个部门，暗含能力和知识的运用。
- The country has been governed by military regimes.
这个国家现在由军政府控制。 - A president needs popular support in order to govern effectively.
总统需要大众的支持方能有效治理国家。
manage : 强调对具体事务机构进行管理，有时含受权管理或处理之意。
- Has she had any experience of managing large projects?
她有管理大型项目的经验吗？ - He's not very good at managing people.
他不是很善于领导别人。 - His job involved managing large investment funds.
他的工作涉及管理巨额投资基金。 - When you have a job as well as children to look after, you have to learn how to manage your time.
当你既要工作又要照顾孩子时，就必须学会如何分配时间。
rule : 强调用绝对或独裁的权力来管理或统治。
- Most modern kings and queens rule (their countries) only in a formal way, without real power.
现代的大多数国王或女王（对他们的国家）的统治都只是形式上的，并不握有实权。 - She rules her household with an iron hand/fist (= severely).
她在家里大权在握，持家很严。
supervise : 侧重指运用本身的或被授予的权力来管理、检查工作，含监督意味。
- The UN is supervising the distribution of aid by local agencies in the disaster area.
联合国正在监督灾区的地方机构发放救援物资。 - The children play while two teachers supervise (= make certain that they behave correctly and are safe).
孩子们在两位教师的监管下玩耍。
administer : 指官方的或正式的对事务的管理。
- to administer a charity/fund/school
管理一家慈善机构 / 一项基金 / 一所学校 - The pension funds are administered by commercial banks.
养老基金由商业银行经管。 - The economy has been badly administered by the present government.
现任政府一直不擅长经济工作。
