区别辨析basic、essential、fundamental、radical与vital

这些形容词均有“基本的,基础的”之意。

basic : 普通用词,指明确、具体的基础或起点。

  • I really need to get some basic financial advice.
    我的确需要一些基础的金融方面的建议。
  • He only has a basic command of English (= he only knows the most important and simple words and expressions).
    他只会说很基本的英语。
  • The basic (= most important) problem is that they don't talk to each other enough.
    根本问题在于他们彼此不怎么说话。
  • It's the most basic model (= it only has the most simple features).
    它只是个最基本的模型。
  • The crisis has led to price rises in basic foodstuffs, such as meat, cheese, and sugar.
    危机导致了肉、奶酪、糖等基本食品价格的上涨。

essential : 语气比basic和fundamental强,强调必不可少,暗含某物如缺少某部分,则失去本质特征的意味。

  • Government support will be essential if the project is to succeed.
    这个项目能否成功,政府的支持至关重要。
  • There is essential work to be done before the building can be re-occupied.
    这座楼在重新入住前必须进行必要的维修。
  • Water is essential for/to living things.
    水对于生物来说是必不可少的。
  • It is essential (that) our prices remain competitive.
    我们保持价格方面的竞争优势是至关重要的。
  • For the experiment to be valid, it is essential to record the data accurately.
    要保证实验的有效性,就必须精确地记录数据。

fundamental : 书面用词,不如basic使用广泛,侧重指作为基础、根本的抽象的事物。

  • We need to make fundamental changes to the way in which we treat our environment.
    我们需要从根本上改变对待环境的态度。
  • It's one of the fundamental differences between men and women.
    这是男女之间的基本差别之一。
  • The school is based on the fundamental principle that all children should reach their full potential.
    这所学校的基本原则是充分发挥每个孩子的最大潜力。
  • Diversity is of fundamental importance to all ecosystems and all economies.
    多样性对所有的生态系统和经济结构都极为重要。

radical : 着重指事物的根本或其来源。

  • We need to make some radical changes to our operating procedures.
    我们需要对操作规程进行一些根本性的变革。
  • I'm just having my hair trimmed - nothing radical.
    我正把头发剪短一下——没什么大改变。

vital : 正式用词,侧重指维持生命、活力必不可少的,或生死攸关的。

  • A strong opposition is vital to a healthy democracy.
    有一个强大的反对党对于健康的民主制度来说非常重要。
  • She had found out some information of vital importance.
    她已经查出了一些极为重要的信息。
  • The kidney plays a vital role/part in the removal of waste products from the blood.
    肾脏对于排除血液中的废物起着至关重要的作用。
  • It's absolutely vital that you do exactly as I say.
    完完全全按我说的去做,这至关重要。
  • It is vital to get medical supplies to the area as soon as possible.
    要尽快把药品送往该地区,这至关重要。