"pros and cons"是英语中讨论“利弊/优缺点/正反两面”的固定短语,用来指代某件事、决定或选择的有利因素(pros)和不利因素(cons)。
其词源可追溯到拉丁语pro et contra(“for and against”,支持与反对),后来简化为口语化的"pros and cons"。
作为复数名词短语(pros=pro的复数,cons=con的复数),通常搭配描述“分析、权衡、列举”的动词,也常与介词"of"连用修饰具体事物。
weigh the pros and cons:权衡利弊(最常用)
例:We should weigh the pros and cons of moving to another city before quitting our jobs.
(在辞职前,我们应该权衡搬到另一个城市的利弊。)
list the pros and cons:列举优缺点
例:Let's list the pros and cons of buying a electric car.
(我们来列一列买电动车的优缺点。)
discuss/consider the pros and cons:讨论/考虑正反两面
例:The committee will discuss the pros and cons of the new policy next week.
(委员会下周会讨论新政策的正反两面。)
weigh up the pros and cons:(强调“仔细权衡”,英式英语更常用)
例:She spent hours weighing up the pros and cons of accepting the job offer.
(她花了几个小时仔细权衡接受这份工作的利弊。)
“The pros and cons of + 名词/动名词”:某事物的利弊
例:What are the pros and cons of remote work?
(远程工作的利弊是什么?)
“pros and cons”作主语/宾语
例:The pros and cons of this plan are evenly matched.(主语)
(这个计划的利弊旗鼓相当。)
例:I need to think about the pros and cons.(宾语)
(我需要想想利弊。)
单复数问题:"pros and cons"本身是复数(指“多个优点和多个缺点”),不能说“a pro and con”(除非特意指“一个优点+一个缺点”,但极少用)。
口语化 vs 正式:比"advantages and disadvantages"更口语化、简洁,日常对话和写作中都常用。
"pros and cons"是讨论“事物两面性”的高频短语,核心是“利弊/优缺点”,常用搭配为“weigh/list/discuss the pros and cons of sth.”,用于决策前的分析或观点表达。