用于说明主语在不同状态间切换,常见结构:be + by turns + 形容词(或并列形容词)。
The movie was by turns thrilling and boring.(这部电影时而刺激,时而无聊。)
She’s by turns cheerful and quiet when she’s with friends.(她和朋友在一起时,时而开朗,时而沉默。)
The old man’s stories are by turns funny and touching.(老人的故事时而搞笑,时而感人。)
用于说明多个主体轮流做某事,常见结构:do sth. + by turns(主语通常是复数)。
We took care of our sick mom by turns.(我们轮流照顾生病的妈妈。)
The students answered the teacher’s questions by turns.(学生们轮流回答老师的问题。)
They stood guard by turns all night.(他们整夜轮流站岗。)
需注意 by turns 与 in turn 的差异:
by turns:侧重交替重复(如“时而A时而B”);
in turn:侧重按顺序依次(如“先A再B再C”,无重复)。
例:
The children played and rested by turns.(孩子们时而玩耍,时而休息。→ 交替重复)
In turn, each student introduced themselves.(学生们依次自我介绍。→ 按顺序,不重复)
描述“情绪/状态的波动”(如“时而开心时而难过”);
描述“多人轮流做某事”(如“轮流值班”)。
这样用就不会错啦! 😊