“on second thought”是英语中表“重新考虑后改变想法”的核心短语,以下从含义、用法、例句三方面详细解析:
字面:“在第二次思考时”
实际:再一想;转念一想;经过重新考虑后
用于说明说话者从“原本的想法/决定”转向“新的想法/决定”,是“临时改变主意”的标志性表达。
这个短语口语化极强,核心功能是“转折”,用法需注意3点:
句首:直接引出“改后的想法”(常见)
On second thought, I’ll stay home instead of going out.(再一想,我宁愿在家也不出去了。)
句中:用“but/yet”衔接原计划与新决定(强调转折)
I planned to order steak, but on second thought, I’ll have salad.(我本来想点牛排,但再一想,还是吃沙拉吧。)
插入语:口语中用“wait”“um”衔接,更自然
Let’s go to the movies… wait, on second thought, let’s watch a show at home.(我们去看电影吧……等等,再一想,还是在家看剧吧。)
常与“was going to/planned to/wanted to”等表“原本打算”的结构连用,突出“从原计划到新选择的转变”:
She wanted to quit her job, but on second thought, she decided to give it another try.(她本来想辞职,但再一想,决定再试一次。)
英式英语中常用“on second thoughts”(加s),意思完全相同:
On second thoughts, I think I’ll take the train instead of driving.(再一想,我觉得还是坐火车代替开车吧。)
1、 日常选择:I was going to get coffee, but on second thought, I’ll have tea.(我本来想点咖啡,但再一想,还是喝茶吧。)
2、 取消计划:On second thought, I don’t think I can make it to your birthday party.(再一想,我好像没法去你的生日派对了。)
3、 调整决定:He said he’d sell his car, but on second thought, he decided to keep it.(他说要卖车,但再一想,决定留着了。)
“on second thought(s)”是“改主意”的万能表达,只要场景涉及“重新考虑后改变之前的想法/决定”,都可以用它自然衔接。记住:重点是“从A到B的转折”,越日常的场景越好用!