英語中有不少片語，從形式看好象只有冠詞之差，而實際上卻是意義完全不同的新片語。現採擷數例，以引起讀者的注意：
1. in front of 在……（外）的`前面
in the front of 在……（內）的前面
There’s a garden in front of the classroom.
There’s a blackboard in the front of the classroom.
2. in charge of 掌管；負責
in the charge of 在……負責之下
An experienced worker is in charge of the project.
The project is in the charge of an experienced worker.
3. at table 在用飯；吃飯時
at the table 在桌旁
He seldom talks at table.
They sat at the table, talking and laughing.
4. by day 白天；日間
by the day 按日計
He works in an office by day.
Cleaning women in big cities get paid by the day.
5. take place 發生；舉行
take the place 代替；接替
When did this conversation take place?
Electric train has now taken the place of steam trains in England.
6. in words 用言語
in a word 總之
Please express your thought in words.
In a word, I don’t trust you.
7. at times 有時；不時
at a time 一次
I do feel a little nervous at times.
Pass me the bricks two at a time.
8. little 少；不多的
a little 一些；一點點
Hurry up, there’s little time left.
Don’t hurry, you still have a little time.
9. few 很少；幾乎沒有的
a few 有些；幾個
He is a man of few words.
Only a few of the children can read.
10.a most interesting 非常有趣的
the most interesting 最有趣的（形容詞的最高階）
This is a most interesting story.
This is the most interesting story of the three.
11.a doctor and nurse 一位醫生兼護士
a doctor and a nurse 一位醫生和一位護士
A doctor and nurse is standing there.
A doctor and a nurse are standing there.
12.A number of 許多；好些
the number of …（的）數目
A number of students are in the classroom.
The number of students in the classroom is forty.
