當 means 意為「金錢；財產，財力；收入」時是個複數名詞，要接複數動詞：His means are more than adequate. (他的財力雄厚)。這意思的 means 有幾個常用的片語或成語：have the means to do something (有錢做某事)，如 Small businesses don’t have the means to develop a sophisticated Internet presence. (小型企業沒有財力發展精緻的網際網路平台)；beyond/within one’s means (超過某人的財力；某人的財力無法負擔/在某人的財力範圍內；某人的財力能夠負擔)，如 He is living beyond his means. (他入不敷出)；according to one’s means (根據某人的財力)，如 You are invited to contribute according to your means. (請依您的財力捐款)；a man/woman of means (富有的男子/女子)，如 He had the well-dressed appearance of a man of means. (他穿著體面，像個有錢人)。
當 means 意為「方法；手段」時是單複數同型，可接單數或複數動詞：The best means of securing the cooperation of the builders is to appeal to their self-interest. (確保建商合作的最好方法是迎合他們自身的利益)；The most effective means for dealing with the drug problem have generally been those suggested by the affected communities. (處理毒品問題最有效的方法通常就是受影響社區所提出的方法)。
意為「方法；手段」時，means 最常接 of，但接 for, to, toward 的情況亦不時會見到，而這些介系詞後面再接名詞或動名詞：a means of noise reduction (降低噪音的方法)，a means for transmitting signals (傳送信號的方法)，a means to an end (達到目的的方法)，a means toward achieving social equality (獲致社會平等的手段)。
這意思的 means 有幾個常用的片語或成語，其中之一就是 a means to an end (= a way to an end)，如 I gave him a bicycle as a means to an end: I want him to take more exercise. (我給他一輛腳踏車作為一種要他多運動的手段)。其他常用片語或成語還有：by means of (使用，應用；藉由)，We express our thoughts by means of words. (我們用言詞來表達思想)；by no means/not by any means (= not at all) (絕不，一點都不)，如 It is by no means certain. (一點都不確定)；by all means (= certainly; please do) (當然可以；好的)，如 “Do you mind if I invite a few friends?” “By all means.” (我邀請幾個朋友可以嗎?) (當然可以)。
文章出處：英文資訊交流網
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