[化学論文のための英語講座] 第76回：前置詞補足2 Prepositions Supplement 2
2025年3月11日
(English version is here.)
「discuss」と「talk」と「speak」を前置詞と共に使う場合とそうでない場合があります。重要な点は「discuss」は必ず直接目的語と共に使い、「talk」と「speak」は間接目的語と共に使う場合が多く前置詞が必要となります。例文を見てみましょう。
1. We discussed possible mechanisms.
2. We discussed this question with our colleagues.
3. We discussed about alternative strategies.
解説：
例文1は「我々は考えられる機構について議論した」という意味であり「discussed」の目的語は「possible mechanisms」です。前置詞は使いません。
例文2は「我々は同僚達とこの問題について話し合った」という意味であり「discussed」の直接目的語は「this question」、間接目的語の「our colleagues」は前置詞「with」と共に使います。
例文3は「我々は代替戦略について話し合った」という意味を伝えますが、間接目的語はありませんので、この前置詞は不適切です。ここでの「alternative strategies」は直接目的語です。よって、この文は誤りです。
4. He spoke at the conference.
5. She spoke with collaborators.
6. They speak Spanish.
解説：
例文4は直訳すると「彼は学会で話した」という意味ですが「彼は学会で発表した」という意味を間接的に伝えます。「conference」は場所（間接目的語）なので前置詞「at」を使います。直接目的語はありません。
例文5は「彼女は同僚達と話した」という意味があります。「collaborators」は間接目的語なので前置詞「with」を使います。直接目的語はありません。
例文6は「彼らはスペイン語を話す」という意味ですが、「彼らはスペイン語が話せる」という意味を間接的に伝えます。「Spanish」は直接目的語なので前置詞はありません。間接目的語ではありません。
7. We talked about possible solutions.
8. We talked with the supplier.
解説：
例文7は「我々は考えられる解決策について話し合った」という意味であり、「talked」は通常は自動詞であり、直接目的語を取りません。「possible solutions」は間接目的語で「about」はよく使われています。
例文8は「我々は卸売業者と話した」という意味であり、「talked」の間接目的語は「the supplier」で、前置詞「with」を使います。
「discuss」「speak」「talk」は大体同じ意味で代替交換可能ですが、ニュアンスは若干違って、違う文脈で利用します。「discuss」は特定な話題について話す意味を含みますが、「speak」は自分の考えを伝えるという意味を含みます。
「talk」は普通に会話するという印象を与えます。「discuss」は少し学者的な印象を与えます。「speak」は一方的な動作を間接的に伝えます。しかし、「discuss」「speak」「talk」を交換しても話し手の意図は伝わるかもしれません。
「discuss」は必ず直接目的語と共に使い、前置詞は必ずしも使いません。間接目的語がある場合には前置詞が必要です。
9. We discussed catalysis at the meeting.
10. We discussed about catalysis at the meeting.
解説：
両方とも「会議で触媒について話し合った」という意味を伝えますが、後者はおかしいです。「catalysis」は「discussed」の直接目的語なのでこの前置詞は不適切です。
一方「talk」は直接目的語を取りません、間接目的語があれば前置詞が必要です。
11. We talked about catalysis at the meeting.
12. We talked catalysis at the meeting.
解説：
両方とも「会議で触媒について話し合った」という意味です。後者は厳密に言うと誤りですが、会話では使うことがあります。例えば「talk business」や「talk shop」はよく使われています。
私の個人的な印象は、例文9がお堅い話で、例11は一般的な話、例12は気楽な話です。
[重要] 「discuss catalysis」と「talk about catalysis」は同じ概念を表します。「discuss」と「talk」は動詞で「catalysis」は目的語ですが、前者は直接で後者は間接です。これは個人的見解であり、文法的な根拠はありませんが重要です。
「speak」は直接目的語と共に使用する場合が限られています。可能である直接目的語は主に言語名です。
13. The professor spoke Spanish.
解説：教授はスペイン語で話した、または教授はスペイン語が話せたという意味です。ここでの「Spanish」は直接目的語です。
14. The professor spoke about Spanish.
解説：教授はスペイン語について話した、という意味です。ここでの「Spanish」は間接目的語です。
次回はミニコーナーです。
Discuss, talk and speak can be used either with or without a preposition. An important point is discuss is always used with a direct object, while talk and speak are often used with an indirect object and require a preposition. Let us look at a few examples.
1. We discussed possible mechanisms.
2. We discussed this question with our colleagues.
3. We discussed about alternative strategies.
Explanation:
In example 1, the direct object of discussed is possible mechanisms. No preposition is used. In example 2, the direct object of discussed is this question and the indirect object our colleagues is preceded by preposition with. The meaning of example 3 is clear, but there is no indirect object so the preposition is inappropriate. Here, alternative strategies is a direct object and thus the sentence is incorrect.
4. He spoke at the conference.
5. She spoke with collaborators.
6. They speak Spanish.
Explanation:
Example 4 can be understood to mean that he spoke in a general, nonspecific manner, but this expression implies that he gave a presentation. Conference is a place (indirect object), and thus preposition at is used. There is no direct object. In example 5, collaborators is an indirect object, and thus preposition with is used. There is no direct object. Sentence 6 can be understood as conversing in Spanish, but the implication is ability, that is to say, they are able to speak Spanish. Here, Spanish is a direct object, and thus there is no preposition. There is no indirect object.
7. We talked about possible solutions.
8. We talked with the supplier.
Explanation:
Example 7 simply means we discussed possible solutions. Talk is usually an intransitive verb and does not take a direct object. Possible solutions is an indirect object and takes the preposition about. Sentence 8 indicates a conversation took place between the supplier and us. The supplier is the indirect object of talked and takes the preposition with.
Discuss, speak and talk are largely interchangeable, but the nuance is slightly different and they are used in different contexts. Discuss holds a meaning of talking about a specific topic while speak holds a meaning of expressing one's own ideas. Talk gives the impression of an ordinary conversation. Discuss gives a slightly academic impression while speak suggests a unilateral action. However, even if discuss, speak and talk are interchanged, the intent of the speaker will likely be conveyed. Discuss is always used with a direct object but not always with a preposition. If there is an indirect object a preposition is needed.
9. We discussed catalysis at the meeting.
10. We discussed about catalysis at the meeting.
Explanation:
Both indicate a conversation concerning catalysis, but the latter is strange. Catalysis is the direct object of discussed and thus the preposition is inappropriate.
On the other hand, talk does not take a direct object, and if an indirect object is present a preposition is necessary.
11. We talked about catalysis at the meeting.
12. We talked catalysis at the meeting.
Explanation:
Both mean a conversation concerning catalysis occurred at the meeting. Strictly speaking, the latter expression is mistaken, but this form is often used in conversation. For example, talk business and talk shop are often used. My own impression is example 9 is formal, 11 is ordinary, and 12 is casual.
Important Point: Discuss catalysis and talk about catalysis express the same concept. Discuss and talk are verbs and catalysis is an object, but direct in the former and indirect in the latter. To me, there seems to be no grammatical basis for this, but it is important.
The cases in which speak is used with a direct object are limited. The possible direct objects are predominantly language names.
13. The professor spoke Spanish.
Explanation: This can mean the professor said something in Spanish, or the professor was able to speak Spanish. Here, Spanish is a direct object.
14. The professor spoke about Spanish.
Explanation: The professor discussed Spanish. (Spanish was the topic of discussion.) Here, Spanish is an indirect object.
At next time, we will post mini corner.