earnest

earnest, ardent, eager, enthusiastic, zealous

这组词共同的意思是“渴望的”“热切的”。它们的区别在于:
1.eager指对成功的期望或进取的热情; earnest表示认真执著地对待一项工作; ardent指有如火一般炽热的感情; enthusiastic指根据爱好、兴趣而产生的热情洋溢的情感; zealous多指奉献的热情,也可指强烈的宗教信仰。例如:
She is enthusiastic about the new teaching method.她对新的教学方法很热心。
He was an ardent supporter of the reform.他是改革的热情支持者。
It is my earnest wish that you use this money to further your research.我真诚希望你用这笔钱继续你的研究工作。
The youths like to be zealous for liberty and freedom.青年人喜欢热情地追求自由。
2.eager含有难以等待或难以抑制的意味; earnest带有充满热情、专心、无私的含义; enthusiastic含有对某事极端酷爱、仰慕或赞许的含义; zealous则暗示热情来自信仰或态度以及为此而采取行动的可能性。例如:
He made an earnest attempt to persuade her.他热心努力地去说服她。
I am enthusiastic over a project for building a new bridge.我热衷于修建一座新桥的规划。
They were zealous in the pursuit of the truth.他们热切追求真理。
3.earnest比eager更慎重、认真、持久; enthusiastic比earnest更生动。例如:
Mary is an earnest student.玛丽是个认真的学生。
When we put the suggestion to him he was enthusiastic for its immediate application.当我们把这项建议提交给他时,他热衷于马上把它付诸实施。