​区别辨析assert、affirm、allege、maintain、testify与claim

区别辨析assert、affirm、allege、maintain、testify与claim

这些动词均含有“断言，声称”之意。

assert ：主观意味强，指自认为某事就是如此，而不管事实如何。

Altman asserted, 'We were making a political statement about western civilisation and greed.'

奥尔特曼坚称，“我们那时正要发表一份关于西方文明和贪婪的政治宣言。”

affirm ：侧重在作出断言时表现出的坚定与不可动摇的态度。

Both sides affirmed their commitment to the ceasefire.

双方均申明答应停火。I can affirm that no one will lose their job.

我可以肯定，谁都不会丢掉工作。

allege ：多指无真凭实据，不提供证据的断言或宣称。

She alleged that there was rampant drug use among the male members of the group.

她声称该团体中有大量的男性成员吸毒。

maintain与assert近义，但前者指坚决维护某种主张或观点。

He has maintained that the money was donated for international purposes.

他坚称这笔捐款将用于国际用途。

testify ：多指在法庭作证，庄严地宣称自己所说属实。

Several eyewitnesses testified that they saw the officers hit Miller in the face.

几位目击证人证明他们看见那几个警官打了米勒的脸。

claim ：可与assert换用，但语气弱一些，侧重指行为自己的权利提出要求他人承认。

He claims (that) he was not given a fair hearing.

他声称他未得到公正的申述机会。