afford

afford — verb

1. to have what is needed in money, time, or similar resources for something

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

to have what is needed in money, time, or similar resources for something

例句

Lena can afford a small car now that she has two jobs.

afford + noun

After the sale, we could finally afford new school uniforms.

同義詞
  • pay for

    focuses only on money actually spent, not time or other resources

  • manage

    more informal and often suggests some effort or difficulty

  • finance

    more formal; often used for arranging or providing the money

反義詞
  • lack

    broad word showing that the needed money, time, or means are missing

  • go without

    means you do not get something because you cannot have it

文法句型

afford something

afford to do something

用法筆記

Often appears with 'can', 'can't', or 'could', followed by either a noun or a to-infinitive. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about having enough resources, not about the danger created by a mistake or loss.

常見錯誤

❌I can't afford buying a new phone.
✅I can't afford to buy a new phone.
💡after 'afford', use 'to + verb', not the -ing form.
❌We can't afford the time to wait three more days.
✅We can't afford to wait three more days.
💡use the to-infinitive when the idea is an action, not a price.

2. used to say that a mistake, delay, loss, or extra cost would cause serious troub

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

used to say that a mistake, delay, loss, or extra cost would cause serious trouble if it happened

例句

With two finals tomorrow, Jay cannot afford a late night.

cannot afford + noun = cannot risk

The team cannot afford to lose another home game this week.

cannot afford to + verb

同義詞
  • risk

    close in negative sentences; focuses on the danger you would face

  • spare

    best when the missing thing is time, money, or people you cannot give up

  • allow

    broader and less vivid; often used when a situation leaves no room for an error

文法句型

cannot afford something

cannot afford to do something

用法筆記

Usually appears in negative or near-negative forms such as 'can't', 'couldn't', or 'can hardly'. Distinguish from sense 1: the main point here is the harmful result of something happening, not simply whether you have enough money or time.

常見錯誤

❌I can't afford to miss the train ticket.
✅I can't afford the train ticket.
💡use sense 1 for the price of something; sense 2 is about the serious result of missing, losing, or delaying something.
❌The company can't afford losing clients.
✅The company can't afford to lose clients.
💡after 'afford', use 'to + verb', not the -ing form.

3. to offer or make available something useful, pleasant, or needed

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to offer or make available something useful, pleasant, or needed

例句

The cabin windows afford a wide view of the snowy lake.

afford + a view

This job affords young cooks a chance to train abroad.

afford somebody something

同義詞
  • provide

    the closest neutral verb for supplying something useful or needed

  • offer

    often suggests making something available as an option or chance

  • give

    broader and more everyday; afford is more formal in this sense

  • yield

    used especially when something naturally produces a result or benefit

反義詞
  • deny

    means not allowing someone to have access or an opportunity

  • withhold

    focuses on keeping back something that could have been given

文法句型

afford somebody something

afford something

用法筆記

Often appears in more formal writing, with subjects such as a room, window, plan, job, or situation. Unlike senses 1 and 2, the subject is often a thing or place that gives someone a benefit, chance, view, or access.

常見錯誤

❌The balcony afforded to see the sea.
✅The balcony afforded a view of the sea.
💡this sense takes a noun object such as 'a view' or 'access', not 'to see'.
❌The new app afforded me to work faster.
✅The new app gave me faster access to my files.
💡use this sense with a thing that is provided, not directly before another action.