These words all describe people saying exactly what they mean without trying to hide feelings, opinions or facts. 以上各词均形容人坦率、坦诚。

• honest not hiding the truth about sth 指坦率的、坦诚的：◆Thank you for being so honest with me. 感谢你对我这么坦诚。
• frank honest in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like 指坦率的、直率的（有时可能不讨人喜欢）：◆To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam. 坦白说，我认为你的儿子不大可能通过考试。
• direct saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand 指直接的、直率的、坦率的：◆You'll have to get used to his direct manner. 你得慢慢习惯他这种直率的方式。 NOTE Being direct is sometimes considered positive but sometimes it is used as a 'polite' way of saying that sb is rude. * direct 有时被认为含褒义，但有时是以礼貌的方式表示某人有些粗鲁。
• open (approving) (of a person) not keeping thoughts and feelings hidden 指为人诚恳的、坦诚的、直率的：◆He was quite open about his reasons for leaving. 他对离开的原因完全未加隐瞒。
• outspoken saying exactly what you think, even if this shocks or offends people 指直率的、坦诚的、直言不讳的：◆She was outspoken in her criticism of the plan. 她对该计划的批评直言不讳。
• straight honest and direct 指坦诚的、直率的：◆I don't think you're being straight with me. 我觉得你没跟我坦诚相见。
• blunt saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite 指嘴直的、直言不讳的：◆She has a reputation for blunt speaking. 她说话出了名的直截了当。

which word? 词语辨析

• Honest and frank refer to what you say as much as how you say it. * honest 和 frank 既形容说话方式，也指说话内容：◆a(n) honest/frank admission of guilt 坦承有罪They are generally positive words, although it is possible to be too frank in a way that other people might not like. Direct, outspoken and blunt all describe sb's manner of saying what they think. Outspoken suggests that you are willing to shock people by saying what you believe to be right. Blunt and direct often suggest that you think honesty is more important than being polite. Open is positive and describes sb's character. 这两个词通常用作褒义词，但有时也可能指过于直率而使人不快。direct、outspoken 和 blunt 均指说话直截，其中 outspoken 表示宁可冒犯他人也要直抒己见；blunt 和 direct 常表示说话人认为诚实比礼貌重要；open 含褒义，用来形容人的性格：◆I'm a very open person. 我这个人非常坦诚直率。

Patterns

• honest/frank/direct/open/outspoken/straight about sth
• honest/frank/direct/open/straight/blunt with sb
• a(n) honest/direct/straight/blunt answer
• a frank/direct/blunt manner

What can you say when you have to speak to someone for the first time or when you have to open a meeting? Here are some possible ways of starting a conversation or getting the audience's attention before a talk or speech. 与人初次交谈时打开话题，会议开始要讲话，或者演讲之前引起听众注意，可用以下方式：

• ◆ Do you mind if I sit here? 我坐在这儿可以吗？
• ◆ Hello, is this seat taken? 你好，这个座位有人吗？
• ◆ May I join you? Can I get you a coffee? 可以和你一起吗？我给你拿杯咖啡好吗？
• ◆ Lovely weather we're having!/Can you believe this rain/wind/cold/sunshine? 多好的天气呀！/真想不到会下这么大雨/刮这么大风/这么冷/阳光这么灿烂！
• ◆ Excuse me, could I ask you a question? 打扰一下，可以问您一个问题吗？
• ◆ Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock. (BrE) 我们马上开始好吗？我看都快三点了。
• ◆ Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker. (especially NAmE) 我们开始吧？我来介绍一下演讲人。
• ◆ I think everyone's here, so I'd like to welcome you to this conference. 我想大家都到齐了，在此我对出席本次会议的各位表示欢迎。

These words are all used to talk about things happening from the beginning, or people doing the first part of sth. 以上各词均用以指事情开始发生或开始做某事。

• start to begin to happen or exist; to begin in a particular way or from a particular point 指开始发生或存在、以…开始、以…为起点：◆When does the class start? 什么时候上课？
• begin to start to happen or exist; to start in a particular way or from a particular point; to start speaking 指开始发生或存在、以…开始、以…为起点、开始讲话：◆When does the concert begin? 音乐会什么时候开始？

start or begin? 用 start 还是 begin？

There is not much difference in meaning between these words. Start is more frequent in spoken English and in business contexts; begin is more frequent in written English and is often used when you are describing a series of events. 上述两词在意义上无多大差别，start 较常用于口语和商业语境中，begin 较常用于书面语中，描述一系列事情：◆The story begins on the island of Corfu. 故事从科孚岛开始。 Start is not used to mean 'begin speaking'. * start 不用以指开始讲话：◆'Ladies and gentlemen,' he started.

• start off (rather informal) to start happening or doing sth; to start by doing or being sth 指进行或开展起来、首先进行、一开始是：◆The discussion started off mildly enough. 讨论颇为温和地开展起来。
• kick off (informal) to start an event or activity, especially in a particular way; (of an event, activity, etc.) to start, especially in a particular way 尤指以…开始（活动）、（活动）以…开始：◆Tom will kick off with a few comments. 汤姆讲话时要先发表几点意见。◆The festival kicks off on Monday, September 13. 节期从 9 月 13 日星期一开始。
• commence (formal) to start happening 指开始发生：◆The meeting is scheduled to commence at noon. 会议定于午间召开。
• open to start an event or activity in a particular way; (of an event, a film/movie or a book) to start, especially in a particular way 指以…开始（活动）、（活动、电影或书）以…开头/开篇：◆The story opens with a murder. 故事以一宗谋杀案作序幕。

Patterns

• to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open with sth
• to start/begin/start off/kick off/commence/open by doing sth
• to start/begin/start off/commence as sth
• a campaign/season/meeting starts/begins/starts off/kicks off/commences/opens
• a film/movie/book starts/begins/starts off/opens