at ease，with ease

這兩個介詞短語的詞義范圍和使用場合并不相同。at ease的意思是“安逸地”、“安心地”、“自在地”(feeling confident or relaxed)，其反義短語為ill at ease;with ease的意思是“輕松地”、“容易地”(easily or without difficulty)。

就使用場合而言，at ease即可作表語，亦可作狀語;with ease 只能用作狀語。例：

The old couple are now quite at ease as their son is out of danger.

這一對老夫妻現在可安心了，因為他們的兒子已經脫離危險。

With good social security，the aged can live at ease.

有好的社會保障，老年人都過得很安逸。

Her promise of support set my mind at ease.

她答應支持我，就使我放心了。

I don’t know why he is ill at ease.

我不知道為什么他心神不寧。

They fulfilled the task with ease.

他們輕松地完成了任務。

Our football team gained the day with ease.

我們的足球隊很輕松地就贏了這場球。

Every day we marched twenty miles with ease.

每天我們毫不費力地行進二十英里。

注：stand at ease是軍事術語，義“稍息”;take one’s ease是“休息”或“無拘無束”。例：

The soldiers are standing at ease now.

士兵們現在在立正稍息。

We are now taking our ease.

我們現在是優哉游哉。

Please sit and take your ease while enjoying a cup of coffee.

請坐下來舒舒服服地喝杯咖啡。