To account for something is to keep track of it. A person keeps records, takes notes, and maintains information. This word can be used for many different situations:
“account for”意为记录、记住,即对某物做记录,保留信息。这个词可以在多种不同语境中使用:
• Charles can’t account for his whereabouts last weekend.
查尔斯记不得自己上周末去哪儿了。
(He can’t remember where he was. 他记不起自己上个星期在哪儿。)
• We all have to account to a higher power for our behavior.
我们都必须向上级报告我们的行为。
(account to = report; explain 报告,解释)
 
The phrase “on account of” is very similar to “because of.”
“on account of”这个短语的意思则与“because of”非常接近,即“因为,由于”。
• The game was canceled on account of the weather.
由于天气原因,这场比赛取消了。
• On account of Bob’s mismanagement of his department, the company lost millions of dollars.
由于鲍勃对于其部门管理不当,这家公司损失了几百万美元。
• The team lost the game on account of bad coaching and the players’ loss of interest.
教练的失职和队员们的兴趣大减导致了这支队伍在比赛中的失败。
 
When this word is a noun, it refers to a record or a place for keeping money.
当“account”用作名词时,它指的是记录、记述,或者存钱的账户。
• Do you have a bank account?
你有银行账户吗?
• How do you keep track of all your accounts?
你是如何追踪到你的所有账户的呢?
• An accountant is a person who maintains accounts for spending and income.
会计是负责维护收支账户的。
• Renee’s account of events did not match those of others who witnessed the accident.
蕾妮对于事件的叙述与其他事件的目击者不同。
 
 
A person who studies accounting in college will later become an accountant.
“accounting”是会计学的意思,在大学里主修会计学的人将来会成为一名“accountant”(会计师)。
• Kevin works as an accountant.
凯文是会计师。
• I always have an accountant do my taxes.
我一直有个会计师帮我处理税务。
• Accountants are very busy during tax season.
会计师在报税季节非常忙碌。
• Maria would like to become a C.P.A. That’s a certified public accountant.
玛利亚想要成为一名CPA,也就是注册会计师。
 
There are a few expressions that use the word “account.”
“account”还用在一些固定短语中。
• You don’t have to do this on my account.
你不必因为我而做这件事。
(It’s not necessary to do this for my benefit. 你不必为了我的缘故做这件事。)
• The teacher will hold you to account for your missed assignments.
老师将会追究你未完成作业的责任。
(hold to account = to place responsibility 追究责任)
• The woman was called to account for her shoplifting.
这位女子被传唤,对自己在商店顺手牵羊的行为作出解释。
(She was caught stealing and she was asked to explain her actions. 她偷东西被逮到,因而被要求对自己的行为做出解释。)
 
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