shoot，shoot at用法及区别

to shoot a lion和to shoot at a lion的含义并不相同。前者是“射中（或射死）一头狮子”，shoot是及物动词，lion是它的宾语；后者是“对准一头狮子射击”，shoot是不及物动词，lion是介词at的宾语。

由此可见，to shoot用于表示射击行动已获得预期结果的场合；to shoot at仅表示对准目的物射击，与结果无关，是否命中或有否打死，不得而知。

试对比下列的例句：

The spy was shot through the heart.

该间谍被击穿心脏。

He shot himself yesterday.

昨日他饮弹自尽。

I shot at the bird but it flew away.

我举枪向鸟射击，可是它飞走了。

She shot at that target but missed it.

她向靶射击，但没有命中。

与之类似的词语有：

hit — hit at

grab — grab at

to catch the ball — to catch at the ball

to snatch the book — to snatch at the book

to grasp the straw — to grasp at the straw