7.at first,first of all,first
1)at first=at the beginning,表示"当初,起初(但后来……)",与后来发生的事相对照。例如:
At first I didn't want to go,but I soon changed my mind.
2)first of all(或first)表示"首先";"最重要的",说明顺序,是时间上或一系列行动的开始,后面往往接next,then等。例如:
First of all,open the windows.
Then turn off the gas and,if necessary,call an ambulance(救护车).
I'll have to finish my homework first.
3)first还有"第一的"、"最先的"的意思。例如:
January is the first month of the year.
Who was the first man to fly across the Atlantic.
8.most,mostly,almost,at most
1)most或most of是"大多数的,大部分的,几乎全部的"之意,相当于nearly all,前面不用冠词;但most of后名词前必须加冠词。例如:
Most people think as I do about the matter.
Most of the students had left when he came.
2)mostly(副词)"主要地,多半地",相当于mainly。例如:
He uses his bike mostly for going to school.
The students are mostly young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty.
3)almost意为"几乎",相当于very nearly。例如:
He spent almost the whole day reading English.
4)at most意为"最多",相当于not more than,与at least相对。例如:
I can pay only twenty dollars at (the) most.