在英语越来越重要的21世纪，学好英语成了大学生的首要目标。为帮助大学生更好地掌握英语知识，特提供以下文章：
delicate, fine, subtle
这3个形容词均含“微妙的，细微的”之意。
delicate : 侧重指需要谨慎处理和对待。
This has been regarded as a delicate subject.(这已被认为是一项棘手的问题.)
fine : 隐含“不易察觉的”意味。
The law makes fine distinctions.(法律做出细致的区别。)
subtle : 侧重有洞察、领悟事物细微差别以及微妙关系的能力。
Her whole attitude had undergone a subtle change.(她的整个态度发生了微妙的变化。)
delay, postpone, defer, suspend, prolong, put off
这些动词或短语动词均有“推延，延期”之意。
delay : 普通用词，多指因外界原因推迟或耽误，也可指有意推迟。
My delay in going abroad is due to my illness.(我推迟出国是因为我生病了。)
postpone : 正式用词，语气较强，多指有安排的延期，常指明延期到一定的时间。
They postponed leaving because of the weather.(他们因天气原因而延迟离开。)
defer : 正式用词，语气强于postpone，多指故意拖延。
The department deferred the decision for six months.(这个部门推迟了六个月才作决定。)
suspend : 指暂时中断以待某种条件的实现。
Both sides in the conflict have agreed temporarily to suspend hostilities.(冲突双方同意暂时停火。)
prolong : 指把时间延长至超过正常或通常的限度。
Two countries prolonged signing an agreement until details could be agreed on.(两国推迟签约直到就细节达成协议。)
put off : 口语用词，与postpone同义，但较通俗。
The appointment was put off because of his illness.(由于他生病而推迟了约会。)