These are all words for a thing that sb does. 以上各词均指行为、行动。

• action a thing that sb does 指行动、动作：◆Her quick action saved the child's life. 她行动迅速，救了小孩的命。
• measure an official action that is done in order to achieve a particular aim 指措施、方法：◆Tougher measures against racism are needed. 需要更强硬的反种族主义措施。
• step one of a series of things that you do in order to achieve sth 指步骤、措施：◆This was a first step towards a united Europe. 这是向建立统一欧洲的目标迈出的第一步。
• act a thing that sb does 指行为、行动、所为：◆an act of kindness 善行

action or act? 用 action 还是 act？

These two words have the same meaning but are used in different patterns. An act is usually followed by of and/or used with an adjective. Action is not usually used with of but is often used with his, her, etc. 这两个词意义相同，但用于不同的句型。act 后常跟 of，而且常与形容词连用。action 通常不与 of 连用，但常与 his、her 等词连用：◆a heroic act of bravery 英雄壮举◆a heroic action of bravery◆his heroic actions/acts during the war 他在战争中的英雄壮举 Action often combines with take but act does not. * action 常与 take 搭配，act 则不能：◆We shall take whatever acts are necessary.

• move (used especially in journalism) an action that you do or need to do to achieve sth （尤用于新闻）指为达到某目标而采取或需要采取的行动：◆They are waiting for the results of the opinion polls before deciding their next move. 他们在等待民意测验的结果，然后再决定下一步行动。

Patterns

• to take action/measures/steps
• to make a step/move
• a heroic/brave/daring action/step/act/move