1) 作为及物动词，基本搭配是 to distinguish X from Y，主语可以是认识到区别的人，但也可以是显示区别的客观事物。

• ... permits us to distinguish the styles of the North American Indians... from those of the better-known African, Mesoamerican and South Pacific primitive cultures. (Barbara Rose, New York, Jan. 10, 1972)…使得我们能够将北美洲印第安人的样式同非洲、中美洲以及南太平洋一些原始文化的样式区别开来。

2) 作为不及物动词，基本搭配是 to distinguish between X and Y，主语通常只能是认识到区别的人。

• ... a child under four will hardly distinguish between yesterday and a week ago. (Bertrand Russell, Education and the Good Life)…一个不满四岁的孩子，很难分清昨天与一周以前。