合成形容词.docx

和其他合成词一样，合成形容词(compound adjectives)也是由两个或两 个以上的字合组而成的由于现代英语结构尽量从繁入简，合成词，特别是合成 形容词的运用，就越来越普遍，报章杂志更是如此合成形容词的构成方法，主要有下列 6 种：① 名词+形容词，如：oil-rich, duty-free, praiseworthy, life-long, carefree, worldwide, skin-deep, sea-sick, cock-sure, word-perfect 等② 形容词+形容词，如：bitter-sweet, red-hot, Afro-Asian, socio-political, dead-alive, blue-black 等③ 名词+现在分词，如：peace-loving, labour-saving, law-abiding, time-consuming, painstaking, trouble-shooting 等④ 名词+过去分词，如：examination-oriented, man-made, poverty-stricken, bed-ridden, wind-blown, weather-beaten, heart-broken 等。

⑤ 形容词+现在分词，如：good-looking, easy-going, eager-seeming, direct-acting 等⑥ 形容词+过去分词，如：kind-hearted, narrow-minded, single-handed, new-born, soft-spoken, strong-headed, many-sided 等在这六类合成形容词中，①、③和④的生产率最高 此外，合成形容词还可以从其他词类或结构转化而来，气象万千，韵味十足： ⑴从副词短语转化而来，如：all-round protection, off-the-cuff opinion, round-the-clock investigation, the ahead-of-schedule general election, a once-a-week discussion 等⑵从片语动词转化而成，如：a back-up generator, the break-in time, a catch-up programme, a see-through shirt, a stand-up collar 等。

⑶从不带“to”的不定式动词转化而成，如：take-home pay, a keep-fit class, a get-acquainted party, a cross-border raid, a grow-slow policy 等⑷由介词短语转化后移至名词前，如：discussions on foreign policyfforeign—policy discussions; the relationship between t eachers and students —the teacher—student relationship; a proposal for the withdrawal of troops—a troop—withdrawal proposal 等⑸由形容词分句转化后移至名词前，如：a machine that is difficult to operate—a difficult—to—operate machine; magazines which are hard to get at—hare- to—ge t—at magazines; a politician who is not so strong—a not-so—strong politician 等。

⑹由成语或惯用语转化后移至名词前，如：a step—by—step procedure, an on—the—job training, a dog—in—the—manger attitude, a live—and—let—live policy 等前面6种构成法约定俗成，一切中规中矩，后面6种涵盖面大，极为灵活 光是通过成语转化的形容词合成词，数目都在不断扩大中，非常受欢迎如 an out-of-the-way village （遥远的），a get-rich-quick mentality （快速致富 的）。