一、形容词的功用
形容词(The Adjective)和副词(The Adverb)是英语语法的重要组成部分,也是四、六级考试,研究生入学考试等各类考试中的一项重要测试内容。有关形容词和副词的试题主要涉及以下内容。
- 形容词和副词的误用;
- 形容词和副词的词序;
- 某些在词义上容易混淆的形容词和副词;
- 有关形容词和副词比较级用法的问题;
- 形容词或副词与其他词所组成的固定搭配。
1. 形容词的功用
(1) 作前置或后置定语
A good boy must behave himself.
孩子应当行为规矩。
The old man was too feeble to take his usual daily stroll.
这个老人太虚弱,已不能像平常那样每天散步了。
This is the only solution possible.
这是唯一可能的解决办法。
(2) 作表语
That's excellent! 那太好了!
I was alone in the house. 我一个人在那栋房子里。
He is ill. 他病了。
(3) 作补语
① 作主语补语
He was born rich. 他生来富贵。
The room was found empty. 房间发现是空的。
② 作宾语补语
The good news made him happy.
这个消息使他很高兴。
Have you got everything ready for the journey?
你准备好行装没有?
③ 作主语或补语
用于“定冠词+形容词”结构中,起名词作用。
The rich are not always happy.
富人未必总幸福。
There are lack of communication between the young and the old.
青年人和老年人之间缺乏沟通。
④ 作状语
The tenant pays her rent regularly.
房客定期付租金。
You'd better drink the tea hot.
你最好趁热喝茶。
If necessary, I'll go instead of you.
如果有必要,我替你去。
⑤ 作独立成分
Strange to say, he is still ignorant of it.
说也奇怪,他还不知道这件事。
I said it would happen, and sure enough it did happen.
我说它会发生,它果然发生了。
Most remarkable of all, he never suffers from nerves on the stage.
最了不起的是他从不怯场。
2. 前置形容词的排列顺序
有时两个或多个形容词同时修饰一个名词,此时,名词前面形容词的排序是:
限定词—描绘性形容词—尺寸大小—形状—年龄、新旧—颜色—国籍—材料—质地材料—中心名词。
如:
a famous ancient Chinese poet.
一位中国古代的著名诗人
a beautiful ,big, old, red, Chinese wooden table.
一张又大又漂亮的红色的、中国式的旧木桌
an attractive little old yellow book.
一本外观很精致、发黄了的旧书
a large round wooden table.
一张大圆木桌
a small black plastic bag
一个黑色小塑料袋
the first beautiful little white Chinese stone bridge.
第一座美丽的中国小型白色石桥
a very valuable Egyptian bronze cat
一只非常珍贵的埃及铜猫
3. 名词化的形容词
有些形容词可以和定冠词连用,表示一类人或物,这时它近似一个名词。用作名词的形容词叫做名词化的形容词。
名词化的形容词常与定冠词连用,可在句中承担某种句子成分。
名词化的形容词可表示下列意义:
(1) 泛指一类人,作主语时要求复数动词。如:
They're going to build a school for the deaf and the blind .
他们准备给聋人和盲人盖一所学校。
All the rich are not happy.
富人并不都快乐。
The sick were sent home.
病员被送回家。
(2) 指抽象事物,作主语时要求单数动词。如:
The beautiful can never die.
美是不朽的。
(3) 名词化形容词可加复数词尾 -s。如:
One of the locals told me how to go to the station.
有个当地人告诉我去车站怎么走。
We'll take our finals next week.
我们下星期举行期末考试。
4. 复合形容词
复合形容词是指由两个或两个以上的词构成的形容词。复合形容词主要有以下几种构成方式。
(1) 名词 + 形容词。如:
Duty-free 免税的 home-sick 想家的 heart-sick 垂头丧气的
(2) 名词 + 现在分词。如:
labor-saving 省工的;节省劳动力的 mouth-watering 令人垂涎的
(3) 名词 + 过去分词。如:
weather-beaten 饱经风霜的 sugar-coated 涂有糖衣的 hearted-felt 由衷的
(4) 形容词 + 现在分词。如:
good-looking 好看的 easy-going 随和的
(5) 形容词 + 名词。如:
large-scale 大规模的
high-class 高级的
(6) 形容词 + 名词+ -ed。如:
absent-minded 心不在焉的 whole-hearted 全心全意的 good-tempered 好脾气的
(7) 形容词 + 形容词。如:
icy-cold 冰冷的 red-hot 炽热的
(8) 副词 + 现在分词。如:
far-seeing目光远大的 hard-working 努力工作的 far-reaching 深远的
(9) 副词+ 过去分词。如:
well-informed消息灵通的 wide-spread 遍布的,大面积的 well-known 著名的
(10) 由短语构成的形容词。如:
hard-to-please 难以取悦的 life-and death 生死存亡的
happy-go-lucky 无忧无虑的 out-and-out 彻头彻尾的 face-to-face 面对面的
二、副词的功用
1. 句子副词
句子副词不是修饰句子的某一个成分,而是表示说话人对自己所说的话的态度。句子副词通常位于句首,其后通常有逗号。句子副词可以分为以下三类:
(1) 表示说话人说话时的态度。如:
Frankly, I look upon it as a very promising experiment.
坦白地说,我把它看作是一次很有希望的实验。
Personally, I see no objection to your leaving at once.
就我个人而言,我不反对你马上就走。
(2) 表示说话人对某一动作或情况可能性的评论。如:
Perhaps they are in need of our help.
也许他们需要我们的帮助。
Clearly you are right.
显然你是对的。
(3) 表示说话人对某一动作或情况的反应。如:
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
幸亏没有人受伤。
Naturally, he was lying.
他当然是在撒谎。
2. 连词副词
连词副词用以连接一个句子或从句与另一个句子或从句,根据意义,连接副词可分为以下几类:
(1) 表示列举和补充。如:
The task is very difficult; besides, time presses.
任务艰巨,而且时间紧迫。
The house is too small, and furthermore, it's too far from the city.
房子太小,而且离城太远。
(2) 表示转换话题。如:
The airlines charge half-price for the students. Incidentally, I've already bought my ticket to New York.
航空公司对学生收半价。顺便说一句,我已经买了去纽约的机票。
(3) 表示结果。如:
The weather has changed suddenly, and we must alter our plans for our travel accordingly.
天气突然变了,因而我们必须改变出行计划。
Catherine was a bright and eager student, and consequently, did well in school.
凯瑟琳是个聪明好学的学生,因此学习成绩很好。
(4) 表示否定的条件。如:
You'd better go now, otherwise you'll miss your train.
你最好现在就走,要不然就赶不上火车了。
He cannot be in his right senses else he would not make such wild statements.
他肯定神智不清,要不然就不会作出这样狂妄的声明了。
(5) 表示让步。如:
I am coming anyway, no matter what others say.
不管旁人怎么说,反正我准来。
However much advice you give him, he does exactly what he wants.
不管你给他多少劝告,他还是我行我素。
(6) 表示总结。如:
Altogether, our achievements are very great.
总的说来,我们的成绩是很大的。
Altogether the teacher is satisfied.
总的说来,老师是满意的。
(7) 表示对比。如:
Would you like to have a meeting about the matter this afternoon? Alternatively, we could discuss it at dinner.
你愿意今天下午开会讨论这件事吗?要不,我们可在吃晚饭时讨论。
3. 形容词和副词的比较等级
(1) 形容词比较级和最高级的构成
① 规则变化:
有些形容词的比较级和最高级可采用在词尾加 -er 和 -est 的形式,也可采用在单词前加more和most的形式,这类形容词有:clear , common , cruel, free, handsome, lively, often, pleasant, polite, pretty, quiet, secure, solid, stupid, timid, wicked 等。
② 不规则变化
原级 | 比较级 | 最高级 |
---|---|---|
good well | better | best |
many much | more | most |
late | later latter | latest last |
little | less | least |
(2) 副词比较级和最高级的构成
① 规则变化
单音节词及少数双音节词在词尾加 -er 构成比较级,加 -est 构成最高级。如:
hard-harder-hardest soon-sooner-soonest
fast-faster-fastest slow-slower-slowest
early-earier-earliest
大多数副词是在其原形前加more 构成比较级,加most构成最高级,副词的最高级前可以加定冠词the,也可不加。如:
quicky more quickly most quickly
carefully more carefully most carefully
fluently more fluently most fluently
② 不规则变化
原级 | 比较级 | 最高级 |
---|---|---|
well | better | best |
little | less | least |
badly | worse | worst |
much | more | most |
(3) 形容词和副词比较等级的用法
形容词的比较级结构用来描述两种事物或人在性质、大小、高低等方面的差别。形容词的比较级的基本结构主要有:
① 形容词的比较级 +than。如:
Real friendship is more valuable than money.
真正的友谊比金钱更有价值。
This lesson is easier than the last one.
这课比上一课容易。
Illustration by example is sometimes better than explanation in words.
举例说明有时比用词语解释好。
② 形容词比较级+名词+than。如:
The professor knows more archaeology than most people.
在考古方面这位教授比大多数人知道得多。
I did more work in two hours than he had done all day.
我两小时干的活比他一整天干的活都多。
③ less +形容词原级+than。如:
Martin is less diligent than his sister.
马丁不如他姐姐用功。
④ less/fewer +形容词原级+名词+than 。如:
Nancy made fewer spelling mistakes than before.
南希现在的拼写错误比以前少了。
He had less money than he had before.
他现在的钱比以前少了。
If children were fed nourishing breakfast before they left for school, there would be fewer problems in the early morning classes.
如果孩子在上学前吃了有营养的早餐,那么在早晨课堂上发生的问题就会少些。
Why there is less traffic on the streets in February than in May.
为什么二月份街上的车辆要比五月份少?
⑤ the +形容词比较级+the +形容词比较级。如:
The more medicine I take, the worse I seem to feet.
越吃药我感觉似乎越糟。
The higher, the colder.
越高越冷。
The more learned a man is, the more modest he usually is.
一个人越有学问,他通常会越谦虚。
(4) 形容词最高级的基本结构
形容词的最高级表示在一定范围内某类事或某人在性质、高低和大小等方面程度最高或最低。形容词最高级的基本结构为:the+形容词最高级+比较范围(如介词of或in的短语或that从句)。如:
He is the tallest boy in his class. 他是他们班上最高的男孩。
This is the best of all. 这是所有中最好的。
This is the most interesting film that I have seen.
这是我所看过的电影中最有趣的一部。
(5) 副词的比较级结构
① as+副词原级+as。这一结构表示两个事物或两个人之间的相同或相似。如:
Miller runs as fast as I.
米勒和我跑得一样快。
He speaks English as fluently as an Englishman.
他的英语说得和英国人一样流利。
② 其否定形式为:not so/as+副词原级+as
Usually adults don't learn a foreign languages as quickly as children.
通常成人学外语不如小孩快。
③ as+副词原级+as possible。这一结构表示尽可能地做某事。
He said he would write to me as soon as possible.
他说他会尽快给我写信。
④ 副词比较级+than...。这一结构表示一个事物或人比另一事物或人在某方面强。
She works harder than his brother does.
她比她弟弟学习努力。
Tom swims faster than I do.
汤姆比我游得快。
She goes shopping less frequently than she used to.
她不像以前那样经常购物了。
⑤ the+副词比较级……,the+副词比较级……。这一结构表示前者越……, 后者越……。如:
The more, the better.
越多越好。
The more you read, the more knowledge you will get.
你读书越多,获取的知识就越多。
(6) 副词最高级 + 表示范围的结构
表示范围的结构通常为含有介词 in ,of 或 among 的介词短语。副词最高级前的定冠词通常都会省略。如:
He runs (the) fastest in his class.
他是班里跑得最快的。
He works (the) hardest among the ten boys.
在这十个男孩中他学习最努力。
Of all his poems , I like this one best.
在他所有的诗中,我最喜欢这一首。
但要注意:在副词最高级前,可以不用the。
三、形容词和副词的比较级
1. 形容词或副词比较级的修饰语
(1) 用于形容词或副词原级比较结构前的词语有:exactly, just, nearly, almost, hardly, twice, three times 等。
exactly/just as big as
与……正好一样大
almost/nearly as wide as
与……几乎一样宽
twice as many as
是……数量的两倍
three times as long as
是……长度的三倍
(2) 修饰形容词或副词最高级的词语有:by far, the second, the third 等。
by far the finest weather
最好的天气
the third largest company
第三大公司
2. 形容词的原级或比较级表示最高级的意义
用形容词的原级或比较级也可表示最高级的意义,其结构为:
(1) 否定词语+so/as+形容词原级+as。如:
No boy is so brave as Tom in his class.
在班里没有哪个男孩比汤姆更勇敢。
(2) 否定词语+形容词比较级+than。如:
Nothing is more exciting than to travel.
没有什么比去旅游更令人兴奋。
(3) the +形容词比较级+than+any other +单数名词/all the other +复数名词。如:
The technique is more than the other three.
这种技术比任何其他方法都有效。
This plan is nicer than the other three.
这个计划比其他三个都好。
注:大多数形容词是可分等级的,其等级性是通过比较级和最高级表现出来的。但有些形容词没有等级,不具有等级性的形容词主要是一些从名词派生的形容词。如:atomic, tidal, earthen, monthly, weekly 等。
一些表示起源的词。如:
British, English, original 等;
一些表示绝对意义的形容词。如:
dead , living , blind, lame, square, wrong 等;
一些表示时间、方位和方向的形容词。如:
daily,present, front , east, middle, central 等;
一些本身表示极限性质的形容词。如:
absolute, perfect, excellent,maximal , wonderful, unique 等。
3. 具有特殊意义的比较结构
(1) more + 形容词/名词 + than(与其说……不如说……)。如:
He is more brave than wise.
他有勇无谋。
Success in language is more a matter of application than of intelligence.
语言上的成功与其说是一个智力的问题不如说是个运用的问题。
(2) no more...than (只)。如:
It's no more than a false alarm.
那只是虚惊一场。
He is no more than a puppet.
他只是个傀儡罢了。
(3) not more than (最多)。如:
He is not more than twenty years old.
他最多有二十岁。
I have not more than five dollars with me.
我身上最多有五美元。
(4) no less than (多达……)。如:
He stayed there for no less than two months.
他在那儿呆了两个月之久。
There were no less than fifty wounded.
受伤者多达50人。
(5) not less than (多于,至少)。如:
He gave her not less than one thousand dollars.
他至少给了她一千美元。
Not less than 300 people attended the conference.
至少有三百人出席了会议。
(6) no less...than (和……一样)。如:
He is no less diligent than you.
他和你一样勤奋。
Mary is no less active than she used to be.
玛丽和从前一样活跃。
(7) not less...than (也许比……更……)。如:
He is not less rich than his brother.
他也许比他哥哥富有。
She is not less busy than you.
他也许比你更忙。
(8) not so much...as...(与其说……不如说……)。如:
She is not so much an actress as a singer.
与其说她是个演员,不如说她是个歌手。
I do not feel so much angry as sad.
与其说我感到生气,不如说我感到伤心。
(9) as much...as... 同……一样,跟……到同一程度。如:
It is as much your responsibility as yours.
这是你们的责任,同样也是我们的责任。
I have experienced as much pain as pleasure.
我经历的痛苦和欢乐一样多。
(10) much less / still less 用于否定句之后,意思是“更不用说,更何况”。如:
She wouldn't take a drink, much less stay for dinner.
她连饮料都不愿喝一口,更别提留下吃饭了。
French is not the private property of Frenchmen, and still less is English the private property of Englishmen.
法语不是法国人的私有财产,英语就更不成其为英国人的私有财产了。