定語可以用下面這些成分表示:
1) 形容詞:
It's a fine (windy, rainy, warm) day. 這是一個晴朗(刮風、下雨、暖和)的日子。
He's a sensible (kind, selfish, cruel) man. 他是一個有頭腦(善良、自私、殘酷)的人。
2) 代詞(和限定詞):
Whose child is it? 這是誰的孩子?
Help yourself to some (more) fish. (再)吃一點魚。
3) 數詞:
There are twenty students in our class. 我們班上有二十名學生。
Is it your first visit to Japan? 你是第一次到日本?
4) 名詞或名詞所有格:
She is a college graduate. 她是大學畢業(yè)生。
What's your government's attitude towards the problem? 你們政府對此態(tài)度如何?
5) 分詞 (短語):
These are the roads leading to the beach. 這些是通往海濱的路。
He disapproved of the proposed conference. 他不贊成提議召開的會議。
6) 不定式(短語):
She was quiet for days to come. 在以后的好些天中她都沉默寡言。
I've something important to discuss with you. 我有一件重要的事情要和你商談。
7) 介詞短語:
He is absorbed in his work on bacteria. 他專心于他的細菌研究。
Who is that girl with a pigtail? 那個梳辮子的女孩是誰?
8) 副詞:
I have nothing special on tonight. 今晚我沒有什么特別活動。
On my way home, I continued angry with Betty. 在回家的路上我繼續(xù)生貝蒂的氣。
9) 詞組或合成詞:
Is anything the matter with you? 你出什么事了?
He is an easy-going man. 他是一個好說話的人。
10) 從句:
Is there anything I can do for you? 有什么事我可以幫你做嗎?
She's a girl everyone likes. 她是個人人都喜歡的姑娘。
1) 現(xiàn)在分詞作定語的時候不少,有些現(xiàn)在分詞已變成形容詞:
The town's water comes from the surrounding hills. 該城市的用水來自周圍的群山。
She did well under trying conditions. 她在困難條件下干得很不錯。
There were growing doubts about the victory statement. 對這勝利的聲明越來越多的人表示懷疑。
That's a convincing argument. 這是一個有說服力的論點。
It's a rather boring book. 這是本相當枯燥乏味的書。
We had a most stimulating conversation. 我們有過一次令人興奮的交談。
It was a very touching story. 那是個非常動人的故事。
There is another pressing matter which we ought to take up. 還有一件我們該辦的要緊事。
2) 在不少情況下,現(xiàn)在分詞跟在所修飾的詞之后,其作用相當于一個定語從句:
There is a lady asking to see you. 有一位女士要求見你。
The girl sitting by my side is my cousin. 坐在我旁邊的是我表妹。
It's a room on the second floor, looking on the street. 它是三樓上一個臨街的房間。
Jane joined the line of people waiting for the bus. 簡加入到那排候車者之中。
Here is a map showing you how to get there. 這兒有一張地圖,告訴你怎樣去那里。
There are two hundred children studying here. 有兩百個孩子在這里學習。
The old lady waving to us is my aunt. 向我們揮手的老太太是我姨母。
Those of you wishing to join us please stay for a few minutes. 你們中間想參加我們活動的人請留幾分鐘。
3) 過去分詞也常用作定語,有些已變成形容詞:
The excited children were opening their Christmas presents. 興奮的孩子們正在打開他們的圣誕禮物。
The worried look deepened on her face. 她臉上的愁容加深了。
We have a very crowded schedule. 我們的日程很緊。
He passed the required examination and became a doctor. 他通過了規(guī)定的考試成了醫(yī)生。
Her father is a retired general. 她父親是一位退休將軍。
The escaped convict has been captured. 逃犯被抓獲了。
It was a cautiously worded statement. 這是個措辭謹慎的聲明。
It was a beautifully furnished bedroom. 這是一間陳設漂亮的臥室。
4) 過去分詞也可引導短語作定語,放在所修飾詞后面,相當于一個定語從句:
That summer we launched a rocket designed by ourselves. 那年夏天我們發(fā)射了一枚我們自行設計的火箭。
What did you think of the play put on by the students? 學生們演的戲你覺得怎樣?
They showed a French feature film dubbed into English. 他們放映了一部有英語配音的法國故事片。
I seconded the motion made by Gray. 我贊同格雷提出的動議。
He turned over in his mind the idea presented by Dad. 他考慮了一下爸提出的想法。
He joined an organization headed by Lord Berry. 他加入了一個以貝里勛爵為首的組織。
She is a nurse trained by ourselves. 她是我們自己培養(yǎng)的護士。
The tiny seed planted ten years before had flowered. 十年前種的一小顆種子最后開花了。
關于分詞作定語可參閱第12.3.3和12.4.3節(jié)。
1) 在一定的句型中可用不定式作定語:
I have tons of letters to answer. 我有大量的信要回。
There is nothing to be done now. 現(xiàn)在已無法可想了。
I'll go and get something to drink. 我去找點飲料。
The teacher assigned us some books to read. 老師指定了幾本書要我們閱讀。
She needed someone to take care of her baby. 她需要一個人幫她看孩子。
They were the first to bear hardships, the last to enjoy comforts. 他們吃苦在前,享樂在后。
She is not a girl to act rashly. 她不是一個鹵莽行事的姑娘。
He is a nice man to work with. 他是個好共事的人。
2) 在某些名詞后??捎貌欢ㄊ阶鞫ㄕZ:
Has he the ability to do the work? 他有能力干這工作嗎?
His anxiety to go was obvious. 他亟于想去是很明顯的。
Their attempt to hurt her failed. 他們傷害她的企圖失敗了。
His decision to resign was welcomed by the Opposition. 他辭職的決定受到反對黨的歡迎。
I haven't had chance to think yet. 我還沒有時間考慮。
I had not the courage to tell you. 我沒有勇氣告訴你。
You have no right to do such a thing! 你沒有權利這樣做!
常見的能跟不定式作定語的名詞有:
3) 不定式有時也可代替一個定語從句:
Perhaps in years to come we'll meet again. 也許在未來的歲月中我們還會再見面。
In the lectures to follow, she talked of her trip to Peru. 在后來的講座中,她談到了她的秘魯之行。
She made a list of things to be taken on the way. 她開了一張要帶在路上用的物品清單。
These are the two trainee teachers to be sent to work there. 這是將派到那里工作的兩位實習教師。
We are invited to a party to be held in our club next Friday. 我們被邀請參加下周五在俱樂部開的晚會。
She had little time left in which to make the necessary preparations. 她沒剩多少時間來做必要的準備。
關于不定式作定語的問題可參閱第12.1.6節(jié)。
1) 介詞短語作定語的時候不少,如:
The streets about the castle are full of places of historic interest. 城堡附近的街道到處是名勝古跡。
The plan for the year was fulfilled ahead of schedule. 今年的計劃已提前完成。
One might call it a mistake in tactics. 我們也許可以稱其為戰(zhàn)術上的錯誤。
She began to give us her views on the costumes. 她開始告知我們她對那些服裝的看法。
He is not worthy to talk to a man like you. 他不配和你這樣的人談話。
She is a woman of even temper. 她是個性情溫和的女人。
No rose without a thorn. (諺)沒有不帶刺的玫瑰。
2) 某些名詞后常跟介詞短語作定語:
She has a great fear of snakes. 她非常怕蛇。
He shows an absence of initiative. 他表現(xiàn)出缺乏主動性。
I was impressed by her anxiety for knowledge. 她對知識的渴望給我留下了深刻的印象。
Loyalty to his moral convictions was his dominating passion. 對道德信念的忠誠是他的主導感情。
He showed great jealousy of their success. 對他們的成功他顯得很是嫉妒。
He had lost his interest in politics. 他失去了對政治的興趣。
She could not bear the thought of separation from her children. 想到要和孩子們分開她就難以忍受。
3) 副詞作定語的時候也不少:
The clouds above began to get thicker. 上方的云朵開始密集起來。
From the hill top we could see the plains below. 從山頂上我們可以看到下面的平原。
He tried to write poetry in his off hours. 在空閑時他試著寫詩。
Have you anything on this evening? 你今晚有什么活動嗎?
She went to see them on her evenings out. 凡她晚上外出總去看他們。
Take the up escalator. 坐往上的電梯。
The then headmaster ordered these textbooks. 那時的校長訂了這些教材。
I called on Richard on my way back. 在回途中我看望了理查德。