文档介绍：现代英语的特色之一,是力求以简单的结构,表达复杂的思维。以名词作修饰语,简称“名词定语”(attributive nouns),便是朝向这目标的手段之一。
所谓名词修饰名词,就是以名词直接修饰另一名词,其作用和形容词相似。例如:
Science students; the Clinton Administration; dinner-time; oil industry; Christmas party 等。
下列是名词作修饰语时的语法功能:
⒈代替形容词(或形容词短语)或分词(或分词短语),如:
● country life→rural life
● China-. relations→Sino-American relations
● a launch pad→a launching pad
● cube sugar→sugar formed in the shape of a cube.
⒉代替名词所有格,如:
● good rapport between consumer and producer countries →good rapport between consumers' and producers' countries.
● a proposal for a ceiling on modity imports→ a proposal for a ceiling on ASEAN'modity imports.
⒊代替介词短语,如:
● a tool box→a box for tools.
● a television programme→ a programme on television.
● apple seeds →the seeds of an apple.
⒋代替同位语、形容词分句或不定式动词短语,如:
● his bank manager son→his son,(who is) a bank manager.
● an ASEAN joint conference report→a report to be jointly made by ASEAN(members).
上述四种情况是名词修饰名词的常见现象。这情形在报章上出现得更频繁。
最后有一点要注意的是,名词作修饰语时,与同词根的形容词或分词作修饰语,有什么语意上的差别呢?不同在于前者强调内容或职能;后者侧重属性和特征。试比较下面三组句子,以观察其不同:
a. labour intensity(劳工密集)
b. labouring people(劳动的人民)
a. a space rocket(宇宙火箭)
b. a spacious room(宽敞的房间)
a. an art gallery(艺术馆)
b. artistic effects(艺术的效果)
a. a history department(历史系)
b. a historic relic(历史遗迹)
a. riot police(防暴警察)
b. riotous police(闹事的/暴动的警察)
名词可以作定语修饰名词,作定语的名词往往是说明其中名词的材料、用途、时间、地