大多数形容词可在句中用作:
She played a trick on him out of sheer devilment. 她捉弄他完全是为了寻开心。
He runs his department with a heavy hand. 他采取强硬措施管理所属部门。
Abraham Lincoln was a self-made man. 林肯是一个自学成才的人。
The young man was handsome. 那个年轻人很英俊。
He soon became self-employed. 不久他就自己当了老板,不再受雇于人。
He got over-tired after a long day work. 工作了一天,他感到过于劳累。
Who left the windows open? 谁没关窗户?
Martin found the work very interesting. 马丁发现这个工作非常有趣。
Sit down and make yourself comfortable. 请坐,不要拘束。
She gave him the overcoat, anxious to be of service. 她把大衣拿给他,渴望为他服务。
We arrived home, hungry and tired. 我们又饿又累地回到家里。
She lay awake half the night. 她有半宿没睡着。
有时还用作同位语(a)或独立成分(b):
a. The current affair, the biggest in its history, is being held in Guangzhou.目前的这届交易会是有史以来规模最大的,正在广州举行。
b. Strange to say, he was always late for work. 说来也怪,他总是上班迟到。
I’m a bit afraid of her. 我有点怕她。
I am unable to cycle to school because my bicycle is broken. 我不能骑车上学,因为我的自行车坏了。
这类形容词常见的有:
His problem is similar to yours. 他的问题和你的相似。
She was allergic to serum they used. 她对他们用的血清过敏。
Smoking is injurious to health. 吸烟有害健康。
这类形容词常见的有:
还有些形容词在用作表语时后面跟由of引起的短语:
She was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. 她完全能够照顾自己。
She has always been desirous of fame. 她一直想成名。
Is a large head indicative of high intelligence? 头大是不是表示智商高?
常见的这类形容词有:
还有不少形容词可用作表语,后面跟其他介词:
I am filled with desire to go back home. 我心中充满了回家的渴望。
The two pipes are connected with the sewer. 这两条管子与下水道相连。
He was descended from an ancient family. 他是一个古老家族的后裔。
这类结构常见的有:
还有些形容词作表语时后面跟不定式:
A little baby is unable to walk or talk. 婴儿既不会走也不会说话。
Are you willing to accept responsibility? 你愿意承担责任吗?
He is not fit to be a member of the dub. 他不适合当俱乐部会员。
这类形容词常见的有:
还有不少形容词后可跟不定式,从而对谓语加以说明:
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. 倘若需要帮忙的话,尽管提出来。
I’m ashamed to let you see my paintings. 我不好意思让你看我的画。
The book is difficult to understand. 这本书很难懂。
还有一些形容词作表语时后面跟一个that引起的从句(that有时可以省略):
I’m afraid we can’t come. 很抱歉,我们不能来。
I was surprised that the strong man liked to eat conserves. 我很惊讶——这个强壮的男人竟然喜欢吃蜜饯。
She was frightened (that) her mother wouldn’t come back. 她担心她妈不回来了。
常跟这类从句的形容词有:
还有不少品质形容词也只能用作定语,如:
It’s a sure thing they won’t come. 他们肯定不会来。
Where were you when you received the glad news? 你得到这个喜讯时在哪里?
His triumph seemed a sorry one. 他的胜利似乎价值不大。
A fond mother may spoil her child. 溺爱的母亲可能把孩子惯坏。
Let’s disregard any ill comments that are aimed at us. 咱们不要理会任何针对我们的恶意评论。
He has his due reward. 他得到了应有的报偿。
He always has a ready answer. 他总是有现成的答案。
He knew of no patient likely to ring him at that hour. 他不知道有哪个病人会这么晚给他打电话。
She raised her family quite alone. 她独力养家。
What made you so sure of yourself? 是什么使你这般自信?
I felt myself unable to leave home. 我感到自己离不开家。
Curious, we visited every room of the big house. 由于好奇,我们参观了这所大房子的每个房间。
Overjoyed, she dashed out of the house. 她非常高兴,急忙跑出屋去。
Unable to find words to express themselves, they silently grasped our hands.由于找不到话表达自己的感情,他们默默地握住了我们的手。
The streets have been swept free of leaves. 街上的落叶已被扫干净。
He read all kinds of books, ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign. 他读了很多书,古今中外的都有。
The current fair, the biggest in its history, is being held in Guangzhou. 目前的这届交易会是有史以来规模最大的,正在广州举行。
这类同位语插在主语后,作用接近于一个定语从句:
I found Jim, unconscious, a few hours later. 几小时后我发现吉姆已失去知觉。
I met Sally, angry at me as always, at a restaurant. 在一个餐馆里,我碰到了莎丽,她还像往常一样生我的气。
这类短语(特别是当主语比较短时),有时放在句首:
Cheerful, efficient and warm-hearted, they do everything to make your journey comfortable. 他们乐观、能干、热情,总是想方设法使你旅途舒适。
Conscientious and eager, she noted down everything the teacher said. 她很认真热情,把老师讲的话都记了下来。