（六）形容词的误用

1．意义因位置而异的形容词的误用

错句1

All the present members were against the proposal.

All the members present were against the proposal.

所有出席的成员都反对这个提议。

解析 形容词present前置时作“当前的，现在的”解，如the present address(现住址)；后置时作“在场的，出席的”解。

错句2

There are two absent students today.

There are two students absent today.

今天有两名学生缺席。

解析 absent前置时作“心不在焉的”解，如an absent expression(漫不经心的表情)；后置时作“缺席的”解。

错句3

Have you paid the due money to them?

Have you paid the money due to them?

你把欠他们的款付了吗？

解析 due前置时作“适当的，充分的”解，如after due consideration(充分考虑之后), in due time(在适当时候)；后置时作“应支付的”解。

错句4

We will interview the concerned passengers in yesterday's accident.

We will interview the passengers concerned in yesterday's accident.

我们将采访昨天事故中的相关乘客。

解析 形容词concerned前置时作“关切的，挂虑的”解，如the concerned parents(焦虑的父母)；后置时作“相关的，参与的”解。

错句5

Who is the responsible driver for the accident?

Who is the driver responsible for the accident?

应对事故担责的司机是谁？

解析 responsible前置时作“值得信任的”解，如a responsible attitude(可靠的态度)；后置时作“须承担责任的”解。

错句6

We will make out decision and contact the involved people.

We will make out decision and contact the people involved.

我们将做出决定，并与相关人员联系。

解析 involved前置时作“复杂难解的”解，如an involved plot(复杂的情节)；后置时作“有关的”解。

2．非等级形容词的误用

错句7

My most favorite drink is lemonade.

My favorite drink is lemonade.

我最喜爱的饮料是柠檬水。

错句8

That book will become more invaluable in the future.

That book will become more valuable in the future.

这本书将来会更宝贵。

错句9

Such opportunity is extremely unique.

Such opportunity is unique.

这样的机会极为罕见。

3．双重谓语中形容词的误用

错句10

After a long period of waiting, we were allowed to enter, happily and excitedly.

After a long period of waiting, we were allowed to enter, happy and excited.

长时间的等待之后，我们被允许进入，既高兴又激动。

解析 该句可改写为：“After a long period of waiting, we were allowed to enter, and we were happy and excited.”

错句11

Thanks to careful packing, the shipment arrived perfectly.

Thanks to careful packing, the shipment arrived perfect.

由于包装仔细，货物运抵时完好无损。

解析 该句可改写为：“Thanks to careful packing, the shipment arrived and it was perfect.”

错句12

Simon sat there, silently, waiting for their decision.

Simon sat there, silent, waiting for their decision.

西蒙静静地坐在那里，等候他们的决定。

解析 该句可改写为：“Simon sat there, and was silent, waiting for their decision.”

4．形容词比较结构中的错误

错句13

I am more happy than to hear of your promotion.

I am more than happy to hear of your promotion.

听说你晋升了，我非常高兴。

解析 more than在正确句子中的意思是“非常”，再如：“We are more than glad to help.(我们十分乐意帮忙。)”

类例

They were more satisfied than with his performance.

They were more than satisfied with his performance.

对他的表演，他们非常满意。

错句14

Mary is shyer than unfriendly.

Mary is more shy than unfriendly.

与其说玛丽不友好，倒不如说她腼腆。

解析 more...than有时可表示同一人或物在不同性质上的描绘性对比，而不是通常所见的表示同一性质上的程度对比，意思是“与其说……不如说”。在这种特殊结构中，more是必不可少的，即使形容词是单音节的。

类例

He is fatter than short.

He is more fat than short.

与其说他矮，不如说他胖。

错句15

I am not more interested in it than you are.

I am no more interested in it than you are.

我和你一样对它都不感兴趣。

解析 “no+形容词比较级+than”的意思是“同……一样不”。

类例

Tom is not taller than Peter.

Tom is no taller than Peter.(=Tom is as short as Peter.)

汤姆和彼得的个子都不高。

I am not more capable of speaking English than he is.

I am no more capable of speaking English than he is.(=I am as incapable of speaking English as he is.)

我和他都不会说英语。

This cake is delicious.At least it's not worse than the one I baked yesterday.

This cake is delicious.At least it's no worse than the one I baked yesterday. (=At least it's as good as the one I baked yesterday.)

这块蛋糕很好吃。起码跟我昨天烤的那块一样好吃。

错句16

He is not as much happy than excited.

He is not so much happy than excited.(=He is more excited than happy.)

与其说他高兴，不如说他激动。

解析 not so much...as的意思是“与其说……不如说”。

类例

I do not feel as much angry as sad.

I do not feel so much angry as sad.(=I feel more sad than angry.)

与其说我感到生气，不如说我感到伤心。

The book is not as much expensive than useless.

The book is not so much expensive than useless.(=The book is more useless than expensive.)

这本书与其说贵，不如说没用。

5．相似形容词的误用

（1）词义相似的形容词的误用

错句17

College tuition is so high that a common family cannot afford it.

College tuition is so high that an average family cannot afford it.

大学学费太高了，普通家庭承担不起。

解析 common和average都表示“普通的，一般的”的意思，正确句子中的average所表示的意思是“平均标准意义上的”。再如：a man of average height(中等身高的男子); “The movie is not particularly good or bad, just average.(这个电影不特别好，也不特别差，一般吧。)”

错句18

I was far too upset and emotional to make a reasonable decision.

I was far too upset and emotional to make a rational decision.

我当时心里太烦、太冲动，无法做出理智的决定。

解析 reasonable和rational都可作“合理的”解，但rational还有“理智的，明智的”意思，如：a rational person(有头脑的人)。

错句19

Ill people should not eat rich food.

Sick people should not eat rich food.

病人不能吃油腻的食物。

解析 sick作定语、表语和ill作表语时都作“生病的”解。ill作定语时作“坏的，有害的”解，如：ill effects(不良影响)。

错句20

It is sure that there will be a heavy rain in a few days.

It is certain that there will be a heavy rain in a few days.

几天后肯定将有场大雨。

解析 sure作表语时主语仅限于人，如：“Are you sure? (你确定吗？)”除非后面跟不定式，如：“The movie is sure to be popular.(这个电影肯定受欢迎。)”

错句21

I have completed three necessary courses and two selective ones this term.

I have completed three compulsory courses and two selective ones this term.

这学期我完成了三门必修课和两门选修课。

解析 necessary的意思是“必要的”，compulsory的意思是“(根据法律或规则而)强制的”。

错句22

He is urgent to be a tourist guide.

He is eager to be a tourist guide.

他迫切地想当一名导游。

解析 urgent可以和eager一样表示“急切的”的意思，如：“He was urgent in his demands.(他的要求很急切。)”但是它不能跟不定式。

错句23

I want to buy a dog because sometimes I feel alone.

I want to buy a dog because sometimes I feel lonely.

我想买一只狗，因为我有时感到孤独。

解析 alone表示状态，意思是“独自的”。lonely表示感觉，意思是“孤独的”。

错句24

Babies are likely to put objects into their mouths.

Babies are apt to put objects into their mouths.

婴儿爱把东西往嘴里塞。

解析 likely的意思是“很有可能”，apt的意思是“有……的倾向，易于”。

错句25

Water is very rare in some parts of the country.

Water is very scarce in some parts of the country.

农村有些地方很缺水。

解析 rare和scarce都有“罕见的”的意思，而scarce另有“短缺的”的意思。

错句26

The experiment made last week was invaluable.

The experiment made last week was valueless.

上周做的实验毫无价值。

解析 invaluable的意思是extremely valuable，如：invaluable information(极宝贵的信息)。而valueless的意思是without value or worth。

错句27

I could not keep quiet any longer.

I could not keep silent any longer.

我再也不能保持沉默了。

解析 quiet和silent都可表示“安静的”。但是在指人时，前者的意思是not speaking much，如“Be quiet! I'm telephoning.(小声点！我在打电话。)”，后者的意思是not speaking。

（2）拼写相似的形容词的误用

错句28

She had a content smile on her face.

She had a contented smile on her face.

她面带满意的微笑。

解析 content和contented都表示“满意的，满足的”，但后者通常为定语形容词，而前者是表语形容词，如：be content with life(对生活知足)。

错句29

We sometimes meet in a near restaurant.

We sometimes meet in a nearby restaurant.

我们有时在附近的一家餐馆见面。

解析 near和nearby都表示“附近的”，但除了the near future(最近的将来)，the near distance(近处)等少数搭配以外，near及其比较级不能用作定语形容词。nearest除外，如：the nearest bank(最近的银行)。

错句30

He was too drunken to remember anything about the party.

He was too drunk to remember anything about the party.

他醉得厉害，不记得聚会的事了。

解析 drunken和drunk都表示“酒醉的”，但后者是表语形容词，而前者是定语形容词，如：a drunken sailor(醉酒的水手)。

错句31

He admitted he was addictive to drinking.

He admitted he was addicted to drinking.

他承认自己有酒瘾。

解析 addicted指某人对某种东西有瘾，而addictive指某种东西让人上瘾，如：“Heroin is highly addictive.(海洛因很容易使人上瘾。)”

错句32

Do you have an alternate solution to the problem?

Do you have an alternative solution to the problem?

你有没有别的办法来解决这个问题？

解析 alternative指两者或两者以上之中可用于替代的另一个，而alternate的意思是“(两者)交替的”，如：“My sister and I do dishes on alternate days.(我和姐姐每隔一天轮流洗盘子。)”

错句33

His firm has gone broken.

His firm has gone broke.

他的公司破产了。

解析 broken的意思是“破碎的”，broke的意思是“破产的，一文不名的”。

错句34

Our effective new machines are working well.

Our efficient new machines are working well.

我们高效率的新机器工作良好。

解析 efficient的意思是“效率高的”，effective的意思是“效果好的”，如：effective measures(有效措施)。

错句35

Eating an apple a day is considered healthy.

Eating an apple a day is considered healthful.

每天吃一个苹果对身体有好处。

解析 healthy的意思是“健康的”，如：healthy children(健康的孩子)。healthful的意思是“有益健康的”。

错句36

The fairy is an imaginative creature.

The fairy is an imaginary creature.

仙子是一种虚构的东西。

解析 imaginary的意思是“想象中的，虚构的”。imaginative的意思是“富于想象力的”，如：an imaginative idea(有创意的想法)。

错句37

Such people usually live in luxuriant apartments.

Such people usually live in luxurious apartments.

这样的人通常住豪华公寓。

解析 luxurious的意思是“豪华的，奢侈的”，luxuriant的意思是“茂盛的，浓密的”，如：luxuriant hair(浓密的头发)。

错句38

The economical situation depends on the amount of trade done.

The economic situation depends on the amount of trade done.

经济形势取决于贸易额。

解析 economic的意思是“经济方面的”，economical的意思是“节约的，实惠的”，如：an economical car(节油型汽车)。

错句39

He read my report with a satisfactory smile.

He read my report with a satisfied smile.

他带着满意的微笑读了我的报告。

解析 satisfactory的意思是“令人满意的”，如：a satisfactory explanation(令人满意的解释)。satisfied的意思是“感到满意的”。

错句40

We were all delightful to see him again.

We were all delighted to see him again.

再次见到他我们都很高兴。

解析 delightful的意思是“令人非常高兴的”，如：a delightful child(讨人喜欢的孩子)。delighted的意思是“非常高兴的”。

错句41

Go and make yourself look respectful.

Go and make yourself look respectable.

去把自己弄得体面点儿。

解析 respectful的意思是“恭敬的，有礼的”，如：respectful conduct(毕恭毕敬的举止)。respectable的意思是“值得尊敬的，体面的，得体的”。

错句42

They are talking about a lost high school student.

They are talking about a missing high school student.

他们在谈论一个失踪的高中生。

解析 lost的意思是“失去的，迷路的”，如：a lost key(丢失的钥匙)。missing的意思是“找不到的，下落不明的”。

错句43

It is ashamed to jump the queue.

It is shameful to jump the queue.

插队可耻。

解析 ashamed的意思是“(感到)羞耻的，内疚的，惭愧的”，如：“You ought to be ashamed of yourself.(你应当为自己感到羞耻。)”shameful的意思是“可耻的”。

错句44

It is most regretful that our teacher wasn't present.

It is most regrettable that our teacher wasn't present.

很遗憾，我们的老师没有出席。

解析 regrettable用于评价事物，再如：regrettable mistakes(令人失望的错误)。regretful用于描写人，如：a regretful look(惋惜的神情)。

错句45

I have had continuous interruptions throughout the day.

I have had continual interruptions throughout the day.

我一整天老是被打扰。

解析 continual表示“频繁的”。continuous表示“不间断的”，如：“The rain has been continuous since this morning.(从早晨到现在这雨就没停过。)”

错句46

He is badly hurt but still conscientious.

He is badly hurt but still conscious.

他受了重伤，不过神志还清醒。

解析 conscious的意思是“有意识的，清醒的”。conscientious的意思是“勤勉认真的”，如：a conscientious worker(尽职尽责的工人)。

错句47

It was very considerable of him to wait for so long.

It was very considerate of him to wait for so long.

他等了那么长时间，真是体贴人。

解析 considerate的意思是“体贴的，体谅的”。considerable的意思是“相当大(或多)的”，如：considerable influence(相当大的影响)。

错句48

Industrial workers should be rewarded.

Industrious workers should be rewarded.

勤勉的员工应当受到奖励。

解析 industrious的意思是“勤劳的，勤奋的”。industrial的意思是“工业的”，如：industrial construction(工业建设)。

错句49

She made a favorite impression on his parents.

She made a favorable impression on his parents.

她给他父母留下了好印象。

解析 favorable的意思是“博得好感的，有利的”。favorite的意思是“最喜爱的”，如：my favorite movie(我最喜爱的电影)。

错句50

The only practical way is to postpone the meeting.

The only practicable way is to postpone the meeting.

唯一可行的办法是把会议推迟。

解析 practicable的意思是“可行的，行得通的”。practical的意思是“实际的，实用的”，如：practical experience(实际经验)。

错句51

Don't be so sensible—I wasn't criticizing you.

Don't be so sensitive—I wasn't criticizing you.

别那么神经过敏——我不是在批评你。

解析 sensitive的意思是“敏感的”。sensible的意思是“明智的，切合实际的”，如：a sensible suggestion(合理的建议)。

错句52

The company has an envious reputation for reliability.

The company has an enviable reputation for reliability.

这家公司因可靠而享有令人羡慕的盛誉。

解析 enviable的意思是“值得羡慕的”。envious的意思是“羡慕的，嫉妒的”，如：“Everyone is so envious of her.(大家都那么羡慕她。)”

错句53

The doctor was negligible in not giving me a full examination.

The doctor was negligent in not giving me a full examination.

医生粗心大意，没给我全面检查。

解析 negligent的意思是“疏忽的，粗心大意的”。negligible的意思是“可以忽视的，微不足道的”，如：negligible damage(很轻微的损坏)。

错句54

He gave a contemptible laugh.

He gave a contemptuous laugh.

他轻蔑地笑了。

解析 contemptuous的意思是“(表示)轻蔑的”。contemptible的意思是“可鄙的”，如：a contemptible trick(卑劣的伎俩)。

错句55

The fall in prices will be beneficent to small businesses.

The fall in prices will be beneficial to small businesses.

价格的下跌将对小企业有利。

解析 beneficial的意思是“有利的，有益的”。beneficent的意思是“仁慈的，行善的”，如：a beneficent aunt(好心的阿姨)。

错句56

Her husband is an amicable young man.

Her husband is an amiable young man.

她丈夫是个待人亲切的小伙子。

解析 amiable的意思是“和蔼可亲的”。amicable的意思是“心平气和的，友好的”，如：an amicable relationship(和睦的关系)。

错句57

Entering the house we found him lying on the bed with his mouth open and eyes close.

Entering the house we found him lying on the bed with his mouth open and eyes closed.

我们进入这所房子时，发现他躺在床上，嘴巴张着，眼睛闭着。

解析 open和close都可用作形容词，前者意为“开着的”，后者意为“接近的，亲近的”等，并不是前者的反义词。要表示“关着的”，须用closed。

错句58

His conduct is simply intolerant.

His conduct is simply intolerable.

他的行为令人完全不能容忍。

解析 intolerant指某人对某人或物不能容忍，如：“They are deeply intolerant of all opposition.(他们对所有的反对意见都极为排斥。)”如正确句子所示，intolerable表示某物令人无法忍受。