【英国问答】Compulsive和compulsory(2/2)
What is the difference between compulsive and compulsory?
Hints:
Lucy
英式拼法，全部不加双引号
http://t1.g.hjfile.cn/listen/201303/201303191136539268205.mp3Now, in contrast, we use compulsive to describe someone's behaviour. It means that it is very hard for that person to stop doing something. For example, someone may be a 'compulsive' eater, which means that he or she cannot control their eating habits; they eat all the time, even when they are not hungry. In general, we use compulsive with behaviour that we think is negative, or which is the result of psychological problems. So, there are 'compulsive' eaters, 'compulsive' gamblers and 'compulsive' liars.
There is one other use of the word compulsive, which is slightly different. We can describe a book as 'compulsive' reading, or a film as 'compulsive' viewing. This means that it is so good that you cannot stop reading or watching it.
Interestingly, we can also say that a book is a 'compulsory' read, and this means that the book is a very important one and everyone should read it. Students at university may get a reading list for their course, and some of the books will be 'compulsory' reading, while others may be optional. Obviously, the books in the compulsory category are the ones that the lecturers think the students must read.
Thank you again for writing to us at BBC Learning English, which although not compulsory, is a good way to improve your English, and I hope my answer has been compulsive listening or reading.
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