英语语法精讲：合成动词

英语自学网

　　在英语的合成词(compound words)中，合成动词(compound verbs)的数目较少，主要有下面三种类别：
        　　㈠副词+动词，如 outdo, overcome, undermine, upset, cross-question, withhold,
backbite 等。
        　　㈡名词+动词，如 sunbathe, sidetrack, typewrite, house-hunt, browbeat, hoodwink,
waylay 等。
        　　㈢形容词+动词，如 whitewash, safeguard, shortlist, blackmail 等。
        　　这三类合成动词中，以第一种最为丰富，特别是那些由“over, under, out”引导的，更显得多彩多姿。
        　　由 over 引导的合成动词含有“太多、过多”的意思，如： overact, overburden, overcharge, overdo,
overdress, overeat, overestimate, overpower, overpraise, overproduce,
overprotect, overrule, oversleep, overspend, overstate, overstay, overwork
等。
        　　由 under 引导的合成动词含 有“太少、不足”的意思，如： undercharge, underpay, underrate,
understate, undervalue, underwork 等。
        　　由 out 引导的合成动词则含有“超过、胜过”之意，如： outdo, outgrow, outlive, outnumber, outside,
outrank, outshine, outstay, outstrip, outweigh, outwit 等。
        　　现在举些句子示范：
        　　① The food cost $3, but he was overcharged by 50 cents.
        　　② Some romantic scenes in our TV shows were overdone.
        　　③ Don't overstate your predicament or people will not believe you.
        　　④ Some reporters understated the seriousness of the regional financial
turmoil.
        　　⑤ The staff of the company felt that their contribution had been
undervalued.
        　　⑥ Chinese swimmers outdid their opponents.
        　　⑦ This type of computer has outlived its usefulness.
        　　⑧ The advantages of the new salary scheme far outweigh its
disadvantages.
        　　最后，必须注意的是：不是凡是“over ”就是“过多、太多”
，凡是“under”就是“太少、不足”或凡是“out”就是“超过、胜过”。反之，有些合成动词根本和这几个副词的意思风马牛不相及。例如：
        　　● overhear(无意中听到)
        　　● overlook(俯视、疏忽、忽略)
        　　● oversee(监督)
        　　● overshadow(使……暗然失色)
        　　● overthrow(推翻)
        　　● overturn(使翻覆)
        　　● undergo(经历、遭受)
        　　● underline(在……划线、强调)
        　　● undermine(破坏)
        　　● underpin(加强、巩固)
        　　● understand(理解)
        　　● understudy(充当替手)
        　　● undertake(担任、着手)
        　　● outline(略述)
        　　● outrage(虐待，侵害)
        　　● outspread(伸展)