English words intorduction
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English GrammarIntroduction: Grammatical HierarchyGrammar is the structural system of a language. It includes the organizing rules of a language, which can be used to describe and analyze what most of the native speakers say. Grammar also refers to the scentific study of the change of words and the structure of sentences. It includes morphology and syntax. The grammar of the English language is organized into five ranks: the sentence, the clause, the phrase, the word and the morpheme. Each rank is composed of one or more than one grammatical unit of the immediate lower rank. Thus the sentence is a grammatical unit that consists of one or more than one clause; the clause, one or more than one phrase; the phrase, one or more tan one word; and the word, one or more than one morpheme. The sentence is the highest rank of grammatical unit while the morpheme is the minimum or lowest rank. A full sentence can gradually be segmented rank by rank down to its smallest constituent---the mrphemes.0.1MorphemeThe morpheme is the minimum of smallest grammatical unit, also the smallest meaningful element of speech. Morpheme fall into two categories: free morphemes and bound morphemes.1.free morpheme: a free morpheme has a complete meaning and can stand by itself as a simple word.2.bound morpheme:bound morphemes are mostly affixes. They are also meaningful, but meanings are not complete in themselves unless they are attached to some other forms. Therefore, a bound morpheme cannot stand by itself.0.2W ordsThe words is composed of one or more than one morpheme. Words can be calssified in two ways---word formation and grammatical function.1.classification in terms of word formationIn terms of word formation, words can be divided into simple words, derivatives and compounds. A simple word is also called a morpheme word. It is equal to a free morpheme.A derivative is composed of a root and a derivational affix. The root is the basis of a derivative.A compound word is composed of two or more then two free morphemes including compound noun (sidewalk, snowman, classroom), compound adjective (dogtired, lightgreen, bloodthirsty), compound verb (sightsee, nickname, spotlight), compoundadverb (therefore, whatever, moreover), compound pronoun (something, whatever, another), compound conjunction (whenever, wherever, whereas), and compound preposition (inside, upon, alongside) etc.2.classification in terms of grammatical functionIn terms of grammatical function, words can be divided into two groups: notional words and form words.0.3PhrasesThe phrase is composed of one or more than one word. Generally, the phrase is a group of words organized in a specific way with a key word as its head. The word class of the head determines the class of the phrase and the way in which the words are organized.1.the noun phraseThe noun phrase is a phrase with a noun as its head. The general pattern of a noun phrase is: (determiner +) (pre-modifier +) noun (+ modifier), e.g.,all my college classmates; her new book on grammar2.the verb phraseThe verb phrase is a phrase with a main verb as its head. A verb phrase can be simple or complex. A simple verb phraseis just a main verb or “modifier + main verb”, such as: He arrived last night. / They fully appreciate our prolems.A complex verb phrase is a main verb preceded by an auxiliary (or auxiliaries) (+ modifier), such as:It getting dark. / She might have been studying in the classroom.3.the adjective phraseThe adjective phrase is a phrase with an adjective as its head. The general pattern of an adjective phraseis:(modifier +) adjective (+ post-modifier / complementtation), e.g.,good / pretty easy / carefully enough / too hot to be eaten4.the adverb phraseThe adverb phrase is a phrase with an adverb as its head. The general pattern of an adverb phrase is:(modifier +) adverb (+ post-modifier), e.g.,clearly / so fast / very good indded5.the prepositional phraseThe prepositional phrase is a phrase with a preposition as its head. The general pattern of a prepositional phrase is:(modifier +) preposition + complementtation, e.g.,on your desk / directly above your head0.4ClausesThe clause is composed of one or more than one phrase. A full-fledged clause is structurally a sequence of phrases and logically a construction of “subject + predicate”.1.independent and dependent clasusesIn terms of grammatical function, a clause can be independent or dependent. An independent clause is a clause that can stand by itself and act as a complete utterance, as distinguished from a dependent clause which forms only part of another clause or of a phrase.He learns French well. (independent clause)We know he learns French well. (dependent claues)2.simple and complex clausesWhen a clause consists of only one construction of “subject + predicate”, it is a simple clause. An independent simple clause is at the same time a simple sentence. When a clause comprises another clause or other clauses as its element or elements, it is a complex clause. An independent complex clause is at the same time a complex sentence.You are right. (simple clause) / I believe that you are right. (complex clause)3.main and subordiane clausesIn a complex clause, the clause that takes another clause as its element is the main clause, while the clause that forms part of the main clause is a subordiante clause.I believe that |what you have said| is true.|subordinate clause || main clause || subordinate clause || main clause |4.finite and non-finite clausesA clause can be finite and non-finite. A finite clause is one with a finite verb phrase as its predicate verb or predicator; a non-finite clause is a clause with a non-finite verb clause as its predicator.He went there last night. (finite clause)He went there to get the license. (non-finite clause)5.verbless clausesWhen a clause is marked by the absence of any form of verb element, it is a verblessclause. A verbless clause is just a construction of “subject + predicate” without any form of verb element.Hungry and cold, they got home.Weather permitting, we shall go boating.0.5SentencesThe sentence is the hightest rank of grammatical unit. Based on one or more than one clause, the sentence is also the basic linguistic unit of connected disco urse; it can stand alone and perform a function in social communication. Thus, a sentence can be defined asa grammatical unit that can stand by itself and perform a communicative function.1.full and minor sentencesA full sentence is a sentence with an expressed subject and predicate. This kind of sentence is mostly used in formal speech and writing. A minor sentence is only a sentence fragment which in specific contexts and situations can stand by itself and perform a communicative function.A: When did he arrive? (full sentenc)B: Last night. (minor sentenc)No smoking! (minor sentence)Fire! (minor sentence)2.simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentencesA simple sentence is a sentence that comprises only one independent clause. Two or more coordinated independent clauses make a compound sentence. When an independent clause comprises one or more dependent clauses as its element(s). This makes a complex sentence. Two or more coordinated independent clauses with at least one complex clause make a compound-complex sentence.The boy can stay in the room for a few minutes. (simple sentence)The boy can stay in the room for a few minutes but he likes playing outside. (compound sentence)The boy can stay in the room for a few minutes so long as he keeps quiet. (complex sentence)The boy can stay in the room for a few minutes so long as he keeps quiet but he likes playing outside. (compound-complex sentence)。
介绍英语单词的作文Introduction to English Words。
English is a widely spoken language around the world, with over 1.5 billion people speaking it as their first or second language. One of the key components of the English language is its vast vocabulary, which consists of millions of words. In this essay, we will explore the importance of English words and how they contribute to effective communication.First and foremost, English words play a crucial rolein communication. They allow us to convey our thoughts, feelings, and ideas to others in a clear and concise manner. Without words, communication would be impossible, as we would not be able to express ourselves or understand what others are trying to say. Words serve as the buildingblocks of language, enabling us to form sentences, paragraphs, and entire conversations.Furthermore, English words are constantly evolving and adapting to reflect changes in society, technology, and culture. New words are being added to the English language every year, as new concepts and ideas emerge. For example, words like "selfie," "emoji," and "tweet" have all been added to the dictionary in recent years to reflect the rise of social media and technology.In addition, English words have the power to evoke emotions and create vivid images in the minds of the readers. By carefully choosing the right words, writers can paint a picture, tell a story, or convey a message that resonates with the audience. Words have the ability to inspire, motivate, and move people in ways that other forms of communication cannot.Moreover, English words can be used to express complex thoughts and ideas that may be difficult to convey through other means. By using precise language and choosing the right words, we can communicate abstract concepts, philosophical ideas, and scientific theories with clarity and precision. Words give us the ability to explore thedepths of human knowledge and understanding, allowing us to share our thoughts and insights with others.In conclusion, English words are the foundation of effective communication and play a vital role in our everyday lives. They allow us to express ourselves, connect with others, and share our experiences with the world. By understanding the power of words and using them effectively, we can enhance our communication skills and enrich ourlives in countless ways. So let us appreciate the beautyand richness of the English language and continue toexplore the endless possibilities that words have to offer.。
The Formation of English VocabularyIntroduction:V ocabulary is the basic unit of a language. When we study anew language,the first thing we should do is learning its vocabulary. Thus,as an English learner,knowing some knowledge about the formation of vocabulary is necessary. In this paper,I will introduce the basic means of English vocabulary formation:affixation,composition,conversion,invention,blending,abbreviation,acronym,back-formation,analogical creation and borrowing.The English language is highly productive in terms of its vocabulary .The expanding power is attributable to the availability of its various word formation devices. Three most commonly used word-building processes, notably affixation, composition, and conversion.A. A.AffixationBy affixation(also termed derivation),we mean the process of adding one or more affixes(prefixes or suffixes) to a root morpheme in order to derive new words. Words formed by either prefixation or suffixation or both are sometimes called derivatives. The following presents some instances of affixation largely based on the addition of prefixes to some roots.“fore-”—“before” :forename“ex-”—“former” :ex-president“semi-”“half” :semi-automatic“counter-”—“against” :counter-attack“hyper-”—“above,over” :hyperactiveB. CompositionBy composition (also called compounding),we refer to the process of combining two or more roots to form new words .Words thus formed are sometimes called compounds. The following are some common types of compounds in terms of their word classes:a. pound nouns (e.g. hotline, walkman, deadline, air-conditioner,)b. pound verbs(e.g. proofread, typewrite, cross-associate, babysit)c. pound adjectives(e.g. man-made,round-the-clock,father-known-all,by-now-familiar)In terms of the degree of integration,compounds fall into three categories:d. d.open compounds(e.g. reading ,material )C. ConversionBy conversion(also termed zero derivation, functional shift, or root formation),we refer to the process of word formation whereby a word of one particular word class gets expanded in usage by shifting to a word of another word class without the addition of any affix. This has happened largely as a result of inflectional loss, an important change that the English language has undergone in the past centuries. Regarding the shift of word classes, conversion mainly covers the following types:a. a.from nouns to verbs(e.g. ship, mail, father, doctor)b. b.from verbs to nouns(e.g. win, talk, laugh, chat, smoke)c. c.from adjectives to nouns(e.g. valuable, eatable)d. d.from adverbs to nouns(e.g. and downs)e. e.from numericals to nouns(e.g. twos and threes, at sixes and sevens)f. f.from adjectives to verbs(e.g. narrow, slow)g.g.from nouns to adverbs(e.g. home)h.h.from prepositions to adjectives(e.g. through)i.i.from adverbs to adjectives(e.g. then)j.j.from interjections to verbs(e.g. pooh-pooh)k.k.from adverbs to nouns(e.g. in. out)l.l.from pronouns to nouns(e.g. he)m.m.from conjunctions to nouns(e.g. if .but)n.n.from auxiliary verbs to nouns(e.g. must)In terms of the degrees of the shift ,conversion may be categorized as either complete conversion(e.g. “moderate”, “eatable”, ”consumable”,” illegal”)or partialconversion(e.g.”poor”,”rich”,”fat”,”sick”,”wounded”,”deaf”,”mute”,”Chinese”,”D -anish”,”best”,”most”,”least”,”latest”,”accused”,”condemned”,[for]”good”,”thick”[and]”thin”,etc.).In the former case, the converted forms take on all the features of regular nouns like allowing the addition of the plurality marker. In the latter case, the converted forms have various constraints on their use, such as the obligatory entry into some idiomatic construction introduced by some prepositionand the obligatory specification by using the determiner” the”.Apart from the three most commonly employed modes of word formation introduced above, English enjoys a handful of other devices for the expansion of its vocabulary. They include invention, blending, abbreviation, acronym, back-formation, analogical, creation, borrow-ing.Then I will show you in details.New words or expressions are also created through the following processes, apart from compound and derivation.(1)(1)InventionTechnological and economic activities are the most important and dynamic in modern human life, many new lexical items come directly from them, such as “Kodak”,”Coke”,”nylon”,”Xeros Frigdaire”,granola,and others to satisfy the new situations.(2)(2)BlendingBLENDING is a relatively complex form of compounding, in which two words are blended by joining together the initial parts of the first word and the final part of the second word, or by only joining the initial parts of the two words. For example,transfer+resister —transistorsmoke+fog —smogboat+hotel —boatelbreakfast+lunch —brunchtelevision+broadcast —telecastBlending can also occur at a higher cognitive level. From the similarity in the two expressions“she was on the verge of a crackup”and“ she was on the verge of breakdown”, the confusion of crackup “and“breakdown”leads to the coining of“crackdown”. The same is true of true“riffle”(ripple+shuffle),”stample”(trample+stamp),and“spinwheels”(pinwheel+spin).This sort of blending is particularly called FUSION.(3)(3)AbbreviationMany English words have come into being through ABBREVIA TION in their etymological history。
My Favorite English Words IntroductionLanguage is a powerful tool that allows us to express our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Among the many languages in the world, English holds a special place in my heart. Its versatility and vast vocabulary have always fascinated me. In this article, I would like to share some of my favorite English words and the reasons why they captivate me.1. SerendipityOne of my all-time favorite English words is "serendipity." This word refers to the occurrence of fortunate events by chance. It perfectly encapsulates the beauty of unexpected discoveries and pleasant surprises in life. Whenever I come across this word, it reminds me to embrace the unpredictability of life and appreciate the small miracles that come our way.2. Mellifluous"Mellifluous" is a word that rolls off the tongue and delights the ears. It describes something that is sweetly or smoothly flowing, usually referring to sounds or voices. This word has a lyrical quality to it, and it never fails to bring to mind the image of a melodious song or a soothing voice. Whenever I encounter mellifluous music or a captivating speaker, I am reminded of the power of harmonious sounds.3. Ephemeral"Ephemeral" is a word that captures the transient nature of life. It refers to something that is short-lived or lasting for only a brief period. This word reminds me to cherish the present moment and appreciate the fleeting beauty that surrounds us. Whether it is a blooming flower or a passing sunset, the ephemeral nature of life adds a sense of urgency to make the most of each passing day.4. EffervescentThe word "effervescent" brings to mind images of bubbling champagne or sparkling water. It describes something that is lively, vivacious, and full of energy. This word reminds me of the joy and enthusiasm that can be found in even the simplest of things. It serves as a reminder to approach life with a sense of playfulness and zest, embracing the effervescent moments that bring us happiness.5. Solitude"Solitude" is a word that holds a special place in my heart. It refers to the state of being alone, but not necessarily feeling lonely. Solitude is a time for self-reflection, introspection, and rejuvenation. It allows us to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with ourselves. Embracing solitude has taught me the importance of self-care and the value of spending quality time with oneself.6. SerendipityAnother word that I find fascinating is "serendipity." Similar to its meaning, the word itself has a certain serendipitous quality. It refers to the occurrence of fortunate events by chance. This word reminds me that life is full of surprises and that sometimes the best things happen when we least expect them. Serendipity encourages me to keep an open mind and embrace the unexpected twists and turns that life has to offer.7. Resilience"Resilience" is a word that embodies strength, perseverance, and the ability to bounce back from adversity. It is a quality that I deeply admire and strive to cultivate in my own life. This word reminds me that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life, but it is our resilience that allows us to rise above them. Embracing resilience has taught me the importance of perseverance and the power of a positive mindset.ConclusionEnglish is a language that never ceases to amaze me with its rich vocabulary and expressive words. Each word carries its own unique meaning and evokes a different emotion. The words I have shared in this article are just a few examples of my favoriteEnglish words. They remind me of the beauty of life, the power of language, and the importance of embracing the present moment. Words have the ability to shape our thoughts and inspire our actions, and I am grateful for the depth and breadth that the English language offers.。
I. Problems of general statementsEnglish is a language. To learn it well, I think interest is the key to study lessons well, so I’m sure we should be interested in English at the beginning. Of course, listening and speaking are also important. In the end, I believe everybody who is good at English has a basic method, that is, we should practice as much as possible. Actually, we can keep in touch with English through movies, papers and magazine.II.No thesis statement or general thesisWith the development of economy, more and more countries take part in changing each other. As a great many foreigners come to our country to travel, we have a knowledge of English is very important.English learning is obviously important in our life and study.So students should pay more attention to oral English learning.English learning is not just a matter of knowing some grammatical rules and memorizing a number of English words, although those are important activities not to be ignored. Mastering a foreign language is learning a skill, as well as acquiring the language knowledge. It’s as much like learning to swim or ride a bike. To be a good learner, you should not only memorize new words and understand grammatical rules, but also practice speaking, writing, listening and reading.In my opinion, we should make a plan from listening, reading, writing, speaking four aspects to improve our English ability.As long as we stick to remember words, read hear and write each day, I believe our English level will be improved.III. Weak thesis: the focus is not SHARPMany Chinese students who have learned English for more than ten years are still unable to speak English fluently when they meet a foreigner. They seem to have mastered the basic language structure, but a conversation in English will make them feel uneasy. They are afraid that other people might find out their mistakes. It is not uncommon that many students, who are bad speakers of English, can write English perfectly. This proves that they are not able to organize their ideas in English. In my opinion, the center of problem is that they lack practice and confidence.We will introduce several means to learn English effectively.With the Chinese reform and opening up, the English learning become more and more popular. At the same time, the English learning is also more and more interesting. How about is the English learning? As for me, mastering English is totally hard, the process of learning is interesting.IV. The thesis is Not a single claim.It’s quite clear that English has become an international language because of three mainreasons. The first is that if you know English if you know English you may make a lot of good friends in other countries. Secondly, if you go for around to foreign country, you can talk to others. The last but not least, English make our life more convenient.In non-English speaking countries, the most obstacle of English learning is lack of language environment. To overcome it, we should use English as frequent as possible in talking, listening and writing. Persistence, interesting, and confident are necessary in English using. These are keys in doing everything successfully as well as English learning.→ The mastery of English language requires interest, persistence, and confidence.…As students whose major is quantum optics, we need to communicate more with specialists from all over the world owing to the need of scientific research. Therefore, more attention needs to be paid to English learning.→ In order to do better research, students have to pay extra effort in English study.Or: A good standard of English helps to enhance the capacity of scientific research for graduate students.V. Acceptable introductionsEnglish is an international language, so English becomes more and more important today. We can get the newest information, interact with the world and express our opinion through carrying a good English.It’s quite clear that English has become an international language because it has been used by most of the nations in the world. Finding the interest of English learning is an easy and necessary way of mastering it. To sum up from my experience, sing English songs, watch films and attend English parties would make a great contribution to increase our interest to learn English.No one can deny the fact that English has become increasingly important in our daily life; there are a number of difficulties we confronted with at the same time. From the first time I learned English up till now, 14 years have passed. During those years, I always love it. So, I have my own point of view of how to learning English well. Curiosity about language and culture, daily studying, and the commitment to use English in every possible situation while in an English-speaking environment, are very important conditions for success.。
32种颜色英文单词32 Kinds of Color English WordsIntroduction:Colors play an important role in our daily lives, from the clothes we wear to the environments we live in. When it comes to describing colors in English, there are a wide range of words available. In this article, we will explore 32 different English color words, their meanings, and usage.1. Red:Red is a vibrant color associated with passion, love, and energy. It is often used to symbolize strong emotions or warning signs.2. Blue:Blue represents calmness, tranquility, and stability. It is commonly associated with the sky and the ocean.3. Green:Green symbolizes nature, growth, and freshness. It is often used to represent fertility and environmental consciousness.4. Yellow:Yellow is a bright and cheerful color often associated with happiness, energy, and sunshine.5. Orange:Orange combines the vibrancy of red with the friendliness of yellow. It represents enthusiasm, creativity, and warmth.6. Purple:Purple is often associated with royalty, luxury, and creativity. It represents power, ambition, and wisdom.7. Pink:Pink is a delicate color associated with femininity, sweetness, and romance.8. Brown:Brown represents stability, reliability, and earthiness. It is commonly associated with nature and natural materials.9. Gray:Gray is a neutral color that represents practicality, intellect, and sophistication.10. Black:Black is associated with mystery, power, and elegance. It is often used to represent formality or a sense of rebellion.11. White:White represents purity, innocence, and simplicity. It is often associated with cleanliness and new beginnings.12. Gold:Gold symbolizes wealth, luxury, and prosperity. It is often used to represent extravagance and success.13. Silver:Silver represents elegance, grace, and modernity. It is commonly associated with technology and sophistication.14. Turquoise:Turquoise is a vibrant blue-green color often associated with the ocean or tropical settings. It represents serenity and calmness.15. Indigo:Indigo is a deep blue color associated with spirituality, intuition, and introspection.16. Magenta:Magenta is a vibrant pinkish-purple color often associated with passion, creativity, and individuality.17. Cyan:Cyan is a bright blue-green color that represents clarity, calmness, and freshness.18. Beige:Beige is a light brown color often associated with neutrality, simplicity, and elegance.19. Maroon:Maroon is a dark red color associated with luxury, sophistication, and power.20. Lavender:Lavender is a pale purple color often associated with femininity, serenity, and relaxation.21. Slate:Slate is a dark gray color often associated with strength, durability, and reliability.22. Teal:Teal is a blue-green color often associated with uniqueness, creativity, and balance.23. Navy:Navy is a dark blue color commonly associated with professionalism, authority, and tradition.24. Coral:Coral is a warm pinkish-orange color associated with tropical settings and creativity.25. Olive:Olive is a yellowish-green color often associated with peace, harmony, and nature.26. Peach:Peach is a pale orange color associated with softness, sweetness, and innocence.27. Ruby:Ruby is a deep red color associated with passion, romance, and luxury.28. Orchid:Orchid is a pale purple color often associated with beauty, elegance, and rarity.29. Silver:Silver represents elegance, grace, and modernity. It is commonly associated with technology and sophistication.30. Platinum:Platinum is a silver-white color associated with luxury, exclusivity, and prestige.31. Brick:Brick is a reddish-brown color often associated with warmth, stability, and tradition.32. Charcoal:Charcoal is a dark gray color often associated with strength, seriousness, and formality.Conclusion:Colors are an essential part of our lives, influencing our emotions, perceptions, and environment. The 32 color words described in this article offer a wide range of options when it comes to expressing oneself and describing the world around us. Whether it's the passion of red, the tranquility of blue, or the freshness of green, understanding and utilizing color words can greatly enhance our communication skills and appreciation for the world's vibrant palette.。
英语单词的构词规律也是有规可寻的。
单词是由词素构成的,词素派生出词义。
单词的数量虽然浩瀚,但构成其的词素的数量却是有限的。
如果掌握了词素,懂得基本的构词方法,就能容易地识记单词,突破记忆单词这一难关。
词素又是由词根和词缀两部分组成的,而词缀又分为前缀和后缀。
常用的252个词根和289个词缀,掌握了这些词素便可掌握绝大部分英语词汇。
词根的定义是什么?词根是一个单词的根本部分,是"根儿",是单词的核心,表示一个单词的基本意义。
单词的意义就是由词根的意义产生、转化来的。
比如:词根单词
vis看--> visible 看得见的
log言--> dialogue对话
flor花--> florist种花者,花商
simil相同--> assimilate同化
paci和平--> pacific太平的,平静的
duc引导--> introducer介绍人,引进者
我们看到,词根的意义代表了单词的中心意义,它在单词中占主导地位。
词根加上前、后缀即产生了一个单词的意义。
所以,只要记住词根的意义,能从单词中辨认出词根的形体,面对一个新词你就基本能明白它的含义。
比如你记住了vis 看,就能明白visible 是看得见的意思
同时一个词根还能派生出很多单词,充分显示了"根儿"的含义,比如下组单词都是由"vis"派生出来的
词根单词
visible 看得见的
invisible 看不见的
visit 参观
vis television 电视
supervise 监视
previse 预见
visual 视觉的
visage 外观
… …
构词方法
上例"invisible " 中vis是词根,其前面的in-和后面的-ible是什么呢?对,分别就是前、后缀!词根、前缀和后缀三元素组成了词素!英语单词就是由这三元素构成的。
三种元素的不同顺序的排列组合构成了千变万化的英语单词。
由词根添加前缀、后缀而构成的单词的方法叫派生法。
派生的方式有多种,有的只加一个词缀,有的则要添加多个词缀。
例如:
1、前缀+ 词根
pro- + pel --> propel
( 向前) ( 推) 推进
2、词根+ 后缀
port + -able--> portable
(拿、带)(可…的)(可携带的)
3、前缀+ 词根+ 后缀
im- + mort + -al --> immortal
(不)(死)(…的)(不死的、不朽的)
4、前缀+ 前缀+ 词根
re- + ex- port --> reexport
(再)(出)(运)(再输出)
5、词根+ 后缀+ 后缀
cord + -ial + -ly --> cordially
(心)(…的)(…地)衷心地
6、前缀+ 词根+ 词根
tri- + gon(o) metry -->trigonometry
(三)(角)(测量)三角学
7 前缀+ 前缀+ 词根+ 后缀+ 后缀
un- + pre + ced + -end + -ed-->unprecedended
(无)(先、前)(行)(表事物)(…的)(无先例的)
从上面的例子中我们可以看到,英语单词并不是由一些字母随便堆砌的,而是由一个个有意义的词根、前缀、后缀组成的。
我们记住这些词素不但有助于推断一些生词的意思,还符合记忆规律,记忆单词的速度还会加快。
为什么说能加快记忆单词的速度呢?科学实验表明,我们大脑一次记忆信息的最大数量是5-9个信息组。
这个组里可以是1个字母,也可以是一个词组还可以是一句话。
也就是说你一次记忆一组"1、4、5、7、9、6"数字和记忆"你好、书、篮球、手机、老鼠、饼干"一组词语和一次记忆"热闹非凡、快要下雨了、good night、天边有一团火烧云、pig、我想有个家"一段话,对大脑来说工作强度是一样的!即不管该组里是一个字母也好,还是一段话也罢,只要一次的记忆量在5-9组的范围内,大脑都能一下记住。
一般的数值稳定在"7"组左右,超过7组记忆效果就很差了。
所以我们看到,同样是记忆单词"unprecedended(无先例的)"如果你是用"u、n、p、r、e…"一个字母一个字母的去记忆的话,要记13组,肯定记得很慢很慢,而且还容易忘记。
但如果你是用"un-,pre ,ced,-end ,-ed"的方法记忆,只有5组,不但记得快,还容易保持记忆。
英语单词的数量虽然庞大,但构成单词的词素(词根、前后缀)的数量却是有限的,常见的也就是300多个词根、各100多个的前后缀。
词根的含义有延伸的时候
前面介绍的构词方法中都是用"词根+词缀意义"规则构成的,只要明白两者的意思,那么这个单词基本意思就明了了。
但,我们还应该看到,还有相当一部分单词的词义并不这样直接明了,有时词义与词根、词缀常规意义相差很大,无法再套用前面"复合意义"推理判断单词的含义了,比如下面这些单词:1)port (拿、带)--report 报告、汇报
2) vis 看--advise 作顾问、建议
3) mini 小--minister 大臣、部长
4)spir 呼吸--conspire 共谋、阴谋
5)sal 盐-- salary 工资
从这些例子中我们感觉到,这些词根与词义表面上看好象是"风马牛不相及"的,根本看不出词根的原义来。
其实这是词根含义的曲折延伸或者由于某些历史原因沿用下来的。
我们来分析一下
1)report:re- (回)+ port (拿、带)--把消息、情况"带回来"后做->"报告、汇报"
2) advise:ad-(向)+ vis (看)-- "看"引申为"看法、意见":"向"别人提出意见、
看法->" 作顾问、建议"
3) minister :mini(小)+ -ster(人)-- 原义为小人、仆人。
古代大臣对帝王总是自称为"小人、仆人"转为现今的"部长"之义。
4)conspire :con-(共)+ spir(呼吸)-- 共呼吸->互通信息->"共谋、阴谋"
5)salary :sal (盐)+ -ary(表物的意思)--原为古罗马士兵所领取的"买盐的钱",作为生活津贴,由此转为现在的"工资、薪金"后缀的同宗兄妹
英语中有很多后缀并不总是以一种面孔出现,常常会有很多变形,但都包含基本的几个字母。
这就如同在一个大家庭中,兄弟姐妹虽有高矮胖瘦之别,但面部特征都会有相似、相同点一样。
比如"-er",大家都知道是表示"...人"的后缀。
但你知道吗:"-ster -yer -ier
-aster -eer"这些后缀也都是"-er"的兄妹,都是表示"…人"意思!例如:
-er :worker工人
-ster: youngster年轻人
-yer :lawyer律师
-ier :hotelier旅馆老板
-aster :poetaster劣等诗人
-eer :mountaineer登山者。