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.