在英語的合成詞(compound words)中,合成動詞(compound verbs)的數目較少,主要有下面三種類別:
㈠副詞+動詞,如 outdo, overcome, undermine, upset, cross-question, withhold, backbite 等。
㈡名詞+動詞,如 sunbathe, sidetrack, typewrite, house-hunt, browbeat, hoodwink, waylay 等。
㈢形容詞+動詞,如 whitewash, safeguard, shortlist, blackmail 等。
這三類合成動詞中,以第一種最為豐富,特別是那些由“over, under, out”引導的,更顯得多彩多姿。
由 over 引導的'合成動詞含有“太多、過多”的意思,如: overact, overburden, overcharge, overdo, overdress, overeat, overestimate, overpower, overpraise, overproduce, overprotect, overrule, oversleep, overspend, overstate, overstay, overwork 等。
由 under 引導的合成動詞含 有“太少、不足”的意思,如: undercharge, underpay, underrate, understate, undervalue, underwork 等。
由 out 引導的合成動詞則含有“超過、勝過”之意,如: outdo, outgrow, outlive, outnumber, outside, outrank, outshine, outstay, outstrip, outweigh, outwit 等。
現在舉些句子示範:
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.