[文法Q&A] Post-positive Adjectives 後置形容詞
在英文，我們都熟悉＜形容詞+名詞＞，像a spoiled child, a profitable business。但是有些形容詞也可以放在名詞後面，這一些形容詞叫做後置形容詞!
Adjectives in the first position - before the noun - are called ATTRIBUTIVE adjectives. Sometimes an adjective does occur immediately after a noun, especially in certain institutionalized expressions. We refer to these as post-positive adjectives.
When do we use post-positive adjectives?
那到底哪一個時候要用後置形容詞?
1. Post-positive is necessary in certain institutionalized expressions.
在某些制度化的表達; 成語
the Governor General
Princess Royal
poet laureate
times past
2. Post-position is obligatory when the adjective modifies a pronoun.
在形容代名詞的時候 (e.g. something, anything, everything, nothing, everyone, anybody,…+ adj.)
something different
nothing wrong
everyone present
those responsible
3. Post-positive adjectives are commonly found together with superlative, attributive adjectives.
前有限定最高級或all, every, only, the few形容詞，則以ible或able做字尾的形容詞，放在名詞後。但possible例外，可放前後。
the shortest route possible
the worst conditions imaginable
the best hotel available
all things imaginable
4. Some adjectives must be placed in the post-position: akin, alive, present, else
有一些形容詞必須置於被修飾的名詞的後面。
all things alive
everyone present
mankind alone
5. Some adjectives (responsible, involved, concerned) can have different meanings when they are placed in different positions. 有些形容詞像responsible, involved, concerned前置或後置意思不同。
I'm writing to you as you are the person responsible.
I’m writing to you as you are a responsible person.
a responsible person意為「可信賴的人」「可靠的人」
the person responsible 意為「 負責人」、「主管人」
More cases of post-positive adjectives:
http://www.yingyudaxue.com/books/english-study-handbooks-107
Inherent and non-inherent adjectives:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/adjectiv/postpos.htm
Sources:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/internet-grammar/adjectiv/postpos.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-positive_adjective
http://virtuallinguist.typepad.com/the_virtual_linguist/2010/02/postpositive-adjectives.html
http://grammarist.com/grammar/postpositive-adjectives/
http://www.businessweekly.com.tw/KBlogArticle.aspx?id=426
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