形容词作定语通常要位于所修饰的名词之前,但有时却要位于所修饰的名词之后。主要见于以下情况:
(1) 形容词短语作定语
I know an actor suitable for the part. 我认识一个适合扮演这个角色的演员。
A man so difficult to please must be hard to work with. 一个如此难以取悦的人一定不好共事。
(2) 表语形容词作定语
He spoke like a man afraid. 他说话时像是很害怕似的。
The house ablaze is next door to me. 那家着火的房子就在我隔壁。
(3) 形容词修饰不定代词
I would like to have something interesting to read. 我想找些有趣的东西来读。
Anyone intelligent can do it. 任何有头脑的人都能做这件事。
在以下情况,用作定语的形容词可以后置,也可以前置:
(1) 以-able和-ible结尾的形容词:可置于前有最高级形容词或only等词的名词之后,如:
That is the only solution possible. 那是唯一可行的解决办法。
Please put your idea into the simplest language possible. 请用最简单的语言将你的想法说出来。
(2) 某些成对的形容词
Visitors, old and young, were delighted. 不管老少,所有的参观者都很高兴。
There was a huge cupboard, simple and beautiful. 有一个大食橱,简朴而美观。
(3)形容词enough
There is time enough to take care of everything. 有时间足以料理一切。
We didn’t have time enough to finish the work. 我们当时没有足够的时间完成那件工作。