在英语语法中,介词(preposition) 是一个重要的词类,通常用于连接名词、代词或动名词,表示它们与句中其他部分的关系。除了常见的单一介词(如 in, on, at, by, with),英语中还存在一类 复合介词(compound preposition) ,它们由多个词组合而成,但整体作为 一个介词 使用。
本篇文章将详细讲解 复合介词的定义、分类、用法及常见错误,并提供丰富的例句,帮助大家彻底掌握这一语法点。
1. 什么是复合介词?
复合介词(Compound Preposition) 是由两个或更多的词组合而成,作为一个整体介词来使用。它们的作用与普通介词相同,即 引导介词短语,修饰动词、名词或形容词。
复合介词的结构
📌 常见的复合介词由以下结构组成:
-
简单介词 + 名词/形容词 + 介词
- in front of(在……前面)
- on account of(由于)
- in charge of(负责)
-
介词 + 副词/形容词
- along with(连同)
- apart from(除……之外)
- ahead of(在……之前)
-
介词 + 动名词
- owing to(由于)
- due to(由于)
- according to(根据)
2. 复合介词的分类及用法
(1)表示时间的复合介词
这些复合介词用来描述时间关系,表示在……之前、之后或持续多久。
复合介词 | 释义 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
prior to | 在……之前 | We met prior to the meeting.(我们在会议前见面。) |
in the course of | 在……期间 | I learned a lot in the course of my studies.(在学习过程中,我学到了很多。) |
subsequent to | 在……之后 | The decision was made subsequent to the discussion.(该决定是在讨论后作出的。) |
(2)表示地点的复合介词
这些短语表示空间位置,如“在……前面”、“在……附近”等。
复合介词 | 释义 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
in front of | 在……前面 | He parked his car in front of the house.(他把车停在房子前面。) |
on top of | 在……顶部 | The keys are on top of the fridge.(钥匙在冰箱上面。) |
next to | 紧挨着 | She sat next to me.(她坐在我旁边。) |
(3)表示原因或结果的复合介词
这些短语用来解释原因、理由或后果。
复合介词 | 释义 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
because of | 因为 | We canceled the trip because of the storm.(因为暴风雨,我们取消了旅行。) |
due to | 由于 | The delay was due to bad weather.(延误是由于天气恶劣。) |
owing to | 由于 | The match was postponed owing to rain.(比赛因下雨推迟。) |
on account of | 由于 | She was absent on account of illness.(她因病缺席。) |
📌 "due to" 与 "because of" 的区别
- due to 常用于 be 动词后(表语)。
✅ The delay was due to bad weather. (正确)
❌ The flight was canceled due to bad weather. (不太自然) - because of 可用于任何动词后。
✅ The flight was canceled because of bad weather. (正确)
(4)表示方式、工具或状态的复合介词
这些短语表示某种方式或工具。
复合介词 | 释义 | 例句 |
---|---|---|
by means of | 通过……方式 | He solved the problem by means of a new method.(他用一种新方法解决了问题。) |
in favor of | 支持 | The majority voted in favor of the new policy.(大多数人投票支持这项新政策。) |
in terms of | 就……而言 | This job is good in terms of salary.(就薪水而言,这份工作不错。) |
3. 复合介词的常见错误
(1)误用普通介词替换复合介词
🚫 The keys are on the fridge. (虽然不完全错误,但 "on top of" 更具体)
✅ The keys are on top of the fridge. (钥匙在冰箱上面。)
🚫 He is responsible of this project. (错误)
✅ He is responsible for this project. ("responsible for" 而不是 "responsible of"。)
(2)"according to" 不能用于表达自己观点
🚫 According to me, this idea is great. (错误)
✅ In my opinion, this idea is great. ("in my opinion" 更自然)
📌 "according to" 只能用于 引用他人的观点: ✅ According to the news, it will rain tomorrow. (根据新闻报道,明天会下雨。)
(3)误用 "due to" 和 "because of"
🚫 She was late because of the traffic jam. (可以接受,但 "due to" 更正式)
✅ Her lateness was due to the traffic jam. ("due to" 修饰名词 "lateness")
4. 练习:选择正确的复合介词
- ______ the bad weather, the event was postponed.
a) Owing to
b) In front of
c) Next to - She completed the task ______ great effort.
a) In charge of
b) By means of
c) According to - The new bridge was built ______ the river.
a) Next to
b) On top of
c) Over
(答案)
- a) Owing to
- b) By means of
- c) Over
5. 总结
✅ 复合介词是由多个词组成的整体介词,表示时间、地点、原因、方式等。
✅ 常见结构:介词 + 名词/形容词 + 介词,或 介词 + 副词。
✅ 避免常见错误,如误用 due to, according to, responsible for。