attributively
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In an attributive manner: Used to describe how a word, typically an adjective or a noun, is placed directly before a noun to modify it, without a linking verb. This is the standard position for most adjectives in English.
Usage
- The term "attributively" describes the syntactic function of a modifier. It specifies that the modifier is directly attached to a noun to form a noun phrase.
- It is most commonly used in grammatical descriptions and linguistic discussions.
Examples
- Adverb:
- In the phrase "a wooden table," the adjective "wooden" is used attributively.
- The word "city" can function attributively, as in "city life."
- Nouns like "coffee" are often placed attributively, e.g., "coffee cup."
Advanced Usage
- Contrast with Predicative Use: A key grammatical distinction is between attributive and predicative position. An adjective used attributively appears before the noun (e.g., "the child"). The same adjective used appears after a linking verb like "be" (e.g., "The child is ").
- Restrictive Attributives: Some adjectives can only be used attributively and cannot appear predicatively (e.g., "the reason" is correct, but "The reason is *main" is incorrect).
Variants and Related Words
- Attributive (adjective): Describing a word that modifies a noun by being placed directly before it.
- In "gold watch," "gold" is an attributive noun.
- Attribute (verb): To regard something as being caused by or belonging to someone or something.
- She attributed her success to hard work.
- Attribution (noun): The act of attributing something.
- The attribution of the quote is uncertain.
Synonyms
- Modifying: Serving to limit or describe another word.
- Qualifying: Describing the nature or characteristics of something.
Related Phrases
- Attributive position: The grammatical position of a modifier directly preceding the noun it modifies.
- Adjectives in English most commonly occur in the attributive position.
- Attributive adjective: An adjective placed directly before the noun it describes.
- "Blue" in "blue sky" is an attributive adjective.
Adverb
- in an attributive manner
- the genitive noun is used attributively