主题：英语同源形容词的区别

在英语中某些词有两种或两种以上的形容词形式，它们词形相近，但词义不同，容易用错，下面笔者对这类形容词做一总结。 1)historic: famous in history, 历史上著名的 associated with past times 与过去时代有关的 historical: belong to history 历史上的 a ~ people/novel/play/film/painting 2) electric: worked by, changed with， producing electricity 用电的，带电的, 有电的 electrical: relating to electricity, an idea of a less close connection with electricity ~ engineering/apparatus economical: careful in the spending of money and time, not waste 经济的，节俭的 4) industrial: of industries 工业的 5) considerable: great much 相当多（大）的 considerate: thoughtful 体谅的， 体贴的 周到的 6) sensible: reasonable, having good sense 实用的， 明知的 a ~ woman/idea/ 豁达的妇女/明知的观点 ~ clothes 实用的衣服 sensitive: quick to receive impression 敏感的 ~ paper 感光纸 7) continual: going on all the time without stopping or with only short breaks, stop and go repeatedly, 连续的，断断续续的 continuous: going on without a break, an uninterrupted flow 连续不断的 8) intense: high in degree 强烈的， 剧烈的，高度的 ~ heat炽热/pain an ~ lady 热情的女子 intensive: deep and thorough 精深的， 集中的 ~ reading/study彻底研究/agriculture密集农业 9） respectable: deserving respect, 值得尊敬的，有名望的 respectful: showing respect 尊敬人的，有礼貌的，He is always ~to the elders. respective: belongs to each of these 分别的，各自的 They sat on their ~ chairs. 10) imaginable: that can be imagined 可象想的 imaginary: existing only in the mind, unreal 想象中的， 不真实的 imaginative: of, having, using imagination 有想象力的， 运用想象力的 11) intelligent: having, showing intelligence, clever 有才智的, 聪明的 intelligible: clear to mind, that can be easily understood. 易了解的, 易领悟的 an ~ speech/explanation intellectual: possessing a great deal of knowledge 知识的, 智力的 12) contemptible: deserving contempt 可卑的 contemptuous: showing contempt 表示轻视的 13) credible: that can be believed 可信的， 可靠的 credulous: too ready to believe things. 轻易相信的， 易上当的 He always cheats ~ people. creditable: that brings credit. 可称赞的