二、名词定语与被修饰语之间的语义关系

作定语的名词都是后面一个名词的修饰语，但是它们之间的关系却各有不同。

1.名词定语表示逻辑上的主语，被修饰的词表示宾语。

a department decision(a decision which is made by the department)

the volcano eruption(the eruption that is made by the volcano)

有时正好相反，名词定语相当于宾语，而被修饰的部分表示主语:

a drug addict(a person who is addicted to drug)

an animal trainer(a man who trains the animal)

2.名词定语作状语，被修饰语相当于谓语。在这一类结构中，表示谓语的名词常由动名词或动作名词来充当。

impulse buying=buying on impulse

instrument flying=flying by means of instrument

3.名词定语表示同位关系。这种用法可以说明某人的职业、职位。

Judge Darling Singer Carpenter Cardinal Nelson。

还可以表示特征、身份：

a supplier country= a country which is a supplier

a killer shark= a shark who is a killer

her lawyer brother=her brother who is a lawyer

traitor and robber Dickinson=Dickinson