英语中以able结尾的名词

英语中以able结尾的名词

在通常情况下，以 –able 结尾的词为形容词，而不是名词，但有趣的是，有些以–able 结尾的词却可以用作名词（当然有些也可用形容词）。如：

■consumable：something that you buy and use, after which you buy a new one（消费品）. e.g.

low-margin consumables like health and beauty aids

Suppliers add computer consumables, office equipment and furniture to their product range.

语法：可数，常用复数。

■deliverable: a product that a company promises to have ready for a customer(交付物). e.g.

computer software deliverables

语法：可数，常用复数。

■disposable：a disposable product, especially a disposable nappy（一次性物品，尤指一次性尿布）. e.g.

paper disposables

plastic disposables

medical disposables

Do you use disposables or washable nappies?

It's estimated that around 80 per cent of babies wear disposables.

语法：可数，常用复数。

■durable：Durables are goods such as televisions or cars which are expected to last a long time, and are bought infrequently（耐用品）

语法：可数，常用复数。

■inflatable：an object that you fill with air before you use it, for example a ball or boat(充气玩具).

语法：可数。

■notable：an important or famous person（名人，显要人物）. e.g.

All the usual local notables were there.

Other notables among his pupils were the kings of Saudi Arabia and Thailand .

语法：可数。

■portable: something that is portable, for example a small computer or other small piece of electrical equipment（便携式物品。尤指便携式电脑或电子设备）. e.g.

The document had been typed on a small portable.

We bought a colour portable for the bedroom.

The kids are upstairs watching the portable (= television).

语法：可数。

■receivable：assets of a business represented by accounts that still have to be paid(应收帐款)

语法：总是用复数形式。

■rechargeable：a rechargeable battery(蓄电池). eg.

It is more expensive to run a personal stereo on disposable batteries than on rechargeables.

语法：可数。

■undesirable：someone who is thought to be dangerous or involved in crime (不良分子；不受欢迎的人). eg.

The club hires a bouncer to keep out undesirables.

The Home Office is usually quick to deport undesirables.

语法：可数，常用复数。

■valuable: a small object, especially jewellery, which might be sold for a lot of money(贵重物品). eg.

recover stolen valuables

语法：总是用复数形式。

■variable: a number, amount or situation which can change(可变的事物; 可变的量). eg.

The variables in the equation are X, Y and Z.

The data was analysed according to neighbourhoods, but other key variables like credit rating, job history, savings and marital status were ignored altogether.

语法：可数，常用复数。

■untouchable: in some societies, someone who belongs to the lowest social class(贱民，不可接触者). eg.

He was born an untouchable in a very poor village in south India .

语法：可数。

■unmentionable：unmentionable people or things (esp underwear)（不宜提到的人或事物， （尤指）内衣）.

语法：总是用复数形式。