flying machine 是动名词+名词,作为复合名词→N+N
→飞行器(专门术语)≠a machine that is flying
在上面的例子中,flying在功能上是动名词(动词作名词),因为machine不会飞(除了在Harry Potter小说中),所以flying machine通常不是指“在飞的机器”(沟通意涵不合常理),而是指一个专门的术语“飞行器”;这是两个名词组成的复合名词(N+N compound),结构和功能类似少数形式相当的复合名词:
N+N compound:
sewing machine缝衣机≠a machine that is sewing
driving range(golf range)高尔夫练习场≠a range that is driving
如果flying和其他可能会飞的名词合用,如a flying plane,a flying kite,a flying balloon,沟通意涵上较合理自然,就成为常见的现在分词做形容词,表示“正在飞”的东西:
a flying plane = a plane that is flying →在飞的飞机
a flying kite = a kite that is flying →在飞的风筝
a flying balloon = a balloon that is flying →在飞的气球
[1] 劉美君. (2012). 英文文法有道理!: 重新認識英文文法觀念. 聯經.