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在英语的合成词（compound words）中，合成动词（compound verbs）的数目较少，主要有下面三种类别： ㈠副词+动词，如 outdo, overcome, undermine, upset, cross-question, withhold, backbite 等。 ㈡名词+动词，如 sunbathe, sidetrack, typewrite, house-hunt, browbeat, hoodwink, waylay 等。 ㈢形容词+动词，如 whitewash, safeguard, shortlist, blackmail 等。 这三类合成动词中，以第一种最为丰富，特别是那些由over, under, out引导的，更显得多彩多姿。 由 over 引导的合成动词含有太多、过多的意思，如： overact, overburden, overcharge, overdo, overdress, overeat, overestimate, overpower, overpraise, overproduce, overprotect, overrule, oversleep, overspend, overstate, overstay, overwork 等。 由 under 引导的合成动词含 有太少、不足的意思，如： undercharge, underpay, underrate, understate, undervalue, underwork 等。 由 out 引导的合成动词则含有超过、胜过之意，如： outdo, outgrow, outlive, outnumber, outside, outrank, outshine, outstay, outstrip, outweigh, outwit 等。 现在举些句子示范： ① The food cost $3, but he was overcharged by 50 cents. ② Some romantic scenes in our TV shows were overdone. ③ Dont overstate your predicament or people will not believe you. | 
