Her mother, Solio,is a first-time mum and she is doing a fantastic job.
上面一句摘自2021年高考考试英语全国卷Ⅱ(甲卷)阅读理解A。
请问这里为何用first-time?first不是也可以表示“首次”吗?
初次,两者的词性有所不同,first-time只用作形容词(且只用于名词前作定语,不需要作表语),而first 可以有多种词性,譬如形容词(或序数词或限定词)、副词、代词、名词等。
就用作形容词而言,firt-time 侧重动作,指首次做某事。请注意领会以下用 first-time 的句子(注意用于名词前作定语):
There are plenty ofplus points about being an older first-time mum. 年龄稍长再做母亲有不少好处。
The punishment fora first-time offense of this kind is a fine. 对这种初犯的惩罚是罚款。
They offer a shortcourse to first-time users of the software. 他们为第一次用这款软件的人提供短期培训。
First-time visitorsto Spain are often surprised by how late people eat. 第一次到西班牙的人常常为当地人用餐时间之晚感到意料之外。
The houses aresmall and inexpensive, ideal for first-time buyers. 这类房屋面积不大,也不贵,合适初次置业者。
"Start slowly"is the key phrase for the first-time marathon runner. 对第一次参加马拉松比赛的运动员来讲“开始阶段速度要慢”是至理名言。
至于 first 用作形容词,它的基本义是序数词的“第一”,与2、第三等形成对比,也可由此引申指“最早的”“最早的”“最重要的”等。如:
We sat in the firstrow. 大家坐在第一排。
She won firstprize. 她取得了头等奖。
Your first duty isto your family. 你最重要的是对家庭尽责。
There's a meetingon the first Monday of every month. 每月第一个星期一开会。
若要用 frist 表示“首次”,应说成the first time(不可以用于名词前作定语,但可用作此外的其他使用方法,譬如作表语、宾语、状语等)。如:
This is the firsttime that I’ve heard her sing. 这是我首次听到她唱歌。
Many officials wentto the Washington office for the first time. 不少官员都是首次到华盛顿办事处。
He passed hisdriving test the first time. 他首次参驾驶证考试考试就通过了。
The first time shemet David was in a New York bar. 她首次遇见大卫是在纽约的夜店里。
另外,the first time还可起连词用途,引导时间状语从句。如:
The first time Iflew on a plane I was really nervous. 我首次乘飞机时确实非常紧张。
The first time shewent skiing, she broke her leg. 她首次去滑雪时,把腿摔断了。