英语相似词辨析 exhausting，exhaustive

exhausting，exhaustive

这一组词并不是同义词。

Exhausting是现在分词，作形容词使用，义：“使竭尽的”、“使疲惫的”（to make empty or tire out）。与之经常搭配使用的词有day、job、task、experiment等。exhausted¹是过去分词，意为“空竭的”、“疲惫的”（fatigued or tired），用作表语形容词，放在连系动词之后。例：

This is a piece of exhausting work．

这是一件吃力的工作。

A journey through the mountains is exhausting．

攀山越岭的旅程是十分吃力的。

After taking part in the cleaning campaign，the children were much exhausted．

参加了清洁运动后，孩子们都感到十分疲倦。

Exhaustive是形容词，意为“完全的”、“彻底的”（thorough or complete），与之经常搭配的词有 work、inquiries、research、investigation²、treatment 等。例：

This is a piece of exhaustive work．

这是一部完美的作品。

The police are making an exhaustive investigation of the crime．

警察正在彻底调查该罪案。

Can you produce an exhaustive list of the library books？

你能否提供一份图书馆的全部藏书名单？

现将 exhausting 和 exhaustive 用在一个句子里，以便

区别：

His research in this social phenomenon is both exhaustive and exhausting．

他对这个社会现象的研究是彻底的而工作是吃力的。

To compile an exhaustive dictionary is an exhausting task．

编写一本详尽的字典是一件吃力的工作。

1 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

2 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。