straight and thin在此是主语补足语

有一读者问:高中英语第二册有这样一句话:

(1)It grows up straight and thin, with branches at the top. (it指bamboo)

如何分析straight and thin? grow up是否是连系动词?

grow up与grow不同。grow可用作连系动词,意指“变成”,后接表语,如:

(2)You've grown so tall.

(3)It grew dark.

但grow up不是连系动词,而是一短语动词,意指“成长”,其后可接一主语补足语。

上述句(1)中的grows up straight and thin即是一例。再如:

(4)He grew up gentle and good.

(5)These little Red Soldiers are growing up strong and healthy.

grow up之后亦可接用作主语补足语的名词短语,如:

(6)She has grown up a beautiful lady.