Word · CEFR C2 · Frequency #16198
prescriptive
规定性的；规范性的；指令性的
pertaining to giving directives or rules; laying down how things should be done
常与 describing（描述性的）相对，强调规定应如何做。
- 1.
Of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.
规定的；指定的；规范的；[法] 规定的；指示的
In use
The teacher gave us prescriptive guidelines for writing the essay, so we knew exactly what to include.
Some parents prefer a prescriptive approach to bedtime, setting the same routine every night.
The manual is highly prescriptive; it tells you step by step how to install the software.
prescriptive + noun
prescriptive 作定语时强调给出明确的规则或指示。
The guide offers prescriptive advice for job interviews.
这本指南为求职面试提供了规定性的建议。
be prescriptive about + noun/wh-clause
该结构表示在某方面有严格要求，常含“不容随意”之意。
The company is prescriptive about how employees should dress.
公司对员工的着装方式有明确规定。
a prescriptive approach to + noun
与 descriptive（描述性）相对，常出现在学术或专业讨论中。
She favors a prescriptive approach to language teaching.
她赞成用规范性方法进行语言教学。
Common mistakes
The teacher gave us a clear prescriptive for the assignment.The teacher gave us a clear prescription for the assignment.
prescriptive 是形容词，不能直接作宾语；此句需要名词 prescription 表示“指示、规定”。
Linguists sometimes prescriptive how people should speak.Linguists sometimes prescribe how people should speak.
prescriptive 是形容词，不能作谓语动词；这里需要动词 prescribe 表示“规定、指示”。
Connections
Collocations
- prescriptive grammar
- 规定性语法（规定语言应当如何使用的语法）
- Prescriptive grammar tells you that you should not end a sentence with a preposition.规定性语法告诉你，句子不应以介词结尾。
- prescriptive approach
- 规定性方法；规范性做法
- The teacher took a prescriptive approach to writing, requiring students to follow strict templates.这位老师采用规定性的写作方法，要求学生遵循严格的模板。
- prescriptive rules
- 规定性规则；规范性条例
- Many style guides contain prescriptive rules about word choice.许多文体指南都包含了关于用词的规定性规则。
- prescriptive guidance
- 规范性指导；指令性指引
- The manual offers prescriptive guidance on how to handle customer complaints.这份手册就如何处理客户投诉提供了规范性指导。
Synonyms
Learner notes
Memory Tip
pre(预先)+script(写)+ive：预先写下的规定，即“规定性的、规范性的”。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：学术写作、语言学、法律与政策讨论 通常用于正式或学术语境，多出现在语言学、法律和政策讨论中，表示“规定性的、规范性的”，与“描述性的（descriptive）”相对。在口语中不太常见。
Pronunciation & Spelling
与 prescriptive 真正押韵的词有 descriptive、conscriptive、ascriptive，它们的重读元音和后面的 /skrɪptɪv/ 与 prescriptive 相同。prescript、prescription、prescribe 拼写相近，但发音不同：prescript 重音在首音节；prescription 以 /ʃən/ 结尾；prescribe 的元音是 /aɪ/。
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, OCTANOVE, WIKTIONARY.