一.介词短语作后置定语，如the bird in the tree(树上的小鸟)，the standard of living(生活水平)，the way to the hotel(去旅馆的路)，the life in the future(未来的生活)。

二.不定式短语作后置定语，用来修饰限定其前的名词或名词性短语。分为以下三类：

1. 在某些名词结构中可用动词不定式作后置定语。

I have a lot of homework to do.

He is the first to finish the task.

There are a lot of things to do.

2. 在某些抽象名词后可用动词不定式作后置定语，具体说明抽象名词的内容。常见名词有ability, anxiety, attempt, decision, chance, courage, right, determination, promise, ambition, effort, drive, eagerness, failure, inclination, intention, movement, need, opportunity, plan, reason, struggle, time, way, wish等。例句：

He has the ability to do the work.

I don’t have the courage to tell you the secret.

3. 动词不定式有时可替代一个定语从句，与其前修饰的名词是主动关系，在时态上含有将来的含义。例如：

Perhaps in the years to come(=that will come),we will meet again.

In the lectures to follow(=that will follow), she talked about her trip to China.

三、分词短语作后置定语。这时一般可以改写为定语从句，现在分词作后置定语与修饰的名词是主动关系,过去分词作后置定语与修饰的名词是被动关系。例如,

S1:There is a lady waiting for you.=There is a lady who waits for you.

S2：What is the language spoken in China?=What is the language which is spoken in China?

S1中，lady和wait之间是主动关系，S2中，language与spoken之间是被动关系。

我们在写作时，为了让句子结构更为高级，或是达到句式多样的目的，常用分词短语作后置定语来代替定语从句。如在2012年的考研英语作文中，我们在描图表示两个人对同样的半瓶水表现出不同的态度时，可以说：As is shown in the picture, there is a contrast between two men facing the same problem with half a bottle of water. 在这个英语句子中，我们用现在分词短语作men的后置定语，相当于定语从句who face the same problem with half a bottle of water. 再如，在表达一个人眉头紧缩，因为水撒了发出叹息，可以说：The one frowning in anxiety is sighing because the water is spoilt out of the bottle。此句中，现在分词短语作one的后置定语，相当于从句who frowns in anxiety。用现在分词短语代替从句可以使句式更简短，句型也更为高级，更加丰富，同时也显示出考生深厚的语法功底。