abreast

IPA/əˈbrest/
KK[əbrˈɛst]IPA/əˈbrest/

abreast — adverb

1. next to another person or thing, level with it, with both facing or going the sa

1.副詞C1
釋義

next to another person or thing, level with it, with both facing or going the same way.

例句

Roya and Ife walked abreast along the canal after the rain stopped.

walk + abreast for side-by-side movement

Two police horses moved abreast through the crowd near the stadium.

同義詞
  • side by side

    the plain everyday phrase for being next to each other

  • alongside

    often used for movement next to another person, vehicle, or object

  • shoulder to shoulder

    stresses very close position and often a feeling of unity

反義詞
  • behind

    in a position farther back than another person or thing

  • single file

    arranged one behind another instead of in a row

文法句型

walk/move/stand + abreast

用法筆記

Most often used after verbs of movement or position with people, animals, or vehicles. It describes things that are level with each other, not one following behind another.

常見錯誤

The children walked abreast behind the teacher.
The children walked behind the teacher.' or 'The children walked abreast beside one another.
💡'abreast' means side by side, not one after another.

2. knowing the latest important facts or changes in a subject because you keep foll

2.副詞C1
釋義

knowing the latest important facts or changes in a subject because you keep following it.

例句

Kenji reads company bulletins to keep abreast of safety rules.

keep abreast of + topic

Hospital staff meet weekly to stay abreast of new treatment advice.

同義詞
  • up to date

    the common everyday phrase for having the newest information

  • informed

    broader and less focused on following recent changes

  • aware

    can mean you know something, even without regularly tracking updates

反義詞
  • uninformed

    not knowing the facts or updates about a subject

  • out of touch

    not aware of current developments or recent changes

文法句型

keep abreast of + topic

stay abreast of + changes

be abreast of + developments

用法筆記

Usually appears in the phrase keep, stay, or be abreast of a topic, especially in news, work, or policy contexts. It sounds more formal than everyday phrases such as 'keep up with'.

常見錯誤

I keep abreast the news about school closures.
I keep abreast of the news about school closures.
💡this expression normally takes 'of' before the topic.