apparently

/əˈpærəntli/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈpærəntli/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈper-ənt-lē -ˈpa-rənt/ (ame, mw)

apparently — adverb

1. used to pass on information you heard or read, while showing that you cannot ful

1.副詞B2
釋義

used to pass on information you heard or read, while showing that you cannot fully check it yourself.

例句

Apparently, the school bus will leave early because of the storm.

apparently, + clause for second-hand news

Rosa apparently sold her old bike to a boy next door.

subject + apparently + past verb

同義詞
  • reportedly

    more common in news writing and formal reports

  • supposedly

    often adds more doubt and can hint that the speaker is not convinced

  • allegedly

    mainly used for accusations and legal reporting

反義詞
  • certainly

    shows confidence instead of uncertainty

  • definitely

    used when the speaker is sure the information is true

文法句型

apparently, + clause

subject + apparently + verb

be apparently + -ing form

用法筆記

Common when the source of the information is another person, a message, or something you read online. Distinguish from sense 3 FROM SIGNS, where the speaker is judging from visible or other direct evidence.

常見錯誤

❌Apparently, the answer is twelve; I checked it twice.
✅The answer is clearly twelve.
💡apparently suggests second-hand or uncertain information, not something you know directly.

2. used to correct an earlier idea and bring in the fact that turns out to be true.

2.副詞B2
釋義

used to correct an earlier idea and bring in the fact that turns out to be true.

例句

I thought the cafe was closed, but apparently it opens at noon.

but apparently + clause correcting a belief

Lena looks tiny, but apparently she is already sixteen.

同義詞
  • actually

    the closest everyday alternative for correcting a mistaken idea

  • in fact

    slightly more formal and often stronger in argument

  • as it turns out

    more conversational and often used when the truth is discovered later

文法句型

..., but apparently + clause

..., but apparently not

..., but apparently + be + number or time

用法筆記

Very often follows a contrast such as 'but' after you say what you first believed. It commonly corrects ages, dates, times, prices, and yes-or-no facts.

常見錯誤

❌Apparently, water boils at 100°C.
✅In fact, water boils at 100°C.
💡this sense corrects a mistaken idea; it is not the normal way to state a basic fact.

3. marks a conclusion drawn from what can be seen or heard, without complete certai

3.副詞B2
釋義

marks a conclusion drawn from what can be seen or heard, without complete certainty.

例句

From the empty cage, the bird had apparently flown out at dawn.

had apparently + past participle from visible evidence

The path was apparently safe, so the children kept walking ahead.

apparently + adjective

同義詞
  • seemingly

    close in meaning, a little more formal and often used in writing

  • evidently

    often suggests somewhat stronger evidence than apparently

  • outwardly

    focuses on how something looks on the surface, especially about people

反義詞
  • clearly

    shows that the evidence leaves little or no doubt

  • certainly

    shows full confidence rather than inference

文法句型

apparently + adjective

had apparently + past participle

an apparently + adjective + noun

用法筆記

This sense comes from what can be seen, heard, or otherwise noticed directly, not from a report. It often appears before an adjective or participle, or before a noun phrase such as 'an apparently random attack'.