approach
approach — verb
1. to get nearer to a place, person, or moment in time, so that the distance or gap
to get nearer to a place, person, or moment in time, so that the distance or gap between you and them is shrinking.
As the train approached the station, Mei gathered her bags from the rack.
approach + [place] for physical movement nearer
A tall stranger approached our table and asked for the menu.
transitive: approach + [person]
Winter was approaching, and the farmers in Hokkaido began storing firewood.
The temperature is approaching forty degrees this afternoon in Tainan.
Pia slowed his bike as he approached the school crossing.
- near
more literary; often used for time ('night was nearing')
- draw near
phrasal, slightly formal
- come up to
informal, usually for people walking over
文法句型
approach + [place/person]
approach + [date/event]
用法筆記
Frequently transitive without a preposition: 'approach the door' (not 'approach to the door'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about literal or temporal nearness, not handling a problem.
常見錯誤
2. to start working on a task, problem, or subject in a particular way, choosing ho
to start working on a task, problem, or subject in a particular way, choosing how you will think about it and what steps you will take.
Dr. Chen approached the budget cuts with calm logic and clear data.
approach + [problem] + with + [attitude]
Our team approached the redesign by talking to ten regular customers first.
approach + [task] + by + [-ing]
Young teachers often approach classroom problems differently from older ones.
Vesna approached the math homework by drawing pictures of each question.
Dr. Patel's team approached the river pollution problem by testing water samples each week.
文法句型
approach + [problem/task]
approach [something] with [attitude]
用法筆記
Object must be an abstract task, problem, subject, or topic — not a physical place. Distinguish from sense 1 (physical/temporal nearing): if you can replace with 'tackle' or 'handle', this is sense 2.
常見錯誤
3. to contact someone, in person, by phone, or in writing, because you want to ask
to contact someone, in person, by phone, or in writing, because you want to ask for help, suggest a deal, or offer them something such as a job.
Zane was approached by a small publisher about turning his blog into a book.
passive: be approached by [person] about [topic]
The Mayor approached three local banks for help paying flood damage.
approach + [group] + for + [thing]
Wen plans to approach her boss tomorrow about working from home on Fridays.
Several companies approached the young chef after her show on television.
The literary agent approached three big publishers about Sofia's first novel last week.
- contact
neutral, any reason
- get in touch with
informal, casual reasons
- sound out
informal; testing reaction before a formal request
文法句型
approach + [person/group] + about + [topic]
be approached by + [person]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('was approached by'). The reason for contact is usually given by 'about + topic' or 'for + thing'. Distinguish from sense 2: here the object is a person you talk to, not a problem you work on.
常見錯誤
approach — noun
1. the particular way that someone chooses to think about, study, or deal with a to
the particular way that someone chooses to think about, study, or deal with a topic, task, or problem — including the steps they take and the attitude they bring.
Our school uses a hands-on approach to teaching young children science.
approach + to + [topic]
Dr. Citlali's gentle approach made nervous patients feel safe in the dental chair.
[adjective] + approach
We need a fresh approach to the traffic problem in central Taipei.
The two coaches have very different approaches to training their swimmers.
A step-by-step approach works best when teaching kids to ride a bike.
文法句型
approach to + [topic]
[adjective] + approach
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'to + topic' (not 'of'). Distinguish from sense 2 (physical arrival) and sense 5 (request): this is purely about method or attitude.
常見錯誤
2. the act of getting closer to a place, a person, or a point in time — for example
the act of getting closer to a place, a person, or a point in time — for example, a plane lining up to land, or winter getting nearer.
The pilot announced the plane's approach to Narita Airport over the speaker.
the approach of [aircraft/place]
With the approach of summer, the beaches in Kenting filled up again.
with the approach of + [season]
The deer froze at the hunter's quiet approach through the dry leaves.
Sailors watched the approach of the storm from the harbour wall.
On Grandpa's approach to the gate, the old farm dog jumped up barking happily.
文法句型
the approach of + [event/person]
on [someone's] approach
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of + [thing/event]'. Used both for physical arrival (a person, plane, vehicle) and for time (a season, a deadline). Distinguish from sense 1 (method): here you cannot replace it with 'way of doing'.
常見錯誤
3. a road, path, or other route by which you reach a particular place, especially t
a road, path, or other route by which you reach a particular place, especially the last part just before you arrive.
Tall pine trees lined the approach to the old country house.
approach + to + [place]
Police closed all approaches to the bridge after the accident at dawn.
plural: approaches to [place]
The narrow approach to the temple was paved with smooth grey stones.
Snow blocked the steep approach to the mountain hut for two weeks.
Visitors should use the side approach, since the main gate is shut.
- driveway
specifically for cars at houses
- access road
more technical, often for highways or buildings
- path
narrower; usually for walkers
文法句型
approach to + [place]
[adjective] + approach
用法筆記
Refers to the physical path itself, not the act of moving along it (that is sense 2). Often plural ('approaches') for places with several entry routes.
4. the thing that comes closest in nature or quality to another thing you have just
the thing that comes closest in nature or quality to another thing you have just mentioned, when nothing matches it exactly.
This little café is the closest approach to a Parisian bakery in our town.
closest approach to + [noun]
The Blue Owls' rusty van was the nearest approach to a tour bus the band could afford.
nearest approach to + [noun]
Aunt Rosa's stew is the closest approach to my grandmother's cooking I have tasted.
A wooden xylophone is the nearest approach to a piano in many village schools.
- approximation
more formal; often for numbers and science
- equivalent
stronger, suggests matching in role
文法句型
the closest/nearest approach to + [noun]
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'closest' or 'nearest', and followed by 'to + noun'. Used when admitting that nothing is a perfect match.
5. an act of contacting a person or organisation, often as an opening move, in orde
an act of contacting a person or organisation, often as an opening move, in order to request help, propose a deal, or offer them work.
The author rejected three approaches from publishers before signing with a small press.
approaches + from + [person]
The school made a careful approach to local farmers about lunch supplies.
make an approach to + [person]
Quiet approaches to the minister had failed, so the union called a public protest.
Two approaches by the rival club were turned down by the young striker.
文法句型
approach to + [person/group]
make an approach to + [person]
用法筆記
Formal in tone; common in business, journalism, and diplomacy. Distinguish from sense 1 (method): here you can replace 'approach' with 'offer' or 'request', not with 'method'.