circumstances
circumstances — noun
1. the various facts and conditions around a situation that shape what happens or e
the various facts and conditions around a situation that shape what happens or explain why it is that way.
Given the circumstances, the coach cancelled practice before the players arrived.
phrase: given the circumstances before a decision
Police are still trying to understand the circumstances of the factory fire.
Mina stayed calm even though the circumstances changed halfway through the exam.
The family moved to a smaller flat because their circumstances had become difficult.
- conditions
often more practical or measurable, such as weather or working conditions
- situation
broader and more everyday; can describe the whole state someone is in
- context
more abstract; emphasizes the background needed for understanding
文法句型
under the circumstances
the circumstances of + event
given the circumstances
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural when talking about the facts around an event or decision. Common after under, in, or given, and often followed by of when the event is named directly.
2. the amount of money a person has and the level of comfort or difficulty that it
the amount of money a person has and the level of comfort or difficulty that it creates in their life.
The charity checks each student's circumstances before deciding the size of the grant.
circumstances used for financial assessment
After the divorce, Rosa's circumstances improved when she found steady work.
The bank offered extra help to customers whose circumstances had suddenly worsened.
Bilal's circumstances were comfortable enough for him to retire at fifty.
文法句型
someone's circumstances
depending on circumstances
用法筆記
This sense is about money, housing, and general material comfort rather than the facts around an event. It often appears after a possessive, as in her circumstances or family circumstances.
3. facts or signs that make people think a particular event, especially a crime, pr
facts or signs that make people think a particular event, especially a crime, probably did or did not happen.
The muddy shoes were important circumstances in the case against the suspect.
formal legal use of circumstances as clues
Several circumstances suggested that the fire had been started deliberately.
The missing key was one of the circumstances the jury discussed.
Those circumstances pointed investigators toward someone who knew the alarm code.
- evidence
broader and more common; can include direct proof as well as surrounding facts
- indications
slightly less legal; stresses signs that point toward a conclusion
- clues
more informal and concrete than the formal legal use of circumstances
文法句型
circumstances in the case
circumstances suggested that...
用法筆記
This formal sense is mainly used in legal or investigative writing. Unlike sense 1, it does not mean the general situation; it refers to facts that support an explanation or suspicion.
4. one detail or minor event within a bigger situation or sequence, rather than the
one detail or minor event within a bigger situation or sequence, rather than the whole matter itself.
One of the circumstances delayed the wedding by nearly an hour.
one of the circumstances = one detail
Among the circumstances of the dispute was a missed payment from March.
The judge considered all the circumstances before deciding the sentence.
A last-minute phone call was one of the circumstances behind the delay.
文法句型
one of the circumstances
all the circumstances
用法筆記
Use this sense when one fact is being picked out from a larger set. Distinguish it from sense 1, which refers to the overall situation rather than one contributing detail.