claim
claim — verb
1. to state something as true without offering proof, especially when others may do
to state something as true without offering proof, especially when others may doubt or disagree with what you say
Several witnesses claim they saw the man leave the building before midnight.
claim + that-clause for stating something unproven
The company's website claims its software can detect security threats instantly.
No one has ever claimed to have solved the puzzle before today.
Aiko claims she climbed the mountain in under five hours.
Tomás claimed all the credit for the team's success at the conference.
- assert
more formal and forceful than claim; suggests confidence without necessarily requiring evidence
- allege
often used in legal contexts, implying the statement has not yet been proved in court
- maintain
suggests keeping to a position despite opposition or doubt from others
- declare
more emphatic and official than claim; often used for public announcements
文法句型
claim + that-clause
claim + to-infinitive
claim + direct object (e.g., credit, responsibility)
用法筆記
Commonly followed by a that-clause or a to-infinitive. The that-clause version is more frequent in everyday speech. The object can be an abstract noun such as credit, responsibility, or victory.
常見錯誤
2. to declare that a group or business has a certain number of people or items asso
to declare that a group or business has a certain number of people or items associated with it, without necessarily proving the figure
The union claims over fifty thousand members across the country.
claim + number + of + members
That fitness app claims more than ten million downloads since last year.
The charity claims branches in over thirty countries around the world.
The museum claims a collection of more than two thousand ancient artifacts.
The political party claims the support of most young voters in this region.
文法句型
claim + number + of + noun (e.g., members, users, branches)
claim + noun (e.g., support, collection)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an organization, company, political party, or similar group. The claim often involves a number or statistic that is difficult to verify independently.
3. to demand or take possession of what belongs to you by law or fairness, such as
to demand or take possession of what belongs to you by law or fairness, such as lost items, winnings, or ownership rights
Theo claimed his lost suitcase at the airport lost-property office.
claim + [belonging] + at [location]
No one came forward to claim the prize money from the lottery draw.
claim + [prize/winnings]
Hana claimed back the full cost of the damaged goods from the store.
Leila plans to claim a tax deduction for her home office expenses.
The farmer claimed ownership of the land after farming it for fifty years.
- relinquish
to give up a right or claim to something
- waive
to choose not to demand or enforce a right
文法句型
claim + object (e.g., lost property, prize, money)
claim + back + object
claim + ownership/right to + object
用法筆記
Can be used with 'back' as a phrasal verb (claim back) when asking for a refund or return of money previously paid. The object is often a physical item or a sum of money that the speaker is entitled to.
常見錯誤
4. to make a formal written request to a government department, insurance company,
to make a formal written request to a government department, insurance company, or other organization for money you believe they owe you
Priya claimed unemployment benefits after losing her job last month.
claim + [benefit/payment] from government
You can claim a refund if the airline cancels your flight.
claim + a refund
Rohan claimed for the damage to his car through his insurance company.
The clinic claimed the full cost of the treatment from the health authority.
Many families claim child benefit to help raise their children.
文法句型
claim + direct object (benefit, refund, cost)
claim + for + damage/loss
claim + from + organization
用法筆記
This sense can be either transitive (claim something) or intransitive (claim for something, claim against someone). In British English, 'claim for' is common; in American English, the transitive use is more frequent.
5. to officially demand payment from a person or company after an accident, injury,
to officially demand payment from a person or company after an accident, injury, or loss, holding them responsible for the harm caused
Yara claimed compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
claim + [compensation/damages] + from [responsible party]
The family is claiming damages after the faulty appliance caused a fire.
claim + damages + after [event]
Kofi plans to claim for the medical bills through the other driver's insurance.
Injured passengers can claim against the tour company for negligence.
The night-shift nurse claimed payment for the injuries she suffered at work.
- sue for
stronger legal action through a court; claim can be an informal or formal request
- seek damages
formal legal term; implies pursuit through the court system
文法句型
claim + compensation/damages + from + person/party
claim for + costs/expenses + through + insurance
claim against + person/organization + for + reason
用法筆記
Often used in legal and insurance contexts. The preposition 'against' introduces the party being held responsible. 'Damages' (plural) is a legal term for money awarded by a court.
常見錯誤
claim — noun
1. an assertion about the truth of something, put forward without supporting proof
an assertion about the truth of something, put forward without supporting proof and often doubted by other people
The government's claim that unemployment had fallen was met with doubt.
noun claim + that-clause
Scientists have dismissed the claim as being based on poor research.
dismiss + a claim + as + [adjective/noun]
Nadia made a claim about the company's profits that turned out to be false.
The advertisement makes the bold claim that the cream removes all wrinkles.
Theo disputed his landlord's claim that the damage was his fault.
- assertion
more formal and neutral; does not carry the same implication of doubt
- allegation
used in legal or formal contexts, often suggesting the claim may be damaging
- statement
broader term; does not imply any lack of evidence
- denial
a statement that something is not true
文法句型
make a claim + that-clause
make a claim about + noun
dismiss / reject / dispute + a claim
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a that-clause specifying what the assertion is. Verbs commonly used with this sense include make, dismiss, reject, dispute, and support.
常見錯誤
2. a formal written request sent to an insurer, government body, or similar institu
a formal written request sent to an insurer, government body, or similar institution, asking for money that the sender considers their due
Diego submitted a claim to his insurance company for the stolen bicycle.
submit a claim + to [organization] + for [item]
You need to fill in this form before your claim can be processed.
The deadline for filing a claim is thirty days after the accident.
The insurance company rejected her claim because she had not paid the premium.
The court will decide whether the claim for damages is valid.
- application
broader term; does not necessarily imply compensation or insurance context
- demand
stronger and more forceful; less commonly used for formal insurance requests
文法句型
submit / file / make + a claim + for + amount/noun
a claim + for + damages/compensation
reject / accept + a claim
用法筆記
Common collocations include submit/file/make a claim. A claim can be accepted, approved, rejected, or denied. In insurance contexts, a 'claim' is the formal request for payment after an insured event.
3. a legal or moral right to own something, receive something, or be recognized as
a legal or moral right to own something, receive something, or be recognized as the proper recipient of a benefit
Rosa has a strong claim to the property under her grandfather's will.
have a claim to + [property/inheritance]
The children have the first claim on their mother's estate after she dies.
first claim on + [estate/assets]
Your claim to the inheritance depends on the terms of the will.
The museum has a valid claim to the artifacts found at the old site.
Both families have a claim to the land, and the dispute will go to court.
- right
more general and less formal; does not imply a contested or disputed entitlement
- title
legal term specifically for ownership of property; more formal than claim
- entitlement
formal term for a right to benefits or privileges, often from a system or policy
文法句型
have a claim to + noun
have a claim on + noun
claim to + inheritance/title/property
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to' or 'on' to indicate the thing you have a right to. The difference between 'claim to' and 'claim on' is subtle: 'claim to' focuses on the thing itself, while 'claim on' focuses on a share or portion of it.