contract
contract — adjective
1. describes a worker or employee who is hired to do a specific job for a limited p
describes a worker or employee who is hired to do a specific job for a limited period under a formal agreement, rather than as a permanent member of staff
The factory hired 40 contract workers to handle the holiday rush.
contract workers — temporary, non-permanent staff
Elena worked as a contract teacher for two years before getting a full-time position.
Many software engineers prefer contract roles because they offer higher hourly rates.
Isabela was hired as a contract consultant to restructure the company's supply chain.
- permanent
a permanent employee has an ongoing role with no fixed end date
文法句型
contract + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — this sense is used directly before a noun (contract worker, contract employee, contract role). It does not appear after a linking verb.
contract — noun
1. a legally binding arrangement, usually in writing, that sets out what each perso
a legally binding arrangement, usually in writing, that sets out what each person or group promises to do or give in exchange for something from the other side
Apinya carefully read every line of the contract before signing it.
sign + contract — finalise the agreement
The builder was sued for breach of contract after using materials not listed in the agreement.
breach of contract — failing to keep a promise in the contract
Hari's lawyer advised him not to sign the contract without a cooling-off clause.
According to the terms of the contract, the tenant must give 60 days' notice before moving out.
Eitan and his business partner drafted a simple one-page contract to formalise their partnership.
文法句型
sign + contract
breach + contract
under + contract
contract + between + [parties]
用法筆記
The spoken, unwritten form (oral contract) is legally valid in many situations, but written contracts are strongly preferred as evidence. Distinguish from noun sense 2 (WORK AGREEMENT), which focuses on the employment arrangement rather than the document itself.
常見錯誤
2. a formal arrangement in which a person is employed by a company or individual fo
a formal arrangement in which a person is employed by a company or individual for a specific job and period of time, often with stated conditions about pay, duties, and termination
Xiu is under contract with a Korean entertainment company for the next three years.
under contract — currently employed by a contract
Anthony signed a two-year contract as the head chef at a newly opened restaurant.
When Tendai's contract expired, he decided not to renew it and started his own business instead.
The football star's contract with the club includes a clause about image rights.
- engagement
more formal, often used for performers, speakers, or consultants hired for a fixed period
- stint
informal, focuses on the period of time rather than the legal framework
文法句型
under + contract
on + contract
have/get + a + contract + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (LEGAL AGREEMENT), which focuses on the legal document itself, this sense emphasises the employment arrangement and its duration. Common in sports, entertainment, and professional services contexts.
contract — verb
1. to become smaller in physical size, especially by drawing together or being pres
to become smaller in physical size, especially by drawing together or being pressed; or to cause something to become smaller in this way
Layla felt her stomach muscles contract as she did the last sit-up.
muscles contract — intransitive: become shorter/tighter
The metal railway tracks contract on cold nights, which is why engineers leave small gaps between them.
Owen contracted the muscles in his jaw without realising he was clenching his teeth.
Xiu's pupils contracted sharply when the doctor shone a light into her eyes.
The wool fibres contract when washed in hot water, so the jumper shrank two sizes.
- tighten
more specific; usually describes muscles or ropes becoming tighter, while contract covers a wider range of materials
- shrink
focuses on reduction in size from a larger to a smaller state, often due to heat, cold, or moisture; more common for clothing
- narrow
describes becoming less wide specifically, not smaller in all dimensions
文法句型
something contracts
contract + something
contract + to + [size]
用法筆記
When used intransitively, the subject is the thing that becomes smaller (muscles, metal, fabric). When used transitively, the subject is the person or force causing the change. The opposite process is expand.
2. to go down in value, total amount, or level of activity — used especially of eco
to go down in value, total amount, or level of activity — used especially of economies, markets, industries, or budgets
Apinya read that the national economy had contracted by 1.5 percent in the last quarter.
economy + contracts — economic term for shrinking
The construction industry contracted sharply after interest rates rose.
William noticed that his retirement savings contracted significantly during the market downturn.
Elena's small business contracted during the lockdown when customer demand dropped suddenly.
- shrink
more general; can be used for both physical objects and abstract quantities, while contract in this sense is more formal and restricted to economic contexts
- decline
broader; can refer to quality, popularity, or health, not just size or amount
- dwindle
emphasises a gradual reduction over time, often until little remains
文法句型
[economy/market/industry] + contracts
contract + by + [percentage]
用法筆記
Primarily used in formal, analytical, or journalistic contexts about financial or economic indicators. The subject is almost always an abstract entity (economy, market, industry, budget) rather than a physical object. Distinguish from verb sense 1 (GET SMALLER), which describes physical size changes.
3. to catch or develop a disease, illness, or infection, especially one that is ser
to catch or develop a disease, illness, or infection, especially one that is serious or long-lasting
Tendai contracted malaria while working at a rural clinic in Ghana.
Isabela contracted a rare bacterial infection after travelling through Southeast Asia.
The elderly woman contracted pneumonia during the cold winter months and was admitted to hospital.
Hari's doctor warned him that stress weakens the immune system and raises the risk of contracting infections.
文法句型
contract + [disease name]
contract + [illness/disease/infection/virus]
用法筆記
More formal than 'catch' or 'get.' Typically used for serious or medically significant conditions (pneumonia, malaria, HIV, a virus, an infection) rather than minor ones like a cold or headache. The disease is the object of the verb.
常見錯誤
4. to arrange by a formal legal agreement for a person or company to perform work o
to arrange by a formal legal agreement for a person or company to perform work or provide services, usually for a fixed price and period
The university contracted Elena to design a new website for the admissions office.
contract + person + to-infinitive — arrange for someone to do work
Erik contracted with a local printing company to produce all his restaurant's menus.
The government has contracted out the data analysis work to three consulting firms.
The film studio contracted Owen to write the screenplay for their next project.
Rather than hiring full-time staff, the restaurant chain contracts with local farms for fresh ingredients.
- hire
more general; can refer to employing staff permanently or temporarily, without the emphasis on a formal written contract
- commission
usually implies hiring someone to create a specific work of art, writing, or design
- outsource
specifically means arranging for an external company to handle work previously done inside the organisation
文法句型
contract + [someone] + to-infinitive
contract + with + [someone]
contract + to-infinitive
contract + out + [work]
用法筆記
The phrasal verb contract out means to hire an external company to do work that could be done internally — often used when discussing outsourcing. The intransitive pattern contract with + [person/company] emphasises the relationship between the two parties.