contracted
contracted — verb
1. to become smaller in size, width, or length, or to cause something to become sma
to become smaller in size, width, or length, or to cause something to become smaller — for example, muscles when they tighten, or metal as it cools.
The metal contracted as it cooled down overnight.
intransitive: substance + contracts + when/as condition
When Dewi stepped into the bright sunlight, her pupils contracted.
intransitive: body part + contracts + when/then
Ari's wool sweater contracted after he washed it in hot water.
The muscle in Finn's leg contracted suddenly, causing a sharp pain.
The company contracted its workforce by offering early retirement packages.
文法句型
something contracts
someone contracts something
用法筆記
When used transitively with an organizational subject, the object is typically a noun like 'workforce,' 'operations,' or 'spending.' The intransitive use is more common for muscles, materials, and body parts.
常見錯誤
2. to become smaller in amount, value, or activity — used especially about economic
to become smaller in amount, value, or activity — used especially about economic measures such as a country's total production or total spending.
The national economy contracted by three percent during the recession.
economy + contracts + by [percentage]
Hotel bookings in the region contracted sharply after the earthquake.
industry/activity + contracts + adverb (sharply/steadily)
Retail sales contracted for the third month in a row.
As the cost of living rose, spending on entertainment contracted noticeably.
- grow
to increase in amount or activity
文法句型
something contracts (in/by amount)
用法筆記
Subject is usually an economic indicator (economy, market, industry, sales, spending). Often followed by a prepositional phrase with 'by' for the amount of decrease.
常見錯誤
3. to become infected with a disease or illness — more formal and serious in tone t
to become infected with a disease or illness — more formal and serious in tone than 'catch'.
Sofia contracted a serious lung infection while volunteering abroad.
formal register: person + contracts + specific disease
The nurse contracted the virus despite wearing protective equipment at all times.
Tariq contracted pneumonia after falling into the freezing lake.
Many villagers contracted malaria during the unusually wet rainy season.
Chen contracted a rare skin disease after traveling through the jungle.
文法句型
someone contracts [disease]
用法筆記
More formal than 'catch'; preferred in medical writing and news reports. Object is always a disease, illness, or infection. Never used with common minor illnesses like 'a cold' in everyday speech — 'catch' is more natural for those.
常見錯誤
4. to make a formal written agreement with a person or company to do work, or to ha
to make a formal written agreement with a person or company to do work, or to have work done for you in exchange for payment.
The school contracted a local construction firm to build a new library.
transitive: institution + contracts + company + to-infinitive
Kavya's band contracted with a booking agency to arrange their national tour.
intransitive: person + contracts with + company + to-infinitive
The city government contracted out its garbage collection to a private company.
Dewi contracted with a publishing house to write a series of science textbooks.
The factory contracted a cleaning service to maintain the work areas.
- hire
less formal; used for employing people for any kind of work
- employ
suggests a longer-term working relationship
- commission
specifically for creating artwork, writing, or design work
文法句型
someone contracts [someone] to do [something]
someone contracts with [someone] to do [something]
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'contract out' means to arrange for an outside company to do work that employees used to do. The subject can be either the hiring party or (with 'with') the service provider.
常見錯誤
contracted — noun
1. a written document that states the terms of a formal legal agreement between two
a written document that states the terms of a formal legal agreement between two or more people, companies, or groups, which can be enforced by law; also refers to the arrangement or period of employment or service under such an agreement.
Sofia signed a two-year contract with a publishing company in Taipei.
collocation: sign + a [duration] + contract + with [company]
Before buying the house, Chen asked a lawyer to carefully check the contract.
The football player's contract with the club was worth three million dollars.
Both parties must sign the contract before the renovation work can begin.
The rental contract clearly states that tenants must pay by the fifth of each month.
Dewi is on a six-month contract at the city hospital.
After her contract ended, Zuri decided to look for a permanent teaching position.
文法句型
sign a contract
under contract
on a [duration] contract
用法筆記
Common types: 'employment contract' (work agreement), 'rental/lease contract' (property), 'sales contract' (goods). In employment contexts, common phrases include 'on contract,' 'under contract,' and 'contract ends/expires' to describe the arrangement or period of work rather than just the document itself.
常見錯誤
❌ 'Sign the contract and give it to me.' (when you mean a simple written note) — 'Contract' must involve a legally binding agreement, not just any piece of paper.
contracted — adjective
1. describes workers or services that are hired through a legal agreement for a spe
describes workers or services that are hired through a legal agreement for a specific job, rather than being permanent employees of the same company.
The factory hired contracted drivers to deliver goods across the country.
attributive use: contracted + profession/role
Contracted staff receive the same safety training as regular employees.
The construction site used contracted electricians for the wiring work.
Many of the teachers at the language school are contracted workers paid by the hour.
- freelance
self-employed; not tied to one employer
- temporary
focuses on limited duration rather than legal arrangement
- outsourced
work given to an outside company rather than done in-house
- permanent
describes an ongoing employment relationship
文法句型
contracted + noun
用法筆記
Can also describe services: 'contracted services,' 'contracted work.' Often appears in news reports about employment practices. The opposite is 'permanent' or 'in-house.'
常見錯誤
2. reduced in size or pulled tight, especially describing a body part or material t
reduced in size or pulled tight, especially describing a body part or material that has become smaller or tighter than its normal state.
The patient's contracted muscles required months of physical therapy.
attributive: contracted + body part
Finn's contracted fingers made it difficult for him to hold a pen.
The doctor examined the contracted tendon and recommended surgery.
The contracted position of her shoulder caused Sofia constant pain.
- tight
general; does not specify reduced size
- stiff
describes lack of flexibility rather than size reduction
- constricted
implies being squeezed or restricted from outside
- relaxed
describes muscles returning to a normal, loose state
文法句型
contracted + body part / material
用法筆記
Less common than the verb form for describing physical shrinking. Tends to appear in medical texts and biology writing. More ordinary alternatives: 'tight,' 'stiff,' 'pulled tight.'