controlled
/kənˈtrəʊld/ (bre, ipa) · [kəntrˈold] /kənˈtrəʊld/ (ame, ipa) · [kəntrˈold] /kən-ˈtrōld/ (ame, mw)
controlled — adjective
- controlledpositive
- more controlledcomparative
- most controlledsuperlative
1. planned and carried out with close attention to detail, so that risks and proble
planned and carried out with close attention to detail, so that risks and problems stay very small.
The rescue team made a controlled descent into the narrow cave to avoid any falling rocks.
controlled descent / controlled burn — planned dangerous activity with reduced risk
Vivek lit the campfire with a controlled movement, keeping the flames away from the dry grass.
controlled + noun (movement, descent, burn, landing)
The pilot carried out a controlled landing on the short runway without damaging the aircraft.
Firefighters set a controlled burn to clear dry bushes before wildfire season arrived.
Defne took slow, controlled breaths to steady her hands before the piano exam began.
- planned
focuses on advance preparation rather than ongoing management of risk
- deliberate
emphasises that the action was chosen on purpose, not by accident
- careful
broader term; 'controlled' adds the idea of limiting danger
- uncontrolled
describes an action or situation where nothing limits the danger or damage
- reckless
implies a total lack of care about risk
文法句型
controlled + noun (descent, burn, environment, landing)
用法筆記
Frequently appears before nouns describing high-risk activities done with careful planning — common examples include 'controlled descent', 'controlled burn', 'controlled explosion', and 'controlled environment'.
常見錯誤
2. showing the ability to stay calm and not let your feelings show, especially when
showing the ability to stay calm and not let your feelings show, especially when you are under pressure or feeling strong emotions.
Kenji remained controlled during the meeting even when his co-workers strongly disagreed with his plan.
remained controlled — typical pattern for emotional composure
Sirin kept her voice calm and controlled as she explained the bad news to the students.
calm and controlled — common paired adjective pattern
Mira gave a controlled smile, not wanting to laugh at the wrong moment during the ceremony.
The judge stayed controlled throughout the long trial, never once raising her voice at anyone.
Zola listened with a controlled expression, hiding the surprise she felt at the announcement.
- calm
focuses on inner peace rather than the effort of hiding feelings
- composed
more formal; suggests dignity under pressure
- restrained
emphasises the conscious effort to hold back emotions
文法句型
remain / stay / keep + controlled
controlled + noun (voice, smile, expression, manner)
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or a person's voice, expression, or manner. Frequently paired with 'calm' as 'calm and controlled'. Distinguish from sense 1 (CAREFUL AND INTENTIONAL), which describes actions that limit physical danger — this sense describes emotional composure.
常見錯誤
3. describing a drug, chemical, or other item whose production, sale, or possession
describing a drug, chemical, or other item whose production, sale, or possession is limited by government rules that view it as harmful or likely to cause addiction.
The customs officer found a bag of controlled substances hidden inside the traveller's suitcase.
controlled substances — standard legal term for restricted drugs
Doctors must follow strict rules when they prescribe controlled medicines in most countries.
The pharmacist checked the licence before selling the controlled chemical to the research lab.
Possessing a controlled drug without a prescription can lead to a heavy fine or a prison term.
New laws classified several over-the-counter cold medicines as controlled items requiring a doctor's note.
- regulated
broader term; covers any product with rules, not only dangerous substances
- restricted
focuses on limits of sale or access; less specific to drug law
- unregulated
describes substances with no government controls
- over-the-counter
describes medicines that can be bought without a prescription
文法句型
controlled + noun (substance, drug, medicine, chemical, item)
用法筆記
Almost always appears before a small set of nouns: 'substance', 'drug', 'medicine', 'chemical', or 'item'. Do not use this sense for ordinary regulated products such as food or electronics — the term 'controlled' in this sense is largely limited to substances with addiction or abuse potential.
常見錯誤
4. describing a scientific test or experiment in which one group receives a treatme
describing a scientific test or experiment in which one group receives a treatment and another comparable group does not, so that the results can be compared fairly.
The researchers designed a controlled experiment to test whether the new fertiliser actually helped crops grow.
controlled experiment — standard term in scientific research
In a controlled study, one group of patients received the real drug while the other group took sugar pills.
Camille compared the results from the controlled trial with the data collected from the test group.
Without a controlled environment, it is hard to know if the temperature change actually caused the reaction.
The controlled test showed that the old method was still more effective than the newly proposed one.
- comparative
focuses on the act of comparing two groups rather than the method of keeping conditions fixed
- double-blind
a more specific type of controlled experiment where neither group knows who gets the treatment
- observational
describes a study where changes are observed without any group being kept as a fixed standard
文法句型
controlled + noun (experiment, study, trial, test, environment)
用法筆記
Almost always appears before 'experiment', 'study', 'trial', 'test', or 'environment'. Not used in everyday non-scientific contexts — if you say 'a controlled test' outside of science, readers may expect an explanation of what was kept unchanged.