essay
/ˈeseɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈeseɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-ˌsā senses 2, 3 & 4 also e-ˈsā/ (ame, mw) · /eˈseɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /eˈseɪ/ (ame, ipa)
essay — noun
- essaysingular
- essaysplural
1. a written text about a particular subject, usually one that a student prepares f
a written text about a particular subject, usually one that a student prepares for a school or university course to show their knowledge and understanding
Asher wrote a five-page essay on the French Revolution for his history class.
essay on + topic to show subject
The teacher returned our graded essays with helpful notes in red ink.
essay as graded schoolwork
Putri's essay about local wedding traditions won first prize at the school fair.
For a university application, Ryan had to submit a personal essay describing his goals.
A good essay needs a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a final conclusion.
- paper
often shorter or more informal; mainly used in US academic settings
- composition
old-fashioned; now mostly used for language-class writing exercises
- article
published in a newspaper, magazine, or journal, not typically a student assignment
文法句型
essay + on/about + topic
用法筆記
The topic of an essay is typically introduced by the prepositions 'on' or 'about'. In school contexts, this noun frequently pairs with 'write', 'submit', 'hand in', 'grade', or 'mark'.
常見錯誤
2. an act of trying to do something, especially something that tests one's skill or
an act of trying to do something, especially something that tests one's skill or that may not succeed
Layla made her first essay at writing a novel during the summer holidays.
collocation: first essay at
The young painter's early essay in watercolours showed real promise and originality.
collocation: early essay in [medium]
Tamar treated each new recipe as an essay in patience and careful timing.
The museum displayed Wei's first essays in glassblowing from the early 1990s.
文法句型
essay + at/in
用法筆記
A formal or literary use, almost always singular. Commonly paired with possessive determiners ('his first essay at...') and the verb 'make'. In modern everyday English, 'attempt' or 'try' are far more common.
常見錯誤
essay — verb
- essaypresent simple I / you / we / they
- essays3rd person singular
- essaying-ing form
- essayedpast simple
1. to make a careful or experimental attempt at doing something, especially when th
to make a careful or experimental attempt at doing something, especially when the outcome is uncertain
The team of scientists essayed a new technique for removing plastic from ocean water.
essay + noun phrase for experimenting
Ayesha essayed to climb the steep cliff face using only basic equipment.
essay + to-infinitive
Few modern composers have essayed such a complex and daring musical structure.
The chef essayed a fusion dish that blended traditional Korean flavours with Mexican spices.
文法句型
essay + noun phrase
essay + to-infinitive
用法筆記
A very formal verb, most frequent in written literary criticism, art history, or formal journalism. In everyday speech, 'try' or 'attempt' are always preferred. Rarely appears in negative constructions or questions.