essays
essays — noun
- essayssingular
- essaysesplural
1. a text written by a student to explore or argue about a specific topic, typicall
a text written by a student to explore or argue about a specific topic, typically as coursework or for an application.
Nadia wrote a three-page essay on climate change for her biology class.
essay on [topic] for [course]
Tyler's history essay argued that the printing press changed Europe more than any war.
The teacher asked the class to hand in their essays by Friday.
Takeshi spent the whole weekend reading books for his English essay.
For her university application, Ayana wrote an essay about growing up in a small town.
- paper
often shorter or more informal, especially in US schools
- composition
more common in school contexts, especially for beginner-level writing
- article
written for publication, not typically for a course
- piece
a general term for any short piece of writing
文法句型
essay + on/about + topic
essay + for + course
用法筆記
The most frequent use of essay. Courses in nearly every subject require students to write essays that show understanding and build an argument.
常見錯誤
2. a formal or literary word meaning an attempt to do something, especially somethi
a formal or literary word meaning an attempt to do something, especially something unfamiliar or difficult.
Vivek made a final essay at climbing the mountain before the snow came.
make an essay at [something]
The novel was Manuela's first essay into writing for a wide audience.
Henry abandoned his essay at fixing the old car after three hours.
Eshe's essay at learning Japanese ended when she moved to a different city.
- success
an attempt may fail, while a success achieves its goal
文法句型
essay + at + doing something
用法筆記
This sense belongs to formal or literary registers. In everyday English, attempt or try is preferred. The phrase essay at is typically followed by a gerund (-ing form).
常見錯誤
essays — verb
- essayspresent simple I / you / we / they
- essayses3rd person singular
- essaysing-ing form
- essaysedpast simple
1. to make a serious or careful attempt to do something, often in a hesitant or exp
to make a serious or careful attempt to do something, often in a hesitant or experimental way.
Luca essayed a smile, though he felt far from happy.
essay + noun phrase (essayed a smile)
Talia essayed to explain the complex theory in simple everyday words.
essay + to-infinitive
Dahlia essayed a jump over the stream but landed in the cold water.
The young musician essayed a piece far beyond his current ability.
The injured marathon runner essayed to finish the race despite a sore knee.
- avoid
you avoid something instead of making an effort to do it
文法句型
essay + to-infinitive
essay + noun phrase
用法筆記
A highly formal or literary verb. In everyday spoken English, try or attempt is used instead. This sense often carries the nuance that the action is hesitant, experimental, or uncertain of success.
常見錯誤
2. to put something to a test to find out its quality, strength, or usefulness.
to put something to a test to find out its quality, strength, or usefulness.
The colonel essayed the new battle formation by marching his troops before the dawn.
essay + object in military/historical context
Lady Margaret essayed each new servant's loyalty with a series of exacting tasks.
The abbot essayed the novice's devotion by sending him to live alone in the hills.
King Edmund essayed the castle walls by ordering a mock assault at midnight.
文法句型
essay + object + for + quality/purpose
用法筆記
An archaic or very formal sense, rarely encountered outside older literature. In modern English, test or try out is used instead.