explore

explore — verb

1. to go to a place that is new or unfamiliar and find out what is there, especiall

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to go to a place that is new or unfamiliar and find out what is there, especially for adventure, science, or learning

例句

Eli and his cousin spent two weeks exploring New Zealand's national parks.

explore + geographical area (national parks / forest / cave system)

The team of geologists will explore the newly discovered cave system next month.

同義詞
  • traverse

    focuses on crossing an area from one side to another, not necessarily discovering things along the way

  • survey

    suggests a more systematic, scientific examination of an area, often measuring or mapping it

  • roam

    implies moving around without a fixed purpose, whereas explore suggests a goal of discovery

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately pay no attention to a place

文法句型

explore + noun phrase (a place)

go exploring

用法筆記

Common with nouns for geographical or architectural spaces (area, region, cave, forest, island, city, temple). The intransitive form usually appears in the fixed phrase 'go exploring.'

常見錯誤

❌I explored about the history of Taiwan.
✅I explored the history of Taiwan.
💡'Explore' is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
❌We explored the maths problem for an hour.' (for physical sense 1)
✅We explored the cave for an hour.
💡Use sense 1 for physical places; use sense 2 (探討) for abstract topics like ideas or problems.

2. to carefully study, discuss, or try out something in order to understand it bett

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to carefully study, discuss, or try out something in order to understand it better or find out what options exist

例句

The researchers are exploring different ways to reduce plastic waste in the ocean.

explore + noun phrase (ways / possibilities / options)

At the meeting, Nicholas and Lakshmi explored opening a second office in Bangkok.

同義詞
  • investigate

    suggests a more systematic, formal inquiry, often used in legal or scientific contexts

  • examine

    focuses on looking at something closely and carefully, often with existing knowledge rather than open-ended discovery

  • probe

    implies exploring sensitive or hidden aspects, often with a sense of pushing deeper into a subject

反義詞
  • overlook

    to fail to consider something that should be examined

文法句型

explore + noun phrase (an idea, a possibility, an issue, a topic)

explore + whether / how / what clause

用法筆記

This sense is always transitive. The object is usually an abstract noun (idea, question, issue, possibility, option, theme, concept). When followed by a clause, common patterns are 'explore whether…' and 'explore how…' but not 'explore that…' (use 'discover that…' instead).

常見錯誤

❌I explored that the machine was broken.
✅I discovered that the machine was broken.
💡'Explore' cannot be followed by a that-clause stating a conclusion; use 'discover' or 'find out.'
❌Let's explore if he is telling the truth.
✅Let's find out if he is telling the truth.
💡When checking a single fact, use 'find out' or 'check'; 'explore' suggests a broader, more open-ended investigation.