exploring

/ɪkˈsplɔːr/ (bre, ipa) · [ɪksplˈɔrɪŋ] /ɪkˈsplɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · [ɪksplˈɔrɪŋ] /ik-ˈsplȯr/ (ame, mw)

exploring — verb

  • exploringpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • explorings3rd person singular
  • exploringing-ing form
  • exploringedpast simple

1. to walk around or travel through a place that you have not seen before, looking

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to walk around or travel through a place that you have not seen before, looking at the things you find and learning about them

例句

Last summer, the Park family explored the caves in southern Thailand with a local guide.

Astrid put on hiking boots and went exploring in the forest behind her grandmother's house.

go + exploring — intransitive pattern

同義詞
  • tour

    more about visiting known sights, often with a guide

  • scout

    implies checking an area for a specific purpose, not general discovery

  • traverse

    more formal and technical; suggests crossing rather than discovering

文法句型

explore + place noun

go + exploring

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (explore + place) or intransitively, most commonly in the fixed expression 'go exploring'.

常見錯誤

❌We explored to Japan last year.
✅We explored Japan last year.
💡'explore' takes a direct object; do not add 'to' before the place.
❌They explored around the old town for hours.
✅They explored the old town for hours.
💡'explore' already suggests moving around; 'around' is redundant.

2. to consider a topic, question, or possibility from many different sides — for in

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to consider a topic, question, or possibility from many different sides — for instance by discussing it, reading about it, or trying it — so that you can understand it better

例句

Dr. Kofi Okonkwo explored several different career options before he decided to study medicine.

explore + [options / possibilities]

The class explored the connection between diet and sleep during their science project.

explore + connection between X and Y

同義詞
  • investigate

    more systematic and formal; often used in scientific or legal contexts

  • examine

    suggests close, detailed attention rather than broad exploration

  • look into

    informal; suggests starting an inquiry rather than a thorough process

反義詞
  • ignore

    to deliberately not consider something

  • overlook

    to fail to consider something, often by accident

文法句型

explore + abstract noun (idea/topic/possibility)

explore + wh-clause

用法筆記

Always transitive in this sense. The object must be an abstract noun (idea, topic, question, possibility, option, issue) or a wh-clause. Unlike sense 1, this sense cannot be used intransitively.

常見錯誤

❌The team explored about the new proposal for an hour.
✅The team explored the new proposal for an hour.
💡'explore' takes a direct object; do not add 'about'.
❌Let me explore a look at your report.
✅Let me explore your report in more detail.
💡'explore' already means to examine; adding 'take a look' is redundant.