instrumentality

1.名詞C1

釋義

a body or organization created by a government to carry out specific public duties or functions

例句

Taiwan's Environmental Protection Administration is an instrumentality that enforces pollution laws.

is an instrumentality that [verb] — defining role of the body

The government created the Central Bank as a financial instrumentality to manage currency.

created ... as a [adj] instrumentality to [infinitive] — active construction

同義詞

agency
broader term for any administrative body, not exclusively governmental
authority
emphasizes the power to make binding decisions or enforce rules
bureau
refers to a subdivision within a larger government department

反義詞

private organization
a body not owned or controlled by the state

文法句型

the [name] instrumentality

[adjective] instrumentality

instrumentality of [noun]

用法筆記

Common in legal and administrative writing. The adjective that precedes it (federal, state, local, public) identifies which level of government created the body.

常見錯誤

❌The Red Cross is a government instrumentality.

✅The Red Cross is an independent charity, not a government instrumentality.

💡Instrumentalities are official state bodies, not private non-profits.

2.名詞C2

釋義

the condition of playing a decisive part in making a particular result happen

例句

Through the instrumentality of local volunteers, the clinic stayed open during the flood.

Through the instrumentality of [agent] — fixed phrase showing cause

The report acknowledged the instrumentality of early education in reducing youth crime.

同義詞

influence
broader and less formal; can be weaker or indirect
agency
focuses on the capacity to act rather than on the causal effect itself
role
more general; does not necessarily imply decisive causation

反義詞

insignificance
the state of having little or no effect on an outcome

文法句型

through the instrumentality of [noun/gerund]

[possessive] instrumentality in [noun]

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the pattern 'through the instrumentality of + agent' to express how something was achieved. The agent is typically a person, group, or abstract force.

常見錯誤

❌His instrumentality in the project was helpful.

✅Through the instrumentality of his team, the project was finished early.

💡In this sense, 'instrumentality' is most natural in the fixed phrase 'through the...of' rather than as a standalone subject.

3.名詞C2

釋義

something used as a way to accomplish a particular goal, such as a method, system, or tool

例句

The internet has become the most powerful instrumentality for sharing knowledge across borders.

instrumentality for [purpose] — common pattern

Rosa considers documentary film a powerful instrumentality for raising awareness about pollution.

同義詞

means
more general; suitable for both concrete and abstract purposes
vehicle
metaphorical use; emphasizes the role of conveying or delivering something
medium
specific to communication or artistic expression
channel
suggests a pathway or conduit rather than an active tool

反義詞

obstacle
something that blocks or hinders the achievement of a goal
barrier
an impediment that prevents progress or access

文法句型

instrumentality for [gerund/noun]

instrumentality of [noun]

[adjective] instrumentality

用法筆記

More formal than everyday synonyms such as 'tool', 'means', or 'way'. Preferred in academic, legal, and philosophical writing where precision and abstraction are needed.

常見錯誤

❌I need an instrumentality to open this box.

✅I need a tool to open this box.

💡For everyday physical objects, use 'tool' or 'means'; 'instrumentality' sounds unnaturally formal.