moderating

moderating — verb

  • moderatingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • moderatings3rd person singular
  • moderatinging-ing form
  • moderatingedpast simple

1. to make a situation, a feeling, or a physical force less strong, extreme, or int

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make a situation, a feeling, or a physical force less strong, extreme, or intense, or to become less strong, extreme, or intense in this way

例句

The city council voted to moderate the speed limit on residential roads after local complaints.

transitive: moderate + noun phrase (speed limit)

As the storm moved offshore, the winds moderated and rescue teams began searching.

intransitive use: winds moderated (no object)

同義詞
  • lessen

    more general; can apply to any decrease in degree or amount

  • temper

    implies adding a counterbalancing element, like tempering criticism with kindness

  • ease

    suggests gradual reduction, especially of pain, anxiety, or tension

  • alleviate

    more formal; typically used for pain, suffering, or problems

反義詞

文法句型

moderate + noun phrase (transitive)

moderate (intransitive, no object)

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (someone moderates something) or intransitively (something moderates). The intransitive pattern is common when describing natural forces such as wind, temperature, or storms. Frequently appears with verbs like 'help' (help moderate) or 'designed to' (designed to moderate).

常見錯誤

❌The medicine eliminated my pain completely.
✅The medicine helped moderate my pain.
💡'moderate' means to bring to a manageable level, not to eliminate entirely.
❌The government reduced the price of housing by half.
✅The government introduced measures to moderate the rise in housing prices.
💡'moderate' is used for controlling the degree of change, not for dramatic reduction.

2. in educational settings, to review exam papers that have been graded by differen

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

in educational settings, to review exam papers that have been graded by different teachers and adjust the marks where necessary, so that every student is judged by the same standard

例句

Each year, experienced teachers moderate a sample of graded papers before the results are published.

collocation: moderate a sample of [papers / scripts]

The university asked Felix to moderate the final-year history exams across all departments.

同義詞
  • standardise

    broader meaning of making things conform to a standard; not limited to exam marking

  • calibrate

    technical term for adjusting measurement to a standard; similar idea of ensuring consistency

文法句型

moderate + noun phrase (exam papers, scripts, marking)

用法筆記

Primarily used in British English education systems. The object is usually an exam-related noun: papers, scripts, marking, or scores. This sense is different from 'moderate a discussion' (to act as chairperson), which is a separate meaning not covered here.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher moderated a classroom debate.
✅The teacher moderated the exam papers for consistency.
💡'moderate a debate' is a different sense meaning to act as chairperson; for exam marking, use 'moderate papers' or 'moderate marking'.
❌The professor moderated the students during the test.
✅The professor moderated the graded scripts after the test.
💡'moderate' in the exam sense applies to the grading process, not to supervising students.