moderators
moderators — noun
1. people whose job on a website, app, or chat group is to watch what users post an
people whose job on a website, app, or chat group is to watch what users post and take down anything that breaks the rules, such as insults, spam, or threats
The moderators of the Discord server removed Tuan's post for being off-topic.
pattern: the moderators of + [platform]
Yara reported the comment, and within minutes the moderators had banned the user.
collocation: report to / banned by moderators
Volunteer moderators on Reddit work for free to keep each subreddit clean.
Forum moderators can delete posts, lock threads, or block users who keep arguing.
After many spam attacks, the gaming site hired more moderators to handle nighttime traffic.
文法句型
moderators of [forum/server/subreddit]
the moderators delete/remove/ban
用法筆記
Frequently plural; a single online community is usually run by a team of moderators, often shortened to 'mods' in casual speech.
常見錯誤
2. people in charge of running a formal meeting, debate, or panel discussion, makin
people in charge of running a formal meeting, debate, or panel discussion, making sure speakers stick to the time limit and follow the agreed rules
The moderators kept the presidential debate on track by cutting off long answers.
collocation: moderators kept [the debate] on track
Élise and Christopher served as moderators for the climate panel at the United Nations.
pattern: serve as moderators for + [event]
Two moderators handed out small flags so that each speaker knew when their three minutes were up.
The moderators of the town hall asked everyone to keep their questions short.
- chairpersons
broader — chairs lead an organisation or board; moderators are tied to one event
- facilitators
softer style, often used for workshops where the group reaches conclusions together
- hosts
less formal; a host welcomes guests, while a moderator enforces rules and timing
- panellists
the people doing the talking, not running the event
文法句型
the moderators of [the debate/panel/meeting]
act as moderators
用法筆記
Subject is the people running the event, not the speakers. Distinguish from sense 1 (online communities): here the moderators stand at the front of a real or virtual meeting and manage who speaks next.
常見錯誤
3. neutral people brought in to help two sides who are arguing find common ground a
neutral people brought in to help two sides who are arguing find common ground and reach a peaceful agreement
The union called in outside moderators after talks with the company broke down.
collocation: call in / bring in moderators
Ayana and Antonia acted as moderators between the two neighbouring families.
pattern: moderators between + [parties]
The court appointed two retired judges as moderators to settle the inheritance dispute.
Without trusted moderators, the village argument over water rights dragged on for months.
- mediators
very close in meaning; 'mediators' is the more standard term in legal and labour contexts
- go-betweens
informal; suggests carrying messages between sides rather than guiding a formal agreement
- arbitrators
stronger role — arbitrators make a binding decision; moderators only help the sides agree
文法句型
moderators between [parties]
appoint moderators
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (meeting chairs): here moderators step into an existing conflict to help the parties agree, while sense 2 moderators only run scheduled discussions. Often used with 'between [two sides]'.
4. people who check the work of different teachers marking the same exam, so that e
people who check the work of different teachers marking the same exam, so that every student is judged by one fair standard
The exam board sent moderators to re-mark a sample of the history papers.
pattern: moderators re-mark a sample of [papers]
Hui and Tara work as moderators for the national English literature exam every June.
collocation: work as moderators for + [exam]
Moderators told the teachers to be stricter on the long-essay questions next year.
Because the moderators changed several grades, the school's average rose by two points.
- examiners
broader; examiners often mark every paper, while moderators only check the markers
- external assessors
formal, used at universities; assessors often have a similar quality-control role
文法句型
moderators of [an exam/assessment]
用法筆記
Mainly British educational use, especially with A-levels, GCSEs, and university coursework. The moderators do not mark every paper themselves — they sample and adjust.
5. in Presbyterian and some other reformed churches, the ministers chosen to lead t
in Presbyterian and some other reformed churches, the ministers chosen to lead the church's governing meeting for one year
The Moderators of the Church of Scotland are elected for a one-year term each May.
pattern: Moderators of the [Church] are elected
Past Moderators gathered in Edinburgh to honour Ilan, the new appointment.
Madison's grandfather served as one of the Moderators of the General Assembly in 1998.
The two Moderators opened the synod with a short prayer for unity.
- presiding ministers
descriptive equivalent used outside Presbyterian tradition
文法句型
the Moderators of the [General Assembly/Synod]
用法筆記
Almost always capitalised when used as a title (the Moderators of the General Assembly). Outside Scottish and Northern Irish church contexts this sense is rarely seen.