modes
modes — noun
- modessingular
- modesesplural
1. Any of the distinct styles or methods a person adopts when carrying out a task o
Any of the distinct styles or methods a person adopts when carrying out a task or dealing with a situation.
Esteban switched his phone to silent mode before the meeting started.
collocation: switch to [mode]
Each team member has a different mode of working, so the manager adapts.
mode of + gerund for method
Sahil prefers to travel by train, as it is a greener mode of transport.
Sayaka entered relaxation mode as soon as she sat down on the beach.
Kemi's usual mode of greeting involves a warm hug and a big smile.
文法句型
mode of + noun/gerund
in + adjective + mode
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of + noun/gerund' to specify the domain (mode of transport, mode of communication). Also common in compound-like phrases such as 'sleep mode' or 'safe mode' for device settings.
常見錯誤
2. In statistics, the single value that occurs with the highest frequency within a
In statistics, the single value that occurs with the highest frequency within a collection of data.
In his test scores, Eitan found that the mode was eighty-seven, the most common result.
the mode = most common value
Quinn calculated the mode of the survey data to see which answer people picked most.
The teacher asked the class to find the mode of the ages in the room.
Mira noticed that the mode of her weekly running distances was five kilometres.
- modal value
More technical term used in formal statistics.
- most frequent value
Explanatory phrase; not a standard single-word synonym.
- mean
A different measure of central tendency (the average), not the most frequent value.
文法句型
the mode of + noun phrase
用法筆記
The mode is one of three measures of central tendency, alongside the mean (average) and the median (middle value). It is the only one that can be used with categorical (non-numerical) data.
常見錯誤
3. The state of being widely accepted as fashionable at a specific time, particular
The state of being widely accepted as fashionable at a specific time, particularly in clothing or style.
Evelyn noticed that wide-leg trousers were the mode among young people this season.
were the mode = were fashionable
Zayd's vintage jackets were no longer the mode, but he wore them with pride.
Cole said that bright colours had become the mode in home decoration that year.
Naoko refused to follow every new mode that appeared on social media.
文法句型
the mode (as a fixed phrase)
用法筆記
In this sense, 'mode' is almost always used with the definite article ('the mode') as a singular uncountable noun. This meaning is somewhat formal or dated; 'fashion' or 'style' is more common in everyday modern English.
4. In music, a specific pattern of whole and half steps that produces a distinct sc
In music, a specific pattern of whole and half steps that produces a distinct scale type, such as the Dorian or Mixolydian mode.
Esteban learned to play the Dorian mode on his guitar to create a bluesy sound.
Dorian mode — named musical mode
Sari composed a short piece using only the notes of the Phrygian mode.
Sahil explained that the major mode sounds happy while the minor mode sounds sad.
The music teacher asked the class to compare the sound of two different modes.
- musical scale
A more general term; all modes are scales, but not all scales are modes.
- church mode
Historical term for modes used in medieval and Renaissance sacred music.
文法句型
[mode name] mode
in the [mode name] mode
用法筆記
Musical modes are distinct from the standard major and minor scales. Common modes include Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Ionian — each with a unique sequence of intervals.