parse
parse — verb
- parsepresent simple I / you / we / they
- parses3rd person singular
- parsing-ing form
- parsedpast simple
1. to analyse a sentence by identifying each word or phrase along with its grammati
to analyse a sentence by identifying each word or phrase along with its grammatical category and its role within the sentence
The teacher asked the students to parse the sentence 'The dog chased the cat.'
parse + direct object (a full sentence)
Kenji parsed each Latin phrase carefully, noting its case and number.
Ami parsed the sentence 'Birds near the coast migrate south' and labelled each phrase in class.
The grammar app helps learners parse sentences by colouring each part of speech differently.
Nikhil parsed the poem line by line during the linguistics workshop.
文法句型
parse + noun phrase (sentence, phrase, clause)
用法筆記
Frequently used in language classrooms and linguistics textbooks. The direct object is a sentence, clause, or other grammatical unit — you parse the structure, not the meaning.
常見錯誤
2. to process a string of data or code so that a computer program can recognise and
to process a string of data or code so that a computer program can recognise and use the information it contains
The script parses the XML file and extracts the product names.
parse + file type (XML, JSON, HTML)
Aaron wrote a short program to parse the server logs for error messages.
parse + [data] for [specific information]
The browser parses the HTML code before showing the page on screen.
Linh's tool parses incoming emails and sorts them into the correct folders.
The system failed because it could not parse the date format '31-02-2025'.
文法句型
parse + noun phrase (data, file, code, input)
用法筆記
The subject is usually a program, script, system, or tool. The object is raw data (text, logs, HTML, JSON, XML) that the program breaks into structured parts.
3. to examine information, a statement, or a situation piece by piece so that you c
to examine information, a statement, or a situation piece by piece so that you can grasp its full meaning or structure
Rodrigo parsed the contract section by section before signing it.
parse + [document] + section by section / line by line
The committee parsed every word of the statement for political implications.
Astrid parsed the financial report to find out where the money had gone.
After the debate, a journalist parsed each candidate's answer for signs of hesitation.
Selim parsed the survey responses carefully, looking for patterns in the data.
- scrutinise
similar level of detail but more about checking for defects than understanding structure
- dissect
more vivid — implies breaking into pieces with a critical or analytical purpose
文法句型
parse + noun phrase (statement, report, text, results)
用法筆記
This sense extends the grammar and computing uses to any complex information. It carries a connotation of methodical, piece-by-piece examination — you are not just looking at the whole, but at each part in turn.
常見錯誤
4. to work out the meaning of something that is confusing, unclear, or hard to foll
to work out the meaning of something that is confusing, unclear, or hard to follow
Ilan listened again to the recording, trying to parse what the pilot had said.
try to parse + what-clause
The instructions were so badly written that nobody could parse them.
negative: 'could not parse' something confusing
Amihan read the email twice but still could not parse the manager's intention.
Can you parse what the lecturer meant by that strange remark?
- understand
broader and more neutral — 'parse' adds the idea of effort and confusion
- misunderstand
the opposite of successfully working out the meaning
文法句型
can/cannot parse + question word clause (what, how, why)
parse + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in negative constructions (can't parse, couldn't parse) or questions. The subject is a person trying to make sense of unclear spoken or written language. Distinguish from sense 3 (EXAMINE CAREFULLY): this sense is about achieving understanding, not about the methodical process of examination.
常見錯誤
parse — noun
1. the result of a parsing process — for example, a grammatical description of a se
the result of a parsing process — for example, a grammatical description of a sentence or a structured version of data that a computer can work with
The parser returned a parse of the whole document in under a second.
return + a parse of
Each parse of the ambiguous sentence produced a different grammatical tree.
each parse of + noun — referring to one instance
The software generated fifteen possible parses for the poem's first line.
The compiler rejected the parse because line 12 used an undeclared variable.
- analysis
broader — any detailed examination, not just the output of a parsing process
文法句型
a parse of + noun phrase
return / produce + a parse