pens
pens — noun
- penssingular
- pensesplural
1. a long thin tool that holds ink and is used to put words or pictures on paper
a long thin tool that holds ink and is used to put words or pictures on paper
Mathieu borrowed a blue pen from the receptionist to fill out the form.
The teacher asked everyone to write the answers in pen so nothing could be erased.
in pen — using a pen, not a pencil
Xiu signed the contract with a black ink pen while the lawyer watched.
A felt-tip pen works best for drawing bold lines on poster board.
Diego keeps a spare pen in his pack in case one runs out.
- ballpoint
a specific type of pen with a small ball at the tip; less formal than 'pen'
- fountain pen
a pen that uses liquid ink from a refillable reservoir; more formal and expensive
- marker
a pen with a thick tip for writing on boards or paper; different look and purpose
- pencil
a writing tool that uses graphite and can be erased, whereas pen ink cannot
文法句型
pen + noun (compound)
in pen
用法筆記
Pen is a countable noun. The phrase 'in pen' (without an article) means using a pen as the writing tool.
常見錯誤
2. a fenced area where animals such as sheep, pigs, or chickens are kept, or where
a fenced area where animals such as sheep, pigs, or chickens are kept, or where a child can play safely
The farmer built a new pen for the pigs behind the red barn.
Daniel led the sheep into the wooden pen before the storm arrived.
compound: sheep pen / pig pen / cattle pen
A four-foot fence around the playpen keeps the toddler safely inside.
The chickens scratch and peck inside their pen all afternoon.
Hui checked the latch on the horse pen to make sure it was closed tight.
文法句型
[animal] + pen (compound)
用法筆記
Compound nouns like 'sheep pen', 'pig pen', and 'playpen' are very common. The word 'pen' alone often needs context to clarify what kind of enclosure.
3. a prison or place where criminals are kept as punishment — used in informal US s
a prison or place where criminals are kept as punishment — used in informal US speech
Shanti's uncle spent five years in the state pen for robbery.
the pen — informal for 'the penitentiary'
After the trial the judge sent him straight to the pen.
Old movies often show criminals planning their escape from the pen.
A reporter interviewed three former inmates after they left the pen.
- prison
the standard, formal word; pen is the informal shorthand
- jail
usually a smaller local facility for short stays; pen suggests a larger state or federal prison
- penitentiary
the formal term that 'pen' abbreviates
文法句型
the pen
用法筆記
Almost always used with the definite article: 'the pen'. This sense is informal and more common in American English than British English.
常見錯誤
4. the area in a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up before going into the
the area in a baseball field where relief pitchers warm up before going into the game; also used to mean the group of relief pitchers on a team
The manager walked to the pen and told the right-handed pitcher to start warming up.
Our team's pen has the best earned-run average in the league this season.
the pen — short for 'bullpen' in baseball context
Ezra watched the relievers toss fastballs in the pen behind the outfield wall.
With the starting pitcher tired, the coach called the pen for a fresh arm.
- bullpen
the full form of the term; 'pen' is just a shortening
文法句型
the pen
用法筆記
Used only in baseball contexts. The full word 'bullpen' is more common in writing; 'pen' is an informal shortening used by fans and sportswriters.
5. an adult female swan
an adult female swan
The pen laid five eggs in the nest by the lake this spring.
A male swan, called a cob, guards the pen while she sits on the eggs.
pen (female swan) vs. cob (male swan)
Birdwatchers spotted a pen swimming with three young cygnets behind her.
The pen and the cob will stay together for many years on the same pond.
- cob
the male swan, as opposed to the female (pen)
用法筆記
Used mostly in ornithology and nature writing. The male swan is called a 'cob', and a baby swan is a 'cygnet'.
6. a penalty kick in football (soccer) — a free kick at the goal given when a defen
a penalty kick in football (soccer) — a free kick at the goal given when a defending player commits a serious foul inside their own penalty area
The referee pointed to the spot and called a pen for the visiting team.
pen — short for 'penalty kick' in football
Imani took the pen and scored with a low shot to the left corner.
The crowd shouted for a pen after the defender tripped the striker in the box.
The goalkeeper saved the pen and his teammates hugged him in celebration.
- penalty kick
the full formal term; 'pen' is the informal short form
- spot kick
another term for penalty kick in British football commentary
用法筆記
Always short for 'penalty kick'. Used in spoken commentary and informal football writing, not in official rulebooks where 'penalty kick' is used.
pens — verb
- penspresent simple I / you / we / they
- penses3rd person singular
- pensing-ing form
- pensedpast simple
1. to write something, especially a letter, note, or piece of literature — used in
to write something, especially a letter, note, or piece of literature — used in more formal or literary English
Mira penned a short thank-you note to her grandfather for the birthday gift.
pen + note/letter + to + person
The novelist penned three chapters of her new book while staying at a quiet cottage.
Sivan penned a heartfelt letter of apology and mailed it the same afternoon.
A local journalist penned an article about the community garden for the weekly newspaper.
The poet penned a short verse about the rain and read it at the cafe.
文法句型
pen + noun phrase (letter/note/novel/essay)
pen + noun phrase + to + person
用法筆記
More formal and literary than the everyday verb 'write'. Common in journalism and book reviews ('the author pens'). Unlike 'write', the object is almost always a specific piece of writing (a letter, a novel, a poem), not a general statement about writing ability.