pertain

IPA/pəˈteɪn/
KK[pɚtˈen]IPA/pərˈteɪn/

pertain — verb

  • pertainpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • pertainshe / she / it
  • pertainedpast simple
  • pertaining-ing form

1. to have a direct relationship with a specific topic, occurrence, or area of inte

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to have a direct relationship with a specific topic, occurrence, or area of interest

例句

The documents that pertain to the land sale are kept in the lawyer's office.

pertain + to + noun phrase for relation

Amelia asked the professor whether her question pertained to the exam material.

同義詞
  • relate to

    less formal, more common in everyday speech

  • concern

    similar meaning but does not require a preposition before its object

  • apply to

    stresses relevance or effect rather than connection

反義詞

文法句型

pertain + to + noun phrase

用法筆記

Always followed by the preposition 'to'. This sense is common in legal, academic, and official writing but sounds too formal for everyday conversation about personal matters.

常見錯誤

❌This article pertains about climate change.
✅This article pertains to climate change.
💡'pertain' takes 'to', not 'about'.
❌The new policy pertains all employees.
✅The new policy pertains to all employees.
💡'pertain' is intransitive and requires the preposition 'to' before the object.

2. to be valid, in effect, or relevant during a specific set of circumstances or pe

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to be valid, in effect, or relevant during a specific set of circumstances or period

例句

The same safety rules that pertain in the factory also apply to the warehouse.

pertain + in + location/situation

Different tax laws pertained in the 1980s than those we follow today.

pertain + in + time period

同義詞
  • apply

    more common in everyday usage; less formal

  • be in force

    emphasises that a rule or law is active

  • hold true

    stresses that a statement remains valid in the situation

反義詞

文法句型

pertain + in + situation

pertain + at + time

用法筆記

Often used with 'in' to specify the situation or 'at'/'during' to specify the time. The subject is typically a rule, law, condition, or right. Distinguish from sense 1 ('about/regarding') where the focus is on topical connection rather than applicability.

常見錯誤

❌The discount pertains only for students.
✅The discount applies only to students.
💡'pertain' sounds overly formal and unnatural for temporary offers; 'apply' is more natural.
❌It pertains that all staff must sign in.
✅It is required that all staff must sign in.
💡'pertain' is not used with a that-clause.