phase

/feɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /feɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfāz/ (ame, mw)

phase — noun

  • phasesingular
  • phasesplural

1. one part of a longer process, plan, or period of change.

1.名詞B2
釋義

one part of a longer process, plan, or period of change.

例句

The project entered its final phase after six months of testing.

pattern: final phase of a project

In the first phase, workers repaired the old bridge deck.

pattern: in the first phase

同義詞
  • stage

    the closest synonym, often used for a clearly named part of a process

  • step

    usually focuses on one action rather than a whole period

  • period

    broader and less tied to development or change

  • chapter

    often figurative for a part of life or history

文法句型

enter a phase

in the early/final phase

phase of + process/project

用法筆記

Often used with words like early, next, and final, and with verbs such as enter and move into. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about a temporary period of odd or difficult behaviour.

常見錯誤

We are in the final phrase of the project.
We are in the final phase of the project.
💡phase means a stage; phrase means a group of words.

2. a limited period when someone behaves in an unusual or difficult way, especially

2.名詞B2
釋義

a limited period when someone behaves in an unusual or difficult way, especially while growing up.

例句

Ben went through a loud phase and banged every kitchen pot.

pattern: go through a phase

During her angry phase, Maya refused to speak at dinner.

同義詞
  • stage

    possible in some contexts, but less typical for temporary behaviour

  • spell

    often suggests a fairly short period

  • period

    broader and does not especially suggest changing behaviour

  • patch

    informal and often used for a difficult time

文法句型

go through a phase

be in a + adjective/noun + phase

have a phase

用法筆記

Usually appears with go through, be in, or have, and the words before phase often name the behaviour, such as angry, shy, or biting. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes a stage in a process rather than someone's temporary manner.

常見錯誤

My son passed a biting phase.
My son went through a biting phase.
💡English normally uses 'go through' with this sense.

3. one of the different shapes the moon seems to have during its monthly cycle.

3.名詞B2
釋義

one of the different shapes the moon seems to have during its monthly cycle.

例句

Tonight's phase of the moon looks like a thin silver bowl.

pattern: phase of the moon

The children drew each moon phase on black paper circles.

compound: moon phase

同義詞
  • appearance

    broader and not limited to the moon's regular cycle

  • shape

    states the visual form, but not the repeating cycle

  • stage

    can describe a point in the moon's cycle, though it is less standard

文法句型

phase of the moon

moon phase

full-moon phase

用法筆記

Most often used in the set phrases phase of the moon, moon phase, and full-moon phase. This sense is much narrower than sense 1 and refers specifically to the moon's changing appearance.

phase — verb