phased
phased — adjective
- phasedpositive
- phasedercomparative
- phasedestsuperlative
1. describing something that is carried out step by step across several planned sta
describing something that is carried out step by step across several planned stages, instead of happening all at once.
The government's phased approach to tax reform gave businesses time to adjust.
phased approach to [something]
Yael's school introduced a phased return to full-time classes after the holidays.
The housing project will open in three phased sections over two years.
A phased withdrawal of troops allowed the region to stabilize gradually.
- gradual
broader; 'gradual' describes any slow change, while 'phased' emphasises planned stages
- staged
very similar; 'staged' is slightly less formal and often used for events
- step-by-step
more informal; often describes instructions or processes rather than policies
- immediate
happening all at once, without stages
- instantaneous
happening in a single moment, the opposite of a phased rollout
文法句型
phased + noun
用法筆記
Attributive only — this adjective is always placed before the noun it describes (e.g. a phased plan, phased changes).
phased — noun
1. one of the distinct steps that make up a longer process of change, growth, or ac
one of the distinct steps that make up a longer process of change, growth, or activity.
The first phase of the bridge construction will be finished by spring.
first/next/final phase of [something]
Shirin's research project is still in the planning phase, with no data collected yet.
be in the [adjective] phase
The company is entering a new phase of growth after launching its online store.
Piotr's recovery from surgery moved into a difficult phase that required extra care.
Each phase of the project lasted roughly three months before the team moved on.
文法句型
phase of [something]
[adjective] phase
in/into a phase
用法筆記
Common with ordinal adjectives (first, second, final) and with 'of' to specify what is developing. When speaking about projects, 'stage' is often interchangeable.
常見錯誤
2. a limited period during which someone, especially a young person, behaves in an
a limited period during which someone, especially a young person, behaves in an unusual or difficult way that is not typical of their usual personality.
Indra went through a phase of eating only blue foods at age four.
go through a phase of [doing something]
Liang's parents were told not to worry — his shyness was just a phase.
just a phase (temporary situation)
Most teenagers go through a phase of wanting to stay up very late.
The doctor said the sleeplessness was likely a passing phase that would not last.
文法句型
a phase
go through a phase
just a phase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the structure 'go through a phase' or with the judgement 'just a phase'. This sense carries a tone of reassurance — the behaviour is expected to end.
常見錯誤
3. one of the regular, repeating visual forms or conditions that a celestial body o
one of the regular, repeating visual forms or conditions that a celestial body or a cyclical process passes through, such as the changing shape of the moon as seen from Earth.
Waxing crescent is one of the eight phases of the moon.
phases of the moon
Samir checked the moon phase chart before planning the night hike.
The satellite orbits Earth in a regular phase that repeats every ninety minutes.
Each phase of the lunar cycle lasts about seven days before the next begins.
文法句型
phases of [something]
in phase
out of phase
用法筆記
Common in astronomy (moon phases) and physics (wave phase). The fixed expressions 'in phase' and 'out of phase' describe whether two cyclical processes are synchronised.
常見錯誤
phased — verb
- phasedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- phaseds3rd person singular
- phaseding-ing form
- phasededpast simple
1. to start using or carrying out something gradually, in a planned series of steps
to start using or carrying out something gradually, in a planned series of steps, rather than all at once.
The city will phase in the new recycling program over six months.
phase in [something] (phrasal verb)
The old payment system was phased out when the digital platform launched.
be phased out (passive form)
William recommended phasing in the curriculum changes slowly over three terms.
The school board voted to phase the new teaching method into all classrooms by 2027.
- introduce gradually
more formal and explicit; states the manner of introduction rather than using a single verb
- roll out
more informal; common in business and tech, can describe a faster introduction than 'phase in' suggests
- phase out
the direct opposite — to gradually stop using something
- implement immediately
to put into effect all at once, the opposite of phasing in
文法句型
phase + noun + in/out
be phased in/out
用法筆記
Almost always used with the particles 'in' (to introduce) or 'out' (to remove). The passive is very common, especially in formal and business writing: 'The old system was phased out.'