plot
/plɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /plɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈplät/ (ame, mw)
plot — noun
- plotsingular
- plotsplural
1. the connected events that make up a story in a novel, film, play, or series
the connected events that make up a story in a novel, film, play, or series
The film's plot moves quickly after the train crash.
collocation: the plot moves quickly
I liked the plot until the hero woke up and it was all a dream.
By chapter three, the plot becomes much darker.
The children followed the plot even without reading every page.
用法筆記
Often used with books, films, plays, and TV series. It focuses on what happens, not on writing style or acting.
常見錯誤
2. a hidden scheme in which several people work together to hurt someone, act illeg
a hidden scheme in which several people work together to hurt someone, act illegally, or seize power
Police uncovered a plot to steal exam papers from the school office.
pattern: a plot to do something
The king feared a plot against his family.
pattern: plot against someone
Several officers joined the plot during the winter.
News of the plot spread across the capital by morning.
- conspiracy
Close in meaning, especially for political or criminal action.
- scheme
Can be secret and dishonest, but not always as serious.
- intrigue
More literary and often used for complicated secret action.
文法句型
a plot to do something
a plot against someone
用法筆記
Common with 'to' + verb and with 'against' + a person or government. Unlike noun/1, this sense is about secret action in real life, not a story.
常見錯誤
3. a section of ground set aside for a specific use, such as building, gardening, o
a section of ground set aside for a specific use, such as building, gardening, or burial
The Chens bought a small plot near the station for a new shop.
pattern: plot for a building
Grandfather grows beans on a plot behind the house.
Each family received one plot in the community garden.
Her name was carved beside the burial plot.
文法句型
a plot for a house
a plot behind the house
用法筆記
Often appears after size words such as 'small' or 'narrow', and before phrases showing purpose: a plot for a house, a garden plot, a burial plot.
4. a drawn figure that shows information, measurements, or parts of something in a
a drawn figure that shows information, measurements, or parts of something in a simple visual way
The report included a plot of weekly sales.
pattern: a plot of results
Use the plot to compare temperature changes across the year.
Her science poster showed a plot of the test results.
The engineer checked the plot of stress against weight before building the bridge.
文法句型
a plot of results
a plot of changes
用法筆記
Common in science, maths, and technical writing. Distinguish from noun/3, which is land, and from verb/2, which is the action of making this kind of figure.
plot — verb
- plotpresent simple I / you / we / they
- plots3rd person singular
- plotting-ing form
- plottedpast simple
1. to secretly prepare harmful or illegal action, often with other people
to secretly prepare harmful or illegal action, often with other people
The gang plotted to rob the bank after sunset.
pattern: plot to do something
Two ministers were plotting against the queen in a locked room.
pattern: plot against someone
For months, the group plotted behind closed doors.
Rumors spread that unknown hackers were plotting an attack.
文法句型
plot to do something
plot against someone
用法筆記
Often followed by 'to' + verb or 'against' + a person. This sense is about harmful secrecy; verb/4 is for hidden fun or surprises.
常見錯誤
2. to mark a place, line, or shape on paper or on a map
to mark a place, line, or shape on paper or on a map
Mia plotted the new bus stop on the town map.
pattern: plot something on a map
On the map page, the guide plotted our camp beside the river.
On the sketch, Felix plotted the wall with a red pen.
The architect plotted the doorways before drawing the rooms.
文法句型
plot something on a map
plot a route
用法筆記
Object is usually a place, line, or feature, and the sentence often ends with 'on' a map, sketch, or page. Distinguish from verb/2, where points or data are shown through a graph.
常見錯誤
3. to place points or lines on a graph or chart so that changes, routes, or positio
to place points or lines on a graph or chart so that changes, routes, or positions can be seen
Students plotted the rainfall data on a large graph.
pattern: plot data on a graph
The screen plots the plane's path every two seconds.
Our class plotted each point before joining the line.
The app plots your speed during the bike ride.
文法句型
plot data on a graph
plot a point
用法筆記
Usually used with numbers, coordinates, routes, or movement. Unlike verb/1, this sense shows change or position through points and lines.
常見錯誤
4. to secretly arrange a surprise, trick, or enjoyable event for someone
to secretly arrange a surprise, trick, or enjoyable event for someone
Her friends plotted a birthday party without telling Nora.
pattern: plot a surprise for someone
The class plotted a harmless joke for the last school day.
Leo and Ben plotted to hide gifts in the kitchen.
We plotted a surprise for Dad after dinner.
文法句型
plot a surprise for someone
plot to do something funny
用法筆記
Object is usually a surprise, joke, or party. Unlike verb/3, the result is playful or kind, not criminal or violent.
5. to invent the chain of events for a book, film, play, or show
to invent the chain of events for a book, film, play, or show
Dana plotted the final season during a train ride.
pattern: plot a show before writing
The team plotted a new detective series for television.
Noah plotted the comic carefully before writing the first page.
By lunch, the writers had plotted three more episodes.
文法句型
plot a novel
plot an episode
用法筆記
Object is a creative work such as a novel, film, play, or episode. Distinguish from noun/1, which is the finished story itself.