preface
/ˈprefəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprefəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpre-fəs/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpref.ɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpref.ɪs/ (ame, ipa)
preface — noun
- prefacesingular
- prefacesplural
1. a short section at the start of a book where the writer explains the book's purp
a short section at the start of a book where the writer explains the book's purpose, background, or thanks.
In the preface, Sofia thanked the nurses who supported her research.
pattern: in the preface
The preface explains why the novelist returned to the same village.
pattern: the preface explains why
Before chapter one, Hamza read the preface to understand the book's aim.
A short preface tells readers how the poems were arranged.
- introduction
Broader word for an opening section; it can also be used for speeches, reports, or courses.
- foreword
A short opening text written by someone other than the author, often as an endorsement.
- prologue
Usually part of the story itself, giving background before the main narrative begins.
- epilogue
A section placed at the end of a book rather than at the beginning.
文法句型
in the preface
read the preface to [book]
用法筆記
Usually written by the author rather than by a guest writer. Distinguish it from a foreword, which is normally contributed by someone else.
常見錯誤
2. something that happens first and shows that a larger or more important event is
something that happens first and shows that a larger or more important event is about to begin.
The small border clash was a preface to a much wider war.
pattern: a preface to [later event]
For Xiu, the practice interview was a useful preface to the real test.
That brief speech served as a preface to the mayor's main announcement.
The heated committee debate was a preface to the strike next week.
- prelude
More literary and often used for music, stories, or dramatic developments.
- forerunner
Stresses that something comes earlier and may lead to or predict what follows.
- harbinger
More literary; often suggests a warning sign rather than just an opening stage.
- aftermath
What comes after an important event rather than before it.
文法句型
a preface to [event]
serve as a preface to [something]
用法筆記
Common in formal writing about politics, history, or public events. It often suggests that the first event points forward to something larger that follows soon after.
preface — verb
- prefacepresent simple I / you / we / they
- prefaces3rd person singular
- prefacing-ing form
- prefacedpast simple
1. to start a remark, request, or action by putting another comment or act before t
to start a remark, request, or action by putting another comment or act before the main point.
Esme prefaced her criticism with praise for the team's hard work.
pattern: preface [criticism] with [praise]
Before asking for money, Justin prefaced the request with an apology.
The coach prefaced the announcement by reminding everyone to stay calm.
Amani prefaced the ceremony with a song from her hometown.
- follow
To come after the main point rather than before it.
文法句型
preface [remarks/request] with [something]
preface [event] by [doing something]
用法筆記
Usually used with nouns like remarks, request, speech, warning, or ceremony. The most common patterns are 'preface something with ...' and 'preface something by ...ing'.