present
/ˈprez.ənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprez.ənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpre-zᵊnt/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpreznt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpreznt/ (ame, ipa) · /prɪˈzent/ (bre, ipa) · /prɪˈzent/ (ame, ipa)
present — noun
- presentsingular
- presentsplural
1. an item that you give to someone freely, usually on a special day such as a birt
an item that you give to someone freely, usually on a special day such as a birthday or holiday, to show that you care about them or to thank them
Sumin received a beautiful present for her eighteenth birthday from her grandmother.
The children wrapped their presents carefully before placing them under the Christmas tree.
Antonia brought a small present when she visited her friend in the hospital.
Yasmin opened her presents slowly, enjoying the surprise of each one.
2. the time we are living through right now, between what has already happened and
the time we are living through right now, between what has already happened and what is still to come
We should focus on the present instead of worrying too much about the future.
The novel moves back and forth between the distant past and the present.
Wren finds it hard to live in the present and often dwells on past mistakes.
The exhibition shows how technology has changed life from the past to the present.
3. a set of verb forms that show an action or state happening at the current moment
a set of verb forms that show an action or state happening at the current moment, or that is generally true
In English class, the students learned how to form the simple present tense.
grammar term: simple present tense
Shirin's essay lost points because she kept switching from present to past tense.
The teacher explained that the present continuous is used for actions happening right now.
Anthony finds the present perfect more difficult than the simple past tense.
- present tense
full term; used interchangeably
- past tense
verb forms describing completed actions
- future tense
verb forms describing actions yet to happen
用法筆記
Often paired with a specific tense name: 'present simple,' 'present continuous,' 'present perfect.' The definite article 'the' is usually used: 'the present tense.'
4. the current moment or situation, used mainly in fixed phrases such as 'at presen
the current moment or situation, used mainly in fixed phrases such as 'at present' or 'for the present' to mean 'now' or 'for now'
At present, the company is hiring new staff for its Tokyo office.
fixed phrase: at present
No tickets are available for the concert at present, but more may come later.
Pim asked about the weather in Taiwan at present before booking his flight.
For the present, Lotte plans to focus on her studies rather than finding a job.
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in the fixed phrases 'at present' (meaning 'now') or 'for the present' (meaning 'for now, temporarily'). These function adverbially and are characteristic of both spoken and written English.
常見錯誤
present — adjective
- presentpositive
- more presentcomparative
- most presentsuperlative
1. located at a specific spot where an event is taking place or where someone expec
located at a specific spot where an event is taking place or where someone expects you to be
All students must be present for the final exam on Friday morning.
predicative use: be present
The mayor was present at the opening ceremony of the new library.
Lucía checked the attendance list to see which staff members were present.
The doctor noted that no signs of infection were present in the wound.
- in attendance
formal; used for events where attendance is recorded
- there
informal; 'I'll be there' instead of 'I'll be present'
- absent
not in the expected place
用法筆記
This sense is usually used after a linking verb (be, seem, remain) rather than before a noun. Compare 'the present members' (CURRENT sense) with 'the members present' (IN A PLACE sense — the adjective follows the noun in this special usage).
常見錯誤
2. relating to the time happening now, rather than the past or the future
relating to the time happening now, rather than the past or the future
The present situation at the factory requires immediate attention from management.
attributive use: present + noun
Joaquín is happy with his present job but hopes for a promotion next year.
Under the present rules, employees are allowed to work from home twice a week.
The present address of the office is different from the one listed on the website.
Reema decided that her present living situation was no longer suitable for her family.
用法筆記
Used before a noun (attributive position). Do not confuse with the IN A PLACE sense, which is used after a verb. For example, 'the present manager' means the person who manages now, while 'the manager present' means the manager who is in the room.
常見錯誤
present — verb
- presentpresent simple I / you / we / they
- presents3rd person singular
- presenting-ing form
- presentedpast simple
1. to give something to someone in a formal or official way, such as a prize, a doc
to give something to someone in a formal or official way, such as a prize, a document, or information, often during a ceremony or meeting
The principal will present the award to the top student at the school assembly.
pattern: present + [noun] + to + [person]
The committee presented Yael with a certificate for her volunteer work.
pattern: present + [person] + with + [noun]
The researchers presented their findings at the international medical conference.
The mayor presented the keys of the new community centre to the local residents.
文法句型
present + [noun] + to + [person]
present + [person] + with + [noun]
用法筆記
Common in two structures: 'present something to someone' and 'present someone with something.' Both mean the same thing. This sense is slightly formal and tends to be used for ceremonies, official events, and professional settings.
常見錯誤
2. to serve as the person who hosts a broadcast programme, introducing the differen
to serve as the person who hosts a broadcast programme, introducing the different parts of the show
Anthony presents a weekly radio show about jazz music on the local station.
The BBC asked the journalist to present the evening news bulletin from London.
Shirin has been presenting the breakfast television programme for over five years.
Yasmin dreams of presenting her own travel show for an international audience.
文法句型
present + [noun] (a show/programme)
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, 'host' is more common for the same meaning. The person doing this is called a 'presenter' (UK) or 'host' (US).
3. to formally make one person known to another by stating their name and sometimes
to formally make one person known to another by stating their name and sometimes a few details about them
Allow me to present Mr. Chen, our new manager from the Taipei office.
formal register: 'Allow me to present...'
The ambassador was presented to the president during the state visit.
passive: presented to [person of high rank]
Joaquín presented his colleague to the board members at the annual meeting.
Sumin was nervous when her supervisor presented her to the senior partners.
文法句型
present + [person] + to + [person]
用法筆記
More formal than 'introduce.' Typically used in official or ceremonial settings, such as introducing someone of higher status, or in formal business contexts. In everyday conversation, 'introduce' is preferred.
常見錯誤
4. to go to a particular place and state who you are, especially in an official or
to go to a particular place and state who you are, especially in an official or formal situation such as a meeting, court, or military duty
The new recruits were told to present themselves at the barracks by six o'clock.
reflexive: present oneself
Wren presented herself at the reception desk and asked for the personnel manager.
All passengers must present themselves at the gate at least thirty minutes before departure.
The witness was asked to present himself at the courthouse on the trial day.
文法句型
present + oneself
用法筆記
Always used reflexively ('present oneself'). The place is introduced with 'at' for locations ('present oneself at the office') or 'to' for people in authority ('present oneself to the manager').
常見錯誤
5. (of an opportunity, problem, or situation) to happen or become available, often
(of an opportunity, problem, or situation) to happen or become available, often suddenly or unexpectedly
When an opportunity to study abroad presented itself, Reema decided to take it.
reflexive: opportunity presents itself
A solution presented itself after the team discussed the problem for several hours.
Lotte knew she had to act quickly before a better chance presented itself.
If a suitable job presents itself, Anthony plans to move to a bigger city.
- disappear
to stop being available or visible
文法句型
present + itself/themselves
用法筆記
Always reflexive: 'present itself' (singular) or 'present themselves' (plural). The subject is typically an abstract noun — an opportunity, a chance, a problem, a solution, a difficulty. This is not used for people or concrete objects.
常見錯誤
6. to depict a person, object, or concept from a chosen angle, shaping how an audie
to depict a person, object, or concept from a chosen angle, shaping how an audience views it
The documentary presents the scientist as a hero who fought against powerful companies.
pattern: present + [noun] + as + [noun]
The media often presents young people as lazy, which is unfair to most of them.
Pim presented the proposal in a positive light during the team meeting.
The painting presents a peaceful view of village life in the nineteenth century.
- hide
to keep something from being seen or known
文法句型
present + [noun] + as + [noun/adjective]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'as' to indicate the way something is portrayed, or used with 'in a ... light' to describe the angle or tone. This sense carries a subjective quality — the presenter is choosing a particular angle.
7. to go to a doctor or hospital because you are experiencing particular symptoms o
to go to a doctor or hospital because you are experiencing particular symptoms of illness
Several patients presented at the clinic with flu-like symptoms last week.
medical: present with [symptoms]
The elderly man presented at the emergency room complaining of chest pain.
Antonia presented with a high fever and was admitted to hospital for observation.
Children presenting with a rash should be kept home from school until it clears.
- come in with
informal; 'patients came in with flu symptoms'
文法句型
present + with + [symptom]
present + at + [medical facility]
用法筆記
Common in medical English. A patient 'presents with' certain symptoms or 'presents at' a medical facility. The phrasing can also be used for the symptom itself: 'the patient presented with a cough.'
常見錯誤
8. (of a disease or medical condition) to first become noticeable or show particula
(of a disease or medical condition) to first become noticeable or show particular signs in a patient
The illness presented as a mild fever at first, then grew much worse.
pattern: present as [symptom]
In some patients, the infection presents with no symptoms at all for several days.
The disease can present differently in children and in adults.
The allergy presented as a skin rash after the patient ate shellfish.
文法句型
present + as + [symptom/condition]
用法筆記
The subject is the illness or condition itself, not the patient. Used to describe how a medical problem first appears or which symptoms it causes. 'Present as' introduces the symptom; 'present with' introduces the visible sign.