prose
/prəʊz/ (bre, ipa) · [prˈoz] /prəʊz/ (ame, ipa) · [prˈoz] /ˈprōz/ (ame, mw)
prose — noun
1. Language built from ordinary sentences and paragraphs that follow the natural rh
Language built from ordinary sentences and paragraphs that follow the natural rhythms people use when they talk — in contrast to the regular metre and rhyme found in poetry.
Charlotte's writing course required her to submit at least three pages of prose every week.
The novelist is admired for her clear, flowing prose that reads like natural conversation.
collocation: flowing prose / clear prose
Kevin prefers reading prose to poetry because novels let him follow a full story.
Daichi translated the ancient poem into modern prose so the class understood the original meaning.
Emily admired the author's direct prose style and how she captured real moments on every page.
- writing
broader term that includes poetry, drama, and non-fiction
- composition
more formal; often used in educational settings
- text
refers to the actual written words rather than the literary form
- narrative
specifically refers to prose that tells a story
文法句型
prose + noun (attributive use)
常見錯誤
2. A flat, uninspired quality in written or spoken language — expression that is so
A flat, uninspired quality in written or spoken language — expression that is so plain and ordinary that it becomes boring or lifeless.
The critic said the novel suffered from lifeless prose that failed to move the reader.
Beatrix found the paper's prose so dry that she read each sentence twice.
Shanti skipped the chapters of dull prose and went straight to the parts with dialogue.
The report's colourless prose made a fascinating topic seem painfully ordinary to the readers.
- banality
more emphatic; suggests extreme ordinariness
- platitude
a trite or obvious remark, not a general style
- ordinariness
less negative; describes lack of special qualities
常見錯誤
prose — adjective
- prosepositive
- prosercomparative
- prosestsuperlative
1. Having the qualities of ordinary sentence form — describing a work, passage, or
Having the qualities of ordinary sentence form — describing a work, passage, or style composed as prose instead of verse.
Andrés signed up for a prose writing class to improve his short-story skills.
The literary journal accepts poetry, drama, and prose work in every issue it publishes.
attributive: prose work / prose writing
Aylin experimented with a prose poem, arranging sentences on the page without line breaks.
Ife borrowed a collection of prose pieces from the library for her literature class.
文法句型
prose + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns such as 'writing', 'work', 'style', 'passage', and 'poem'. The attributive form is far more common than the predicate form.
常見錯誤
2. So plain and ordinary that something lacks any interesting, exciting, or creativ
So plain and ordinary that something lacks any interesting, exciting, or creative qualities — used to describe writing, speech, or even a person's manner.
Lien found the speaker's remarks too prose and predictable to hold her attention for long.
predicative use: 'too prose'
Gabriel thought the report was prose and colourless, so he stopped after two pages.
Chiara replaced the prose opening of her novel with a dramatic scene to hook readers.
The committee found the presentation prose and routine, offering nothing new or bold.
- imaginative
showing creativity and original thinking
- vivid
producing clear, strong, or sharp images in the mind
文法句型
be + prose
prose + noun
用法筆記
Can be used both before a noun ('a prose description') and after a linking verb ('the speech felt prose'). The predicative use is informal and relatively rare.
常見錯誤
prose — verb
- prosepresent simple I / you / we / they
- proses3rd person singular
- prosing-ing form
- prosedpast simple
1. To produce written work in ordinary sentence form, using the structures of every
To produce written work in ordinary sentence form, using the structures of everyday language rather than the metrical patterns of verse.
After years of writing poetry, Emily began prosing and published a collection of short stories.
Daichi prosed about village life, describing simple moments with quiet care and detail.
prose + about + topic
The workshop encouraged poets to try prosing to build a stronger narrative voice.
Beatrix prosed about her travels through rural Japan in a series of thoughtful letters.
文法句型
prose + about + topic
用法筆記
Very rare in modern English. Most speakers use the phrase 'write prose' instead of the verb 'prose'. Found mainly in literary or historical discussions.
常見錯誤
2. To speak or write in a plain, unimaginative way that lacks emotional energy, col
To speak or write in a plain, unimaginative way that lacks emotional energy, colour, or the power to hold an audience's interest.
The committee head prosed on about the budget until half the room lost attention.
Charlotte prosed through her presentation in a flat voice, reading each slide without energy.
verb + adverb: prose on / prose through
Kevin prosed at the ceremony for an hour as people glanced at their watches.
Aylin prosed on about the meeting agenda until everyone in the room looked bored.
- enthused
to speak with energy and excitement
文法句型
prose + on (continue speaking dully)
用法筆記
Often used with the particle 'on' to indicate continuing in a dull manner ('prose on'). The tone is almost always critical.