represent
represent — verb
- representpresent simple I / you / we / they
- representshe / she / it
- representedpast simple
- representing-ing form
1. to function as the official voice or agent of a person, group, or organization,
to function as the official voice or agent of a person, group, or organization, especially when defending their interests or putting forward their views in a formal setting such as a court, meeting, or negotiation
Nkechi's lawyer will represent her during the court hearing next Monday.
represent + person (legal context)
The mayor sent three officials to represent the city at the climate conference.
Christopher asked his brother to represent him at the family meeting.
A large law firm was hired to represent the hospital in the dispute.
The union leader represented the factory workers during the pay talks.
文法句型
represent + person/organization
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person or organization with authority to act for others. Common in legal, political, and business contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to serve in a parliament, congress, or similar law-making body as the elected of
to serve in a parliament, congress, or similar law-making body as the elected official for a specific geographical constituency or district
Senator Otis has represented this rural district for over twenty years.
represent + [area] + for + [time period]
Vikram hopes to represent the eastern suburbs in the state assembly.
Maeve was the first woman to represent her county in the national parliament.
Each province sends three delegates to represent its interests in the council.
文法句型
represent + constituency/area
用法筆記
Frequently used with geographical area names (district, constituency, suburb, county) as the object. The subject is always an elected person.
常見錯誤
3. to participate in an athletic contest game or other competition as a chosen memb
to participate in an athletic contest game or other competition as a chosen member of a particular country, school, team, or organisation
Lakshmi will represent Kenya in the Olympic marathon next summer.
represent + country + in + event
Our school sent five students to represent us at the debating championship.
Otis felt very proud to represent his university at the national chess tournament.
The national team selected Amihan to represent the country in judo.
- play for
specific to sports teams; less formal
- compete for
emphasises the competitive aspect; also transitive
文法句型
represent + country/school/team + in + event
用法筆記
The object is always a group (country, school, team, club) and the context is almost always competitive (sports, debate, quiz).
4. to formally express a concern, opinion, or complaint to someone in authority, es
to formally express a concern, opinion, or complaint to someone in authority, especially when seeking a change or response
The residents represented their concerns about the new highway to the mayor.
represent + concerns + to + authority
Yara represented to the committee that the library needed more funding.
represent + that-clause (formal pattern)
The shop owners represented their worries about the parking changes at the meeting.
The organisation represented its objections to the proposed law in a formal letter.
文法句型
represent + that-clause
represent + concerns/objections + to + authority
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal contexts such as politics, administration, or legal proceedings. The that-clause pattern is more common in British English than American English.
常見錯誤
5. to show, depict, or describe a person or thing through images, words, or other m
to show, depict, or describe a person or thing through images, words, or other media, often conveying a specific impression or interpretation
The painting represents a young woman sitting alone by an open window.
This graph clearly represents the rise in global temperatures over the past century.
adverb + represent (clearly represents)
The documentary represents the daily struggles of migrant workers with great honesty.
Élise's novel represents village life in southern France during the 1950s.
The media often represents young people as lazy and uninterested in politics.
- depict
more formal; strongly associated with visual art
- portray
suggests a particular interpretation or angle
- illustrate
focuses on making something clear or explaining
文法句型
represent + someone/something + as + adjective
represent + someone/something + in + way
用法筆記
When used with 'as', this sense can imply that the description may be unfair or one-sided. The object can be a person, scene, event, or abstract idea.
常見錯誤
6. to function as an object, image, or mark that carries a particular meaning, stan
to function as an object, image, or mark that carries a particular meaning, standing for an idea, quality, or feeling within a culture or tradition
A red rose often represents love and passion in Western poetry.
represent + abstract concept (uses symbol-image mapping)
The white dove represents peace in many cultures around the world.
For the team, the championship trophy represents years of dedication and sacrifice.
This ancient symbol represents the connection between the earth and the sky.
文法句型
represent + abstract concept
用法筆記
Unlike sense 5 (SHOW/DESCRIBE), this sense does not involve intentional depiction by an artist or writer. Instead, the subject naturally carries symbolic meaning in a culture or context.
7. to be equal to something, constitute a particular result or achievement, or serv
to be equal to something, constitute a particular result or achievement, or serve as an example of a particular type of thing
The company's latest offer represents a significant pay rise for all employees.
represent + [result/achievement]
This decision represents a complete change of direction for the organisation.
Eli's final exam score represents the highest result ever achieved in the programme.
The new policy represents an important step forward in protecting the coastline.
- constitute
more formal; often used in legal or official contexts
- amount to
suggests a cumulative or total effect
- be
simpler but less precise in formal writing
文法句型
represent + noun phrase (result/amount)
用法筆記
This sense often links a concrete action or event to a broader significance or category. It is frequently used in formal or analytical writing.
常見錯誤
8. to assume the role of a character in a stage play, film, television show, or oth
to assume the role of a character in a stage play, film, television show, or other dramatic production
Manuela was chosen to represent the queen in the school play this year.
A famous Hollywood actor represents Hamlet in the new film adaptation.
represent + [character name] + in + [production]
Eitan represented a famous general in the historical drama series.
In the opera, the lead singer represents the spirit of the enchanted forest.
文法句型
represent + character/role
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech; 'play' or 'perform' are more frequently used. 'Represent' here carries a slightly more formal or literary tone, often used when discussing the role in terms of its symbolic or dramatic meaning.