rule
/ruːl/ (bre, ipa) · /ruːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrül/ (ame, mw)
rule — noun
- rulesingular
- rulesplural
1. An official or widely accepted instruction that sets out what is allowed and wha
An official or widely accepted instruction that sets out what is allowed and what is forbidden in a given context, such as a game, school, or workplace.
The school has a clear rule that students must wear uniforms every day.
rule + that-clause for stating what must be done
Before playing chess, Wei read all the rules of the game carefully.
collocation: rules of the game
The company introduced a new rule about working from home on Fridays.
Breaking one rule in the competition means you cannot continue.
According to the rules of the library, you must return books within three weeks.
- regulation
more formal, often issued by an authority or government body
- principle
a broader, more general truth that guides behaviour, not a specific instruction
- guideline
a suggestion rather than a strict requirement
- exception
a case that does not follow the general rule
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often appears in the patterns 'rule that + clause' and 'rule about + noun/gerund'.
常見錯誤
2. The span of time when a specific leader, government, or organisation holds autho
The span of time when a specific leader, government, or organisation holds authority over a nation and decides its direction.
The country enjoyed a long period of peace during the queen's rule.
collocation: during [someone's] rule
Many schools were built under the emperor's 40-year rule.
After 20 years of military rule, the nation held its first free elections.
Historians still debate whether the colonial ruler's rule helped or harmed the region.
The period of British rule in India lasted nearly 200 years.
- reign
specifically about the period a monarch rules
- government
focuses on the system or group in power, not the period
- control
more general; can apply to any kind of authority, not just over a country
用法筆記
Uncountable or countable. Often preceded by a possessive ('the king's rule') or an adjective + 'rule' ('military rule', 'colonial rule'). Frequently used with prepositions 'under', 'during', 'after'.
3. A long narrow object with a perfectly straight side and labelled units of length
A long narrow object with a perfectly straight side and labelled units of length. You hold it against a surface to check how long something is or to make lines that are perfectly straight.
Élise used a plastic rule to draw a straight line for her maths homework.
use a rule + to-infinitive
The carpenter checked the length of the wooden board with a metal rule.
Always use a clean rule when drawing diagrams for a science project.
Kasia's wooden rule has markings in both centimetres and inches.
The art teacher asked everyone to bring a 30-centimetre rule to class.
- ruler
the more common word in everyday English for this tool
- tape measure
a flexible tool for measuring curved or long surfaces
用法筆記
Also called a 'ruler'. More commonly 'ruler' in everyday speech; 'rule' sounds slightly more formal or technical.
rule — verb
- rulepresent simple I / you / we / they
- rules3rd person singular
- ruling-ing form
- ruledpast simple
1. To have the main power and authority over a country or group of people, making d
To have the main power and authority over a country or group of people, making decisions about how it is managed and run.
Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire for more than sixty years.
rule + empire/country (transitive)
A small group of generals ruled the country after the revolution.
The dynasty that ruled from 1600 to 1800 built many famous palaces.
King Felipe ruled his country for thirty-five years, always putting the people's needs first.
For centuries the Ottoman sultan ruled over a vast region in three continents.
- obey
to follow commands rather than give them
文法句型
rule + noun phrase
rule + over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be used transitively ('rule a country') or intransitively with 'over' ('rule over a country'). The intransitive form is slightly more formal. For managing a small group (a team, a company), 'run' or 'manage' is more natural than 'rule'.
常見錯誤
2. To act as the main force that shapes someone's actions, decisions, or attitudes,
To act as the main force that shapes someone's actions, decisions, or attitudes, often in a powerful or controlling way.
In many families, practical concerns rule over personal wishes.
rule over + abstract noun (intransitive with over)
Hana's passion for music rules every decision she makes about her career.
rule + decision/life (transitive)
Price is the factor that rules most people's choice of a new phone.
In that team, one senior player rules all the discussions about strategy.
Fear of failure should not rule how you plan your future.
- follow
to be guided by something rather than guiding it
文法句型
rule + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with abstract subjects (emotions, concerns, factors) rather than people. 'Rule' in this sense suggests a controlling or dominating influence, not just any influence.
3. To make an official decision about something, especially in a court of law or by
To make an official decision about something, especially in a court of law or by someone in a position of authority.
The judge ruled that the contract was not legally valid.
rule + that-clause for official decisions
The Supreme Court will rule on the case next Monday morning.
rule + on + case/matter
After hearing both sides, the committee ruled in favour of the workers.
The court ruled that the law violated the constitution.
The umpire ruled the runner safe at second base during the baseball game.
- decide
more general; does not imply formal or legal authority
- adjudicate
formal legal term; implies judging a dispute
- declare
focuses on the public announcement of the decision
文法句型
rule + that-clause
rule + on + noun
rule + against/in favour of + noun
用法筆記
Most common in legal contexts (courts, judges) and sports (referees, umpires). The transitive pattern 'rule + that-clause' is the most frequent construction. 'Rule on' is used for the topic of the decision.
4. To create a straight mark on paper by guiding a pen or pencil along the side of
To create a straight mark on paper by guiding a pen or pencil along the side of a ruler or a similar flat tool.
Anya carefully ruled the margins on her notebook before starting to write.
rule + margins/lines (object = the line)
The teacher asked the students to rule a straight line under the title.
Hugo used a ruler to rule neat lines for his bar chart.
Before cutting, Valentina ruled a line down the centre of the paper.
The architect ruled precise lines on the blueprint using a T-square.
- draw a line
the more common expression; does not specify the tool used
文法句型
rule + a line
用法筆記
More common in British English than American English. In the US, 'draw a line' is used instead. The past tense is 'ruled'.