sequence
/ˈsiːkwəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsiːkwəns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsē-kwən(t)s -ˌkwen(t)s/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsiː.kwəns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsiː.kwəns/ (ame, ipa)
sequence — noun
- sequencesingular
- sequencesplural
1. A planned order of linked items or events where each part follows the previous o
A planned order of linked items or events where each part follows the previous one in a meaningful way.
By following the correct sequence of commands, Anjali started the computer program.
collocation: sequence of commands / steps / events
The photographs in the album were arranged in sequence from the oldest to the newest.
in sequence — phrase describing ordered arrangement
A strange sequence of symbols was carved into the old stone wall outside the village.
Caleb could not remember the sequence of ingredients for his grandmother's soup recipe.
There is a set sequence that every airport security guard must follow during an inspection.
- series
A series is a group of related items, but a sequence emphasises the order they come in.
- order
Order focuses on arrangement alone; sequence adds the sense of one thing following another.
- chain
A chain suggests each link is directly connected to the next, often in cause-and-effect.
- progression
Progression implies forward movement or development through the stages.
- disorder
Lack of any recognisable order or arrangement.
文法句型
sequence + of + noun phrase
in sequence
sequence of events/steps/numbers
用法筆記
Frequently paired with concrete nouns like 'events', 'steps', 'numbers', or 'commands' to indicate a clear progression.
常見錯誤
2. In music, a short group of notes that recurs at a raised or lowered pitch level
In music, a short group of notes that recurs at a raised or lowered pitch level within a piece.
The pianist played a beautiful sequence that repeated the notes at a higher pitch.
collocation: play + sequence / sequence + of + notes
In the second movement, the violin repeats the same sequence in a lower key.
prepositional phrase: in a [higher/lower] key
The composer wrote a rising sequence that builds tension before the main chorus.
Karim recognised the familiar sequence from a sonata he had studied in music school.
- motif
A motif is a shorter, recurring musical idea; a sequence is specifically a pattern repeated at different pitch levels.
- phrase
A phrase is a complete musical thought; a sequence is a pattern that gets shifted.
- theme
A theme is the main melody of a piece; a sequence is a building block or development technique.
文法句型
sequence + of + notes
rising/descending sequence
用法筆記
Most common in discussions of classical music and music theory; typically describes a harmonic or melodic pattern repeated stepwise.
3. A continuous section of a film or television programme that shows one event or a
A continuous section of a film or television programme that shows one event or a connected set of moments.
The opening sequence of the film shows a young woman running through a forest.
collocation: opening sequence / closing sequence / chase sequence
Shanti watched the chase sequence three times to study the camera angles.
The director cut the final sequence because it made the movie too long.
In the dream sequence, the main character walks through empty streets in the rain.
Every action sequence in that film was filmed with a single continuous shot.
文法句型
sequence + of + film/show
opening/closing/chase sequence
用法筆記
Commonly modified by adjectives describing the type of scene (opening, closing, chase, dream, action).
常見錯誤
4. The order of chemical building blocks inside a living creature's DNA, which dete
The order of chemical building blocks inside a living creature's DNA, which determines its unique traits.
Scientists compared the DNA sequence of the virus with samples from different countries.
collocation: DNA sequence / gene sequence / genome sequence
The genetic sequence of each plant determines the colour and shape of its flowers.
A small change in the human DNA sequence can cause a serious medical condition.
Lien studied the gene sequence of the bacteria to understand how it resists drugs.
The research team published the complete genome sequence of the rare mountain flower.
- genetic code
A broader term that includes how DNA instructions are read and used by the cell.
- genome
The entire set of genetic material; a sequence is the order of parts within it.
文法句型
DNA sequence
gene sequence
sequence of + DNA/genes
用法筆記
Often used with scientific precision; 'DNA sequence' and 'gene sequence' are standard terms in genetics research.
常見錯誤
sequence — verb
- sequencepresent simple I / you / we / they
- sequences3rd person singular
- sequencing-ing form
- sequencedpast simple
1. To set items or information into a fixed arrangement that follows a logical or e
To set items or information into a fixed arrangement that follows a logical or expected pattern.
The librarian sequenced the books on the shelf according to the author's last name.
sequence + object + by/according to [criterion]
David spent the afternoon sequencing the photographs from his trip to Japan.
The computer program can sequence thousands of data points in just a few seconds.
To create the report, the assistant sequenced the results from the lowest to the highest.
The teacher asked the class to sequence the historical events on a timeline.
- scramble
To mix up the order or arrangement.
文法句型
sequence + object
sequence + object + by/according to + criterion
用法筆記
More technical or formal than everyday alternatives like 'arrange' or 'sort'. Common in computing, research, and data analysis contexts.
常見錯誤
2. To determine the exact order of chemical units within a DNA or protein molecule.
To determine the exact order of chemical units within a DNA or protein molecule.
The laboratory technician sequenced the patient's DNA to look for a rare genetic disorder.
technical register: sequence + DNA / genome / protein
Researchers have sequenced the entire genome of the common household cat.
It took the team three months to sequence the DNA samples from the ancient bones.
Mayumi's research focuses on sequencing the genes of plants that grow in desert conditions.
文法句型
sequence + DNA/genome/gene
用法筆記
Almost always appears in scientific or medical contexts; the object is typically DNA, genome, gene, or protein.