shepherds
shepherds — noun
- shepherdssingular
- shepherdsesplural
1. a person whose work is to watch over a group of sheep, keep them safe, and move
a person whose work is to watch over a group of sheep, keep them safe, and move them between grazing areas
Sofia's grandfather worked as a shepherd in the mountains of northern Spain for forty years.
Every morning, the village shepherds led their flocks down from the green mountain pastures.
plural shepherds + possessive their + flocks
Bao helped the old shepherd gather the sheep that had wandered into the forest.
In the old photographs, the shepherd and his family stand beside their small flock.
Without a good dog, a single shepherd cannot control a flock of two hundred sheep.
用法筆記
The plural 'shepherds' is common when referring to the profession in general or groups of herders. The singular 'shepherd' names one person doing this work.
2. a religious leader, such as a pastor or priest, whose role is to guide and care
a religious leader, such as a pastor or priest, whose role is to guide and care for the members of their church community
The village pastor was a true shepherd to his community for more than thirty years.
metaphorical use: a true shepherd
As a shepherd of his church, Bilal spent hours visiting sick members in the hospital.
The bishop reminded the new priests that a good shepherd must know each family's struggles.
The congregation saw their pastor as a caring shepherd who always welcomed strangers.
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in religious contexts, especially Christianity, where a spiritual leader's relationship with followers is compared to a shepherd's care for sheep. The definite article ('the shepherd') is common in this sense.
shepherds — verb
- shepherdspresent simple I / you / we / they
- shepherdses3rd person singular
- shepherdsing-ing form
- shepherdsedpast simple
1. to gently take a number of people toward a place or through a set of tasks, maki
to gently take a number of people toward a place or through a set of tasks, making sure they are safe and comfortable
The teacher shepherded her young students through the busy museum hallways.
shepherd + object + through [location]
Sofia shepherded the new employees into the meeting room for their orientation.
The project manager carefully shepherded the budget proposal through several rounds of review.
A flight attendant shepherded the passengers off the plane after the emergency landing.
Piotr shepherded his elderly aunt through the crowded train station to the platform.
文法句型
shepherd + object + prepositional phrase (through / into / out of)
用法筆記
Often used with a prepositional phrase telling the direction or destination. The object is typically a group of people who need help or supervision. The tone is gentle and caring — unlike 'force' or 'push'.
常見錯誤
2. to guide sheep to a different location, typically by walking near them to keep t
to guide sheep to a different location, typically by walking near them to keep them moving
David shepherded the flock across the main road to the barn before sunset.
Every autumn, the farmer shepherds the sheep into the lower fields for winter grazing.
shepherds the sheep into [location]
The border collies helped Aaron shepherd the sheep through the gate into the holding pen.
The old shepherd slowly shepherded the ewes and their lambs down the rocky path.
文法句型
shepherd + sheep / flock + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
This is the literal, original meaning of the verb and is used specifically for sheep. For other animals (cattle, goats), the verb 'herd' is more common. 'Shepherd' as a verb for sheep is less frequent in everyday speech than the noun form.