states
states — idiom
1. a way of referring to the United States of America, especially when talking abou
a way of referring to the United States of America, especially when talking about traveling there, living there, or working there
Renata moved to the States last year to study at a university in California.
"the States" as a set noun phrase for the US
Have you ever been to the States? Joon goes to New York this spring.
Paul spent ten years working in the States before returning to his hometown in Mexico.
The visa application asked whether Salma had any family living in the States.
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the'. This idiom only appears in the plural form 'States' — the singular 'State' does not carry this meaning on its own.
常見錯誤
states — noun
1. the particular condition that something or someone is in at a specific time, for
the particular condition that something or someone is in at a specific time, for example being clean, broken, healthy, or in danger
The river was in a terrible state after the factory dumped waste into it.
collocation: in a terrible state
The government declared a state of emergency after the floods destroyed hundreds of homes.
collocation: state of emergency
Hui checked the current state of the project before presenting it to the boss.
The house was in such a poor state that no one dared to enter it.
Doctors described the patient's state as stable but still in need of rest.
- condition
interchangeable in most contexts; slightly less formal
- situation
broader, focuses on circumstances rather than physical condition
- circumstances
more formal, often plural, focuses on external factors
文法句型
state of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of + noun' to specify the kind of condition (e.g., state of repair, state of emergency). Frequently used with adjectives describing quality: good/poor/terrible state.
常見錯誤
2. a particular mood or emotional condition that affects how someone thinks or beha
a particular mood or emotional condition that affects how someone thinks or behaves
Dario was in a state of deep worry after his brother's accident at the factory.
collocation: in a state of + emotion noun
The children were in an excited state on the morning of their school trip.
Camille tried to calm down after getting into a panicked state over her exam results.
Meditation helps Eli maintain a peaceful state of mind even during busy weeks at work.
Salma noticed that her grandmother's anxious state improved after the family visited her.
- mood
shorter-term and more temporary than 'state of mind'
- frame of mind
emphasises the way someone is thinking about things
- emotional condition
more clinical or formal than 'state of mind'
文法句型
state of + emotion/mood noun
in a + adjective + state
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is limited to inner emotional or mental conditions, not physical states. Frequently occurs in the pattern 'in a [adjective] state' (e.g., in a confused state) or 'state of [emotion]' (e.g., state of shock, state of grief).
常見錯誤
3. a country that is an independent political unit with its own government, laws, a
a country that is an independent political unit with its own government, laws, and territory
France is a European state with a long history of democratic government.
The summit brought together leaders from every member state of the United Nations.
collocation: member state
Owen wrote his thesis on how small states maintain their independence in a global economy.
The increase in trade between the two states led to closer diplomatic ties between them.
In many countries, the church and the state are kept separate by law.
- nation
emphasises the people and culture more than the political structure
- country
more general; can refer to geography, culture, or politics
- sovereign state
formal legal term emphasising independence and self-rule
文法句型
the + State
State + singular verb
用法筆記
Often capitalized (State) when used in official names. Frequently appears in fixed phrases: 'member state', 'nation-state', 'head of state', 'state visit'. The term emphasises the political/governmental structure rather than the geographical or cultural aspects of a country.
常見錯誤
4. a region inside a larger federal country, such as the United States, Germany, or
a region inside a larger federal country, such as the United States, Germany, or Australia, that has its own local government and some independent laws
Owen grew up in Texas, which is the second-largest state in the United States.
Bavaria is a state in southern Germany with its own parliament and flag.
Each state in Australia has its own laws about education and public transport.
Hui moved to another state when her company transferred her to California.
A long river marks the border between the two states.
文法句型
[name] + state
state of + [name]
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to sub-national units within a federation. The names of these units are usually capitalized (e.g., 'the State of Queensland'). Distinguish from sense 3: a 'state' in this sense is not an independent country — it belongs to a larger nation.
常見錯誤
5. the formal ceremony and dignified procedures that accompany official events of a
the formal ceremony and dignified procedures that accompany official events of a head of state
The queen's body lay in state for three days so people could pay their respects.
fixed phrase: lie in state
The president arrived in full state for the opening of the new parliament building.
phrase: in full state
A state funeral was held for the former prime minister with all the usual ceremony.
The ambassador was received in state at the palace, with guards lining the entrance hall.
文法句型
in state
state funeral
state occasion
用法筆記
Almost always used in fixed expressions: 'in state', 'lie in state', 'state funeral', 'state occasion'. The word cannot be used freely as a count noun with this meaning — you cannot say 'a state was held' to mean 'a ceremony was held.'