surveying
/səˈveɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈɚvˌeɪŋ] /ˈsɝː.veɪ/ (ame, ipa) · [sɚvˈeɪŋ] /sər-ˈvā-iŋ How to pronounce surveying (audio) ˈsər-ˌvā-/ (ame, mw)
surveying — verb
- surveyingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- surveyings3rd person singular
- surveyinging-ing form
- surveyingedpast simple
1. to look across all parts of a place, group, or situation with careful attention
to look across all parts of a place, group, or situation with careful attention
From the balcony, Jessica was surveying the square for her missing brother.
survey + place + for person
The safety officer stood surveying the bridge before workers stepped onto it.
survey + structure before action
After the vote, Reuben kept surveying the room to judge the mood.
Camila paused at the doorway, surveying the shelves for a blue folder.
文法句型
survey + noun phrase
survey + noun phrase + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often takes a place, group, or visible situation as its object. Distinguish from sense 2 (MEASURE LAND), where the aim is formal measurement rather than general inspection.
常見錯誤
2. to work out the size and boundaries of a piece of ground and note its features s
to work out the size and boundaries of a piece of ground and note its features so a map or building plan can be made
Minho spent the morning surveying the field before the road project began.
survey + site + before project
Two engineers were surveying the coastline with GPS poles and notebooks.
survey + land area + tools
Before buying the farm, Asher watched a team surveying the boundary lines.
Folake was surveying the hillside so builders could mark safe foundations.
文法句型
survey + area of land
survey + site + before + project
用法筆記
Common in construction, civil engineering, and map-making. The object is usually land, a route, or a site rather than a building interior.
常見錯誤
3. to inspect a building closely to find structural problems, especially before rep
to inspect a building closely to find structural problems, especially before repairs or a sale
A chartered surveyor spent three hours surveying the cottage for hidden damp.
survey + building + for problem
Before signing the papers, Defne arranged for the flat to be surveyed.
have + property + surveyed
The insurer required an engineer to survey the warehouse after the storm.
Lakan was surveying the school roof when he noticed a long crack.
文法句型
survey + building
have + building + surveyed
用法筆記
Most common in British property contexts. In American English, people often say 'inspect' or 'do a home inspection' instead.
4. to use a set of questions with a group of people so you can learn about their vi
to use a set of questions with a group of people so you can learn about their views, choices, or habits
The charity is surveying local parents about the cost of school meals.
survey + group + about + topic
Rohan spent two days surveying passengers at the station entrance.
survey + people in public place
Before changing the app, the company started surveying users about new features.
The health department kept surveying residents to track smoking habits.
文法句型
survey + group + about + topic
survey + number + people
用法筆記
The object is usually a group of people, and the topic often follows with 'about'. Distinguish from sense 1 (LOOK OVER), which is about visual inspection rather than questioning respondents.
常見錯誤
surveying — noun
1. the work of measuring land and recording its boundaries and features for maps, p
the work of measuring land and recording its boundaries and features for maps, plans, or building projects
Drone surveying helped the crew plan a new path through the valley.
drone surveying
Careful surveying showed that the fence stood inside the neighbor's land.
surveying showed that…
The college offers surveying as part of its civil engineering course.
Years of coastal surveying produced more accurate charts for local fishing boats.
- mapping
focuses more on drawing the final map than on measuring in the field
- land measurement
plain description rather than the technical field name
文法句型
surveying + of + land
surveying + for + project
用法筆記
Often refers to professional fieldwork done before construction, mapping, or land sales. It can also name the subject taught in technical courses.
2. the activity of collecting answers from people so their opinions or behaviour ca
the activity of collecting answers from people so their opinions or behaviour can be studied
Online surveying gave the team quick feedback on the new payment page.
online surveying
Good surveying depends on clear questions and a balanced group of respondents.
surveying depends on clear questions
During the campaign, door-to-door surveying revealed which issues worried voters most.
University students learned basic surveying before designing their market study.
- polling
often narrower and linked to one issue or election question
- market research
broader and can include interviews, observation, and sales data
- questionnaire work
focuses on the question form rather than the full research process
文法句型
online surveying
surveying + of + respondents
用法筆記
Common in market research, politics, and public policy. The focus is the process of gathering responses, not the finished report.
常見錯誤
3. the professional examination of a building to discover problems in its structure
the professional examination of a building to discover problems in its structure or condition
The buyer delayed the purchase until the surveying of the house was finished.
surveying of + property
Detailed surveying uncovered rotten beams above the old shop ceiling.
surveying uncovered structural problem
Mortgage lenders often ask for surveying before approving an older property.
The couple read the surveying report twice before offering more money.
- inspection
more general and not always done by a qualified surveyor
- home inspection
common American English term for a similar process
文法句型
surveying + of + property
surveying report
用法筆記
This sense is mainly British. It usually appears in the context of buying, insuring, or repairing a property.
4. a broad account of a subject that covers the main points without going into much
a broad account of a subject that covers the main points without going into much detail
The book opens with a clear surveying of labor law after 1945.
a surveying of + topic
Her lecture offered a rapid surveying of the main schools of Buddhist thought.
offer a surveying of + topic
This short essay is more a surveying of key themes than a full argument.
In ten pages, the historian manages a useful surveying of early railway expansion.
文法句型
a surveying of + topic
offer + a surveying of + topic
用法筆記
Formal and uncommon. It is usually followed by 'of' and is more likely in academic writing than in everyday conversation.