swerve

/swɜːv/ (bre, ipa) · [swˈɚv] /swɝːv/ (ame, ipa)

swerve — verb

  • swervepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • swerves3rd person singular
  • swerving-ing form
  • swervedpast simple

1. to move sideways suddenly while travelling forward, especially to avoid hitting

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to move sideways suddenly while travelling forward, especially to avoid hitting something or someone in your path

例句

A dog ran into the street, and the taxi swerved sharply to avoid hitting it.

swerve + adverb (sharply) + infinitive of purpose

Sayaka lost control of the bicycle and swerved into a parked van.

swerve + into + object hit

同義詞
  • veer

    less sudden or urgent, often used for gradual change of direction

  • dodge

    implies a quick, deliberate movement to avoid something specific

反義詞

文法句型

swerve + adverb/preposition

swerve + direct object

用法筆記

Frequently paired with a directional preposition (into, onto, around, past) or an adverb of manner (sharply, suddenly, wildly). Can be transitive (swerve the vehicle) or intransitive (the vehicle swerved).

常見錯誤

❌The car swinged to avoid the hole in the road.
✅The car swerved to avoid the hole in the road.
💡'Swing' means to move back and forth; 'swerve' means a sudden sideways change while moving forward.
❌She swerved the bicycle and did not hit the box.
✅She swerved the bicycle to avoid the box.
💡When describing the reason for swerving, use 'to avoid' or 'to miss' rather than a negative result clause.

2. to refuse to change your beliefs, decisions, or plans even when other people try

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to refuse to change your beliefs, decisions, or plans even when other people try to persuade you or when the situation becomes difficult

例句

The judge never swerved from his belief that everyone deserves a fair trial.

never + swerve from + belief

Eve has not swerved from her plan to study medicine, despite the long years of training.

not swerve from + plan/decision

同義詞
  • remain true to

    more common in everyday speech; sounds less formal than swerve (negative)

  • hold to

    slightly older or more literary; emphasises active maintenance of a position

  • adhere to

    more formal than swerve; suggests strict following of rules or principles

反義詞
  • abandon

    to give up a principle or plan completely

  • waver

    to become uncertain or change position temporarily

文法句型

not swerve from + noun phrase

never swerve from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used in negative constructions (not swerve from, never swerve from) or with auxiliary did/did not. Affirmative uses are very rare and sound literary or dated.

常見錯誤

❌He swerved from his principles and became more honest.
✅He did not swerve from his principles and remained honest.
💡In this figurative sense, 'swerve from' is normally used in the negative to express steadfastness, not in the affirmative to describe change.