linking
linking — verb
- linkingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- linkings3rd person singular
- linkinging-ing form
- linkingedpast simple
1. to show or establish that two or more things are connected, especially when one
to show or establish that two or more things are connected, especially when one influences the other
Scientists have linked air pollution to higher rates of asthma in children.
be linked to + noun phrase for causal connection
The study clearly links a healthy diet with better exam results among teenagers.
link + noun + with + noun
Noam's research linked the rise in sea temperatures to stronger storms.
The two crimes were linked by a similar method of entry.
Chidi linked the team's success to their excellent communication skills.
- separate
to keep things apart or treat them as unrelated
- disconnect
to break the relationship or association
文法句型
be linked to/by/with + noun
link + noun + to/with + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in academic or journalistic writing to present evidence of a connection. The passive form 'be linked to' is especially common.
常見錯誤
2. the act of joining two objects, places, or parts physically so that they touch,
the act of joining two objects, places, or parts physically so that they touch, fit, or work together
The workers linked the railway carriages together before the train departed.
link + noun + together
Haruka linked the trailer to the back of her car with a strong metal bar.
link + noun + to + noun
A narrow bridge links the two sides of the old town.
The mechanic linked the new hose to the water pump.
The path links the main square with the public gardens.
文法句型
link + noun + to/with + noun
link + noun + together
用法筆記
Often describes built structures (roads, bridges, pipes, cables) whose purpose is to create a continuous route or system. The direct object is the parts being joined, not the connector itself.
3. the act of creating a clickable connection from one online document, website, or
the act of creating a clickable connection from one online document, website, or piece of content to another
Hugo linked the word 'climate' to a page about global warming.
link + noun + to + webpage
Lena linked directly to the job listings section of the company website from her social media post.
link to + noun phrase (intransitive)
Mei-Lin always links her blog posts to her social media accounts.
The email links readers to a registration form on the website.
Each photo on the Watanabe family's travel blog links to a full diary entry about that destination.
文法句型
link to + website/page
link + noun + to + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used without a direct object when the subject is the thing that connects: 'This image links to the store.'
常見錯誤
4. the process of becoming joined or connected to something else, forming a larger
the process of becoming joined or connected to something else, forming a larger whole
The university library network and the main campus system link through a central data hub.
link through + noun
The separate sections of the bridge will link together next month.
link together (phrasal intransitive)
Tamar's phone links automatically with the car's audio system.
The pieces of the model train track link up easily.
When the hospital's patient database links with the pharmacy system, nurses can check medication records instantly.
- separate
to come apart or be divided
- disconnect
to break the connection
文法句型
link (up/together)
link with + noun
用法筆記
Focuses on the joining process itself rather than on an agent performing the action. Often used for technical or mechanical systems.
linking — noun
1. the state or fact of being linked; a relationship between two or more people, th
the state or fact of being linked; a relationship between two or more people, things, events, or ideas, especially when one affects or involves the other
The study found a clear link between lack of sleep and poor concentration.
link between X and Y
Mali has a strong family link to the village where her grandparents grew up.
Historians have discovered a direct link between the two ancient manuscripts.
Deepika's research explores the link between music and memory in older adults.
Xiaoming's study found a strong link between walking for thirty minutes a day and lower stress levels in office workers.
- connection
more general and slightly more formal than 'link'
- association
a looser or more indirect relationship
- tie
often implies a personal or emotional connection
- gap
a break or absence of connection
- disconnect
a lack of relationship between things
文法句型
link between + noun + and + noun
link to/with + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used in academic and journalistic contexts. 'Link' is less formal than 'connection' but more direct than 'association'.
常見錯誤
2. a clickable connection that enables linking between web pages or online document
a clickable connection that enables linking between web pages or online documents; used to navigate from one online location to another
Siti clicked on the link to read the full news story.
click on a link
The email contains a link to download the free software.
Hiroshi sent his friend a link to the video they had discussed.
All the sources are listed as links at the bottom of the article.
The link to the registration page stopped working yesterday.
文法句型
link to + page/site
click on a link
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, 'link' is much more common than 'hyperlink'. 'Broken link' refers to a hyperlink that no longer works.
3. a metal ring whose linking with others forms a chain; one of the individual loop
a metal ring whose linking with others forms a chain; one of the individual loops that are joined together to make a chain
The chain broke when one of its links snapped under the weight.
link of a chain
The gardener replaced a rusted link in the fence with a new piece of metal.
Each link of the necklace was carefully polished by the jeweller.
The weakest link in the anchor chain needs to be reinforced.
The jeweller soldered the broken link of the gold chain and polished the whole necklace.
用法筆記
This sense is the physical origin of the word. Figurative uses (weakest link, missing link) come from this concrete meaning.
4. a mechanical part or fitting used to join two physical objects, such as a coupli
a mechanical part or fitting used to join two physical objects, such as a coupling for pipes or a fastener for machine components
The train uses a strong metal link to connect each carriage to the next.
metal link connecting carriages
A special rubber link joins the two sections of the pipe.
A stainless steel link connects the two sections of the industrial conveyor belt.
Engineers designed a flexible link between the bridge and the road surface.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (abstract connection) — this sense describes actual hardware or structural components.
5. a communication channel that enables linking between two or more systems, device
a communication channel that enables linking between two or more systems, devices, or places, allowing information to be sent and received
The satellite link allows the research team to send data from the Arctic base.
satellite link
The office uses a secure link to transfer financial records between branches.
A high-speed fibre-optic link connects the two data centres.
The radio link between the ship and the coastguard was lost during the storm.
Noam established a video link with colleagues in three different countries.
- connection
more general; 'link' is more specific to telecommunications
- channel
a pathway for communication, often wireless
- line
a physical wire or cable connection
文法句型
link between + locations
link to + system
用法筆記
Often modified by a technical term describing the medium: 'satellite link', 'fibre-optic link', 'radio link', 'video link'.