circumstances
circumstances — 名詞
1. the various facts and conditions around a situation that shape what happens or e
情況
圍繞事件的整體情況
the various facts and conditions around a situation that shape what happens or explain why it is that way.
Given the circumstances, the coach cancelled practice before the players arrived.
鑑於當時情況，教練在球員到場前就取消了練習。
phrase: given the circumstances before a decision
Police are still trying to understand the circumstances of the factory fire.
警方仍在試圖了解那場工廠火災的情況。
Mina stayed calm even though the circumstances changed halfway through the exam.
即使考試進行到一半時情況有變，Mina 還是保持冷靜。
The family moved to a smaller flat because their circumstances had become difficult.
由於家裡情況變得困難，那家人搬進了較小的公寓。
- conditions
often more practical or measurable, such as weather or working conditions
- situation
broader and more everyday; can describe the whole state someone is in
- context
more abstract; emphasizes the background needed for understanding
文法句型
under the circumstances
the circumstances of + event
given the circumstances
用法筆記
Usually appears in the plural when talking about the facts around an event or decision. Common after under, in, or given, and often followed by of when the event is named directly.
2. the amount of money a person has and the level of comfort or difficulty that it
家境
一個人的經濟條件
the amount of money a person has and the level of comfort or difficulty that it creates in their life.
The charity checks each student's circumstances before deciding the size of the grant.
慈善機構會先查看每位學生的家境，再決定助學金金額。
circumstances used for financial assessment
After the divorce, Rosa's circumstances improved when she found steady work.
離婚後，Rosa 找到穩定工作，她的家境也改善了。
The bank offered extra help to customers whose circumstances had suddenly worsened.
銀行向家境突然惡化的客戶提供了額外協助。
Bilal's circumstances were comfortable enough for him to retire at fifty.
Bilal 的家境寬裕到足以讓他五十歲就退休。
文法句型
someone's circumstances
depending on circumstances
用法筆記
This sense is about money, housing, and general material comfort rather than the facts around an event. It often appears after a possessive, as in her circumstances or family circumstances.
3. facts or signs that make people think a particular event, especially a crime, pr
跡象
顯示真相的相關跡象
facts or signs that make people think a particular event, especially a crime, probably did or did not happen.
The muddy shoes were important circumstances in the case against the suspect.
那雙沾泥的鞋子是此案中重要的跡象。
formal legal use of circumstances as clues
Several circumstances suggested that the fire had been started deliberately.
有幾項跡象顯示這場火災是被人蓄意引起的。
The missing key was one of the circumstances the jury discussed.
那把失蹤的鑰匙是陪審團討論過的跡象之一。
Those circumstances pointed investigators toward someone who knew the alarm code.
那些跡象讓調查人員把注意力轉向熟悉警報密碼的人。
- evidence
broader and more common; can include direct proof as well as surrounding facts
- indications
slightly less legal; stresses signs that point toward a conclusion
- clues
more informal and concrete than the formal legal use of circumstances
文法句型
circumstances in the case
circumstances suggested that...
用法筆記
This formal sense is mainly used in legal or investigative writing. Unlike sense 1, it does not mean the general situation; it refers to facts that support an explanation or suspicion.
4. one detail or minor event within a bigger situation or sequence, rather than the
細節
整體事件中的個別細節
one detail or minor event within a bigger situation or sequence, rather than the whole matter itself.
One of the circumstances delayed the wedding by nearly an hour.
其中一個細節讓婚禮延後了將近一小時。
one of the circumstances = one detail
Among the circumstances of the dispute was a missed payment from March.
這場爭議的細節之一，是三月有一筆款項沒付。
The judge considered all the circumstances before deciding the sentence.
法官在作出判決前考量了所有細節。
A last-minute phone call was one of the circumstances behind the delay.
一通臨時打來的電話，是造成延誤的細節之一。
文法句型
one of the circumstances
all the circumstances
用法筆記
Use this sense when one fact is being picked out from a larger set. Distinguish it from sense 1, which refers to the overall situation rather than one contributing detail.