constituents
constituents — 形容詞
1. describing the individual elements or substances that together make up a complet
組成的
構成整體的必要部分
describing the individual elements or substances that together make up a complete object, mixture, or system.
The chemist analyzed the constituent elements of the unknown liquid found in the lab.
那位化學家分析了實驗室中不明液體的組成元素。
constituent + noun for component parts
Water is a constituent molecule of many chemical compounds that occur naturally in the soil.
水是土壤中許多天然化合物的組成分子之一。
All the constituent parts of the engine were laid out across the workbench for inspection.
引擎的所有組成零件都整齊地擺在工作台上供檢查。
Carbon and hydrogen are the main constituent atoms in the organic matter found in compost.
碳和氫是堆肥中有機物的主要組成原子。
文法句型
constituent + noun (element, part, molecule, atom)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). The noun phrase 'constituent parts' is by far the most common collocation.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the people who live in a particular voting district and are entitled
選區的
與選區居民投票相關的
relating to the people who live in a particular voting district and are entitled to vote for a political representative there.
The mayor held a meeting to hear from her constituent residents in the downtown area.
市長召開會議，聽取市中心地區選區居民的意見。
constituent residents — people in a voting district
The MP's constituent office helps local people deal with issues such as housing and benefits.
國會議員的選區辦公室幫助當地居民處理住房和福利等問題。
A newsletter was sent to every constituent household in the district before the election.
選舉前，選區內每個選民家庭都收到了一份通訊。
The senator meets with constituent groups once a month to discuss new policies.
參議員每月與選區團體會面一次，討論新的政策。
- electoral
broader meaning, covering the whole system of voting, not just the people in one area
文法句型
constituent + noun (resident, household, area, office)
用法筆記
Much less common than the noun sense 'constituent' meaning voter. When used, it almost always appears before the nouns 'area', 'resident', 'household', or 'office'.
常見錯誤
constituents — 名詞
1. a single item, substance, or element that is part of a larger mixture, object, o
成分
構成混合物或物體的個別物質
a single item, substance, or element that is part of a larger mixture, object, or system — for example, a chemical in a compound, or a material in a product.
Flour and eggs are two essential constituents of any basic cake recipe.
麵粉和雞蛋是任何基本蛋糕食譜的兩種必要成分。
essential constituent of [something] — pattern for ingredients
A research team found a new chemical constituent in the plant that helps treat inflammation.
一組研究團隊在一種植物中發現了一種新的化學成分，有助於治療發炎。
Steel is a key constituent in the construction of modern skyscrapers and bridges.
鋼鐵是現代摩天大樓和橋樑建築中的關鍵成分。
Oxygen is a vital constituent of the air that all animals need to survive.
氧氣是所有動物生存所需的空氣中的一種重要成分。
One constituent of this cleaning spray is known to cause skin irritation in sensitive people.
這種清潔噴霧中的一種成分已知會對敏感肌膚造成刺激。
- component
much more common in everyday language; 'component' is preferred in technical contexts
- ingredient
used mainly for recipes and chemical mixtures
- element
the broadest term, can be abstract or concrete
- whole
the complete thing that is made up of constituents
文法句型
constituent + of + noun phrase
adjective + constituent (main, key, vital, chemical)
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' to indicate the larger whole ('a constituent of the mixture'). The preposition 'in' is also possible when describing a role within a larger structure ('a key constituent in the design').
常見錯誤
2. a person who lives in a particular area and has the right to vote for the politi
選民
有投票權的選區居民
a person who lives in a particular area and has the right to vote for the political representative who speaks for that area.
The congresswoman promised her constituents that she would fight for better healthcare funding.
這位女眾議員向她的選民承諾，她會爭取更好的醫療保健經費。
promise constituents + that-clause — common political pattern
A constituent wrote to the local council about dangerous potholes on Green Lane.
一名選民寫信給地方議會，反映格林巷危險的坑洞問題。
Many constituents attended the public meeting to express their views on the new school proposal.
許多選民參加了公開會議，表達對新學校提案的看法。
The candidate knocked on doors all weekend to speak with constituents in the neighbourhood.
那位候選人整個週末挨家挨戶敲門，與社區中的選民交談。
When a constituent calls with a problem, the representative's staff tries to solve it quickly.
當選民打電話反映問題時，議員的工作人員會盡快設法解決。
- voter
more general term — a voter may not live in the representative's district; all constituents are voters, but not all voters are constituents of a given official
- representative
the elected official who acts on behalf of constituents
文法句型
constituent + verb (write, call, complain, vote)
possessive + constituents (my/her/their constituents)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural because representatives serve many people. The singular form is possible when telling an anecdote about one specific person ('a constituent wrote to me…').