essays
essays — 名詞
- essayssingular
- essaysesplural
1. a text written by a student to explore or argue about a specific topic, typicall
短文；文章
學生為課程所寫的短篇文字
a text written by a student to explore or argue about a specific topic, typically as coursework or for an application.
Nadia wrote a three-page essay on climate change for her biology class.
Nadia 為了生物課寫了一篇三頁的氣候變遷短文。
essay on [topic] for [course]
Tyler's history essay argued that the printing press changed Europe more than any war.
Tyler 的歷史論文主張，印刷術比任何戰爭都更深刻地改變了歐洲。
The teacher asked the class to hand in their essays by Friday.
老師要求全班在星期五前繳交短文作業。
Takeshi spent the whole weekend reading books for his English essay.
Takeshi 為了準備英文作文，花了整個週末讀書。
For her university application, Ayana wrote an essay about growing up in a small town.
Ayana 為了大學申請，寫了一篇關於在小鎮長大的文章。
- paper
often shorter or more informal, especially in US schools
- composition
more common in school contexts, especially for beginner-level writing
- article
written for publication, not typically for a course
- piece
a general term for any short piece of writing
文法句型
essay + on/about + topic
essay + for + course
用法筆記
The most frequent use of essay. Courses in nearly every subject require students to write essays that show understanding and build an argument.
常見錯誤
2. a formal or literary word meaning an attempt to do something, especially somethi
試圖；試探
正式用語，指嘗試做某事
a formal or literary word meaning an attempt to do something, especially something unfamiliar or difficult.
Vivek made a final essay at climbing the mountain before the snow came.
Vivek 在下雪前做了攀登那座山的最後一次嘗試。
make an essay at [something]
The novel was Manuela's first essay into writing for a wide audience.
這本小說是 Manuela 首次嘗試為廣大讀者創作的作品。
Henry abandoned his essay at fixing the old car after three hours.
Henry 在試著修理那台老車三小時後放棄了。
Eshe's essay at learning Japanese ended when she moved to a different city.
Eshe 學習日語的嘗試在她搬到另一個城市後就結束了。
- success
an attempt may fail, while a success achieves its goal
文法句型
essay + at + doing something
用法筆記
This sense belongs to formal or literary registers. In everyday English, attempt or try is preferred. The phrase essay at is typically followed by a gerund (-ing form).
常見錯誤
essays — 動詞
- essayspresent simple I / you / we / they
- essayses3rd person singular
- essaysing-ing form
- essaysedpast simple
1. to make a serious or careful attempt to do something, often in a hesitant or exp
力求；嘗試
正式用語，努力試著去做
to make a serious or careful attempt to do something, often in a hesitant or experimental way.
Luca essayed a smile, though he felt far from happy.
Luca 勉強擠出一個微笑，雖然他一點也不開心。
essay + noun phrase (essayed a smile)
Talia essayed to explain the complex theory in simple everyday words.
Talia 試圖用簡單淺顯的話語來解釋這個複雜的理論。
essay + to-infinitive
Dahlia essayed a jump over the stream but landed in the cold water.
Dahlia 試著跳過小溪，卻落入了冰冷的水裡。
The young musician essayed a piece far beyond his current ability.
那位年輕的音樂家嘗試演奏一首遠超出他目前能力的樂曲。
The injured marathon runner essayed to finish the race despite a sore knee.
那位受傷的馬拉松跑者雖然膝蓋痠痛，仍努力試著跑完全程。
- avoid
you avoid something instead of making an effort to do it
文法句型
essay + to-infinitive
essay + noun phrase
用法筆記
A highly formal or literary verb. In everyday spoken English, try or attempt is used instead. This sense often carries the nuance that the action is hesitant, experimental, or uncertain of success.
常見錯誤
2. to put something to a test to find out its quality, strength, or usefulness.
考驗；測試
考驗某物的品質或性能
to put something to a test to find out its quality, strength, or usefulness.
The colonel essayed the new battle formation by marching his troops before the dawn.
上校在黎明前率領部隊行軍，藉此考驗新的作戰陣型。
essay + object in military/historical context
Lady Margaret essayed each new servant's loyalty with a series of exacting tasks.
Margaret 夫人以一系列嚴格的要求來考驗每位新僕人的忠誠度。
The abbot essayed the novice's devotion by sending him to live alone in the hills.
院長讓這位初學修士獨自住在山中，藉此考驗他的虔誠之心。
King Edmund essayed the castle walls by ordering a mock assault at midnight.
Edmund 國王下令在午夜進行模擬攻擊，藉此考驗城堡城牆的防禦力。
文法句型
essay + object + for + quality/purpose
用法筆記
An archaic or very formal sense, rarely encountered outside older literature. In modern English, test or try out is used instead.