evolve

IPA/ɪˈvɒlv/
KK[ɪvˈɑlv]IPA/ɪˈvɑːlv/

evolve — 動詞

  • evolvepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • evolveshe / she / it
  • evolvedpast simple
  • evolving-ing form

1. To change or grow little by little, moving toward a more advanced or complex for

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

演變；發展

逐漸發展，趨向更進步的狀態

To change or grow little by little, moving toward a more advanced or complex form — for example, a small business evolving into a large company, or someone's taste in music evolving as they get older.

例句

Starting as a one-person operation, Rodrigo's company evolved into a team of fifty designers.

Rodrigo 的公司從一人經營逐漸演變為擁有五十名設計師的團隊。

evolve + into + noun phrase showing result of growth

Over the last twenty years, teaching methods in Evelyn's school have evolved dramatically.

過去二十年來，Evelyn 學校的教學方法大幅演進。

present perfect: have evolved + over [time period]

常見搭配
  • evolve gradually
  • evolve from something
  • evolve into something
  • evolve over time
  • evolve over the years
同義詞
  • develop

    Broader and more neutral; can be fast or slow, planned or unplanned

  • progress

    Implies forward movement toward a goal, with a positive tone

  • mature

    Suggests reaching a final, fully developed state, often of a person or ability

反義詞
  • stagnate

    To stop changing or growing

  • regress

    To return to an earlier, less developed state

文法句型

evolve + into + noun phrase

evolve + from + noun phrase

evolve + over + time period

用法筆記

Unlike 'develop', 'evolve' always points to a slow, gradual process rather than a planned or sudden change. The intransitive pattern (something evolves) is more frequent than the transitive pattern (someone evolves something).

常見錯誤

The company evolved a new product in just two weeks.
The company developed a new product in just two weeks.
'Evolve' describes slow, organic change, not a short deliberate effort.
Her singing voice evolved very quickly after she started lessons.
Her singing voice evolved over several years of practice.
The word 'evolve' does not fit sudden or rapid improvement.

2. Of living things — to change over many generations as a species, developing feat

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

演化；進化

生物經由世代遺傳改變以適應環境

Of living things — to change over many generations as a species, developing features that help the species survive better in its environment; for example, how polar bears evolved white fur to hide in snow.

例句

Birds are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago.

一般認為鳥類是從數百萬年前的恐龍演化而來的。

passive: believed to have evolved + from [ancestor]

Some desert plants like cacti have evolved to store water inside their thick stems.

某些沙漠植物如仙人掌已演化出在肥厚莖幹中儲存水分的能力。

purpose: have evolved + to-infinitive explaining adaptation

常見搭配
  • evolve naturally
  • evolve from a common ancestor
  • evolve over generations
  • evolve to survive
同義詞
  • adapt

    Focuses on adjustment to environment; can happen at individual or species level

  • change

    Generic term, lacks the gradual generational aspect of 'evolve'

反義詞
  • die out

    A species that fails to adapt may die out rather than evolve

文法句型

evolve + to + infinitive (purpose)

evolve + from + noun (origin)

evolve + over + time period

用法筆記

In scientific usage, 'evolve' describes change at the species level across generations — an individual animal does not evolve; its species does. Frequently used with 'from' to indicate an ancestor and 'to' or an infinitive to indicate a survival function.

常見錯誤

The caterpillar evolved into a butterfly.
The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
'Evolve' refers to change across generations of a species, not the life cycle of an individual organism.
My dog has evolved to understand my commands.
My dog has learned to understand my commands.
Individual animals learn; species evolve over many generations.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • over time
  • over the years
  • over generations

介系詞搭配