evolved
evolved — 動詞
1. changed slowly and naturally across many generations, especially the way biologi
演化；進化
生物經過許多世代慢慢改變
changed slowly and naturally across many generations, especially the way biologists describe how living things have come to look and behave today.
Whales evolved from small four-legged land animals over millions of years.
鯨魚是經過數百萬年，從體型較小的四足陸地動物演化而來的。
pattern: evolved from [ancestor] over [time span]
Tara's biology teacher explained how feathers evolved long before birds could fly.
Tara 的生物老師解釋了在鳥類會飛之前許久，羽毛是如何演化出來的。
Across thousands of generations, these little finches evolved sharper, stronger beaks.
經過數千個世代，這些小型雀鳥演化出更尖、更強壯的鳥喙。
collocation: evolved + body part / feature
Mauricio argued that human language probably evolved alongside group hunting.
Mauricio 主張，人類語言很可能是隨著群體狩獵一起演化出來的。
Cave fish evolved without eyes because the deep pools had no light at all.
洞穴魚演化成沒有眼睛，因為那些深水池裡完全沒有光。
scenario: cause-and-effect explanation of a trait
- evolved from
- evolved into
- evolved over millions of years
- evolved naturally
文法句型
evolve from X
evolve into Y
evolve over [time period]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a species, body part, or biological trait. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 describes biological change across generations; sense 2 describes a plan or system that takes shape gradually in human time.
常見錯誤
2. took final shape little by little, the way a plan, design, friendship, or busine
演變
計畫、組織或關係慢慢成形或轉變
took final shape little by little, the way a plan, design, friendship, or business grows and reshapes itself through experience rather than being decided all at once.
Greta's small weekend bakery slowly evolved into a busy chain of three shops.
Greta 的小型週末烘焙坊慢慢演變成一個有三家分店的繁忙連鎖店。
pattern: X evolved into Y (small starting point → larger outcome)
Roya's plan for the school garden evolved every week as more families joined.
Roya 的學校花園計畫，隨著更多家庭加入，每週都在逐漸發展。
The band's sound evolved over five albums, moving from soft folk into loud rock.
這個樂團的音樂風格在五張專輯之中逐漸演變，從輕柔的民謠走向喧鬧的搖滾。
scenario: tracking change across a creative career
What started as a quick chat between Nadia and Eli evolved into a long friendship.
Nadia 和 Eli 之間原本只是一次短暫的聊天，最後發展成一段長久的友誼。
The training program at Tunde's company evolved a lot after the new manager arrived.
Tunde 公司裡的培訓計畫，在新經理上任之後有了很大的演變。
collocation: program/plan/system + evolved
- evolved into
- evolved over time
- gradually evolved
- slowly evolved
文法句型
X evolved into Y
X evolved over [time period]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a plan, design, business, relationship, or style — anything that human choices shape over weeks, months, or years. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 needs many generations of living things; sense 2 happens inside a normal human time frame.
常見錯誤
3. brought a feature into existence through the slow process of natural selection —
演化出
藉由自然選擇造就出某項特徵
brought a feature into existence through the slow process of natural selection — used when nature, evolution, or a long environmental pressure is the cause and a body part or behaviour is the result.
Natural selection evolved a thick winter coat in the wolves of the northern forest.
天擇在北方森林裡的狼身上，演化出了厚實的冬毛。
pattern: [evolutionary force] evolved [trait] in [population]
The cold mountain climate evolved short, strong legs in this rare goat species.
寒冷的山區氣候，在這種稀有的山羊身上演化出了短而強壯的腿。
Centuries of darkness evolved larger ears in the small bats living deep in the cave.
數百年的黑暗，在那些棲息於洞穴深處的小型蝙蝠身上，演化出了較大的耳朵。
scenario: environmental pressure causes a sensory trait
Evolution has evolved many clever defences in plants, including thorns and bitter leaves.
演化在植物身上衍生出許多巧妙的防禦方式，包括尖刺和味道苦澀的葉子。
collocation: evolved + defences / strategies / mechanisms
- evolved a [trait]
- evolved [feature] in [species]
文法句型
[nature/process] evolved [trait/feature]
用法筆記
Almost always passive in everyday writing ('a trait was evolved by X'); the active transitive sounds technical and is mostly found in biology textbooks and popular-science articles. Subject is typically natural selection, evolution itself, or a specific environment.
常見錯誤
evolved — 形容詞
1. having reached a later, more advanced or more refined form after a long stretch
進化的
達到較晚、較成熟或較精緻的階段
having reached a later, more advanced or more refined form after a long stretch of natural growth, gradual change, or steady learning — often compared favourably to an earlier, simpler version.
Charlotte presented a much more evolved version of the design at the second meeting.
Charlotte 在第二次會議上提出了一個成熟許多的設計版本。
pattern: a more evolved [N] (comparative usage)
Dolphins have a highly evolved sense of hearing that helps them find fish in dark water.
海豚有著高度進化的聽覺，能幫助牠們在黑暗的水中找到魚。
collocation: highly evolved + body sense / system
Adina's new factory uses far more evolved safety systems than the old building across the river.
Adina 的新工廠所使用的安全系統，比河對岸那棟舊建築要先進得多。
Vivek's cooking style is far more evolved now than when he first opened the small café.
Vivek 現在的烹飪風格，比起他剛開那家小咖啡館的時候，已經成熟很多了。
scenario: tracking growth in a person's craft over time
- highly evolved
- more evolved
- less evolved
- fully evolved
- advanced
broader; works for technology and ideas
- developed
neutral; less suggestion of refinement
- sophisticated
stresses subtle complexity rather than slow change
- primitive
earlier, simpler stage
- underdeveloped
still in an early form
文法句型
a more evolved [N]
[subject] is highly evolved
用法筆記
Frequently modified by 'more', 'highly', 'far more', 'less'. Often praises something for being later and better than an earlier form. In biology it is neutral; in everyday speech about ideas, products, or people, it usually carries a positive judgement.
常見錯誤
同根字
- evolve動詞B2
- evolution名詞B2
- evolutionary形容詞C1
- evolutionist名詞C2