presence

/ˈprezns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈprezns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpre-zᵊn(t)s/ (ame, mw)

presence — 名詞

  • presencesingular
  • presencesplural

1. when a person, animal, or thing is physically there at a given location and mome

1.名詞B2
釋義

在場；存在

某人或某物身處某地的事實

when a person, animal, or thing is physically there at a given location and moment.

例句

The teacher noticed the presence of a stranger at the back of the classroom.

老師注意到教室後方有個陌生人在場。

the presence of + noun

Maya felt nervous about speaking in the presence of her boss.

Maya 對於在老闆面前發言感到緊張。

in the presence of + person

同義詞
  • attendance

    more formal; specifically about being at an event

  • existence

    broader; not tied to a specific location

反義詞
  • absence

    the direct opposite — not being there

文法句型

the presence of + noun

in someone's presence

用法筆記

Almost always preceded by 'the' or a possessive (his/her/their). Unlike a simple 'being there', this noun shifts the focus to the fact or effect of someone being in the place.

常見錯誤

❌I felt presence of danger.
✅I felt the presence of danger.
💡needs 'the' or a possessive before 'presence'.
❌She was in presence of the queen.
✅She was in the presence of the queen.
💡the fixed phrase is 'in the presence of'.

2. an unseen being, often the spirit of someone who has died, that you sense is clo

2.名詞C2
釋義

靈體氣息

感覺到看不見的人或靈魂就在身邊

an unseen being, often the spirit of someone who has died, that you sense is close to you in a place.

例句

Lina swore she could feel her grandmother's presence in the old kitchen.

Lina 發誓她能在老廚房裡感受到祖母的氣息。

feel + possessive + presence

Visitors to the abandoned chapel often report a strange presence near the altar.

造訪那座廢棄禮拜堂的人常說祭壇附近有股奇怪的靈氣。

同義詞
  • spirit

    more direct; names the entity rather than the feeling

  • ghost

    stronger; suggests a visible or named dead person

文法句型

sense/feel a presence

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to the felt spirit itself, not the act of being there. Often appears with verbs of perception (feel, sense) and adjectives like 'strange', 'unseen', 'ghostly'.

常見錯誤

❌I saw a presence in the corner.
✅I sensed a presence in the corner.
💡by definition this presence is unseen; pair it with 'feel' or 'sense'.

3. a body of troops, police officers, or other officials stationed somewhere to kee

3.名詞C2
釋義

駐紮兵力

派駐某地維持秩序的軍警力量

a body of troops, police officers, or other officials stationed somewhere to keep order, monitor events, or show authority.

例句

There was a heavy police presence outside the stadium before the match.

比賽前體育場外有大批警力部署。

heavy/strong + police/military presence

The UN maintained a peacekeeping presence in the region for over ten years.

聯合國在該地區維持維和部隊長達十多年。

maintain a presence

同義詞
  • deployment

    more formal; emphasises the act of sending troops

  • force

    narrower; refers to the troops themselves rather than their being there

反義詞

文法句型

[adjective] presence

maintain/withdraw a presence

用法筆記

Subject verbs are typically 'maintain', 'increase', 'reduce', 'withdraw'. Common adjectives: 'heavy', 'strong', 'visible', 'military', 'police', 'peacekeeping'. Often extended to corporate or online contexts (a strong online presence).

常見錯誤

❌The police made a presence at the protest.
✅The police had a strong presence at the protest.
💡'have' or 'maintain', not 'make', for an organisational presence.

4. a calm, confident way of carrying yourself that draws attention and respect from

4.名詞C2
釋義

風采；氣場

讓人不自覺注意與敬佩的個人氣質

a calm, confident way of carrying yourself that draws attention and respect from others, even before you say a word.

例句

The young actor had real presence the moment he walked onto the stage.

那位年輕演員一走上舞台就展現出十足的氣場。

have + presence

Dr. Tanaka commanded the room with quiet authority and natural presence.

Dr. Tanaka 以沉穩的權威與自然的風采掌控了全場。

同義詞
  • charisma

    stronger; emphasises personal magnetism

  • poise

    narrower; focuses on calm self-control

  • bearing

    more formal; emphasises posture and manner

文法句型

have presence

stage presence

用法筆記

Uncountable in this sense — 'a presence' here usually means a person who has this quality (e.g. 'she is a powerful presence in poetry'). Common compounds: 'stage presence', 'on-screen presence', 'commanding presence'.

常見錯誤

❌He has many presences on stage.
✅He has great presence on stage.
💡uncountable; do not pluralise.