regulate

/ˈreɡjuleɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈreɡjuleɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈre-gyə-ˌlāt also ˈrā-/ (ame, mw)

regulate — 動詞

  • regulatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • regulateshe / she / it
  • regulatedpast simple
  • regulating-ing form

1. to use official rules or laws to control how something is done or how people beh

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

監管；管理

透過法規控制某事物

to use official rules or laws to control how something is done or how people behave — for example, regulating the financial industry, or regulating the amount of pollution a factory can release.

例句

The government regulates the sale of medicines to ensure they are safe.

政府監管藥品的銷售，以確保其安全。

regulate + noun phrase for controlling by law

New rules were introduced to regulate how banks lend money to customers.

推出新規定來監管銀行向客戶放款的方式。

passive: be introduced to regulate + how-clause

同義詞
  • control

    Broader term; can mean any form of power or direction, not necessarily through formal rules.

  • govern

    Suggests authority over a state or large organization, with an emphasis on policy-making.

  • oversee

    Implies watching over a process to ensure it runs correctly, with less direct rule-setting.

  • manage

    Focuses on directing people or resources efficiently; less about enforcing rules.

反義詞
  • deregulate

    To remove existing rules or restrictions, allowing free operation.

文法句型

regulate + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used in the passive voice, especially with 'be regulated by [authority]'. The subject is typically a government agency, official body, or legal system.

常見錯誤

❌The school principal regulated the students by telling them to be quiet.
✅The school principal controlled the students by telling them to be quiet.
💡'Regulate' means control through rules, laws, or systems, not through direct commands or personal authority.
❌The company regulated the price by putting a new tag on each item.
✅The company set the price by putting a new tag on each item.
💡'Regulate' implies ongoing control by rules, not a one-time decision.

2. to make a machine, device, or system work at a particular level of speed, temper

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

調節

調整機器或系統的運作水準

to make a machine, device, or system work at a particular level of speed, temperature, pressure, or another measurable condition — for example, regulating the temperature in a room, or regulating the flow of water through a pipe.

例句

The wall thermostat regulates the temperature in the living room automatically.

牆上的恆溫器會自動調節客廳的溫度。

regulate + noun phrase for adjusting a device or system

You can regulate the speed of the fan by turning this dial.

你可以轉動這個旋鈕來調節風扇的速度。

同義詞
  • adjust

    More general; can mean any small change to make something work better, not necessarily involving rules or controls.

  • modulate

    More technical; suggests varying a signal, frequency, or output level in response to changing conditions.

  • control

    In a mechanical context, overlaps with 'regulate' but is broader and less precise.

  • set

    Means to fix a value rather than continuously adjusting; a one-time action rather than ongoing regulation.

文法句型

regulate + noun phrase

用法筆記

Common in technical and scientific contexts. The object is typically a measurable physical quantity such as temperature, speed, pressure, flow rate, or timing.

常見錯誤

❌He regulated the TV by turning it on.
✅He turned the TV on.
💡'Regulate' means to fine-tune a level or rate, not simply to operate a device.
❌She regulated the radio to find a better station.
✅She tuned the radio to find a better station.
💡'Regulate' is about controlling a condition or output level, not searching or selecting.