undertake
undertake — 動詞
- undertakepresent simple I / you / we / they
- undertakeshe / she / it
- undertookpast simple
- undertakenpast participle
- undertaking-ing form
1. to start working on a task, project, or responsibility, especially one that is l
承擔；從事
開始進行大型或困難工作
to start working on a task, project, or responsibility, especially one that is large or challenging.
The research team undertook a detailed survey of local river water quality last spring.
研究團隊去年春天對當地河川的水質進行了詳細調查。
collocation: undertake a survey / a study / a project
Before undertaking any major home renovation, compare prices from at least three builders.
在進行任何大型房屋翻修之前，至少要比較三家營造商的報價。
Adisa undertook the task of preparing food for the entire school sports day.
Adisa 獨力承擔了為全校運動會準備食物的任務。
collocation: undertake the task / the job / the work
Christopher and his team are undertaking a safety review of all factory equipment this year.
Christopher 和他的團隊今年正在對所有工廠設備進行安全檢查。
progressive aspect: are undertaking [a review]
No one was willing to undertake the long journey across the desert in summer.
沒有人願意在夏天承擔穿越沙漠的長途旅程。
- undertake a project
- undertake a study
- undertake a task
- undertake research
- undertake a review
- undertake a journey
文法句型
undertake + noun phrase (task / project / study / job)
用法筆記
Frequently used with nouns that describe work, research, or responsibilities (a project, a study, a task, a review). The object is typically something that requires effort over time.
常見錯誤
2. to formally agree or promise to do something, often creating a sense of obligati
承諾；保證
正式答應去做某事
to formally agree or promise to do something, often creating a sense of obligation or commitment.
The landlord undertook to repair the broken heating system within a week.
房東承諾在一週內修好故障的暖氣系統。
undertake + to-infinitive for a formal promise
Both governments have undertaken to cut carbon emissions by forty percent before 2035.
兩國政府均已承諾在 2035 年之前將碳排放量減少百分之四十。
passive perfect: have undertaken to [verb]
Haruto undertook to deliver the signed contracts to the head office by Friday afternoon.
Haruto 保證在週五下午之前將簽署好的合約送達總部。
Lotte undertook to look after her neighbour's cat during the two-week holiday.
Lotte 答應在鄰居出遊的兩週期間幫忙照顧她的貓。
less formal, everyday commitment
The company undertook to replace all faulty parts at no extra cost to customers.
該公司承諾免費為客戶更換所有故障零件。
- undertake to pay
- undertake to provide
- undertake to complete
- undertake to ensure
- refuse
to say you will not do something
- break a promise
to fail to do what you said you would
文法句型
undertake + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a to-infinitive clause ('undertook to do something'). Cannot take a that-clause (*'I undertook that I would go'). More formal than 'promise' or 'agree' — common in legal, business, and official contexts.
常見錯誤
3. to drive past a slower vehicle on its left side when both are travelling the sam
超車
從左側超越同向車輛
to drive past a slower vehicle on its left side when both are travelling the same way, as is done on British roads.
On British motorways you may only undertake in slow-moving or queuing traffic.
在英國的高速公路上，只有在車流緩慢或塞車時才可以從左側超車。
British traffic rule context
Niran was fined for undertaking a lorry on the hard shoulder of the motorway.
Niran 因為在高速公路的路肩上從左側超越一輛卡車而被罰款。
Ignacio checked his mirrors carefully before undertaking the slow tractor on the country road.
Ignacio 在鄉間道路上從左側超越那輛緩慢行駛的曳引機之前，仔細檢查了後視鏡。
mirrors + undertake: associated driving verbs
It is safer to overtake on the right and avoid undertaking unless traffic has come to a crawl.
從右側超車比較安全，除非車流已經慢到幾乎停止，否則應避免從左側超車。
contrast: overtake (right) vs undertake (left)
- undertake a lorry
- undertake a car
- undertake on the left
- undertake in slow traffic
- overtake
in British English, passing on the right (the normal, legal manoeuvre)
文法句型
undertake + noun phrase (a car / a lorry / a bus)
用法筆記
The opposite of 'overtake'. In British driving, 'overtake' means pass on the right (the normal, legal way); 'undertake' means pass on the left, which is usually illegal except in slow-moving or queued traffic. This sense is rarely used outside the UK and Ireland.
常見錯誤
同根字
- undertaking名詞B2
- undertaker名詞B1