word processing

IPA/ˈwɜːd prəʊsesɪŋ/
IPA/ˈwɜːrd prɑːsesɪŋ/

word processing — 名詞

1. The activity of using computer software to type, correct, format, and arrange wr

1.名詞B1
釋義

文書處理

用電腦編輯與編排文字

The activity of using computer software to type, correct, format, and arrange written words so that they can be printed as documents, saved as files, or shared electronically.

例句

Omar used word processing software to format his résumé before the job fair.

Omar 在就業博覽會前使用文書處理軟體來編排他的履歷表格式。

word processing software — most common collocation

Most word processing programs include tools for checking spelling and adjusting margins.

大多數文書處理程式都包含檢查拼字和調整邊距的工具。

word processing programs — tool/application collocation

同義詞
  • desktop publishing

    more specialised — focuses on page layout, images, and design for professional printing

  • text editing

    simpler — just changing the content of text without formatting or layout features

  • document preparation

    broader — includes any steps needed to produce a finished document, whether digital or printed

文法句型

word processing + noun (software, skills, program)

do + word processing

use word processing + [purpose]

用法筆記

Uncountable noun — you cannot say 'a word processing'. Use 'a word processor' to refer to the software or the device. In modern everyday speech, 'word processing' is assumed to mean the computer-based activity.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a word processing for my laptop.
✅I bought word processing software for my laptop.
💡'word processing' is the activity; the software is a 'word processor' or 'word processing software'.
❌I need to do the word processing of this report.
✅I need to format this report using word processing software.
💡'word processing' is a general activity, not something you 'do' to a specific document.

2. The older meaning of using specialised typing machines — first purely mechanical

2.名詞B2
釋義

打字排版

以機器製作印刷文件

The older meaning of using specialised typing machines — first purely mechanical, later computerised — to produce printed business documents such as letters, forms, and reports, before personal computers became common.

例句

Early word processing machines used magnetic cards to store a single page of text.

早期的打字排版機器使用磁卡來儲存單一頁面的文字。

word processing machines — historical equipment collocation

The office manager ordered a new word processing system that could type letters twice as fast.

辦公室經理訂購了一套新的打字排版系統，能以兩倍的速度列印信件。

word processing system — technical equipment collocation

同義詞
  • automated typing

    focuses on the mechanical process of typing rather than text editing

  • document production

    broader — includes any method of creating documents, not just typing machines

文法句型

word processing + equipment/system/machine

word processing + [noun phrase] + for typing/producing

用法筆記

This older sense is now mainly found in historical writing or discussions of early office technology. In everyday conversation, the modern computer-based sense (sense 1) is always assumed. The equipment referred to here would now be called a 'dedicated word processor'.

常見錯誤

❌I use word processing on my laptop to type essays.' (when the speaker means modern software)
✅I use word processing software on my laptop to type essays.
💡The historical sense implies specialised hardware; for modern computers, use sense 1.
❌The company bought word processing in 1985.
✅The company bought a word processing system in 1985.
💡'word processing' as an uncountable noun cannot take an article; use a more specific noun phrase.