arrange

arrange — verb

1. to take care of the planning and preparation needed before something happens, su

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to take care of the planning and preparation needed before something happens, such as a meeting, a trip, or a delivery, so that everything is ready when it is time to do it.

例句

Mei spent the weekend arranging her sister's wedding in Tainan.

arrange + noun (event)

We have arranged to meet Bram at the train station at six.

arrange + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • organize

    very close in meaning; slightly broader, can include running the event itself

  • set up

    informal; especially common for meetings and appointments

  • schedule

    emphasises fixing a specific date or time on a calendar

反義詞
  • cancel

    to stop a planned event from happening

文法句型

arrange + noun (meeting, party, trip)

arrange + to-infinitive

arrange + for + someone + to-infinitive

arrange + that-clause

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about planning future events and services, not physically positioning objects. Often followed by 'for someone to do something' when you set things up on another person's behalf.

常見錯誤

❌I arranged him to come at seven.
✅I arranged for him to come at seven.
💡when a different person performs the action, use 'arrange for + someone + to do'.
❌We arranged meeting on Friday.
✅We arranged to meet on Friday.
💡use the to-infinitive, not the -ing form, for planned actions.

2. to place several physical things into the positions you want them to be in, ofte

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to place several physical things into the positions you want them to be in, often so they look tidy, attractive, or follow a clear pattern such as size, colour, or alphabetical order.

例句

Hiro arranged the yellow tulips in a tall glass vase by the window.

arrange + noun + in + container

The librarian arranges the children's books by colour on the lowest shelf.

arrange + noun + by + criterion

同義詞
  • organize

    broader; can mean tidy a whole space, not just place items

  • order

    emphasises sequence rather than visual layout

  • lay out

    stress on spreading items across a flat surface

反義詞
  • scatter

    throw or spread items in no clear pattern

  • muddle

    mix items up so the order is lost

文法句型

arrange + noun (objects)

arrange + noun + in/on/by + noun

用法筆記

Object is usually a group of physical items that can be moved (flowers, books, plates, chairs, photos). Often paired with a phrase saying HOW they are placed: 'in rows', 'by size', 'on the shelf', 'in alphabetical order'.

常見錯誤

❌She arranged the room beautifully.
✅She arranged the flowers in the room beautifully.
💡the object should usually be the items being moved, not the whole space.

3. to rewrite parts of an existing song or musical work, letting it be performed by

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to rewrite parts of an existing song or musical work, letting it be performed by new instruments or voices, or in a fresh style that is different from the composer's original version.

例句

Miyu arranged the old folk song for piano and a small string quartet.

arrange + noun + for + instruments

The choir director arranged a Beatles classic for four young voices.

arrange + noun + for + voices

同義詞
  • adapt

    wider term; covers any kind of reworking, not only musical

  • orchestrate

    specifically means writing parts for a full orchestra

  • score

    technical; write out the parts for each performer

反義詞
  • compose

    create a brand-new piece from the start

文法句型

arrange + noun (piece) + for + instrument/voice

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'for + instrument or voice', or by 'as + new style'. Subject is typically the arranger, who is a different person from the original composer. Distinct from sense 1: here you are reworking an existing piece, not setting up an event.

常見錯誤

❌He arranged a new song.' (when he wrote it himself)
✅He composed a new song.
💡'arrange' means to rework an existing piece, not to create one from nothing.