chapter

chapter — noun

1. One of the sections that a book or long piece of writing is divided into, usuall

1.名詞B1
釋義

One of the sections that a book or long piece of writing is divided into, usually shown by a number or a title.

例句

Aiko read the first chapter of her history textbook before the exam.

used with ordinal numbers: first chapter, second chapter, next chapter

Each chapter of the travel guide covers a different city, from Tokyo to Buenos Aires.

同義詞
  • section

    a broader term; a section can be smaller or larger than a chapter, and may not have a number or title

  • part

    often refers to a main division of a book that groups several chapters together

  • segment

    more general; can apply to any divided portion of a text, not just books

文法句型

chapter + number

chapter + of + book/title

in + chapter + number

用法筆記

When referring to a numbered chapter, British English often drops 'the' ('see chapter four'), while American English may keep it ('see the chapter four'). Both forms are widely understood.

常見錯誤

❌I finished to read chapter five.
✅I finished reading chapter five.
💡After 'finish', use the -ing form, not the infinitive.
❌This subject will be covered on chapter two.
✅This subject will be covered in chapter two.
💡Use 'in' for location within a book, not 'on'.

2. A distinct stage within a person's life or a country's past that stands out beca

2.名詞B2
釋義

A distinct stage within a person's life or a country's past that stands out because of the events or feelings that filled it.

例句

Leila's time in Japan was a happy chapter she often looked back on.

used with possessive: 'a happy chapter in her life'

The building of the railway marked a new chapter of growth for the small town.

同義詞
  • period

    more neutral and factual; lacks the storytelling sense that 'chapter' carries

  • phase

    suggests a temporary stage within a longer process or development

  • era

    a longer, more significant period, usually in history rather than a personal life

文法句型

a + adjective + chapter + in/of + noun

a chapter of + noun

用法筆記

This sense is almost always preceded by an adjective ('new', 'dark', 'exciting', 'sad', 'happy') or a determiner ('a', 'another'). It is used figuratively, comparing life or history to a book.

常見錯誤

❌Getting the job was a chapter of my career.
✅Getting the job was a new chapter in my career.
💡Add an adjective to describe what kind of chapter it is, and use 'in' rather than 'of'.

3. A group of clergy or religious officials who together manage the affairs of a ca

3.名詞C1
釋義

A group of clergy or religious officials who together manage the affairs of a cathedral, monastery, or other religious community.

例句

The cathedral chapter meets every Monday to discuss repairs to the old building.

collective noun: takes singular verb

Members of the chapter voted to appoint a new dean for the community.

同義詞
  • council

    a broader term for any administrative or advisory group, not specific to religious contexts

  • body

    more formal; refers to any organized group of people with a shared purpose

文法句型

the + Chapter + of + [cathedral/monastery]

chapter + meeting

用法筆記

When capitalized ('the Chapter'), it refers to the official governing body of a specific cathedral. In lowercase ('chapter'), it refers to the general concept or a meeting of such a group.

4. A smaller group that belongs to a nationwide club, society, or similar body and

4.名詞B2
釋義

A smaller group that belongs to a nationwide club, society, or similar body and operates in one specific town or area.

例句

Yara joined the local chapter of the Red Cross to help with disaster relief efforts.

local chapter of [organization]

The university chapter of the environmental club organized a beach cleanup last weekend.

同義詞
  • branch

    more general term for any local office or division of a larger organization, such as a bank or a store

  • division

    suggests a formal subsection within a company or organization, often larger than a chapter

  • lodge

    used for local branches of fraternal organizations such as the Freemasons

文法句型

the + [city/state] + chapter + of + [organization]

a chapter of + [organization]

用法筆記

Common in the names of university clubs, fraternities, sororities, and non-profit organizations. The chapter usually follows the same rules and shares the same values as the national or international parent body.