combine
combine — verb
1. to take two or more separate items and turn them into a single whole; or for suc
to take two or more separate items and turn them into a single whole; or for such items to join on their own.
Aiko combined yellow and blue paint to make green for her art project.
combine + noun + and + noun to form a mixture
The two dance groups combined their efforts for the festival performance.
combine + noun to pool resources
Combine the chopped vegetables with olive oil before roasting them.
When hydrogen and oxygen combine, they create water molecules.
Several local choirs combined to perform a single concert at the town hall.
- separate
to keep apart or divide into parts
文法句型
combine + with + noun
combine + noun + and + noun
combine + to-infinitive
用法筆記
This sense works both transitively (someone combines things) and intransitively (things combine on their own). The intransitive use often describes chemical or natural processes.
常見錯誤
2. to possess multiple distinct qualities, features, or characteristics at once.
to possess multiple distinct qualities, features, or characteristics at once.
Priya's new teaching role combines lesson planning with student mentoring.
combine + noun + with + noun for dual features
The sofa combines modern style with old-fashioned comfort.
This school combines a strong academic program with excellent sports facilities.
Leila's cooking style combines traditional Middle Eastern spices with French techniques.
文法句型
combine + noun + and + noun
combine + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
Subject of this sense is typically a person, a thing, or an institution that possesses qualities. Unlike sense 1, this does not describe a physical mixing process.
常見錯誤
3. to manage two separate tasks or activities during a single block of time.
to manage two separate tasks or activities during a single block of time.
Yusuf manages to combine his hospital nursing job with evening music classes.
combine + job + with + activity for multitasking
The travel package combines a beach holiday with guided mountain hikes.
Noa combined her business trip to Seoul with a short visit to her aunt.
The Watanabe family combined a trip to the museum with lunch at a nearby café.
文法句型
combine + noun + and + noun
combine + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
Common with travel, work, and leisure activities. The two activities are usually different in nature and done within the same timeframe.
combine — noun
1. a collection of businesses, organizations, or individuals cooperating for shared
a collection of businesses, organizations, or individuals cooperating for shared commercial or political advantage.
The publishing combine controls most of the textbook market in the region.
the + combine as a business entity
Several local farmers formed a combine to sell their produce directly to overseas buyers.
formed a combine for shared business goals
The media combine owns newspapers, television stations, and several websites.
The energy combine successfully lobbied for new drilling permits.
- alliance
broader; can include non-business partnerships
- consortium
more formal; specifically a group of companies working on a joint project
- cartel
negative connotation; suggests price-fixing or market control
文法句型
the + combine + verb
用法筆記
Often used in business and politics, sometimes with a negative connotation of excessive market control. Can take a singular or plural verb in British English.
2. a large agricultural vehicle that harvests grain crops by cutting them, extracti
a large agricultural vehicle that harvests grain crops by cutting them, extracting the edible grain from the stems and husks, and discarding the waste material in one operation.
The farmer drove his combine across the wheat field all afternoon.
the + combine as a farm vehicle
Modern combines can harvest an entire field of corn in just a few hours.
Jin's grandfather bought a second-hand combine for the family rice farm.
The combine broke down in the middle of the barley field on Tuesday.
用法筆記
Short for 'combine harvester'. This sense is specific to farming and is rarely used outside agricultural contexts.