conceive

conceive — verb

1. to form a picture or idea of something in your mind, especially when it seems st

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to form a picture or idea of something in your mind, especially when it seems strange, unusual, or unlikely to be real.

例句

Lara found it hard to conceive of a world without books.

conceive of + noun phrase (a world without…)

Can you conceive that a foreigner might understand your local customs better than you do?

conceive + that-clause in a question

同義詞
  • envision

    more concrete — suggests a detailed future scene; 'conceive' can refer to abstract ideas

  • picture

    less formal, suggests visual mental imagery rather than intellectual grasp

  • imagine

    broader, more everyday; 'conceive' is more formal and often implies effort

文法句型

conceive + of + noun / -ing

cannot / could not conceive + of / that / wh-clause

conceive + of + noun + as + noun / adj

用法筆記

Often requires 'of' before a noun or -ing form. The that-clause and wh-clause patterns usually drop 'of'.

常見錯誤

❌Lara conceived a world without books.
✅Lara conceived of a world without books.
💡When the object is a noun phrase (not a clause), 'conceive' usually requires 'of'.
❌I conceive your situation.
✅I understand / appreciate your situation.
💡'Conceive' is not a synonym for 'understand'; it means to form a new mental picture, not to grasp an existing fact.

2. to think of and develop a new idea, plan, design, or method that did not exist b

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to think of and develop a new idea, plan, design, or method that did not exist before.

例句

A team of young engineers conceived a building that runs entirely on solar power.

conceive + noun + that-clause

Rin conceived a method for turning plastic bags into durable paving tiles.

conceive + noun + for + -ing

同義詞
  • devise

    emphasises the practical, step-by-step shaping of an idea; 'conceive' is more about the initial spark

  • invent

    generally used for tangible objects or concrete systems rather than abstract plans

  • formulate

    suggests a careful, systematic development rather than a sudden idea

文法句型

conceive + noun (plan / idea / strategy / design / scheme)

be conceived + by + noun

conceive + of + noun (less common, more formal)

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (IMAGINE), this sense does NOT use 'of' before the object. 'Conceive a plan' is correct; 'conceive of a plan' belongs to sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌She conceived of a new marketing strategy.
✅She conceived a new marketing strategy.
💡For inventing a plan, use 'conceive' without 'of'; the 'of' version shifts the meaning to 'imagine.'
❌Newton conceived the law of gravity.' (implies invention)
✅Newton discovered / formulated the law of gravity.
💡'Conceive' suggests deliberate creation, not discovery of something that already existed.

3. when a pregnancy starts — a fertilised egg attaches inside the mother and starts

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when a pregnancy starts — a fertilised egg attaches inside the mother and starts to grow, or a woman becomes pregnant, usually in a planned or medical context.

例句

The couple tried to conceive for nearly three years before the test turned positive.

try to conceive — intransitive, planned pregnancy

Saira conceived naturally at the age of thirty-six, to the surprise of her doctors.

同義詞

文法句型

conceive (a child / a baby)

try to conceive

conceive naturally / with medical help

用法筆記

In everyday conversation, 'get pregnant' or 'become pregnant' is far more common. 'Conceive' belongs to medical discussions, formal writing, or situations where the speaker wants to be delicate about the topic.

常見錯誤

❌She conceived last week.' (in everyday talk)
✅She got pregnant last week.
💡'Conceive' sounds clinical in casual conversation; use 'get pregnant' instead.
❌He conceived a baby with his wife.
✅His wife conceived their baby.
💡Biologically, the woman conceives; the man does not. Use 'He and his wife conceived a child' to share agency equally.