cram

IPA/kræm/
KK[krˈæm]IPA/kræm/

cram — verb

  • crampresent simple I / you / we / they
  • cramshe / she / it
  • crammedpast simple
  • cramming-ing form

1. to press a large number of objects or people into an area that is significantly

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to press a large number of objects or people into an area that is significantly smaller than normal, leaving little or no empty room

例句

The train was so full that the passengers were crammed together like sardines.

passive: be crammed together for a tight space

Hyun tried to cram a week's worth of clothes into one small backpack.

cram + object + into + space

同義詞
  • stuff

    less forceful, often used for filling a container casually rather than pressing

  • jam

    suggests even greater force with difficulty or resistance

  • pack

    more neutral; can be done neatly, not necessarily too tightly

反義詞
  • empty

    to remove all contents from a space

  • clear

    to remove objects so a space becomes free

文法句型

cram + object + into + space

cram + into + space

be crammed with + things/people

用法筆記

Often used in the passive (be crammed with) to describe a space that is very full. The preposition 'into' introduces the destination container.

常見錯誤

❌I crammed my clothes in the bag.
✅I crammed my clothes into the bag.
💡Use 'into' (not 'in') when describing the destination of objects being crammed.
❌The bus was crammed of people.
✅The bus was crammed with people.
💡The passive construction uses 'with' to list the contents, not 'of.'

2. to schedule so many events or tasks within a short period that the timeline feel

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to schedule so many events or tasks within a short period that the timeline feels overcrowded and tight

例句

Cole tried to cram three meetings into the hour before lunch.

cram + activities + into + time period

The conference schedule was crammed with talks and workshops from morning until evening.

passive: schedule crammed with + events

同義詞
  • pack

    less urgent; can mean filling time fully but not necessarily too tightly

  • squeeze

    suggests finding room with difficulty, often at the last minute

反義詞
  • spread out

    to arrange activities with generous time between them

文法句型

cram + activity + into + time period

用法筆記

The object is always a plan, schedule, or set of activities — never physical objects. The emphasis is on time pressure, not space.

常見錯誤

❌I tried to cram my shopping, my gym time and my lunch all in one hour.
✅I tried to cram my shopping, my gym time and my lunch all into one hour.
💡Use 'into' (not 'in') when describing the time period you are filling with activities.

3. to prepare for a test by trying to learn a large amount of information in a very

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to prepare for a test by trying to learn a large amount of information in a very short time, usually the night before

例句

Niran stayed up all night cramming for the history exam the next morning.

cram + for + exam

Liam crammed the entire chemistry textbook in three days before the test.

cram + subject + in + time period

同義詞
  • swot

    British informal synonym; slightly old-fashioned

  • mug up

    British informal, phrasal verb meaning to study hard before a test

  • bone up on

    less common but neutral register; can be used for any skill, not just exams

反義詞
  • review

    studying material again at a relaxed pace, not under time pressure

文法句型

cram + for + exam

cram + subject + for + exam

cram + object (subject matter)

用法筆記

Frequently used as an intransitive verb with 'for' before the name of the exam. The transitive use (e.g., 'cram a subject') is less common in everyday conversation. This sense is informal — avoid it in academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌I crammed for math exam.
✅I crammed for the math exam.
💡Use an article (the, my) before the exam name when using 'cram for.'

❌ 'I crammed for the exam, so I understood the topic deeply.' — Cramming implies last-minute memorisation, not deep understanding. Use 'studied' or 'reviewed' instead.