exposition

exposition — noun

1. A detailed account or piece of writing that makes a difficult idea, theory, or t

1.名詞B2
釋義

A detailed account or piece of writing that makes a difficult idea, theory, or text easier to understand.

例句

Linh's book provides a clear exposition of the economic theories behind the 2008 financial crisis.

exposition of [topic] — noun followed by 'of'

The physics professor's exposition of quantum theory helped Sora finally grasp the key ideas.

同義詞
  • explanation

    Everyday term; 'explanation' is less formal and shorter, while 'exposition' suggests a thorough, systematic treatment.

  • elucidation

    More literary; 'elucidation' emphasises making something clear that was previously obscure, while 'exposition' can also mean a written account.

  • interpretation

    Focuses on the writer's or speaker's personal understanding; 'exposition' is more neutral and fact-oriented.

反義詞
  • obfuscation

    The act of making something unclear; directly opposite in purpose to an exposition.

文法句型

exposition of [topic]

provide / give / offer an exposition

用法筆記

Common in academic and formal writing. This sense of 'exposition' is almost always followed by 'of' to specify the topic being explained; 'exposition on' is occasionally found but less standard.

常見錯誤

❌The lecturer gave an exposition for the theory of evolution.
✅The lecturer gave an exposition of the theory of evolution.
💡'exposition' is followed by 'of', not 'for' or 'to'.

2. A large public event where products, works of art, or other items are displayed

2.名詞B1
釋義

A large public event where products, works of art, or other items are displayed for people to see or buy.

例句

The annual trade exposition drew thousands of visitors to the convention centre.

collocation: trade exposition / art exposition

Felix spent the afternoon at the photography exposition in the city gallery.

同義詞
  • exhibition

    More general and common; 'exhibition' works for any display, while 'exposition' leans towards large trade or industrial shows.

  • fair

    Often implies entertainment and commercial activity alongside displays; 'exposition' is more formal and focused on showing products or ideas.

  • show

    Informal and broad; 'show' lacks the grand-scale connotations of 'exposition'.

文法句型

trade / art / agricultural / industrial exposition

at / to / during the exposition

用法筆記

Often used for large-scale professional or trade events. 'Exposition' typically describes a more formal or grand event than the everyday word 'exhibition'.

常見錯誤

❌I visited an exposition of old photographs at the local museum.
✅I visited an exhibition of old photographs at the local museum.
💡'exposition' is best reserved for large commercial or industrial events; 'exhibition' is more general.

3. The start of a musical work — for example, a sonata-form movement or a fugue — d

3.名詞C1
釋義

The start of a musical work — for example, a sonata-form movement or a fugue — during which the composer introduces the key melodies for the first time.

例句

The music lecturer asked the class to identify the exposition in Mozart's Symphony No. 40.

technical term: exposition in sonata form

Aylin could hear the first theme clearly when the exposition began in the piano sonata.

文法句型

the exposition (of a piece)

in the exposition

用法筆記

A technical term in music theory. In sonata form, the exposition is the first of three main sections, followed by the development and the recapitulation. In a fugue, the exposition refers to the initial passage where each voice enters with the subject.