extreme
extreme — adjective
1. happening or existing at an amount, level, or strength that goes far beyond what
happening or existing at an amount, level, or strength that goes far beyond what people normally experience or expect
The Watanabe family faced extreme financial pressure after the factory closed down.
extreme + noun for high degree
Temperatures in the desert reached extreme levels that made outdoor work impossible during the day.
extreme levels — degree collocation
The rescue team showed extreme bravery when they searched through the rubble for survivors.
There is an extreme difference in income between the richest and poorest people in the country.
The pain in his knee became so extreme that he could no longer walk to the bus stop.
- tremendous
slightly more informal and often suggests something impressive in size or degree
- immense
focuses on very large size or scale, less common for abstract qualities
- intense
specifically about strength or concentration of a quality, often emotional
文法句型
extreme + noun
be + extreme
常見錯誤
2. much more serious, severe, or unpleasant than what people normally experience, o
much more serious, severe, or unpleasant than what people normally experience, often causing great suffering or damage
The extreme weather forced thousands of villagers to leave their homes and move to higher ground.
extreme weather — common collocation
Patients with extreme pain were taken to the front of the queue at the hospital.
The drought caused extreme damage to farmland across the region, ruining many harvests.
Imran described the conditions inside the refugee camp as extreme and dangerous.
Doctors warned that the side effects could be extreme if the patient took the wrong dosage.
文法句型
extreme + noun
be + extreme
用法筆記
Commonly used with nouns describing negative events or situations: weather, pain, poverty, violence, measures.
常見錯誤
3. describing opinions, ideas, or methods that most people consider unreasonable or
describing opinions, ideas, or methods that most people consider unreasonable or unacceptable because they go far beyond what is normally accepted in society
The party's extreme views on immigration caused many moderate members to leave.
extreme + views — opinion collocation
Valentina's teacher warned her that some of the websites she was reading promoted extreme political ideas.
The government introduced new laws to prevent extreme groups from spreading hatred online.
Nia's position on environmental issues was considered too extreme even by other activists.
The newspaper was criticized for publishing extreme opinions that encouraged division in society.
- moderate
not extreme in opinion or action; reasonable and balanced
- mainstream
accepted by most people as normal or conventional
文法句型
extreme + noun (views/opinions/group)
be + extreme
用法筆記
Often carries a negative judgement. Used to describe political, religious, or social views that are far from the mainstream. The noun form 'extremist' refers to a person who holds such views.
常見錯誤
4. situated at the point that is farthest from the middle, the beginning, or the ma
situated at the point that is farthest from the middle, the beginning, or the main area of something
The extreme northern tip of the island is only reachable by boat in calm weather.
extreme + northern tip — spatial collocation
Quan planted trees along the extreme edge of the property to create a natural fence.
Birds built their nests on the extreme ends of the roof, away from the busy courtyard below.
The extreme corner of the garden was overgrown with wild roses and tall grass.
文法句型
extreme + noun (end/tip/edge/corner)
用法筆記
This sense is only used before a noun (attributive position). Common with location words like 'end', 'tip', 'edge', 'corner', 'side'.
extreme — noun
1. the greatest possible degree or level of something, especially something that is
the greatest possible degree or level of something, especially something that is unusual, unpleasant, or intense
The team pushed themselves to the extreme in order to finish the marathon in under three hours.
to the extreme — fixed phrase
Iris had taken her love of order to the extreme and organized everything by colour and size.
taken [sth] to the extreme — fixed phrase
Reuben's fear of germs had reached such an extreme that he would not shake hands with anyone.
Some parents go to extremes to give their children every possible advantage in life.
The extreme of her generosity was that she gave away more money than she could afford.
- minimum
the smallest possible amount or degree
文法句型
the extreme of + noun
go to extremes
take something to extremes
用法筆記
Often used in fixed phrases: 'to the extreme', 'go to extremes', 'take something to extremes'. These expressions mean doing something much more than is usual or reasonable.
常見錯誤
2. used after an adjective to emphasize that something is true to a very great degr
used after an adjective to emphasize that something is true to a very great degree; extremely
The government's response to the crisis was cautious in the extreme, frustrating many citizens.
adjective + in the extreme — formal emphasis pattern
Christopher found the hotel's service to be disappointing in the extreme after he had paid so much.
The design of the building was simple in the extreme, using only glass and concrete.
The ceremony was formal in the extreme, with every detail planned weeks in advance.
- extremely
the standard adverb form, more common and less formal
- exceedingly
also formal, similar meaning
文法句型
adjective + in the extreme
用法筆記
A formal expression. Used in writing more than in everyday speech. The pattern is always: [adjective] + in the extreme.
常見錯誤
3. one of two very different or opposite situations, feelings, or types of behaviou
one of two very different or opposite situations, feelings, or types of behaviour, especially when compared with each other
The book explores the extremes of love and hatred within a single family across three generations.
extremes of + noun — contrast pattern
The region's climate swings from one extreme to another, with burning summers and freezing winters.
from one extreme to another — fixed phrase
Yan's personality is a study in extremes — she is either full of energy or completely exhausted.
Parents often struggle to find a healthy balance between the extremes of being too strict and too relaxed.
The country has experienced extremes of wealth and poverty throughout its long history.
- middle ground
a position between two extremes
- compromise
an agreement reached by both sides giving up some demands
文法句型
extremes of + noun
from one extreme to another
between extremes
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (extremes) to describe two opposite qualities or states. Common in the pattern 'extremes of [noun]'.