numbered
numbered — verb
1. to give each item in a set its own number by writing the number on it, usually t
to give each item in a set its own number by writing the number on it, usually to show the order the items belong in
The librarian numbered each shelf so visitors could find books easily.
number + each [item] in a set for organisation
Eli numbered the pages of his notebook before handing it in.
Jisoo numbered all the invitations by order of reply.
Dewi numbered each box before loading them onto the truck.
- unmarked
left without any identifying symbol
文法句型
number + object
用法筆記
This sense is always transitive — you number something. The object is typically a set of physical items (pages, seats, tickets, boxes).
常見錯誤
2. to reach a particular total when people, things, or groups are added together —
to reach a particular total when people, things, or groups are added together — for example, a crowd numbering in the thousands, or members numbering around fifty
The crowd at the festival numbered more than three thousand people.
number + quantity (directly following subject)
Zayd's stamp collection now numbers over four hundred items.
The teaching staff is numbered at thirty-two for the whole school.
Volunteers at the shelter numbered around sixty during the winter months.
文法句型
number + quantity
be numbered at + quantity
用法筆記
This sense acts as a linking verb — the subject is the set being counted, and the complement is the resulting total. Common in formal writing (reports, news articles). Distinguish from sense 1: here you do NOT write numbers on anything.
常見錯誤
numbered — adjective
1. carrying a written number that identifies which position it holds within an orde
carrying a written number that identifies which position it holds within an ordered set of items
Each numbered ticket gave the holder a seat in the front rows.
attributive use: numbered + noun
Antonia lost her numbered key card and could not enter the hotel room.
Players wear numbered shirts so the referee can tell them apart.
The numbered floors in the building made it easy to find the right office.
Adisa checked the numbered list on the wall to confirm his room assignment.
- labelled
more general — can use any symbol, not just numbers
- classified
implies sorting by category, not just assigning a sequence number
- unnumbered
not given any number
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive). Unlike the verb 'numbered' (past tense), this adjective describes a state — the item already has its number. Common with tickets, shirts, rooms, floors, pages, and seats.
常見錯誤
2. describes someone or something whose continued existence, operation, or success
describes someone or something whose continued existence, operation, or success will finish in the near future — an end is approaching
After the fire, the old library's days were clearly numbered.
fixed expression: [possessor]'s days are/were numbered
The mechanic said our car's engine was failing, so its days are numbered.
Once the new shopping centre opens, the small market's days are numbered.
Nila knew her time at the company was numbered after the team was reduced.
- unending
continuing without a foreseeable finish
文法句型
[possessive] days/weeks/time are numbered
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'somebody's days are numbered' or 'something's days are numbered'. The possessive is required ('his days', 'the building's days'). Rarely used outside this pattern — you would not say 'a numbered time' or 'numbered success'.