presence
presence — noun
1. when a person, animal, or thing is physically there at a given location and mome
when a person, animal, or thing is physically there at a given location and moment.
The teacher noticed the presence of a stranger at the back of the classroom.
the presence of + noun
Maya felt nervous about speaking in the presence of her boss.
in the presence of + person
Tests confirmed the presence of lead in the drinking water.
Carlos signed the contract in the presence of two witnesses.
Elena's presence at the meeting helped calm the angry parents.
- attendance
more formal; specifically about being at an event
- existence
broader; not tied to a specific location
- absence
the direct opposite — not being there
文法句型
the presence of + noun
in someone's presence
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'the' or a possessive (his/her/their). Unlike a simple 'being there', this noun shifts the focus to the fact or effect of someone being in the place.
常見錯誤
2. an unseen being, often the spirit of someone who has died, that you sense is clo
an unseen being, often the spirit of someone who has died, that you sense is close to you in a place.
Lina swore she could feel her grandmother's presence in the old kitchen.
feel + possessive + presence
Visitors to the abandoned chapel often report a strange presence near the altar.
Marcus woke at midnight and sensed a presence sitting at the foot of his bed.
After her father died, Sarah said her presence still filled the house.
文法句型
sense/feel a presence
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to the felt spirit itself, not the act of being there. Often appears with verbs of perception (feel, sense) and adjectives like 'strange', 'unseen', 'ghostly'.
常見錯誤
3. a body of troops, police officers, or other officials stationed somewhere to kee
a body of troops, police officers, or other officials stationed somewhere to keep order, monitor events, or show authority.
There was a heavy police presence outside the stadium before the match.
heavy/strong + police/military presence
The UN maintained a peacekeeping presence in the region for over ten years.
maintain a presence
Local shopkeepers asked the mayor for a stronger police presence at night.
The army withdrew its presence from the border after the treaty was signed.
- deployment
more formal; emphasises the act of sending troops
- force
narrower; refers to the troops themselves rather than their being there
- withdrawal
the act of removing such a force
文法句型
[adjective] presence
maintain/withdraw a presence
用法筆記
Subject verbs are typically 'maintain', 'increase', 'reduce', 'withdraw'. Common adjectives: 'heavy', 'strong', 'visible', 'military', 'police', 'peacekeeping'. Often extended to corporate or online contexts (a strong online presence).
常見錯誤
4. a calm, confident way of carrying yourself that draws attention and respect from
a calm, confident way of carrying yourself that draws attention and respect from others, even before you say a word.
The young actor had real presence the moment he walked onto the stage.
have + presence
Dr. Tanaka commanded the room with quiet authority and natural presence.
Good news anchors need warmth, clear speech, and on-screen presence.
Coaches told Lina she had the talent but needed more presence on the court.
文法句型
have presence
stage presence
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — 'a presence' here usually means a person who has this quality (e.g. 'she is a powerful presence in poetry'). Common compounds: 'stage presence', 'on-screen presence', 'commanding presence'.