remains

remains — noun

1. what is physically left of an object or substance after the larger portion has b

1.名詞B1
釋義

what is physically left of an object or substance after the larger portion has been consumed, worn out, or broken apart

例句

Christopher scraped the remains of the burnt toast into the kitchen bin.

the remains of [something] — concrete object after use/destruction

The remains of the old stone wall mark the edge of the farm.

同義詞
  • leftovers

    informal, mainly used for food; 'remains' is broader and can apply to any material

  • remnants

    slightly more formal; suggests small, scattered pieces rather than a larger leftover mass

  • residue

    uncountable, usually a thin layer or trace left behind after a process

文法句型

the remains of [something]

possessive + remains

用法筆記

Always used in the plural form. There is no singular noun 'a remain'. Use 'the remains' with a plural verb — for example, 'The remains of the ship are still underwater'. This sense often appears with 'of' to specify what the parts originally belonged to.

常見錯誤

❌The remain of the cake was on the table.
✅The remains of the cake were on the table.
💡'Remains' is always plural. There is no singular form for this meaning.

2. a person's or animal's physical body after death, especially in formal, respectf

2.名詞B2
釋義

a person's or animal's physical body after death, especially in formal, respectful, or scientific contexts

例句

The remains of the missing climber were found on the mountain last spring.

the remains of [person] — formal reference to a dead body

Scientists carefully examined the skeletal remains of a young woman.

skeletal remains — scientific register

同義詞
  • corpse

    more direct and less formal; used for a recently dead body, often in crime or medical contexts

  • body

    neutral and common; 'remains' is preferred in formal or respectful contexts

  • carcass

    used only for animals, not people

文法句型

possessive + remains

human/animal remains

skeletal/mummified remains

用法筆記

This sense is more formal or respectful than 'corpse' or 'dead body'. It is common in news reports, official statements, and scientific writing. 'Remains' is often modified by adjectives describing the state of the body, such as 'skeletal remains', 'mummified remains', or 'burnt remains'.

常見錯誤

❌The criminal hid the remain in the forest.
✅The criminal hid the remains in the forest.
💡'Remains' is always a plural noun, even when referring to a single dead body.

3. buildings, everyday objects, or natural traces that have lasted from an earlier

3.名詞B2
釋義

buildings, everyday objects, or natural traces that have lasted from an earlier period — especially ancient times — and are usually brought to light through excavation or research

例句

The museum displays Roman remains including pottery, tools, and coins.

Roman remains — materials from a specific ancient culture

Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a Viking settlement in Norway.

同義詞
  • ruins

    specifically for destroyed buildings or settlements; 'remains' is broader and includes small objects too

  • artifacts

    only for man-made objects, not natural traces or fossils

  • fossils

    specifically for prehistoric plants and animals preserved in rock

文法句型

the remains of [ancient place/object]

prehistoric/Roman/Viking remains

fossilised remains

用法筆記

Commonly appears in archaeology and history contexts. Unlike sense 1, this sense refers specifically to material evidence from earlier historical periods. It can describe both large structures (temples, settlements) and small objects (tools, coins). Often paired with adjectives naming a period or culture: 'prehistoric remains', 'Roman remains', 'Viking remains'.

常見錯誤

❌The museum has an interesting remain from ancient Egypt.
✅The museum has interesting remains from ancient Egypt.
💡Even when the objects form a collection, 'remains' stays plural.