resource
resource — noun
1. something such as money, raw materials, workers, or land that is available to a
something such as money, raw materials, workers, or land that is available to a country, company, or person to help them operate or achieve their goals.
The country depends on its natural resources, such as oil and minerals, for economic growth.
collocation: natural resources
The charity lacks the financial resources to help all the families in need.
Limited resources meant the hospital could only treat the most urgent cases.
Talia's team used all available resources, including donated tools and materials, to create the community garden.
Ari, the logistics manager, had to decide how to allocate resources between the warehouse and the delivery team this quarter.
文法句型
resource + of
natural/financial/human + resources
用法筆記
Often appears in the plural form 'resources' even when referring to a single type of asset (e.g. 'financial resources'). The singular form is less common and typically refers to a specific supply (e.g. 'a valuable resource').
常見錯誤
2. a book, website, piece of equipment, person, or service that provides useful inf
a book, website, piece of equipment, person, or service that provides useful information or practical help for achieving a particular aim.
The library is an excellent resource for students writing their research papers.
pattern: resource for [purpose]
Lakshmi found several online resources that explained the history of the region.
Gita's biology teacher recommended several online resources to help her prepare for the final exam.
This website is a useful resource for anyone learning Japanese at home.
Volunteers are a valuable resource for non-profit organisations that need extra help.
文法句型
resource + for + noun/gerund
useful/valuable + resource
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense is always countable and refers to a specific item or person that helps with a task. When referring to people, it is a metaphor — treat people respectfully, not as objects ('a valuable resource' is acceptable in business, but avoid in personal contexts).
常見錯誤
3. the ability to think quickly and find ways to deal with difficult or unexpected
the ability to think quickly and find ways to deal with difficult or unexpected situations, using whatever is available.
Élise showed great resource in handling the sudden power failure during the conference.
formal register: resource = resourcefulness
The young manager's resource in solving the budget crisis impressed the board.
Ravindra showed remarkable resource in tracking down the missing data after the office documents were lost.
Chiara showed great resource in calming the anxious patient when the clinic ran out of medicine.
- resourcefulness
more common in everyday English; same meaning but not marked as formal
- ingenuity
emphasises cleverness and original thinking
- initiative
focuses on the willingness to act without being told
- helplessness
the opposite of being able to cope
- incompetence
lack of the necessary ability to handle situations
文法句型
show + resource
resource + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is marked as formal and is less common in everyday conversation. In casual speech, speakers prefer 'resourcefulness' or 'being resourceful'. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is always uncountable and describes a personal quality, not a tangible supply.
常見錯誤
resource — verb
1. to supply an organisation, department, or project with the money, staff, or equi
to supply an organisation, department, or project with the money, staff, or equipment it needs to operate effectively.
The government has promised to resource the new hospital with enough staff and equipment.
pattern: resource [institution] with [staff/equipment]
The project was well resourced, so the team finished ahead of schedule.
passive: well resourced
The community library was poorly resourced, so the manager could only open three days a week.
The university needs to resource its science labs with modern computers.
- fund
narrower — only about money, not staff or equipment
- equip
focuses on providing tools or equipment, not money or staff
- provide for
less formal; covers money, supplies, and general support
文法句型
resource + organisation + with + noun
be + well/poorly + resourced
用法筆記
Most commonly used in business, government, and education contexts. The passive form ('well resourced', 'poorly resourced', 'under-resourced') is very frequent. Do not confuse with 'to source' meaning to obtain something from a particular place.