tape
tape — noun
1. a long, flexible plastic ribbon covered in magnetic material, used to capture an
a long, flexible plastic ribbon covered in magnetic material, used to capture and store sound, moving images, or computer information
João found an old box of cassette tapes in his grandmother's attic.
cassette tape — common physical format for recorded sound
The police interview was captured on tape and later used in court.
passive: captured on tape
In the 1990s, fans could buy albums from local musicians on cassette tape or on compact disc.
Eitan transferred all his family's home videos from tape to digital files.
The radio station keeps every recorded interview on tape in labelled boxes downstairs.
文法句型
tape + noun (cassette tape, video tape)
on tape
用法筆記
This sense is declining in everyday use because digital storage has largely replaced magnetic tape. The phrase 'on tape' still appears in fixed expressions meaning 'recorded.'
常見錯誤
2. a band of sticky-backed material that can be pressed onto surfaces to join, seal
a band of sticky-backed material that can be pressed onto surfaces to join, seal, or repair them
Nkechi used a strip of clear tape to fix the torn page of the book.
collocation: a strip of tape
Faisal wrapped the gift box with colourful tape and a matching bow.
Double-sided tape is useful for mounting posters on bedroom walls without nails.
The nurse placed surgical tape over the wound to keep the bandage clean.
A strip of duct tape held the broken chair leg in place for months.
- adhesive tape
more formal and less common in everyday speech
- sticky tape
common in British English for general-purpose adhesive tape
文法句型
a strip/piece of tape
tape + noun (duct tape, masking tape)
用法筆記
Compound nouns with the specific type of tape are extremely common: 'duct tape' (strong, waterproof), 'masking tape' (removable, for painting), 'electrical tape' (insulating, for wires). These are treated as fixed compound nouns, not free combinations.
常見錯誤
3. a breakable band put in place at the end of a running track, so the leading athl
a breakable band put in place at the end of a running track, so the leading athlete hits and tears it at the finish
The lead runner broke the tape with her chest and won the gold medal.
collocation: break the tape
Volunteers stretched a red tape across the finish line before the race began.
Cyrus lunged forward and snapped the finish tape with his torso.
The crowd screamed as the sprinter shattered the tape at the end of the dash.
- finishing line
the line itself, whereas 'tape' is the physical ribbon across it
- finish line ribbon
descriptive but less idiomatic in sports commentary
文法句型
break the tape
the finishing tape
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the context of foot races or track events. 'Breaking the tape' is a fixed idiom that means winning the race.
常見錯誤
4. a long, bendable ruler marked with measurement divisions, used for finding how l
a long, bendable ruler marked with measurement divisions, used for finding how long or wide something is
Omar measured the window frame with a tape and wrote the numbers down.
A tailor's tape is flexible so it can curve easily around arms and legs.
compound noun: tailor's tape
The carpenter pulled the metal tape from its case and locked it at two metres.
Sumin used a measuring tape to check the curtain fabric length before cutting it.
- tape measure
the full form, more explicit
- measuring tape
common alternative, equally clear
- ruler
usually rigid, not flexible like a tape
文法句型
measure [something] with a tape
a tape measure
用法筆記
Often shortened from 'tape measure' or 'measuring tape' in informal speech. Professional contexts usually specify the type: 'tailor's tape' (cloth), 'retractable tape' (metal coil), 'surveyor's tape' (long-distance).
常見錯誤
tape — verb
1. to capture sound, video, or data using a recording device so it can be listened
to capture sound, video, or data using a recording device so it can be listened to or watched later
Cole taped the history lecture so he could review it before the exam.
tape + direct object (a lecture) — reason clause
The band plans to tape their new album live at the concert hall next week.
Ari taped the TV documentary because she had to work during the broadcast.
The journalist taped her interview with the mayor to ensure accurate quotes.
文法句型
tape + noun (tape a show/interview/album)
tape + object + preposition phrase
用法筆記
In modern usage 'tape' increasingly means recording on any device (not necessarily magnetic tape), though 'record' or 'film' are more common for digital capture. 'Tape' preserves a slight vintage feel.
常見錯誤
2. to fix, attach, bind, or seal something using sticky adhesive tape
to fix, attach, bind, or seal something using sticky adhesive tape
Theo taped the broken handle of his favourite mug back together.
tape + object + back together (resultative adverb)
Théo taped a notice to the front door so all visitors could see it.
tape + object + to [surface]
The movers taped the cardboard box shut before loading it onto the truck.
Élise taped the poster onto her bedroom wall above the desk.
- untape
rare but used informally; to remove tape from something
文法句型
tape + object + to/onto [surface]
tape + object + shut/together/closed
用法筆記
The verb is more common in speech than its equivalent 'to fix with tape.' It is highly productive with resultative adjectives: 'tape shut,' 'tape closed,' 'tape together.'
常見錯誤
tape — adjective
1. captured or stored on magnetic recording tape rather than being live or digitall
captured or stored on magnetic recording tape rather than being live or digitally native
The archive contains tape recordings of folk songs from the 1950s.
compound noun: tape recording
During the live awards ceremony, producers used a tape delay of seven seconds to cut out bad language.
compound noun: tape delay
The local history centre keeps tape copies of elderly residents' stories so students can hear them.
The detective listened to the tape recording of the phone call three times.
- recorded
broader; refers to any recording medium, not just magnetic tape
- prerecorded
emphasises that the content was captured before the time of use
- live
happening at the moment, not recorded
文法句型
tape + noun (tape recording, tape interview)
用法筆記
Restricted to attributive position before a noun. Almost exclusively used in compound nouns like 'tape recording,' 'tape delay,' 'tape loop.' Cannot be used predicatively: 'The interview is tape' is incorrect.
常見錯誤
2. made to work with magnetic tape so sound or video can be stored or played back —
made to work with magnetic tape so sound or video can be stored or played back — for example, a tape deck plays cassette tapes
The old tape deck still works perfectly even after thirty years of use.
compound noun: tape deck
Restoring old tape machines from the 1970s requires specialist knowledge and hard-to-find spare parts.
compound noun: tape machine
Some recording studios still choose analogue tape equipment for its warm, rich sound.
The university library owns a tape reader that can play reel-to-reel recordings from the 1960s.
- analogue
broader term for non-digital recording technology, not specific to tape
- digital
uses binary encoding rather than magnetic tape
- solid-state
uses flash memory rather than moving tape
文法句型
tape + noun (tape deck, tape machine, tape format)
用法筆記
Found primarily in technical, archival, or vintage-audio contexts. Most modern equipment is digital and no longer 'tape-compatible.' The compound nouns 'tape deck' and 'tape machine' are the most common survivors of this sense in everyday language.