unite

unite — verb

1. to bring separate things or people into one body that operates or functions as a

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to bring separate things or people into one body that operates or functions as a whole

例句

The two companies united to form a single international corporation.

unite + to-infinitive for merging entities

A common currency helped unite the different regions of the country.

transitive: unite + plural noun

同義詞
  • combine

    more general; can describe physical mixture without implying unity of purpose

  • merge

    suggests two entities blend into one, losing separate identity; common for companies

  • unify

    often refers to making a system or standard consistent across a whole area

  • join

    more informal; can mean simply connecting things without full integration

反義詞
  • separate

    to divide into parts that were previously together

  • divide

    to split a group into smaller, often opposing, parts

文法句型

unite + noun + with + noun

unite + noun

unite + into + noun

unite + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Common in both business and social contexts. When used transitively, the subject is often an external force or system that brings things together. When used intransitively, the subject is the group that joins itself.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher united the students in groups.
✅The teacher asked the students to unite into groups.
💡'unite' is not typically used with a direct object in the sense of 'put into groups'; use 'ask to unite' instead.

2. of a group of people to act as one body, working toward a common aim that matter

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

of a group of people to act as one body, working toward a common aim that matters to all of them

例句

Community members united to clean up the park after the storm.

unite + to-infinitive for shared action

The political parties united behind a single candidate for the election.

unite + behind + noun for showing support

同義詞
  • join forces

    more informal and action-focused; often used in military or business contexts

  • band together

    informal; suggests a temporary or informal group forming for a specific purpose

  • ally

    formal; implies a longer-term partnership, often between nations or organisations

  • cooperate

    broader; refers to working together without necessarily joining into one group

反義詞
  • splinter

    to break apart into smaller, often disagreeing factions

  • fall out

    informal; to stop being friendly or working together because of a disagreement

文法句型

unite + to-infinitive

unite + in + noun/gerund

unite + behind + noun

unite + against + noun

用法筆記

Frequently followed by 'to + infinitive' to state the goal, or by 'behind/in/against' to indicate the focus of unity. This sense is commonly used in political, community, and workplace contexts.

常見錯誤

❌We united with each other to help.
✅We united to help each other.
💡'unite' already implies doing something together, so 'with each other' is redundant.
❌They united together against the new law.
✅They united against the new law.
💡'together' is redundant with 'unite'.

3. to have two or more different qualities or features at the same time, especially

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to have two or more different qualities or features at the same time, especially in a way that creates a pleasing or effective combination

例句

The architect designed a house that unites modern style with traditional materials.

unite + noun + with + noun for combining features

The film unites drama and comedy in a way that feels completely natural.

同義詞
  • combine

    more neutral and general; can describe any mixture without implying harmony

  • blend

    suggests qualities mix smoothly so that the boundaries between them are unclear

  • fuse

    stronger; suggests the qualities merge into something new and inseparable

反義詞
  • lack

    to not have a particular quality that would be expected

文法句型

unite + noun + with + noun

unite + noun + and + noun

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not describe a physical joining of separate objects into one. Instead, it describes a single person or thing that possesses multiple qualities simultaneously. The subject is usually a person, a creative work, or a design.

常見錯誤

❌The dish unites sweet and spicy flavours together.
✅The dish unites sweet and spicy flavours.
💡'together' is redundant when 'unites' already conveys combination.

unite — noun