critically

critically — 副詞

1. in a state where someone is so badly hurt, sick, or damaged that they may die or

1.副詞B2
釋義

危急地

傷勢或病情非常嚴重，可能致死

in a state where someone is so badly hurt, sick, or damaged that they may die or be destroyed

例句

Romi was critically injured in the car accident and taken straight to the emergency room.

Romi 在車禍中受重傷，被直接送往急診室。

critically + past participle (injured/ill/wounded)

The hospital reported that six patients were critically ill with the new virus.

醫院通報有六名患者因新型病毒而病情危急。

同義詞
  • dangerously

    broader — can apply to any risky situation, not just health

  • gravely

    more formal, often used in official statements ('gravely wounded')

反義詞
  • slightly

    opposite degree of injury or illness

  • mildly

    used when the condition is not serious

用法筆記

Frequently paired with past participles describing physical states: injured, ill, wounded, burned. Also used in conservation science before endangered.

常見錯誤

❌He was critically hurt in the crash.
✅He was critically injured in the crash.
💡'hurt' usually describes minor pain; 'injured' is more natural for life-threatening physical harm.

2. having such great importance that the whole outcome of a situation depends on it

2.副詞B2
釋義

關鍵地

對結果極其重要，影響成敗

having such great importance that the whole outcome of a situation depends on it

例句

Haruto knew it was critically important to submit the application before the Friday deadline.

Haruto 知道在星期五截止日期前提交申請至關重要。

critically + adjective (important/necessary/needed)

The new vaccine is critically needed in regions where the disease spreads fastest.

這種新疫苗在疾病傳播最快的地區極為迫切。

同義詞
  • vitally

    interchangeable in most contexts ('vitally important')

  • desperately

    stronger emotional tone, often with 'needed'

反義詞

用法筆記

Almost always modifies adjectives of importance (important, necessary, needed, essential) rather than verbs. Never used with trivial adjectives (critically small, critically tall).

常見錯誤

❌This tool is critically useful.
✅This tool is critically important.
💡'critically' in this sense pairs only with importance-related adjectives, not general positive adjectives.

3. by looking at something carefully, considering what works well and what does not

3.副詞B1
釋義

審慎地

仔細分析優缺點後做出判斷

by looking at something carefully, considering what works well and what does not, before reaching a judgement

例句

Students in the seminar learned to read critically and form their own arguments.

研討課的學生學會了批判性閱讀，並形成自己的論點。

critically + verb of examination (read/examine/review)

Apinya looked critically at the proposal before deciding whether to support it.

Apinya 仔細審視了提案，然後才決定是否支持。

同義詞
  • analytically

    more academic in tone, focuses on breaking down into parts

  • objectively

    emphasises fairness and lack of bias, not necessarily examining both sides

  • thoughtfully

    broader — can mean careful in a less structured way

反義詞

用法筆記

Describes the manner of thinking or examining, not the conclusion. The focus is on the careful process rather than whether the outcome is positive or negative.

常見錯誤

❌She spoke critically about the book, calling it boring.' (when meaning analytical)
✅She read critically, noting the author's use of evidence.
💡sense 4 (DISAPPROVINGLY) is about expressing negative opinions; sense 3 is about thoughtful analysis.

4. by expressing disapproval of someone or something, especially by pointing out fa

4.副詞B1
釋義

批評地

以指責或指出缺點的態度

by expressing disapproval of someone or something, especially by pointing out faults

例句

The newspaper report spoke critically about the government's handling of the flood relief effort.

報紙報導嚴厲批評了政府處理水災救災工作的方式。

speak/write critically + of/about + noun phrase

Several parents spoke critically of the school board's decision to cut music classes.

幾位家長直言批評了學校董事會取消音樂課的決定。

同義詞
  • disapprovingly

    more direct about the negative judgement

  • negatively

    broader — can describe any unfavourable treatment

  • harshly

    stronger, suggests the criticism is severe

反義詞

用法筆記

Often followed by of or about to introduce the target of the criticism. Distinct from sense 3 (ANALYTICAL THINKING), which describes careful analysis; this sense describes expressing a negative judgement.

常見錯誤

❌She thinks critically about politics.' (ambiguous — could be analytical or disapproving)
✅She writes critically about government policy in her blog.
💡adding a verb of expression (speak, write, comment) makes the disapproval reading clear.

5. as judged by professional reviewers who write opinions about books, films, plays

5.副詞B2
釋義

評論界

根據藝文評論家的專業意見

as judged by professional reviewers who write opinions about books, films, plays, music, or art

例句

The novel was critically acclaimed and won several international literary awards.

這部小說獲得評論界好評，並贏得了多項國際文學獎。

critically + past participle (acclaimed/praised/dismissed)

Joaquín's first exhibition was critically praised for its bold and original use of colour.

Joaquín 的首次展覽因其大膽原創的色彩運用而受到評論界讚賞。

同義詞

用法筆記

Almost always appears in passive constructions with past participles of review-related verbs (acclaimed, praised, dismissed, admired). The context makes clear that critics, not the general public, are the source of the judgement.

常見錯誤

❌The book was critically loved by readers.
✅The book was critically acclaimed by reviewers.
💡'critically' in this sense refers specifically to professional critics, not the general audience.