essay
essay — 名詞
1. a written text about a particular subject, usually one that a student prepares f
文章；作文
學生或作者就特定主題所寫的短篇文字
a written text about a particular subject, usually one that a student prepares for a school or university course to show their knowledge and understanding
Asher wrote a five-page essay on the French Revolution for his history class.
Asher 為他的歷史課寫了一篇關於法國大革命的五頁文章。
essay on + topic to show subject
The teacher returned our graded essays with helpful notes in red ink.
老師把我們批改過的作文發回來，上面有紅筆寫的實用建議。
essay as graded schoolwork
Putri's essay about local wedding traditions won first prize at the school fair.
Putri 關於當地婚禮傳統的文章在學校比賽中獲得第一名。
For a university application, Ryan had to submit a personal essay describing his goals.
為了申請大學，Ryan 必須繳交一篇描述個人目標的自傳式文章。
A good essay needs a clear introduction, supporting paragraphs, and a final conclusion.
一篇好的文章需要清晰的開頭、有條理的段落，以及有力的結論。
- paper
often shorter or more informal; mainly used in US academic settings
- composition
old-fashioned; now mostly used for language-class writing exercises
- article
published in a newspaper, magazine, or journal, not typically a student assignment
文法句型
essay + on/about + topic
用法筆記
The topic of an essay is typically introduced by the prepositions 'on' or 'about'. In school contexts, this noun frequently pairs with 'write', 'submit', 'hand in', 'grade', or 'mark'.
常見錯誤
2. an act of trying to do something, especially something that tests one's skill or
嘗試
對某事所做的嘗試，常為考驗能力之舉
an act of trying to do something, especially something that tests one's skill or that may not succeed
Layla made her first essay at writing a novel during the summer holidays.
Layla 在暑假期間首次嘗試寫小說。
collocation: first essay at
The young painter's early essay in watercolours showed real promise and originality.
這位年輕畫家早期嘗試水彩畫，展現了真正的天賦和獨創性。
collocation: early essay in [medium]
Tamar treated each new recipe as an essay in patience and careful timing.
Tamar 把每一道新食譜都當作是考驗耐心和計時的嘗試。
The museum displayed Wei's first essays in glassblowing from the early 1990s.
博物館展出了 Wei 在 1990 年代初期嘗試玻璃工藝的作品。
文法句型
essay + at/in
用法筆記
A formal or literary use, almost always singular. Commonly paired with possessive determiners ('his first essay at...') and the verb 'make'. In modern everyday English, 'attempt' or 'try' are far more common.
常見錯誤
essay — 動詞
1. to make a careful or experimental attempt at doing something, especially when th
試圖
小心或試驗性地嘗試做事
to make a careful or experimental attempt at doing something, especially when the outcome is uncertain
The team of scientists essayed a new technique for removing plastic from ocean water.
科學家團隊嘗試用一種新技術清除海洋中的塑膠。
essay + noun phrase for experimenting
Ayesha essayed to climb the steep cliff face using only basic equipment.
Ayesha 試圖僅用基本裝備攀登陡峭的崖壁。
essay + to-infinitive
Few modern composers have essayed such a complex and daring musical structure.
很少有現代作曲家嘗試過如此複雜且大膽的音樂結構。
The chef essayed a fusion dish that blended traditional Korean flavours with Mexican spices.
這位廚師嘗試了一道融合菜，將傳統韓式風味與墨西哥香料結合。
文法句型
essay + noun phrase
essay + to-infinitive
用法筆記
A very formal verb, most frequent in written literary criticism, art history, or formal journalism. In everyday speech, 'try' or 'attempt' are always preferred. Rarely appears in negative constructions or questions.