formation
formation — 名詞
1. the particular shape or arrangement that something has, either because of the wa
結構；形態
事物自然形成或被安排的樣貌
the particular shape or arrangement that something has, either because of the way it was naturally made or because of how it was put together
Amihan studied the unusual limestone formations along the coast for her geology report.
Amihan 為了她的地質學報告，研究了海岸邊那些不尋常的石灰岩結構。
collocation: limestone formation / rock formation
Cloud formation happens when warm air rises and cools, turning vapour into tiny water drops.
雲的形成是在暖空氣上升冷卻時發生，水蒸氣會變成微小的水滴。
collocation: cloud formation
The doctor pointed at the bone formation in the X-ray to show where the fracture had healed.
醫生指著 X 光片上的骨骼結構，說明骨折癒合的位置。
Scientists analysed the formation of crystals inside the cave, which had grown over centuries.
科學家分析了洞穴內結晶的形態，這些結晶花了好幾個世紀才長成。
- structure
focuses more on the internal arrangement of parts
- shape
less formal; emphasises outer appearance over internal arrangement
- configuration
more formal; technical term for the relative arrangement of parts
文法句型
rock formation, cloud formation
formation of + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used in noun+noun compounds where the first noun specifies what is formed (rock formation, cloud formation, word formation). Unlike Sense 2, this sense describes the resulting shape or structure, not the process of creating it.
常見錯誤
2. the process by which something starts to exist, develops, or is established over
形成；組成
事物開始存在或發展成形的過程
the process by which something starts to exist, develops, or is established over time
The formation of a new government after the election took several weeks of careful talks.
選舉後新政府的組成花了數週的謹慎協商。
collocation: formation of [organization/institution]
The formation of Ritu's jogging habit began with just five short minutes each morning.
Ritu 晨跑習慣的形成是從每天早上短短五分鐘開始的。
Elena believes that the formation of strong friendships at school is as important as good grades.
Elena 認為在學校建立深厚的友誼和取得好成績一樣重要。
The formation of ice on the road made driving dangerous for the early morning commuters.
路面結冰讓清晨通勤的駕駛人面臨危險的行車狀況。
- creation
more active; emphasises bringing something into existence through deliberate action
- development
focuses on gradual growth or evolution rather than a single act of forming
- establishment
more formal; used for organisations, systems, or procedures
- dissolution
the breaking apart or ending of something that was formed
文法句型
the formation of + [new entity / abstract noun]
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of + noun' naming what is created or developed (formation of a committee, formation of a habit, formation of an identity). Distinguish from Sense 1: Sense 2 is about the process or act of forming, while Sense 1 describes the resulting arrangement itself.
常見錯誤
3. a planned pattern or arrangement of people, vehicles, or aircraft moving togethe
隊形；編隊
人員或飛機移動時的排列方式
a planned pattern or arrangement of people, vehicles, or aircraft moving together as a group
The geese flew in a V formation across the sky, heading south for the winter.
雁群以 V 字隊形飛越天空，向南遷徙過冬。
collocation: in [type] formation (e.g. V formation, diamond formation)
The soldiers stood in formation on the parade ground, waiting for the general's inspection.
士兵們在閱兵場上列隊站好，等待將軍校閱。
collocation: stand in formation
Dancers formed a diamond formation on stage and began their routine in perfect unison.
舞者在舞台上排成菱形隊形，隨著音樂節奏整齊劃一地開始表演。
Ezra watched four fighter jets fly in tight formation during the air show.
Ezra 觀看四架戰鬥機在航空表演中以密集編隊飛行。
- pattern
more general; less specific to coordinated group movement
- arrangement
broader; does not imply movement or coordinated action
- disorder
lack of planned arrangement or pattern
文法句型
in + [adjective] formation
in formation
用法筆記
Commonly used in the phrase 'in formation' to describe the manner of arrangement. Specific patterns are named by type: V formation, diamond formation, wedge formation. The uncountable use ('in formation') describes the state of being arranged; the countable use ('a V formation') describes a specific type.
4. the way a team arranges its players on the field in sports such as football (soc
陣型；陣式
球隊在場上的隊員排列方式
the way a team arranges its players on the field in sports such as football (soccer) or American football, especially described by numbers indicating player positions
The coach chose a 4-3-3 formation to give the team more attacking options against their rivals.
教練選擇 4-3-3 陣型，希望讓球隊在面對對手時有更多進攻選擇。
noun: numbered formation (e.g. 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-5-2)
Hyun explained that a 4-4-2 formation keeps two strikers near the opponent's goal at all times.
Hyun 解釋說，4-4-2 陣型能讓兩名前鋒始終壓在對方球門附近。
Noa argued that the defensive formation was too weak to stop the other team's fastest forwards.
Noa 認為這種防守陣型太弱，擋不住對方最快的前鋒。
The team switched formation at half-time and immediately started creating better chances.
球隊在中場休息時改變了陣型，立刻創造出更多進球機會。
- line-up
refers to the list of starting players rather than their positional arrangement
文法句型
number-number-number formation
defensive/attacking formation
用法筆記
Used primarily in association football (soccer) and American football. Formations are commonly expressed as three numbers (defenders-midfielders-forwards), e.g. 4-3-3. In American football, formations have specific names (single-back, I-formation, shotgun). Distinguish from Sense 3, which refers to the arrangement of any group, not a sports team's tactical setup.