1. to discover or notice the presence of something
發現或察覺到某物的存在
The test can detect the virus early.
這項檢測能早期發現病毒。
The dog detected the scent of food.
那隻狗察覺到了食物的氣味。
Detect Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
detect
verb
快速理解
What does "Detect" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Detect"?
指發現或察覺到某物存在、發生，或測量出某種訊號。
- 1
察覺發現
EN: to notice or discover something, especially something that is not easy to see, hear, etc.
翻譯: 察覺或發現某事物，尤指不易看見、聽見等的事物。
- 2
測出訊號
EN: to discover or measure the presence of something, such as a signal, substance, or disease.
翻譯: 發現或測量出某物的存在，例如訊號、物質或疾病。
- 3
查明偵測
EN: to find out or investigate something, often using special equipment or methods.
翻譯: 查明或偵測某事，通常使用特殊設備或方法。
小提醒：注意 'detect' 通常指透過努力、儀器或仔細觀察才發現，不是偶然看見。中文常對應「偵測」、「檢測」、「察覺」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Detect" in English）
How to pronounce "Detect" in English?"Detect" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Detect" from YouTube Videos
Ellen Jorgensen: Biohacking -- you can do it, too
TED
“You can make a biocensor out of yeast to detect pollutants in water. You can make some sort of a biofuel cell.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Detect"?How does "Detect" change by context?
2. to find out or investigate something, especially something hidden or not obvious
查明或調查某事，尤指隱藏或不顯而易見的事物
The software detects security threats automatically.
該軟體會自動偵測安全威脅。
Scientists are trying to detect signs of life on other planets.
科學家正試圖探測其他行星上的生命跡象。
3. to perceive or discern something subtle or slight
感知或辨別出細微或輕微的事物
I detected a note of sarcasm in his voice.
我從他的語氣中察覺到了一絲諷刺。
The instrument can detect minute changes in pressure.
這台儀器能偵測到微小的壓力變化。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Detect"?How to make natural sentences with "Detect"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| detect + noun | 偵測到某物 | The system can detect smoke. (該系統能偵測到煙霧。) |
| detect + that clause | 察覺到… | I detected that he was lying. (我察覺到他在說謊。) |
| detect + noun + V-ing | 偵測到某物正在… | The radar detected an aircraft approaching. (雷達偵測到一架飛機正在接近。) |
| be detected + prepositional phrase | 在某處被發現/偵測到 | The virus was detected in the water supply. (病毒在水源中被偵測到。) |
| detect + noun + in/on + noun | 在…中/上偵測到某物 | They detected high levels of lead in the soil. (他們在土壤中偵測到高濃度的鉛。) |
用法說明
How is "Detect" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Detect"?
detect + V-ing 與 detect + to V
- detect + V-ing 表示「偵測到某個正在進行或已發生的動作或狀態」。這裡的 V-ing 是動名詞，作為
detect的受詞，描述被偵測到的內容。 - detect + to V 的結構在標準英語中極其罕見且通常不正確。
detect不像want或need這類動詞，後面不接不定詞 (to V) 來表示目的或意圖。 - 若要表達「為了偵測某物而做某事」，應使用其他結構，例如 in order to detect 或 so as to detect。
- 被動語態中，正確的結構是 be detected + V-ing，表示「被發現正在做某事」。 EN: The system detected someone trying to bypass the firewall. 翻譯: 系統偵測到有人試圖繞過防火牆。
EN:The software is designed to detect malware hiding in system files.
翻譯:這款軟體的設計是用來偵測隱藏在系統檔案中的惡意軟體。
總結建議
使用 detect + V-ing 來表示偵測到的動作或狀態，避免使用 detect + to V 的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Detect" and similar words?How to choose "Detect" vs alternatives?
detect vs discover
「detect」強調透過儀器或細心觀察發現細微、隱藏或不易察覺的事物；「discover」則指首次發現原本存在但不為人知的事物，或自己領悟到某事。
detect vs notice
「detect」通常涉及使用工具或專業技能發現不易察覺的事物；「notice」則更日常，指用感官（尤其是視覺）偶然或自然地注意到某事。
detect vs find
「detect」專注於發現隱藏、細微或需要特別手段才能察覺的跡象；「find」含義廣泛，指透過尋找或偶然遇到而發現具體的人、物或抽象答案。
口語用法
How is "Detect" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Detect"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述自己或他人發現某事的瞬間。 EN: So I detect a bit of hesitation in your voice. 翻譯: 所以我聽出你聲音裡有點猶豫。
EN:He detected that the file had been tampered with.
翻譯:他察覺到檔案被動過手腳。
語氣強調
常與「真的」、「確實」等副詞連用，強調發現的確定性。 EN: I can actually detect a faint smell of gas. 翻譯: 我真的能聞到一點淡淡的瓦斯味。
EN:Did you seriously not detect any sarcasm in his tone?
翻譯:你真的沒聽出他語氣裡的諷刺嗎？
停頓填充
在組織思緒時，會用「我 detect 到...」作為開頭，後面稍作停頓再補充細節。 EN: I detect... maybe a lack of trust here. 翻譯: 我察覺到... 這裡可能缺乏信任。
EN:What do I detect? Let me think... a hint of jealousy.
翻譯:我察覺到什麼？讓我想想... 一絲嫉妒。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免上述口語用法，建議使用更精確、完整的句子結構，例如使用「ascertain」、「identify」、「observe」等同義詞，或直接陳述發現的事實，而非模擬口語中的停頓或引述模式。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Detect"?What fixed phrases with "Detect" should I remember?
detect a problem
detect + [noun]
發現問題
detect a change
detect + [noun]
察覺變化
detect early
detect + [adverb]
及早發現
detect the presence of
detect + [noun phrase]
偵測到...的存在
difficult to detect
[adjective] + to + detect
難以偵測
detect and prevent
detect + and + [verb]
偵測並預防
detect by
detect + by + [noun/gerund]
透過...偵測
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Detect"?Which "Detect" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I detected that the system has a problem.
✓I detected a problem with the system.
The verb 'detect' is typically followed directly by the object (what is discovered), not by a 'that' clause. Use 'detect + noun/noun phrase'.
×Can you detect what is the problem?
✓Can you detect the problem? / Can you identify what the problem is?
'Detect' is not used in indirect questions with inverted word order ('what is the...'). Use a simple noun object or rephrase with a verb like 'identify' or 'find out' for the question structure.
×I detected him to steal the money.
✓I detected him stealing the money. / I caught him stealing the money.
'Detect' is not used in the pattern 'detect someone to do something'. Use the present participle ('-ing') after the object to show the action in progress, or use a more common verb like 'catch' for this context.
×This machine is used for detect lies.
✓This machine is used to detect lies.
After the preposition 'for', use a noun or gerund (-ing form). To express purpose with the verb 'detect', use the infinitive 'to detect'.
×The doctor detected his illness.
✓The doctor detected an illness in him. / The doctor diagnosed his illness.
While 'detect' means to discover the presence of something, for medical conditions found in a person, 'diagnose' is often more precise and natural. Using 'detect' can sound overly technical or impersonal.
×I can detect a strange smell from the kitchen.
✓I can detect a strange smell in the kitchen. / I can smell something strange coming from the kitchen.
The preposition 'from' implies the origin or source of the smell itself. 'Detect' focuses on noticing the presence of something *in* a location. For indicating source, rephrasing with 'coming from' is more natural.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Detect"?What are tense/participle forms of "Detect"?
detects(3rd_singular)detecting(present_participle)detected(past)detected(past_participle)