1. to move very slowly and carefully
非常緩慢且小心地移動
The cat inched forward, stalking its prey.
那隻貓小心翼翼地向前挪動，潛行接近它的獵物。
He inched his way through the narrow cave passage.
他在狹窄的洞穴通道中一點一點地前進。
Inch Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
inch
verb
快速理解
What does "Inch" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Inch"?
指緩慢地、一點一點地移動或進展。
- 1
緩慢移動
EN: to move slowly and carefully in small amounts
翻譯: 緩慢而小心地一點一點移動
- 2
逐漸進展
EN: to make progress very slowly and gradually
翻譯: 進展非常緩慢且逐步
- 3
使緩慢移動
EN: to cause something to move slowly and gradually
翻譯: 使某物緩慢且逐步地移動
小提醒：注意 'inch' 作動詞時，強調的是極其緩慢、幾乎難以察覺的移動或進展，而非一般速度的移動。
發音（How to Pronounce "Inch" in English）
How to pronounce "Inch" in English?"Inch" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Inch" from YouTube Videos
Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model. | Cameron Russell | TED
TED
“I do have too many 8-inch heels, which I never get to wear, except for earlier, but the free stuff that I get is the free stuff that I get in real life, and that's what we don't like to talk about.”
(1 out of 37)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Inch"?How does "Inch" change by context?
2. to cause something to move very slowly and gradually
使某物非常緩慢且逐漸地移動
She inched the heavy box across the floor.
她將沉重的箱子一點一點地推過地板。
The mechanic inched the car into the tight parking space.
技師將車子緩緩挪進狹窄的停車位。
3. to increase or decrease by small amounts
以極小的幅度增加或減少
The stock price inched up by a few cents.
股價微幅上漲了幾美分。
Public support for the policy has been inching downward.
公眾對該政策的支持度一直在緩慢下滑。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Inch"?How to make natural sentences with "Inch"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| inch + forward/up/along/etc. | 緩慢地朝某方向移動 | The soldier inched forward under the cover of darkness. (士兵在黑夜的掩護下緩慢向前移動。) |
| inch + object + forward/up/along/etc. | 使某物緩慢移動 | She carefully inched the car into the narrow parking space. (她小心翼翼地將車一點一點挪進狹窄的停車位。) |
| inch + closer/toward(s) + noun | 逐漸靠近 | The deadline is inching closer. (截止日期正逐漸逼近。) |
| inch + one's way + prepositional phrase | 緩慢地移動（強調過程） | The caterpillar inched its way along the branch. (毛毛蟲沿著樹枝緩慢爬行。) |
用法說明
How is "Inch" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Inch"?
inch forward vs. inch along
- inch forward 通常強調向一個明確的終點或目標緩慢、逐步地前進，帶有方向性和目的性。
- inch along 則更側重於描述在一個空間（如狹窄通道、擁擠道路）或過程中緩慢、艱難地移動的狀態，不一定有強烈的終點感。
- 兩者常可互換，但細微差別在於
forward暗示「向前推進」，along暗示「沿著某物/在過程中移動」。 EN: The traffic inched forward toward the exit. 翻譯: 車流朝著出口一寸一寸地緩慢移動。
EN:The line of people inched along the narrow corridor.
翻譯:人龍沿著狹窄的走廊緩慢挪動。
總結建議
描述朝明確目標緩慢前進多用 inch forward，描述在空間或過程中艱難緩移則多用 inch along。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Inch" and similar words?How to choose "Inch" vs alternatives?
inch vs crawl
「inch」強調極其緩慢、一點一點地移動，通常指在狹窄或受限的空間中；「crawl」則指緩慢移動，但更常用於描述人或動物用手和膝蓋爬行，或車輛緩慢行駛。
inch vs edge
「inch」作為動詞，專注於描述緩慢、漸進的移動過程本身；「edge」作為動詞，雖也可指緩慢移動，但更強調小心、謹慎地沿邊緣移動，或側身移動。
inch vs creep
「inch」側重於描述移動的微小幅度與緩慢速度；「creep」則強調安靜、偷偷摸摸或不易察覺的移動，常帶有隱秘或令人不安的意味。
口語用法
How is "Inch" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Inch"?
引述
在口語中，當引述或模仿他人緩慢、謹慎的動作時，會使用「inch」來生動描述。 EN: He was like, "I'm just going to inch my way through the crowd," and then he actually did it. 翻譯: 他就說：「我就這樣一點一點擠過人群。」然後他真的就這麼做了。
EN:She told me, "Don't rush, just inch the car forward until you see the sign."
翻譯:她告訴我：「別急，就讓車子一點一點往前挪，直到你看見標誌為止。」
語氣強調
為了強調移動的極度緩慢、艱難或不情願，會在句子中重讀「inch」這個字。 EN: I had to inch the sofa up the stairs—it was a nightmare. 翻譯: 我得把沙發一點一點挪上樓梯——簡直是場噩夢。
EN:The line didn't inch forward for twenty whole minutes.
翻譯:整個隊伍整整二十分鐘都紋絲不動。
停頓填充
在描述過程或思考下一步時，可用「inch along」、「inch forward」等作為話語間的填充，表示進展緩慢。 EN: So we're just inching along in this traffic, and I'm already late. 翻譯: 所以我們就在車陣中一點一點地挪，而我已經遲到了。
EN:The project is... well, inching forward, I guess. Slowly.
翻譯:這個專案嘛... 呃，算是在一點一點推進吧，很慢就是了。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將「inch」用作動詞來描述緩慢進展，這被視為過於口語化。建議改用「advance gradually」、「move slowly」、「proceed bit by bit」等更正式的片語替代。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Inch"?What fixed phrases with "Inch" should I remember?
inch forward
inch forward
緩慢地向前移動
inch closer
inch closer
緩慢地靠近
inch along
inch along
沿著某物緩慢移動
inch up
inch up
緩慢上升或增加
inch past
inch past
緩慢地經過
inch one's way
inch one's way
緩慢地移動（某人的）路徑
inch towards
inch towards
緩慢地朝...移動
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Inch"?Which "Inch" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He inched the rope.
✓He inched along the rope.
作為動詞時，'inch' 通常表示緩慢移動，是不及物動詞，後面常接 'forward', 'along', 'closer' 等副詞或介系詞片語來描述移動方向或方式，不能直接接受詞。
×The line inched to the door.
✓The line inched toward(s) the door.
描述朝某個方向緩慢移動時，應使用 'inch toward(s)', 'inch into', 'inch through' 等搭配適當介系詞，單純用 'to' 較不自然。
×The project is inching.
✓The project is inching along.
'inch' 作為動詞描述緩慢進展時，通常需要副詞（如 'along'）或補語來使語意完整，單獨使用進行式會顯得語意不清。
×Please inch the length of the table.
✓Please measure the length of the table in inches.
動詞 'inch' 的意思是「緩慢移動」，不是「以英寸測量」。要表達測量，應使用動詞 'measure' 並說明單位。
×Time inched.
✓Time inched by.
用 'inch' 描述時間緩慢流逝時，常與 'by' 或 'on' 等副詞連用，使表達更自然、完整。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Inch"?What are tense/participle forms of "Inch"?
inches(3rd_singular)inching(present_participle)inched(past)inched(past_participle)