B1 Verb ニュートラル #34 よく出る 2分で読める

soar

/sɔːr/

Soar describes reaching great heights or increasing dramatically with speed and grace.

30秒でわかる単語

  • To fly high and effortlessly in the sky.
  • To increase very quickly in value or level.
  • Commonly used for birds, prices, and emotions.

Overview

The word 'soar' is a dynamic verb that describes upward movement. It has two primary applications: literal and figurative. Literally, it refers to the act of flying high in the sky, typically associated with birds or gliders that use air currents to stay aloft without flapping wings constantly. Figuratively, it describes a sharp and sudden increase in non-physical things like prices, temperatures, or human emotions. 2) Usage Patterns: 'Soar' is an intransitive verb, meaning it does not take a direct object. You do not 'soar something'; rather, something 'soars.' It is frequently paired with prepositional phrases like 'above the clouds' or 'to new heights.' In economic contexts, it is often used with adverbs like 'dramatically' or 'unexpectedly.' 3) Common Contexts: In nature, eagles and hawks are the primary subjects of this verb. In business and news, you will frequently hear about 'soaring inflation' or 'soaring energy costs.' In literature and psychology, a person's 'spirits' or 'hopes' might soar when they receive good news, indicating a feeling of intense happiness or liberation. 4) Similar Words Comparison: While 'fly' is a general term for moving through the air, 'soar' implies a specific kind of effortless, high-altitude flight. Compared to 'rise,' 'soar' suggests a much faster and more dramatic movement. For example, if prices 'rise,' they are going up; if they 'soar,' they are increasing at an alarming or impressive rate. Unlike 'climb,' which suggests effort and a step-by-step process, 'soar' feels more fluid and rapid.

例文

1

The eagle soared high above the mountain peaks.

everyday

The eagle soared high above the mountain peaks.

2

Property prices in the city have soared over the last decade.

formal

Property prices in the city have soared over the last decade.

3

My confidence soared after I passed the difficult exam.

informal

My confidence soared after I passed the difficult exam.

4

The jet soared into the stratosphere within minutes of takeoff.

academic

The jet soared into the stratosphere within minutes of takeoff.

よく使う組み合わせ

prices soar prices increase rapidly
spirits soar becoming very happy or hopeful
soar high fly at a great altitude

よく使うフレーズ

soaring ambition

very high goals

soar to success

achieve success quickly

よく混同される語

soar vs sore

'Sore' is an adjective meaning painful or tender. 'Soar' is a verb meaning to fly high.

soar vs source

'Source' is the origin of something. 'Soar' is the action of rising or flying.

文法パターン

Subject + soar + (adverb/prepositional phrase) Subject (plural) + soar Soaring + noun (as an adjective)

How to Use It

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使い方のコツ

In professional writing, 'soar' is an excellent alternative to 'increase' when you want to emphasize the speed and scale of the growth. It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is rarely used in the passive voice.


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よくある間違い

The most common mistake is spelling the word as 'sore.' Another mistake is using it transitively; you cannot 'soar a kite,' you 'fly a kite' and the kite 'soars.'

Tips

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Use soar for dramatic economic changes

When describing a stock market boom or inflation, 'soar' sounds more professional and descriptive than just saying 'go up.'

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Don't confuse soar with sore

These words are homophones. 'Soar' is about flying or rising, while 'sore' refers to physical pain or an injury.

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The Eagle as a symbol

In many cultures, the 'soaring eagle' is a symbol of freedom, power, and spiritual transcendence because of how high it flies.

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語源

Derived from the Old French word 'essorer,' which means 'to expose to the air' or 'to rise into the air.'

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文化的な背景

In American culture, the 'soaring eagle' is a patriotic symbol representing strength and freedom. In business culture, 'soaring profits' is a common phrase in annual reports.

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覚え方のコツ

Think of the 'AR' in 'soar' as standing for 'Altitude Rising.'

よくある質問

4 問

'Fly' is a general term for any movement through air. 'Soar' specifically means flying at a great height, often using air currents to glide without much effort.

Yes, it can. While the movement is 'high,' the context can be negative, such as 'soaring crime rates' or 'soaring temperatures' during a heatwave.

It is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are both 'soared,' and the present participle is 'soaring.'

Literally, only if they are in an aircraft or hang-gliding. Figuratively, a person's career or happiness can 'soar' to indicate great success.

自分をテスト

fill blank

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.

The price of gold has ___ to record levels this month.

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: soared

The sentence requires the past participle form 'soared' to complete the present perfect tense.

multiple choice

Which of the following is the best synonym for 'soar' in the context of a bird?

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Glide

Soaring involves maintaining height by gliding on air currents rather than constant flapping.

sentence building

Reorder the words to create a logical sentence.

spirits / news / her / the / soared / hearing / upon

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: Her spirits soared upon hearing the news.

This follows the standard subject-verb-prepositional phrase structure in English.

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