The word "corners" is used in a few different ways. Most commonly, it refers to the place where two lines or surfaces meet, like the corner of a room or a street corner.
As a verb, "corners" can mean to trap someone in a difficult spot or a place they can't easily escape from. For example, a mouse might be "cornered" by a cat.
It can also describe how a vehicle turns. For instance, a car might "corner well," meaning it handles turns smoothly.
You might also hear it in phrases like "cutting corners," which means doing something in the easiest or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
§ Understanding "Corners"
The word "corners" can function as both a noun and a verb, and its meaning depends heavily on the context. As a noun, it refers to a specific physical location where things meet. As a verb, it describes an action.
§ "Corners" as a Noun (Plural)
When used as a plural noun, "corners" typically refers to the points or areas where two lines, surfaces, or streets meet. Think about the corners of a room, a book, or a street intersection. It can also be used more figuratively to describe a hidden or remote part of something.
- Grammar and Usage
- As a plural noun, "corners" usually follows prepositions indicating location or movement. Common prepositions include "in," "at," "around," "from," and "to."
The children played hide-and-seek in all the corners of the house.
We found the lost keys tucked away in one of the corners of the attic.
The car sped around the corners of the winding road.
§ "Corners" as a Verb (3rd Person Singular)
When "corners" is used as a verb in the third person singular (meaning with a singular subject like "he," "she," "it," or a singular noun), it has two primary meanings:
- To force someone into a difficult or inescapable position.
- To maneuver a vehicle around a turn.
- Grammar and Usage
- As a verb, "corners" will always have a subject performing the action. It can be followed by an object (the person being cornered) or a prepositional phrase indicating the location of the turn.
Let's look at examples for each verb meaning:
Trapping someone in a difficult position:
The detective finally corners the suspect in an abandoned warehouse.
The journalist's persistent questioning corners the politician into admitting the truth.
Maneuvering a vehicle through turns:
The sports car corners with impressive precision on the racetrack.
Despite its size, the bus corners surprisingly well in tight city streets.
§ Common Phrases with "Corners"
Here are some common idiomatic expressions and phrases using "corners" that you might encounter:
- Cut corners: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
- Turn the corner: To pass a crisis or reach a decisive stage.
- In all corners of the world: Everywhere, globally.
- A quiet corner: A secluded or peaceful place.
They had to cut corners on the project to meet the deadline, which affected its overall quality.
After months of struggle, the company finally started to turn the corner and see profits.
News of the event reached people in all corners of the world.
§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
The word "corners" is quite versatile and appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal settings like work, school, and news reports. Its multiple meanings contribute to its widespread usage. Let's explore some common scenarios where you might encounter "corners."
§ In Everyday Life and Directions
In daily conversations, "corners" is frequently used when giving or receiving directions, describing physical spaces, or referring to parts of objects.
- Physical Locations
- When referring to the meeting point of two streets or walls.
The bakery is on the corner of Main Street and Oak Avenue.
She placed the vase in the far corner of the room.
- Parts of Objects
- Describing the edges or points of various items.
He folded the corner of the page to mark his spot.
The picture frame had decorative corners.
§ At Work and in Business
In professional environments, "corners" can refer to physical office spaces or, more figuratively, to difficult situations or cost-cutting measures.
- Office Layout: Describing where someone's desk or office is located.
- Example
- "My office is around the corner from the break room."
- Figurative Use: To describe a difficult or unexpected situation.
The company was cornered into accepting the lower offer.
- Cutting Corners: This idiom means to do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
We can't afford to cut corners on safety procedures.
§ In School and Academia
In an academic setting, "corners" can refer to physical locations within a school or, in a more abstract sense, to the boundaries of knowledge or understanding.
- Classroom Layout: Describing specific areas within a classroom.
- Example
- The reading corner is a popular spot for students.
- Geometric Context: In subjects like mathematics and geometry, "corners" refers to vertices.
A square has four equal corners.
- Figurative Use: Exploring every aspect or detail of a topic.
The researcher explored every corner of the problem.
§ In News and Media
News reports often use "corners" in a literal sense for locations, but also figuratively to describe events unfolding or to emphasize the broad impact of something.
- Geographical References: Pinpointing locations where events are occurring.
- Example
- "Protests broke out on several corners of the city."
- Upcoming Events: Indicating that something is imminent.
The election is just around the corner.
- Global Reach: Emphasizing wide-ranging impact.
The economic crisis has affected people in every corner of the world.
§ Vehicle Maneuvers (Verb Usage)
As a verb, "corners" often describes how a vehicle handles turns, particularly in driving or racing contexts.
- Driving Performance
- How a car or other vehicle takes a turn.
The sports car corners exceptionally well at high speeds.
He corners the bicycle carefully on the winding road.
As you can see, "corners" is a word with a rich set of meanings and applications. By paying attention to the surrounding words and the overall context, you can easily discern its intended meaning whether you hear it at work, school, or in the news.
按水平分级的例句
The children played happily in the corners of the park, hidden from direct sunlight.
I bambini giocavano felici negli angoli del parco, nascosti dalla luce diretta del sole.
Here, 'corners' refers to specific areas or parts of a larger space.
He looked in all the corners of the room, searching for his lost keys, but couldn't find them.
Ha guardato in tutti gli angoli della stanza, cercando le sue chiavi perse, ma non riusciva a trovarle.
This emphasizes looking thoroughly in every part of the room.
The car took the corners smoothly, making the ride comfortable for all the passengers.
L'auto affrontò le curve dolcemente, rendendo il viaggio confortevole per tutti i passeggeri.
In this context, 'corners' refers to the turns or bends in a road.
The artist carefully painted the small details in the corners of the canvas, adding depth to the landscape.
L'artista dipinse attentamente i piccoli dettagli negli angoli della tela, aggiungendo profondità al paesaggio.
Similar to the first example, 'corners' here means the edges or specific parts of a surface.
She always cuts corners when she's in a hurry, which sometimes leads to mistakes.
Lei taglia sempre gli angoli (si affretta e non fa il lavoro bene) quando ha fretta, il che a volte porta a errori.
'To cut corners' is an idiom meaning to do something in the easiest or quickest way, often by sacrificing quality.
The detective finally corners the suspect in a dark alley, demanding answers.
Il detective finalmente mette alle strette il sospetto in un vicolo buio, chiedendo risposte.
As a verb, 'corners' means to trap someone in a difficult or inescapable position.
Our new dining table has rounded corners, making it safer for children playing nearby.
Il nostro nuovo tavolo da pranzo ha angoli arrotondati, rendendolo più sicuro per i bambini che giocano nelle vicinanze.
Here, 'corners' refers to the points where the edges of the table meet.
The cat often corners the mouse in the kitchen, but the mouse usually manages to escape.
Il gatto spesso mette alle strette il topo in cucina, ma il topo di solito riesce a scappare.
Another example of 'corners' as a verb, indicating trapping or enclosing.
She carefully turned the corners of the old map to avoid tearing it.
She carefully turned the [points where two edges meet] of the old map to avoid tearing it.
Here, 'corners' refers to the physical extremities of an object.
The racing car took the corners at an incredible speed, thrilling the crowd.
The racing car took the [bends in the road] at an incredible speed, thrilling the crowd.
In this context, 'corners' refers to turns in a road or track.
He was always cutting corners, which eventually led to mistakes in his work.
He was always [taking shortcuts], which eventually led to mistakes in his work.
'Cutting corners' is an idiom meaning to do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often of poor quality.
The detective finally corners the suspect in a deserted warehouse.
The detective finally [traps] the suspect in a deserted warehouse.
Here, 'corners' is used as a verb, meaning to force someone into a difficult or inescapable position.
Despite his efforts, he couldn't corner the market on his new invention.
Despite his efforts, he couldn't [dominate sales in a particular area] on his new invention.
'Corner the market' is an idiom meaning to gain control of the trade in a particular commodity or product.
The child hid behind the sofa, thinking he had found a secret corner.
The child hid behind the sofa, thinking he had found a secret [small, secluded area].
In this sentence, 'corner' refers to a private or hidden part of a room or area.
From the four corners of the world, people gathered for the international conference.
From [all parts of the world], people gathered for the international conference.
'Four corners of the world' is an idiom referring to all parts of the globe.
The new manager often corners his employees to discuss their performance individually.
The new manager often [speaks privately and directly with] his employees to discuss their performance individually.
Here, 'corners' implies approaching someone directly and often unexpectedly for a conversation.
习语与表达
"cut corners"
To do something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
We can't afford to cut corners on safety, even if it means higher costs.
neutral"turn the corner"
To pass a critical point and begin to improve, especially in health or a difficult situation.
After a long illness, he seems to be turning the corner and getting better.
neutral"corner the market"
To gain enough control over the supply of a particular commodity or service to be able to manipulate its price.
The company tried to corner the market in computer chips.
neutral"in a tight corner"
In a difficult or awkward situation.
The company found itself in a tight corner when its main supplier went out of business.
neutral"round the corner"
Very near; about to happen.
My birthday is just around the corner.
neutral"from all corners"
From everywhere; from many different places.
Congratulations poured in from all corners of the globe.
neutral"drive someone into a corner"
To force someone into a difficult or impossible situation where they have few options.
His aggressive questioning drove the witness into a corner.
neutral"the four corners of the earth"
All parts of the world.
People travel from the four corners of the earth to visit this famous landmark.
neutral"corner-cutting"
The practice of doing something in the easiest, quickest, or cheapest way, often by sacrificing quality.
His corner-cutting approach to the project led to several mistakes.
neutral"have a corner on something"
To have a monopoly on something; to be the only one who has or does something.
She thinks she has a corner on good ideas, but everyone contributes.
informal自我测试 36 个问题
Listen for the word 'corner'.
Listen for the phrase 'around the corner'.
Listen for 'on the corner'.
Read this aloud:
Please turn the corner here.
Focus: corner
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
The book is in the corner of the room.
Focus: corner, room
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
Can you see the house around the corner?
Focus: around, corner
你说的：
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Imagine you are giving directions to a friend to find your house. Use the word 'corners' to describe how they should turn on a street. Where are the corners you would mention?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My house is easy to find! Walk straight, and then turn right at the third corner. My house is the one with the blue door, just after that corner.
Describe a room in your house. What do the corners of the room look like? Are there any objects in the corners?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My living room has four corners. In one corner, there is a small table with a lamp. Another corner has a plant. The other two corners are empty.
Think about a time you played a game like hide-and-seek. Where did you hide? Did you hide in a corner? Why or why not?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
When I played hide-and-seek, I hid behind the big sofa in the corner of the room. It was a good place because it was dark and no one could see me easily.
Where did the cat like to nap?
Read this passage:
The little cat loved to play. It often chased a small ball around the living room. The ball would sometimes roll into the corners, and the cat would push it out with its paw. The cat also liked to nap in the cozy corners of the sofa.
Where did the cat like to nap?
The passage says, 'The cat also liked to nap in the cozy corners of the sofa.'
The passage says, 'The cat also liked to nap in the cozy corners of the sofa.'
What must drivers do when they turn at corners?
Read this passage:
Many cities have busy streets with many corners. Drivers must be careful when they turn at these corners. Sometimes, a traffic light helps them know when to go. Pedestrians also need to look both ways before crossing the street at a corner.
What must drivers do when they turn at corners?
The passage states, 'Drivers must be careful when they turn at these corners.'
The passage states, 'Drivers must be careful when they turn at these corners.'
What is true about the book's pages?
Read this passage:
My favorite book has a beautiful cover. The pages are old, and some of the corners are bent. I have read it many times. It is a story about a brave knight and a big dragon.
What is true about the book's pages?
The passage says, 'The pages are old, and some of the corners are bent.'
The passage says, 'The pages are old, and some of the corners are bent.'
Listen for how the car is described when turning.
Consider the figurative meaning of 'cornered' in this context.
Listen for directions to the shop.
Read this aloud:
The detective finally cornered the suspect after weeks of searching.
Focus: cornered
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
There were fresh flowers in every corner of the room, brightening the space.
Focus: every corner
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
He corners the market on rare stamps, making him a very wealthy collector.
Focus: corners the market
你说的：
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Consider the figurative meaning of 'corners' in this context.
Think about the literal physical features of a labyrinth.
What does it mean to 'corner the market'?
Read this aloud:
The architect meticulously designed the building's facade, ensuring all the corners were perfectly aligned.
Focus: corners
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
The politician found himself cornered by reporters, forced to address the controversial allegations.
Focus: cornered
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
During the high-speed chase, the driver expertly took the corners, maintaining control of the vehicle.
Focus: corners
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Elaborate on the strategic implications for a multinational corporation that finds itself 'cornered' by aggressive market competition and shifting regulatory landscapes. Discuss potential maneuvers to regain a dominant position.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
When a multinational corporation is cornered by fierce market competition and evolving regulatory environments, its strategic maneuvers become paramount. This predicament often necessitates a complete re-evaluation of its business model, potentially involving aggressive innovation in product development or service delivery. To regain dominance, the corporation might explore strategic alliances, mergers, or acquisitions that offer synergistic benefits and expand market reach. Furthermore, lobbying efforts to influence regulatory changes, alongside a proactive approach to compliance, can mitigate external pressures. Internally, fostering a culture of agility and resilience, coupled with robust risk management frameworks, is crucial for navigating such challenging periods and emerging stronger.
Describe a scenario where a skilled debater expertly 'corners' their opponent, using logical fallacies and rhetorical devices. Analyze the ethical considerations of such tactics in intellectual discourse.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
In a heated debate on economic policy, a skilled debater might corner their opponent by meticulously dismantling their arguments through a series of carefully constructed questions that highlight inherent contradictions or unsupported assertions. For instance, they could employ a 'straw man' fallacy, misrepresenting their opponent's stance to make it easier to attack, or use 'ad hominem' attacks to discredit the opponent rather than their argument. While rhetorically effective, such tactics raise significant ethical considerations. The pursuit of intellectual discourse should ideally prioritize the honest exchange of ideas and the search for truth, rather than mere victory. Employing fallacies undermines the integrity of the discussion and can manipulate the audience, potentially leading to misinformed conclusions.
Analyze the architectural and urban planning challenges associated with designing public spaces, particularly squares or plazas, at the 'corners' of intersecting major avenues in densely populated metropolitan areas. Consider both aesthetic and functional aspects.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Designing public spaces at the corners of major intersecting avenues in dense metropolitan areas presents a unique confluence of architectural and urban planning challenges. Aesthetically, these corners are often highly visible and thus demand designs that are not only visually appealing but also harmoniously integrate with the surrounding urban fabric. The interplay of sightlines, building facades, and natural light must be carefully considered to create an inviting atmosphere. Functionally, these spaces must accommodate high pedestrian traffic, provide respite from the urban hustle, and potentially serve as focal points for civic engagement. Challenges include mitigating noise pollution, ensuring accessibility for all users, integrating sustainable features, and strategically placing amenities like seating, public art, and green infrastructure to maximize both utility and visual appeal while creating a sense of place.
According to the passage, what was a primary reason for placing structures at the 'corners' of the Roman forum?
Read this passage:
The ancient Roman forum, a bustling center of political, commercial, and social life, was meticulously planned with its various temples, basilicas, and public assembly areas often situated at the strategic corners of its central plaza. These architectural placements were not arbitrary; they served to delineate different functions, channel pedestrian flow, and emphasize the grandeur of imperial power. The very geometry of these corners became integral to the forum's overall efficacy and its enduring symbolic significance.
According to the passage, what was a primary reason for placing structures at the 'corners' of the Roman forum?
The passage explicitly states that architectural placements at the corners served 'to delineate different functions, channel pedestrian flow, and emphasize the grandeur of imperial power.'
The passage explicitly states that architectural placements at the corners served 'to delineate different functions, channel pedestrian flow, and emphasize the grandeur of imperial power.'
What does the phrase 'increasingly cornered' imply about the CEO's situation?
Read this passage:
In a cutthroat corporate takeover bid, the veteran CEO found himself increasingly cornered. Competitors had launched aggressive campaigns, regulatory bodies were scrutinizing every move, and a significant portion of his board was wavering. The decision to liquidate peripheral assets and focus solely on the core business, though risky, was his last gambit to avoid complete capitulation and keep the company from being swallowed whole.
What does the phrase 'increasingly cornered' imply about the CEO's situation?
The context of 'cutthroat corporate takeover bid,' 'aggressive campaigns,' and 'regulatory scrutiny' indicates that 'cornered' refers to a situation of intense pressure and dwindling choices, not a literal physical entrapment.
The context of 'cutthroat corporate takeover bid,' 'aggressive campaigns,' and 'regulatory scrutiny' indicates that 'cornered' refers to a situation of intense pressure and dwindling choices, not a literal physical entrapment.
What aspect of the rally driver's skill is highlighted by his navigation of the 'corners'?
Read this passage:
The skilled rally driver expertly navigated the treacherous mountain pass, taking the corners with a precision that defied the laws of physics. Each hairpin turn was approached with a delicate balance of speed and control, the tires gripping the asphalt with an almost audible tenacity. This mastery of the 'corners' was the defining characteristic of his legendary racing prowess, distinguishing him from lesser competitors.
What aspect of the rally driver's skill is highlighted by his navigation of the 'corners'?
The passage emphasizes 'precision that defied the laws of physics' and 'delicate balance of speed and control' when taking the corners, directly relating to his skill in maneuvering turns.
The passage emphasizes 'precision that defied the laws of physics' and 'delicate balance of speed and control' when taking the corners, directly relating to his skill in maneuvering turns.
This sentence describes the physical corners within a complex structure, setting a mysterious tone appropriate for C2 level vocabulary and sentence complexity.
This sentence uses 'cornered' in its figurative sense, implying being trapped in a difficult situation, which is a nuanced usage suitable for C2.
This sentence utilizes 'cornered' in the context of a vehicle maneuvering, highlighting advanced driving dynamics suitable for C2 vocabulary.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
