EN： Headlinese (newspaper headline grammar) frequently omits auxiliary verbs such as the copula 'be'. Here, 'Ministers [are] poised to slash...' omits 'are' to save space and create urgency.
中文： 新聞標題文法（Headlinese）常省略繫動詞或助動詞（如 be 動詞）。此處「Ministers [are] poised to slash...」省略了「are」，以節省版面並營造即時性與緊迫感。
Government poised to unveil new tax reforms next week.
政府準備於下週公布新的稅制改革方案。
EN： The adjective construction 'be poised to do something' indicates that someone or something is completely ready, positioned, or on the verge of doing something imminent.
中文： 形容詞片語結構「be poised to do sth」表示某人或某機構已準備就緒，正處於即將採取某重大行動的邊緣或關鍵時刻。
The tech giant is poised to launch its first foldable smartphone.
這家科技巨頭已準備就緒，即將推出其首款折疊智慧型手機。
EN： The infinitive of purpose ('to bankroll...') is used here to explain the objective of cutting subsidies. The transitive verb 'bankroll' means to provide financial support or funding for an activity or project.
中文： 不定詞表目的（'to bankroll...'）在此用於說明削減補助的背後意圖。及物動詞「bankroll」意為提供資金、資助某項計畫或活動，常用於較生動或非正式的財經政論語境。
Private donors stepped in to bankroll the restoration of the historic theater.
私人捐款人出面資助這座歷史劇院的修復工程。
EN： In British political and environmental policy, the transition from gas boilers to low-carbon heat pumps has been a contentious topic. Subsidies (such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme) are vital for adoption due to high upfront installation costs. Diverting green funds to meet NATO-driven defence spending commitments reflects a common realpolitik trade-off between climate targets and national security.
中文： 在英國的政治與環保政策中，從燃氣鍋爐轉型為低碳熱泵（heat pumps）一直是備受爭議的議題。由於熱泵前期安裝費用高昂，政府補貼（如鍋爐升級計畫）對普及至關重要。將綠色環保預算轉移以滿足因應地緣政治威脅而增加的國防支出，反映了氣候減碳承諾與國家安全之間的現實政治權衡。
EN： The adverb 'reportedly' is an evidential adverb used to indicate that information comes from external reports rather than direct verification by the speaker. It often appears immediately after the auxiliary verb (e.g., 'are reportedly preparing').
中文： 副詞「reportedly」為傳聞副詞（evidential adverb），用來表示資訊源自未具名或外界的報導與消息，而非說話者直接證實。在句型中通常置於助動詞與主要動詞之間（例如「are reportedly preparing」）。
The company is reportedly considering a merger with its primary competitor.
據報導，該公司正考慮與其主要競爭對手合併。
EN： 'As' is used here as a subordinating conjunction indicating concurrent circumstances or causal background ('while' or 'since/in a situation where'). It frames the broader background against which the main action takes place.
中文： 從屬連接詞「as」在此處用來引導背景狀語從屬子句，表示「正當……之際」或「隨著……（背景情況）」，鋪陳主要子句動作發生的時空背景或伴隨因素。
Central banks are tightening monetary policy as inflation continues to surge.
隨著通貨膨脹持續飆升，各國央行紛紛收緊貨幣政策。
EN： End-placed attribution ('sources have revealed') uses the present perfect to indicate recently disclosed information relevant to the current news story. In journalistic English, reporting clauses are frequently moved to the end or inserted parenthetically to prioritize the news event itself.
中文： 將消息來源引述子句（如「sources have revealed」）置於句尾是典型的新聞英語手法，稱為句末引述（end-placed attribution）。使用現在完成式強調近期剛揭露、且與當前新聞密切相關的資訊，讓讀者第一時間先讀到核心新聞事件。
Talks between the two nations have stalled, diplomats have warned.
兩國之間的談判已陷入僵局，外交官警告道。
EN： In British political and environmental policy, heat pumps are central to the UK's 'Net Zero' transition to replace domestic gas boilers. Cutting subsidies creates political tension between green energy commitments and urgent demands for higher defence funding following international security crises.
中文： 在英國政壇與環境政策中，推廣熱泵（heat pump）是實現「淨零碳排（Net Zero）」目標、取代傳統家用燃氣鍋爐的關鍵政策。由於地緣政治衝突促使國防開支迫切需要擴增，削減熱泵補貼凸顯出政府在綠色轉型承諾與國家安全預算之間的艱難抉擇與政治角力。
EN： The passive construction 'be tasked with + gerund/noun' conveys formal delegation of responsibility or an official mandate, common in institutional, corporate, and governmental registers.
中文： 「be tasked with + 動名詞／名詞」為被動結構，表示「被指派、承擔某項任務」，廣泛應用於政府、官方政策及職場正式語境中。
The committee was tasked with reviewing current environmental regulations.
該委員會被指派審查現行的環境法規。
EN： The past participial phrase 'drawn up by the previous government' acts as a reduced relative clause modifying 'plan' (equivalent to 'which was drawn up by...'). 'Draw up' specifically means to draft, formulate, or prepare an official document or proposal.
中文： 過去分詞短語「drawn up by the previous government」作為後置修飾語，修飾前面的名詞「plan」（相當於「which was drawn up by...」）。片語動詞「draw up」意為「起草、擬定（正式文件或計劃）」。
A new contract drawn up by the legal team was signed yesterday.
由法律團隊擬定的新合約已於昨日簽署。
EN： In the UK political system, a 'Secretary of State' (often abbreviated colloquially or in headlines to 'secretary', e.g., Energy Secretary) is a senior Cabinet minister heading a government department. Civil service budgets and spending plans formulated by an outgoing administration ('previous government') often leave binding fiscal frameworks or austerity targets that incoming ministers must inherit and address.
中文： 在英國內閣體制中，「Secretary of State」（新聞中常簡稱為 Secretary，如 Energy secretary）指掌管政府部會的內閣大臣。此外，當政權交替時，前任政府（previous government）擬定的支出架構或節流目標往往會留給新政府官員接續執行或重整，具有行政延續性與政治攻防的色彩。
EN： The passive construction 'is expected to + infinitive' is commonly used in journalistic and formal English to report anticipated developments, forecasts, or widespread expectations objectively without attributing the claim to a specific person.
中文： 被動結構「is expected to + 原形動詞」常見於新聞報導與正式書面語中，用於客觀陳述預期會發生的事態、預測或普遍預期，避免主觀武斷或模糊消息來源。
The central bank is expected to cut interest rates next month.
外界普遍預期央行將於下個月降息。
EN： The non-defining relative clause introduced by 'which' provides supplementary, non-essential descriptive information about the antecedent noun phrase ('the boiler upgrade scheme'). It is set off by a comma and cannot use the relative pronoun 'that'.
中文： 由「which」引導的非限定關係子句用逗號隔開，針對先行詞（the boiler upgrade scheme）補充說明額外資訊，非定義核心身分；在此類非限定子句中，不可用「that」替換「which」。
The clean energy fund, which supports rural installations, will open next week.
這筆旨在支持農村安裝工程的清潔能源基金將於下週開放申請。
EN： The ditransitive verb 'offer' can take two objects: an indirect object (the recipient, here 'households') followed by a direct object (the thing offered, here 'grants of up to nine thousand pounds'). Alternatively, it can be rephrased with a prepositional phrase: 'offers grants... to households'.
中文： 雙賓動詞「offer」可接雙賓語：間接賓語（接受者，即「households」）與直接賓語（提供之事物，即「grants...」）。此結構亦可轉換為「offer + 直接賓語 + to + 間接賓語」形式。
The initiative offers local businesses financial incentives.
該倡議向當地企業提供財務激勵。
EN： In the UK, the 'Boiler Upgrade Scheme' (BUS) is a government initiative designed to help homeowners replace fossil fuel heating systems with low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps. In British English, 'scheme' commonly refers to an official plan or government programme without any negative connotation, unlike in American English where it often implies a deceitful plot.
中文： 在英國，「鍋爐升級計劃」（Boiler Upgrade Scheme）是政府為鼓勵民眾將傳統化石燃料鍋爐更換為低碳熱泵而設立的補助政策。值得注意的是，英式英語中的「scheme」常指政府或官方的正式規劃與項目，為中性偏正式詞彙；而在美式英語中，「scheme」常帶有陰謀或詭計的負面涵義。
EN： The concessive conjunction 'Although' introduces a subordinate clause of contrast, setting up an expectation that is tempered or challenged by the main clause. In formal and journalistic registers, pairing a negative passive modal clause ('will not be scrapped entirely') with a likely alternative outcome creates balanced, nuanced reporting.
中文： 讓步連詞「Although」（儘管、雖然）引導表示對比的從屬子句，為後續主要子句提出保留或對照的結果做鋪墊。在新聞報導語體中，使用否定被動語態「will not be scrapped entirely」（不會被完全取消）與主句的預期推測並列，展現客觀且嚴謹的論述風格。
Although the policy will not be repealed immediately, several provisions are expected to face strict amendments.
儘管該政策不會立即被廢除，但預計有幾項條款將面臨嚴格的修訂。
EN： The construction 'be likely to + infinitive' denotes probability or likelihood. Here, it is combined with a passive infinitive ('to be removed'), resulting in 'are likely to be removed', which softens direct factual assertion into an informed projection, a hallmark of objective news reporting.
中文： 句型「be likely to + 原形動詞」表示某事「很可能發生」。在此處結合被動不定詞「to be removed」，形成「are likely to be removed」（很可能會被削減/移除），將直陳事實轉化為有根據的預測，是客觀新聞報導中常見的委婉表達手法。
Thousands of jobs are likely to be created in the renewable energy sector over the next decade.
未來十年間，再生能源領域很可能會創造數千個就業機會。
EN： Large indefinite quantity expressions such as 'hundreds of millions of [plural noun]' require plural verb agreement ('are likely'). Note the structural pattern: 'hundreds of millions of pounds' functions as the head noun phrase subject of the main clause.
中文： 表示龐大不確定數量的結構「hundreds of millions of + 複數名詞」（數以億計的……），其後須搭配複數動詞（本句中的「are likely」）。「hundreds of millions of pounds」在此作為主要子句的複數主詞核心短語。
Tens of thousands of supporters are expected to gather in the capital this weekend.
預計本週末將有數以萬計的支持者聚集在首都。
EN： In British political and administrative reporting, spelling conventions favour 'programme' over American English 'program'. The informal verb 'scrap' (meaning to cancel or abandon a policy or project) is very common in British media headlines and journalism. Additionally, when a currency figure acts as a pre-nominal modifier, the unit remains singular: 'a 2.7 billion pound budget', not 'pounds budget'.
中文： 在英國政經報導中，通常使用英式拼法「programme」（而非美式的「program」）。動詞「scrap」（廢除、取消）在英國媒體新聞頭條及政治報導中極為普及。此外，當貨幣金額作為名詞前置修飾語（複合形容詞）時，貨幣單位保持單數形式，例如「two point seven billion pound budget」，不可寫成複數的「pounds」。
EN： The pattern 'regard [someone/something] as [something]' is used to express how a person or entity is perceived or classified. The preposition 'as' is followed by a noun phrase or adjective phrase acting as an objective complement.
中文： 句型「regard [人/物] as [名詞/形容詞]」表示「將……視為……」。介系詞 as 後方接名詞片語或形容詞片語，作為受詞補語，用以表達主詞對某事物的看法或定位。
Many analysts regard the new policy as a significant milestone in renewable energy adoption.
許多分析師將這項新政策視為採用再生能源的重要里程碑。
EN： The present participle 'benefiting' functions here as a post-modifying reduced relative clause (short for 'which benefits / that benefits'). It post-modifies the preceding noun 'subsidy', describing its effect or intended beneficiaries.
中文： 現在分詞片語「benefiting...」在此作為後位修飾語，是關係子句（which/that benefits）的簡化分詞結構，用來修飾前面的名詞「subsidy」，說明該補貼帶來的受益對象。
The government launched an initiative benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises.
政府推出了一項讓中小企業受益的倡議方案。
EN： The coordinating conjunction 'yet' connects two independent clauses to signal a sharp contrast or concession, often equivalent to 'but nevertheless'. Here it links the Treasury's rationalization with the counterarguments from critics.
中文： 對等連接詞「yet」連接兩個獨立子句，表達強烈的轉折或讓步對比（相當於 but nevertheless「然而 / 儘管如此」）。在此處將財政部的立場與批評者的警示形成鮮明對比。
The reform received strong backing from parliament, yet industry leaders remain skeptical of its feasibility.
這項改革獲得了議會的強力支持，然而業界領袖對其可行性仍持懷疑態度。
EN： In UK politics, the Treasury (HM Treasury) is known for strict control over public spending. Heat pump grants under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme have often faced criticism for disproportionately helping affluent homeowners who can afford the upfront costs of home retrofits, leading the Treasury to view them through a skeptical, value-for-money lens.
中文： 在英國政壇中，財政部（HM Treasury）向來以嚴格控制財政支出著稱。英國鍋爐升級計畫（Boiler Upgrade Scheme）所發放的熱泵補貼，常被質疑多數流向有能力承擔房屋改造前期成本的富裕或中產家庭，因此財政部常從「公共支出效益」的角度對此類補貼抱持保留態度。
EN： The passive construction 'be expected to + verb' functions as an epistemic modal expression indicating likelihood or anticipation based on current reports, plans, or consensus, rather than certainty.
中文： 「be expected to + 原形動詞」為常見的客觀報導句型，表示「預計／預期會……」。相較於主動預測，這種被動語態更具新聞報導的中立色彩，委婉表達基於當前情報所預估的行動。
The committee is expected to announce the final verdict by tomorrow morning.
委員會預計將於明天上午公布最終裁決。
EN： The idiom 'as soon as [time expression]' emphasizes the earliest possible timing of an event, projecting urgency or immediacy.
中文： 「as soon as + 時間名詞（如 this week, tomorrow）」在此處作時間副詞片語使用，意為「最早在……／最快於……」，用以強調事件可能發生的高時效性或急迫感。
Negotiations could resume as soon as next month if both parties agree.
如果雙方同意，談判最快下個月就可以重啟。
EN： The 'Jackdaw gasfield' in the North Sea has been a subject of intense political and environmental controversy in the UK. Environmental groups argue that greenlighting new fossil fuel extraction directly contradicts the UK's legally binding Net Zero commitments, while the government often balances this against domestic energy security and economic pressures.
中文： 北海的「寒鴉（Jackdaw）氣田」在英國一直是環保團體與政界爭議的核心。環保人士主張核准新的化石燃料開採專案違背了英國法律規範的「淨零碳排」承諾；而政府方面則常以保障國內能源安全與刺激經濟作為批准開採的依據。
EN： The conjunction 'given that' introduces a subordinate clause explaining a known premise, condition, or cause. It is equivalent to 'considering that' or 'in view of the fact that', and is frequently used in formal or analytical discourse.
中文： 連詞短語「given that」用於引導條件或原因狀語從句，表達「鑑於……」或「考慮到……的事實」。它常出現在正式書面語或深度評論分析中，引出作為論證前提的客觀事實。
Given that public debt is already mounting, additional borrowing seems unfeasible.
鑑於公共債務已在不斷累積，進一步舉債似乎並不可行。
EN： The idiom 'make little sense' (or 'make no sense') means to be illogical, impractical, or difficult to justify. Here, 'little' functions as a negative quantifier meaning 'almost no', which is much stronger and more skeptical than 'a little'.
中文： 片語「make little sense」意為「幾乎毫無道理」或「說不通」。此處「little」為否定副詞/限定詞用法（表示「幾乎沒有」），語氣比單純的否定更顯批判性與質疑力道。
Closing down modern nuclear plants makes little sense during an energy crisis.
在能源危機期間關閉現代化核電廠幾乎毫無道理。
EN： The phrasal verb 'lie behind' means to be the underlying reason, motive, or driving force behind a situation or development.
中文： 動詞片語「lie behind」意為「是……的幕後原因」或「隱藏在……背後」，用來點出某個現象或危機的根本誘因或推動力。
Geopolitical friction lies behind the recent disruption to trade routes.
地緣政治摩擦正是近期貿易路線受阻背後的根本原因。
EN： In the UK, domestic heating contributes significantly to carbon emissions, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme was introduced to accelerate the shift away from gas boilers to low-carbon heat pumps. However, soaring household energy bills driven by international wholesale gas prices created tension between short-term cost-of-living concerns and long-term net-zero subsidies.
中文： 在英國，住宅暖氣排放佔碳排放量極大比例，因此政府設立「鍋爐升級計畫」補貼家庭換裝低碳熱泵。然而，國際天然氣價格飆升直接推高了家庭能源帳單，使英國在當前面對生活成本危機與國防預算壓力時，圍繞是否削減綠能補助產生了激烈的政策辯論。
重要單字附有 IPA 發音、定義、例句和互動式測驗。
在本文中： 大幅削減（經費、價格等）
在本文中： 補貼金、津貼
在本文中： 為……提供資金；資助
在本文中： 撥款、配置的額度
在本文中： 取消、廢除
在本文中： 主要地、大部分
在本文中： 削弱、損害
在本文中： 初生的、萌芽階段的
在本文中： 急升的、暴漲的
片語包含類型標示、雙語定義、用法說明和例句。
Ready and prepared to do something immediately.
準備好……、蓄勢待發
Assigned a specific duty, responsibility, or objective.
被指派承擔……任務
To prepare or draft a document, plan, or contract in writing.
擬訂、草擬（合約、計畫等）
To not seem reasonable, logical, or sensible.
不合邏輯、說不通、沒道理
To be the underlying cause, reason, or explanation for something.
是……的背後原因、成因