“be on the wane” 是一个描述状态变化的短语,字面意为“处于衰落/减弱的过程中”,引申为“逐渐衰落、日趋减少、走下坡路”(强调从“强/盛”向“弱/衰”的持续变化)。
该短语的主语通常是抽象概念(如影响力、 popularity、兴趣、传统等)或具体但可量化的事物(如体力、市场需求等),侧重“趋势性的减弱”,而非突然消失。
1、 基本结构:主语 + be动词(根据时态调整) + on the wane
2、 常用时态:
一般现在时(is/are on the wane):描述当前的状态(“正在衰落”);
现在完成进行时(has/have been on the wane):强调“持续衰落了一段时间”;
过去时(was/were on the wane):描述过去的衰落状态。
1、 抽象概念作主语:
Her influence in the company is on the wane since she missed several key meetings.
(自从错过了几次重要会议,她在公司的影响力正在减弱。)
The popularity of this social media app has been on the wane for months.
(这款社交媒体应用的受欢迎程度已经持续下降数月。)
Traditional letter-writing is on the wane in the age of instant messaging.
(在即时通讯时代,传统书信正在衰落。)
2、 具体事物作主语:
His physical strength was on the wane as he entered his 70s.
(他70岁以后,体力逐渐衰退。)
Demand for luxury goods is on the wane due to the economic downturn.
(由于经济下行,对奢侈品的需求正在减少。)
与“be on the wane”相反的表达是 be on the rise(正在上升/增长),可对比记忆:
While traditional book sales are on the wane, e-book sales are on the rise.
(传统书籍销量在下降,而电子书销量在上升。)
总结:“be on the wane” 是一个描述“衰落趋势”的实用短语,适用于谈论影响力、 popularity、传统、需求等事物的“逐渐减弱”,重点在“持续的变化过程”。