What is attachment? Pronunciation and usage in English

attachment means . Learn how to pronounce and use attachment through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of attachment

attachmentnoun

/əˈtætʃmənt//əˈtætʃmənt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "attachment" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for the most accurate sound):

  • /əˈtætʃmənt/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

2. Syllable by Syllable:

  • əˈtætch- (The first syllable is often reduced, sounding almost like "uh-tat")
    • ə (ə) – This is a short, unstressed "uh" sound, like in "about."
    • ˈtætch (tat-ch) – This is the key part. It’s a short "tat" sound, almost like “tat,” but not quite as pronounced. Think of emphasizing the 't' sound, slightly like the word "match" but shorter.
  • -ment (ment) – This is a straightforward "-ment" sound, like in “government” or “element.”

3. How to Say it Step by Step:

  1. Start with a short "uh" sound: “uh”
  2. Add a quick, almost clipped "tat" sound: "tat"
  3. Finish with "ment": "ment"

Putting it together: "uh-tat-ment"

4. Common Mispronunciations & How to Avoid Them:

  • Over-emphasizing the "a": Many people say "a-tat-chment" – don’t do this! The first syllable is reduced.
  • Saying “at-tach-ment”: The “attachment” is ONE word, not three separate parts.

5. Listen to Examples:

  • Google it: Search "how to pronounce attachment" on Google and listen to the audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/attachment/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Do you know the context in which you'll be saying the word? (e.g., psychology, relationships, technology?)

Usage and examples with the word attachment in English

Let's break down how to use the word "attachment" in English. It’s a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Emotional Attachment (Most Common)

  • Meaning: A strong feeling of connection, love, or fondness towards someone or something. This is the most frequent way "attachment" is used.
  • Examples:
    • "She has a strong attachment to her family." (meaning she loves and values her family deeply)
    • "He struggled with an attachment to his childhood home." (meaning he found it hard to let go of memories and feelings associated with the house)
    • "Don't try to form an attachment to the cat; they're often independent." (meaning don’t become overly reliant on or obsessed with the cat).
    • "The children formed a quick attachment to the new nanny." (meaning they quickly grew fond of the nanny)

2. Physical Attachment (Things Connected)

  • Meaning: Something physically connected or attached to something else.
  • Examples:
    • "The lamp has a metal attachment for hanging it on the wall." (a separate part used for hanging)
    • “The new phone has a USB-C attachment for charging.” (a component added to the phone)
    • "He secured the rope to the tree with a carabiner attachment." (a clip to connect the rope)

3. Attachment in Child Development (Psychology)

  • Meaning: (Specifically in psychology) A child's bond with a primary caregiver (usually a parent). It’s a critical concept in attachment theory.
  • Examples:
    • "Research suggests that secure attachment in early childhood is crucial for later social and emotional development."
    • “The therapist helped the mother and child develop a healthier attachment.”

4. Attachment in Email/Documents (File Attachment)

  • Meaning: A file that is added to an email or document.
  • Examples:
    • "Please attach the report to your email." (verb - to add a file)
    • "I received the document with the attached files.” (noun - referring to the files themselves)

5. Attachment in Computer Science (File Attachment – Technical)

  • Meaning: A file that's linked to another file in a computer – like a screenshot or a document referenced from a presentation.
  • Example: “The slide show has an attachment of the original document.”

Key Differences & How to Tell the Meaning:

  • Context is crucial! The surrounding words and the situation will almost always tell you which meaning is intended.
  • Look for words related to feelings: “Love,” “fondness,” “connection” usually point to the emotional attachment.
  • Look for physical connections: "Attached,” “component,” “clip,” etc. suggest the physical meaning.
  • Look for technical terms: “File attachment” clearly refers to a digital attachment.

Verbs Related to Attachment:

  • Attach: To connect or join something (physically or digitally). - Example: “Attach the key to your lanyard.”
  • Detach: To separate or disconnect. - Example: “He needs to detach himself from his worries.”
  • Link (to an attachment): To connect a file to an email or document. – Example: “Link the proposal to the email.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you encountering the word "attachment" in? (e.g., a conversation about relationships, a technical document, an email, etc.)

Synonyms for the word attachment

Practice with vocabulary attachment

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please find the detailed project proposal as an _____________ to this email.
  2. She developed a deep emotional _____________ to her pet, a loyal golden retriever.
  3. The success of the new product line demonstrated a clear _____________ on innovative marketing strategies.
  4. For better functionality, consider adding a specialized _____________ to the main machinery.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. When sending an email, what term is commonly used for a file that is added to the message? a) an attachment b) an addendum c) a supplement d) a connection

  2. Which of the following words best describes a deep emotional tie or affection towards someone or something? a) attachment b) affinity c) detachment d) disinterest

  3. Which term could describe an extra component designed to be joined to a machine for a specific purpose? a) attachment b) accessory c) modification d) fixture

  4. Which words refer to a close relationship or shared interest between people? a) rapport b) antipathy c) camaraderie d) indifference

  5. Which terms imply reliance or being controlled by something else, often in a negative sense? a) autonomy b) subordination c) dependence d) liberation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: She felt a very strong emotional connection to her grandmother. Rewrite using "attachment" or related word forms:

  2. Original: Make sure you include the updated budget sheet with your report. Rewrite using "attachment" or related word forms:

  3. Original: The team's lack of involvement in the decision-making process led to a feeling of being separate. Rewrite without using "attachment" or related word forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. attachment
  2. attachment
  3. dependence
  4. accessory

Exercise 2:

  1. a) attachment, b) addendum, c) supplement
  2. a) attachment, b) affinity
  3. a) attachment, b) accessory
  4. a) rapport, c) camaraderie
  5. b) subordination, c) dependence

Exercise 3:

  1. She felt a very strong emotional attachment to her grandmother.
  2. Please attach the updated budget sheet to your report.
  3. The team's lack of involvement in the decision-making process led to a feeling of alienation.

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