What is brace? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of brace

bracenoun

/breɪs//breɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of brace

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "brace." It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and correct pronunciation is:

  • breɪs (rhymes with "days")

Let's break that down further:

  • "bre-" – This part sounds like "bre" as in "bread."
  • "-ais" – This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like "ais" as in "raise" but with a slightly shorter vowel sound. Think of it as just a quick, short "ay" sound.

Here's a helpful way to hear it:

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • "brahs" - This is a very common mistake! It’s not correct.
  • "brease" - This adds an unnecessary "e" sound.

To summarize, focus on the "breɪs" sound – like "days."

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using the word "brace"?
  • Explain a specific aspect of the pronunciation you'd like more help with?

Usage and examples with the word brace in English

Let's break down how to use the word "brace" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown, categorized by its different uses:

1. To Prepare Yourself Mentally (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: To get ready mentally for something difficult, unpleasant, or challenging. It implies a conscious effort to be resilient and manage expectations.
  • Example Phrases:
    • "I'm going to brace myself for a difficult conversation." (Meaning: I'm preparing myself mentally for the unpleasantness.)
    • "She braced herself against the wind." (Meaning: She stiffened her body to withstand the force of the wind, but also carries the figurative meaning of mental preparation.)
    • "He braced himself for the worst." (Meaning: He mentally prepared himself for a negative outcome.)
    • "We need to brace ourselves for a tough year." (Meaning: We need to mentally prepare for a difficult time.)

2. To Support or Strengthen (Physical)

  • Meaning: To provide support, often to prevent something from breaking or bending.
  • Example Phrases:
    • "Use a brace to support your knee." (Referring to a medical brace)
    • "The frame was braced to strengthen the structure." (Meaning: Added supports were added to make it stronger.)
    • “The deliveryman braced the box against the fall” (Meaning: He supported the box to prevent damage.)

3. To Stand or Hold Oneself in a Certain Position (Less Common but Important)

  • Meaning: To stand firm or hold oneself in a particular posture.
  • Example Phrases:
    • "The climbers braced themselves against the rock face." (Meaning: They held themselves securely to the rock.)
    • "He braced his legs to stop himself from falling." (Meaning: He stood firmly to maintain balance.)

4. "Brace" as a Verb (Followed by 'yourself') - Often about Mental Readiness

  • Meaning: To mentally prepare, similar to the first definition, but often with a slightly more active and emphatic feeling.
  • Example Phrases:
    • "You should brace yourself for some bad news." (Stronger than "prepare yourself")
    • “Brace yourself, it's going to be a long night.” (Similar to “prepare yourself”)

5. "Brace" as a Noun (Used to describe something providing support)

  • Meaning: A piece of equipment or structure designed to provide support.
  • Example Phrases:
    • "He wore a neck brace." (Referring to the device that supports the neck.)
    • “The bridge is braced with steel cables” (Referring to the steel cables used to support the bridge).

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "brace" depends entirely on how it's used in a sentence.
  • Figurative vs. Literal: Often, "brace" is used figuratively to describe mental preparation.
  • "Brace yourself" is a very common and useful phrase. It’s frequently used to get someone ready for a challenging situation.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about where you want to use "brace"? (e.g., a conversation, writing a story, etc.)
  • Are there any particular sentences you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word brace

Practice with vocabulary brace

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To prevent further injury, the athlete had to wear a knee __________ for several weeks.
  2. As the storm clouds gathered, the coastal residents began to __________ themselves for strong winds and heavy rain.
  3. The architectural team proposed adding extra beams to __________ the roof structure against potential seismic activity.
  4. It's crucial to __________ all team members about the upcoming changes in company policy to avoid confusion.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following medical devices is primarily designed to provide external support and stability to a joint or limb? a) tourniquet b) brace c) stethoscope d) crutch e) sling

  2. When facing a significant challenge or difficult news, which actions indicate preparation for impact or adversity? a) to brace oneself b) to steel oneself c) to flinch d) to anticipate e) to retreat

  3. To secure a weak structure or provide additional support, one might: a) adorn it b) brace it c) buttress it d) dismantle it e) fortify it

  4. Which of the following verbs describes the act of strengthening or encouraging a system, belief, or person? a) undermine b) bolster c) contradict d) uphold e) dismantle

  5. The company decided to significantly increase its output to meet growing demand. Which word best fits the italicized phrase? a) curtail b) expand c) consolidate d) amplify e) mitigate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Employees must mentally prepare for the challenging economic forecasts expected next quarter. (Rewrite using "brace")

  2. The old wooden fence needed extra support to withstand the strong winds. (Rewrite using "brace" or related word forms)

  3. Her strong conviction helped maintain the team's morale during the difficult project. (Rewrite, but do not use "brace")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. brace
  2. brace
  3. reinforce
  4. inform

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) brace, e) sling
  2. a) to brace oneself, b) to steel oneself
  3. b) brace it, c) buttress it, e) fortify it
  4. b) bolster, d) uphold
  5. b) expand, d) amplify

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Employees must brace themselves for the challenging economic forecasts expected next quarter.
  2. The old wooden fence needed to be braced to withstand the strong winds. (or: The old wooden fence needed bracing to withstand the strong winds.)
  3. Her strong conviction helped bolster the team's morale during the difficult project.

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