What is commission? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of commission

commissionnoun

/kəˈmɪʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of commission

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "commission." It's a tricky one for many English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈkɒm.ɪʃ.ən/ (American English)
    • ˈkɒm: Sounds like "comb" (as in a hair comb) - with a short "o" sound.
    • ɪ: A short "i" sound, like in "bit."
    • ʃ: This is the tricky part! It's the "sh" sound, as in "ship." Don't pronounce it as a "s" sound.
    • ən: Sounds like "un" - the "u" sound.

Here's a British English pronunciation:

  • /kɒmˈmɪʃən/
    • kɒm: Same as above - "comb"
    • ˈmɪʃ: Sounds like "mish" - with a short "i" sound. (Notice the stress is on this syllable)
    • ən: Same as above - "un"

Tips for Pronunciation:

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

  • Which accent are you most interested in learning? (American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word commission in English

Let's break down how to use the word "commission" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown of its common uses, divided into categories with examples:

1. As a Verb (To Assign a Task):

  • Meaning: To formally order or instruct someone to do something, especially a professional task.
  • Examples:
    • "The CEO commissioned a new marketing campaign." (He ordered the creation of it.)
    • "The art gallery commissioned a portrait of the wealthy collector." (They hired an artist to create the portrait.)
    • "The general commissioned a detailed battle plan." (He ordered its creation.)
    • “The client commissioned the architect to design a sustainable building.”

2. As a Noun (A Task or Order):

  • Meaning: A specific task or assignment given to someone, often a professional like an artist, writer, or designer. This is probably the most common usage.
  • Examples:
    • "He received a commission to paint a mural for the town hall."
    • "The author was paid a commission for each book sold."
    • "The sculptor was given a commission to create a statue for the monument."
    • "She’s working on a freelance commission – designing logos for small businesses."

3. As a Noun (A Fee for Services):

  • Meaning: A percentage of the total price of a sale that a salesperson or agent receives as payment for their services. Commonly used in real estate and sales.
  • Examples:
    • "The real estate agent earned a commission of 3% on the sale of the house."
    • "The salesperson's commission was based on the value of the contracts they closed."
    • "He negotiated a higher commission rate with the company."

4. As a Noun (A Body or Authority):

  • Meaning: Historically (and still in some contexts) refers to a body of people appointed to carry out a specific task or duty, especially a government body.
  • Examples:
    • "The War Commission investigated the events leading up to the conflict." (A group appointed to investigate)
    • “The King appointed a commission to oversee the new infrastructure project.”

5. As a Noun (A Letter of Authority):

  • Meaning: An official document authorizing someone to act on behalf of another. (Less common now, but still used.)
  • Example: “He presented the commission to the courier.”

Here’s a quick table summarizing the different meanings:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To order someone to do something "The company commissioned a report."
Noun A task or assignment "She received a commission to design a website."
Noun A percentage of a sale (fee) "He earned a commission on the sale."
Noun A body of people assigned a task "The investigation was overseen by a commission."
Noun A letter of authority "He presented the commission to the lawyer."

Tips for Using "Commission" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to figure out which meaning is intended.
  • Consider the industry: “Commission” is especially common in fields like art, architecture, real estate, and sales.

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

  • What are you trying to use "commission" in? (e.g., a sentence, a paragraph, a presentation?)
  • What's the context of the situation? (e.g., are you talking about art, business, government?)

Synonyms for the word commission

Idioms of the word commission

in/out of commission
available/not available to be used
  • Several of the airline's planes are temporarily out of commission and undergoing safety checks.

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