What is complete? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of complete

completeadjective/verb

/kəmˈpliːt/
Definition & pronunciation of complete

Okay, let's break down the pronunciation of "complete." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "com-": This part sounds like "comb" – like the grooming tool. Think of the short "o" as in "comb."
  • "plete": This is the tricky part. It's pronounced as "pleet." It's not "leet" like the video game abbreviation.

2. Putting it Together:

So, "complete" is pronounced: "Kuhm-pleet"

Here's a more detailed breakdown, with emphasis:

  • Kuhm (emphasize this syllable – it's the first strong sound)
  • -pleet (the 'e' is short and unstressed)

Resources to Listen:

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow it down: Don't rush! Focus on getting the "comb" sound and then the "pleet" sound correct.
  • Record yourself: Hearing yourself speak can help you identify areas you need to improve.
  • Repeat, repeat, repeat: The more you practice, the more natural it will become.

Do you want me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word complete in English

Let's break down how to use the word "complete" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings and ways to employ it. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (Action - To Finish)

  • Meaning: To finish something; to bring something to an end.
  • Examples:
    • "I completed my homework." (Finished it)
    • "She completed the race in record time." (Finished the race)
    • "He completed the report yesterday." (Finished the report)
    • "Please complete the application form." (Finish filling it out)
    • "The construction team completed the building." (Finished building it)

2. As an Adjective (Fully Finished/Finished)

  • Meaning: Fully finished; entire; whole. Often used to describe something that has no missing parts or elements.
  • Examples:
    • "This is a complete waste of time." (Totally a waste)
    • "I have a complete understanding of the problem." (A full understanding)
    • "He needs a complete overhaul of his system." (A total/full repair/rebuild)
    • "She’s wearing a complete outfit – dress, shoes, and bag." (Everything needed)

3. In Phrases & Idioms

  • Complete silence: (Absolute quiet) "The room fell into complete silence."
  • Complete disaster: (A very bad outcome) "The launch was a complete disaster."
  • Complete stranger: (Someone you've never met before) "I bumped into a complete stranger on the street."
  • Complete attention: (Giving all of your focus) "The student gave the teacher complete attention."
  • Complete and utter: (Very extreme) "It was a complete and utter shock."

4. With Specific Contexts

  • Complete a course/program: To finish and receive a diploma or certification. "I'm working to complete my MBA."
  • Complete a puzzle: To finish assembling a jigsaw puzzle. “I finally completed the puzzle!”
  • Complete a task: To finish a specific job or assignment. “Let’s complete this task before the deadline.”

Tips for Using "Complete" Correctly:

  • Pay attention to the part of speech: Is it an action (verb) or describing something fully (adjective)?
  • Consider the context: The phrase "complete" changes meaning depending on how it's used.
  • Stronger Alternatives: Sometimes, “finish,” “end,” “entire,” or “total” can be better choices based on the nuance you want to convey.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • In what kind of context are you trying to use "complete"? (e.g., writing an essay, speaking in a conversation, describing something, etc.)

Synonyms for the word complete

Practice with vocabulary complete

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To __________ the project on time, we need to work efficiently.
  2. The teacher asked the students to __________ their homework before the deadline.
  3. The team managed to __________ the task, but only after several delays.
  4. After reviewing the document, she decided it was __________ and ready for submission.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits the sentence? "The construction team aims to __________ the building by next month."
    a) finalize
    b) complete
    c) execute
    d) prepare

  2. Select the correct word: "The report is nearly __________, but it needs a final review."
    a) incomplete
    b) finished
    c) complete
    d) partial

  3. Which word(s) can replace the underlined word? "She needs to finish the project by Friday."
    a) complete
    b) conclude
    c) terminate
    d) abandon

  4. Choose the appropriate word: "The puzzle is missing a few pieces, so it’s __________."
    a) complete
    b) unfinished
    c) perfect
    d) satisfactory

  5. Which word does NOT fit? "The artist worked hard to __________ the painting before the exhibition."
    a) complete
    b) finalize
    c) abandon
    d) finish

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The team managed to finish the assignment before the deadline.
    Rewrite: The team managed to __________ the assignment before the deadline.

  2. Original: The proposal was finalized after several revisions.
    Rewrite: The proposal was __________ after several revisions.

  3. Original: The report is now done and ready for review.
    Rewrite: The report is now __________ and ready for review.

Answers:

Exercise 1:

  1. complete
  2. complete
  3. finish
  4. complete

Exercise 2:

  1. b) complete
  2. c) complete
  3. a) complete, b) conclude
  4. b) unfinished
  5. c) abandon

Exercise 3:

  1. The team managed to complete the assignment before the deadline.
  2. The proposal was completed after several revisions.
  3. The report is now finalized and ready for review.

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