What is concentrate? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of concentrate

concentrateverb

/ˈkɒnsntreɪt//ˈkɒnsɛntreɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of concentrate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "concentrate" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown and a few options:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /kənˈsentreɪt

Let’s break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. con-: Pronounced like "con" as in "connect" - /kən/
  2. -cent-: This is the tricky part! It’s pronounced like “sent” – /sen/ (like the word “sense”)
  3. -tra-: Pronounced like “tra” as in “trap” - /tra/
  4. -te: Pronounced like "t" – /t/

Putting it together: kən-sen-tra-t

Tips & Variations:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable: "cen-" (con-cent-rate).
  • Regional Variations: You might hear slight variations depending on where you are:
    • "con-cent-rate" (with the stress on the second syllable) is very common, especially in American English.
    • "con-cen-trate" (with the stress on the third syllable) is also heard.

Resources for Hearing it:

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

  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., USA, UK, Australia, etc.) Pronunciation can vary between regions.

Usage and examples with the word concentrate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "concentrate" in English. It’s a versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Focus Your Attention (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: To focus your mental energy on one specific thing, ignoring distractions.
  • Example Sentences:
    • "I need to concentrate on my work; there are too many interruptions."
    • “She struggled to concentrate on the difficult math problem.”
    • "Try to concentrate on your breathing to relax."
    • "It’s hard to concentrate when you're tired."
  • Phrases:
    • Concentrate your efforts: Focus your energy on a particular task. (e.g., "Let's concentrate our efforts on getting this project finished.")
    • Concentrate on...: Focus on something specifically. (e.g., "Please concentrate on the details of the report.")

2. To Make a Concentrated Solution or Substance

  • Meaning: To make a substance stronger or more intense by adding a small amount to a larger amount.
  • Example Sentences:
    • “You need to concentrate the juice by boiling it down.”
    • “The pharmacist concentrated the medicine to a stronger dose.”
    • "He concentrated the sugar into a syrup."
  • Related Words: Concentration (noun - the resulting substance)

3. To Gather or Accumulate (Less Common, More Formal)

  • Meaning: To bring something together in a small space.
  • Example Sentences:
    • “The police are trying to concentrate the traffic at the accident scene.” (Gather, direct, move traffic)
    • "The rain concentrated around the valley.” (Gathered, accumulated)

4. (Verbs - Less Common, Often Used in Specific Contexts)

  • Concentrate (on something): To focus one's attention (as in #1).
  • Concentrate (a verb - to bring together): Less frequently used, but you might see it in legal or technical contexts to mean “to gather or collect.”

Tips for Using "Concentrate" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "concentrate" will always be clear from the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms for variety: focus, concentrate, focus, focus on, gather, accumulate.
  • Common Phrases: Knowing common phrases like "concentrate your efforts" will help you use the word naturally.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "concentrate" in? (e.g., school, work, everyday conversation?)

Synonyms for the word concentrate

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