What is confirm? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of confirm

confirmverb

/kənˈfəːm/
Definition & pronunciation of confirm

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "confirm" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcription and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/kənˈfɜːrm/ (British English) /kənˈfɜːm/ (American English)

Let's break this down syllable by syllable:

  • con: Sounds like "con" as in "connect" - /kən/

  • firm: Sounds like "firm" as in "firm handshake" - /ˈfɜːrm/

    • firm: The "f" is pronounced clearly. The "ir" makes a long "er" sound, like in "her." The "m" is pronounced as usual.

  • -ing: This adds a slight stretching of the vowel sound and the final "m."

2. A Step-by-Step Guide to Pronunciation:

  1. Start with "con": Say "con" as in "connect."
  2. Move to "firm": Say "firm" as in "firm handshake." Really emphasize that long "er" sound in "firm."
  3. Combine: Link the two together smoothly: "con-firm."
  4. Stress: The emphasis is on the second syllable ("firm"). You'll want to say "con-firm" – with the stress on the second syllable.

3. Listen to Examples:

  • Google Translate: Go to Google Translate (translate.google.com) and type in "confirm." Click the speaker icon to hear a native speaker pronounce it.
  • Forvo: Forvo (forvo.com) is a fantastic resource for hearing words pronounced by native speakers from different regions: https://forvo.com/word/confirm/

Key things to remember:

  • The "ir" sound in "firm": This is what often trips people up. Practice saying "her" and "term" and you'll get the hang of it.
  • Don't add an extra "r" sound: It’s easy to accidentally say "con-firmr," but it’s not correct.

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

  • What dialect of English are you learning? (e.g., American, British, Australian) - There can be slight differences in pronunciation.

Usage and examples with the word confirm in English

Let's break down how to use the word "confirm" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances, but generally it means to make something certain or to state that something is true.

1. As a Verb – To Make Something Sure:

This is the most common usage. "Confirm" means to establish something as being true or correct.

  • Example 1 (Simple Confirmation): "I need to confirm your booking for the flight." (You're making sure the booking is actually valid.)
  • Example 2 (Seeking Confirmation): "Could you confirm the date of the meeting?" (You're asking someone to verify the date.)
  • Example 3 (Providing Confirmation): "I’ve just confirmed that the package will arrive tomorrow." (You’re stating that it’s definitely going to arrive tomorrow.)
  • Example 4 (Formal Confirmation): "The police are trying to confirm the identity of the suspect." (They're trying to verify his identity.)

2. As a Verb – To State Something Again (Often to Assure):

Sometimes, "confirm" means to state something again, often to reassure someone or to emphasize a previously stated fact. This usage is a little less common than the first.

  • Example: "I confirmed that I'd be there to help, just to reassure you." (You repeated your promise to help.)

3. Phrases Using "Confirm":

  • Confirm and deny: (Often used in investigations or legal contexts) – To either confirm or deny something, sometimes without revealing the specifics. “The witness refused to confirm or deny the suspect’s involvement.”
  • Confirm details: To check and verify all the particulars of something. "Let’s confirm all the details of the presentation before we send it out."
  • Confirm your suspicions: To make your doubts or assumptions correct. "The lab results confirmed my suspicions about his illness."
  • Confirm something is true: A more direct way of saying "confirm" – “Scientists confirmed that the Earth is round.”

Here's a breakdown of when you might use "confirm" vs. similar words:

  • Verify: Very similar to "confirm." "Verify your account details."
  • Confirm: Often implies a more official or thorough check. "Confirm the shipment."
  • Assure: To give someone peace of mind. "I will confirm that your payment has been processed."
  • Validate: To check if something is correct and legitimate. "Validate your ticket."
  • Establish: To make something certain or widely accepted. "The report established the facts."

Tips for Using "Confirm" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The best way to understand how to use "confirm" is to see it in context.
  • Consider the formality: "Confirm" is generally a fairly formal word.

Could you tell me:

  • What kind of situation are you thinking about where you want to use the word "confirm"? (e.g., travel, business, investigation, etc.)
  • Do you have a specific sentence in mind that you'd like help with?

Synonyms for the word confirm

Practice with vocabulary confirm

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before purchasing the tickets, please call the airline to ______ your flight details.
  2. The initial data suggests a correlation, but we need further studies to ______ this finding.
  3. Please ______ that all documents are attached before submitting your application.
  4. The spokesperson declined to ______ on the ongoing negotiations, citing confidentiality.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words can replace or complete the meaning of "to make sure something is true or definite"? a) deny b) confirm c) cancel d) verify e) dispute

  2. After reviewing the evidence, the committee needed to ______ the applicant's eligibility. a) assert b) confirm c) ascertain d) contradict e) disregard

  3. The project manager asked the team to ______ the revised schedule by the end of the day. a) finalize b) postpone c) confirm d) retract e) delay

  4. The CEO decided to ______ the new company policy during the quarterly meeting. a) conceal b) announce c) imply d) disclose e) withhold

  5. It's crucial to ______ the instructions carefully before attempting to assemble the device. a) misunderstand b) grasp c) ignore d) comprehend e) overlook

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We need to verify the exact figures before proceeding with the budget allocation. Rewrite using "confirm":
  2. The university officially acknowledged the student's graduation. Rewrite using a word form of "confirm":
  3. The report stated that the global economy was experiencing a slowdown. Rewrite without using "confirm" or its related forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before purchasing the tickets, please call the airline to confirm your flight details.
  2. The initial data suggests a correlation, but we need further studies to confirm this finding.
  3. Please ensure that all documents are attached before submitting your application.
  4. The spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations, citing confidentiality.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) confirm, d) verify
  2. b) confirm, c) ascertain
  3. a) finalize, c) confirm
  4. b) announce, d) disclose
  5. b) grasp, d) comprehend

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We need to confirm the exact figures before proceeding with the budget allocation.
  2. The university provided confirmation of the student's graduation.
  3. The report indicated that the global economy was experiencing a slowdown. (Other suitable words: revealed, declared, asserted, stated)

Comment ()