What is congress? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of congress

congressnoun

/ˈkɒŋɡrɛs/
Definition & pronunciation of congress

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "congress." It's a tricky one because it’s spelled with a lot of “c”s and “r”s! Here’s a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • KON-gress

Let's break that down further:

  • KON: Like the word "cone." It’s important to emphasize this initial syllable.
  • gress: Pronounced like "gress" in the word "progress."

Here's a more detailed breakdown with sounds (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA - which helps with pronunciation):

[kənˈrɛs]

  • kən: /kən/ (as in "cone")
  • ˈrɛs: /ˈrɛs/ (the stress is on this syllable - "ress" – with a strong 'r' sound)

Tips to help you:

  • Don't over-emphasize the “c”s: They're silent.
  • Focus on the “kon” syllable: This is the stressed part.
  • Practice the “ress” sound: Make sure you’re pronouncing it with a clear “r” sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce congress" on Google, and you'll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/congress/ - This website shows you how native speakers pronounce the word from different regions.

Would you like me to:

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  • Give you some example sentences using the word "congress"?

Usage and examples with the word congress in English

Let's break down how to use the word "congress" in English. It's a fairly formal word, so it's often used in news, political discussions, and academic contexts.

1. What is Congress?

Congress is the legislative branch of the United States government. It's made up of two parts:

  • The Senate: Composed of two senators from each state (100 total). Senators serve six-year terms.
  • The House of Representatives: The number of representatives from each state is based on its population (currently 435 total). Representatives serve two-year terms.

2. Common Ways to Use "Congress"

Here are some ways you'll typically encounter and use the word "congress":

  • Referring to the whole body: “Congress is currently debating a new healthcare bill.” (Meaning the entire Senate and House of Representatives.)
  • Referring to the Senate: “The Senate voted to confirm the nominee.” (Specifically, the Senate chamber.)
  • Referring to the House of Representatives: “The House passed the transportation funding bill.” (Specifically, the House chamber.)
  • Describing Congressional action: “Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act.” (Highlighting the action taken by the entire legislative body).
  • Discussing Congressional committees: “The House Ways and Means Committee is investigating tax loopholes.” (Referring to a specific group within Congress that specializes in a certain area.)
  • Talking about members of Congress: “Representative Smith is a strong advocate for education.” or “Senator Jones is known for his bipartisan approach.” (Referring to individual senators or representatives).
  • To express a lack of action: "Congress failed to act on climate change legislation."

3. Examples in Sentences:

  • "The president addressed Congress about his economic plan."
  • “Congress has the power to declare war.”
  • “Many citizens are concerned about the influence of lobbyists on Congress.”
  • “A new Congress will be elected in November.”
  • "The Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act is now up to Congress to decide."

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings - use sparingly as they can sound less formal):

  • Legislature
  • Lawmakers
  • The government (in a broader context)

5. Important Note: "Congresses" (plural)

"Congress" is always singular. You can say "Congresses have been held throughout history," or "Several Congresses have tackled this issue." However, "congresses" is never used to refer to the current body.

Resources for more information:

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Synonyms for the word congress

Practice with vocabulary congress

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The proposed amendment, after intense debate, was finally passed by both chambers of the _____.
  2. Many democratic nations operate with a bicameral _____, similar to the US model, to ensure checks and balances.
  3. Political analysts are closely monitoring the upcoming session of _____, anticipating key policy decisions on the budget.
  4. The special _____ was tasked with investigating the allegations of fraud within the organization.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for enacting federal laws in the United States? A) The Supreme Court B) The Cabinet C) The Executive Branch D) Congress

  2. In a democratic system, which of the following terms can refer to a national law-making assembly? (Select all that apply) A) Parliament B) Judiciary C) Congress D) Legislature E) Bureaucracy

  3. Which of the following terms could describe a large, formal meeting of delegates from various professional organizations to discuss current trends? (Select all that apply) A) Seminar B) Convention C) Conference D) Congress E) Forum

  4. A group of appointed advisors responsible for leading executive departments is commonly known as the: A) Legislature B) Parliament C) Cabinet D) Senate

  5. In many parliamentary systems, the head of government is typically the leader of the majority party in the: A) Presidency B) Crown C) Parliament D) Supreme Court

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The legislative body of the United States passed a new infrastructure bill. Rewrite the sentence using "congress":

  2. Delegates from different nations met to discuss global climate change. Rewrite the sentence using "congress" or a related word form:

  3. The supreme law-making body in the UK recently debated the new immigration policy. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "congress":

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The proposed amendment, after intense debate, was finally passed by both chambers of the Congress.
  2. Many democratic nations operate with a bicameral legislature, similar to the US model, to ensure checks and balances.
  3. Political analysts are closely monitoring the upcoming session of Congress, anticipating key policy decisions on the budget.
  4. The special committee was tasked with investigating the allegations of fraud within the organization.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. D) Congress
  2. A) Parliament, C) Congress, D) Legislature
  3. B) Convention, C) Conference, D) Congress
  4. C) Cabinet
  5. C) Parliament

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The US Congress passed a new infrastructure bill.
  2. An international congress on climate change was held.
  3. The UK Parliament recently debated the new immigration policy.

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