What is considerable? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "considerable" in English. It's a versatile word that generally means "large" or "significant," but the best way to use it depends on the context.

1. Basic Meaning & Usage:

• Generally: "Considerable" means "large in amount, size, or degree." It's often used to describe something that is noticeably big or important.

• Examples:

  • "There was considerable interest in the new product launch." (Meaning: a large amount of interest)
  • "He has a considerable amount of experience in the field." (Meaning: a large amount of experience)
  • "The damage to the building was considerable." (Meaning: significant damage)
  • "She has a considerable impact on the company's strategy." (Meaning: a noticeable and important effect)

2. Different Forms & Nuances:

• Adjective: This is the most common form – "considerable" describes nouns. (e.g., a considerable amount, a considerable effort)

• Adverb: "Considerably" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. (e.g., He improved considerably, The price rose considerably) – Considerably often means "to a large extent" or "significantly."

• Noun: "Considerable" can rarely be used as a noun, referring to a significant amount of something. (e.g., “He invested a considerable sum of money.”) – This usage is less common and sounds more formal.

3. Common Phrases & Constructions:

• "A considerable amount of...": This is probably the most frequent way to use it. (e.g., "a considerable amount of time," "a considerable amount of money," "a considerable amount of effort")

• "Considerable degree of...": Used to describe a level or extent. (e.g., "There's a considerable degree of skepticism about the report.")

• "Considerably" as an intensifier: ("He's considerably more intelligent than his brother.")

4. Synonyms (to help you choose the best word):

• Large: significant, vast, ample, huge
• Important: substantial, major, noteworthy, vital, key
• To a large extent: largely, greatly, markedly, substantially

5. Example Sentences showing different usages:

• Amount: "They received a considerable amount of funding for the project."
• Size/Extent: "The forest covers a considerable area."
• Degree/Level: “There was a considerable amount of disagreement among the committee members.”
• Adverb (intensifier): “The students improved considerably over the course of the semester.”

Tips for Using "Considerable":

• Think about the context: What exactly are you trying to emphasize? Is it the quantity, the importance, or the extent?
• Don’t overuse it: Like many words that mean “large,” it can sound a bit formal if used too frequently. Sometimes, simpler words like "large" or "significant" are better.

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

• What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a formal email, a casual conversation, an essay?)
• Can you provide a sentence or phrase that you're unsure about using "considerable" in?