What is considerably? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of considerably

considerablyadverb

/kənˈsɪd(ə)rəbli/
Definition & pronunciation of considerably

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "considerably" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Closest to how a native speaker would say it):

  • kon-SID-er-uh-buhl

2. Breakdown by Syllable:

  • con-: Sounds like "kon" – like "con" in "consonant."
  • SID-: Sounds like "SID" – rhymes with "kid." Short 'i' sound.
  • er-: Sounds like "er" – as in "her."
  • uh-: A very short, unstressed "uh" sound - like the "a" in "about."
  • buhl: Sounds like "bool" – like "blue" but shorter and with a slightly more open 'oo' sound. It's almost like "bool" but a little less rounded.

3. Tips and Key Points:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable: SID. This is the BIGGEST thing to get right.
  • "er" sound: Don’t pronounce the "er" as in "her." It's a shorter, almost clipped sound.
  • "uh" sound: It’s important to keep the "uh" sound very brief and unstressed. Think of it as just a little pause.
  • "buhl" sound: Don't overemphasize the "buhl." Keep it relatively smooth and connected.

4. Listen to Examples:

It’s really helpful to hear it! Here are some resources:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce considerably" on Google and use the audio button.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%B6nsiderably/ – This website lets you hear pronunciations from native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search on YouTube for videos demonstrating pronunciation – there are many helpful ones.

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

  • Do you already know some English pronunciation rules?
  • Are there any specific sounds you find difficult to pronounce in English (e.g., 'r' sound, vowel sounds)?

Usage and examples with the word considerably in English

Let's break down how to use the word "considerably" in English. It's a versatile adverb that adds emphasis to a description. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Basic Meaning:

"Considerably" means "to a large extent," "significantly," or "much." It implies a substantial difference or change.

2. Common Usage Patterns:

  • With Adjectives: This is the most frequent way to use "considerably."

    • Example: "The price of gas has considerably increased this month." (Meaning: The price has increased a lot.)
    • Example: "She’s considerably improved her singing voice." (Meaning: She's improved a lot.)
    • Example: "The project was considerably delayed due to unforeseen circumstances." (Meaning: The delay was substantial.)

  • With Verbs: "Considerably" can modify verbs to show degree.

    • Example: "He considerably underestimated the competition." (Meaning: He underestimated them to a large extent.)
    • Example: "The rain considerably reduced the attendance." (Meaning: The rain lessened attendance significantly.)

  • With Phrases Like “By” or “To”: Often used to quantify the degree of change.

    • Example: “The company’s profits increased considerably by the new marketing campaign.” (Meaning: Profits increased a lot because of the campaign)
    • Example: “He was considerably taller than his brother.” (Meaning: He was much taller.)

3. Nuances and Shades of Meaning:

  • Significant: "Considerably" often carries a similar weight to "significantly," but "considerably" tends to sound slightly more formal.
  • Substantially: “Considerably” and “substantially” are frequently interchangeable, though “substantially” might be used a bit more in formal contexts.

4. Examples Illustrating Different Contexts:

  • Physical Changes: "He’s considerably lost weight." (He’s lost a large amount.)
  • Emotional Changes: “She was considerably relieved when he called.” (She felt relief to a large degree.)
  • Performance: "The new software performs considerably faster than the old version." (It’s much faster.)
  • Quality: "The quality of the materials used in the building was considerably lower than expected." (The quality was significantly lower.)

5. Things to Note:

  • Don't overuse it: Like any word, using "considerably" constantly can make your writing sound repetitive. Choose synonyms (e.g., greatly, substantially, markedly) when appropriate.
  • Context is key: The precise meaning can subtly shift depending on the context.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., academic, creative, business, informal)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’d like to use "considerably"? I can then help you refine it.

Synonyms for the word considerably

Practice with vocabulary considerably

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company's market share grew ______ after the successful product launch.
  2. The cost of the new equipment was ______ low compared to other options on the market.
  3. The new software improved data processing speed ______, leading to greater efficiency.
  4. We need to ______ address the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The recent policy changes have impacted employee morale ______. a) slightly b) considerably c) seldom d) gently

  2. The company's revenue increased ______ last quarter, exceeding all expectations. a) marginally b) considerably c) slightly d) negligibly

  3. The project timeline was extended ______ due to unforeseen technical challenges. a) significantly b) considerably c) slightly d) minimally

  4. The team needs to ______ its efforts to meet the tight deadline. a) intensify b) extent c) broaden d) amplify

  5. Before making a final decision, we must ______ all available data. a) estimate b) evaluate c) speculate d) predict

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The difference in performance between the two systems was very big.
  2. There was a significant improvement in the product's efficiency after the update.
  3. Her research contributed greatly to our understanding of the issue.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company's market share grew considerably after the successful product launch.
  2. The cost of the new equipment was relatively low compared to other options on the market.
  3. The new software improved data processing speed considerably, leading to greater efficiency.
  4. We need to effectively address the root cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The recent policy changes have impacted employee morale b) considerably.
  2. The company's revenue increased b) considerably last quarter, exceeding all expectations.
  3. The project timeline was extended a) significantly, b) considerably due to unforeseen technical challenges.
  4. The team needs to a) intensify its efforts to meet the tight deadline.
  5. Before making a final decision, we must b) evaluate all available data.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The two systems differed considerably in performance.
  2. The product showed a considerable improvement in efficiency after the update.
  3. Her research made a significant contribution to our understanding of the issue.

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