What is constrain? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of constrain

constrainverb

/kənˈstreɪn//kənˈstreɪn/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "constrain." It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown and the best way to say it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • /kənˈstreɪn/

2. Syllable Breakdown:

  • con - like the letter "C"
  • stren - This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like "strin," but with a slightly emphasized "st" sound.
  • ain - like the letter "A"

3. How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  • Start with "con": Say "con" as you would in the word "cone."
  • Move to “stren”: Begin with a short “st” sound, almost like “str.” Then, smoothly glide into the "ren" sound (rhyming with "ten"). The emphasis is on the “stren” part. Think of it as "strin."
  • Finish with "ain": Say "ain" as in the word "pain."

4. Putting It Together:

Say it slowly at first: "con-stren-ain"

Then, build up the speed: "con-stren-ain"

5. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "constrain" like "constrain." People often add an extra "t" sound, which is incorrect.
  • Avoid a "ch" sound: The "str" sound shouldn't be a "ch" sound like in "church."
  • Focus on the "strin" sound: This is really the key to getting the pronunciation right.

Resources for Hearing It:

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  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "constrain"?

Usage and examples with the word constrain in English

Let's break down how to use the word "constrain." It's a powerful word with a few different nuances.

1. Core Meaning: To Limit or Restrict

At its most basic, "constrain" means to limit or restrict something – typically movement, action, or freedom.

  • Example: "The heavy rain constrained our ability to hike." (The rain limited what we could do.)
  • Example: "Her limited budget constrained her choices when buying a car." (The budget restricted what cars she could afford.)
  • Example: "The building's narrow hallways constrained the movement of people." (The hallways limited how easily people could move.)

2. As a Verb (to restrict)

Here's how it’s typically used as a verb:

  • To restrict someone's movements/actions:

    • "The suspect was constrained to his home during the investigation." (He was forced to stay at home.)
    • "His injury constrained him from playing sports." (It limited his ability to play.)

  • To limit someone's options/choices (often due to circumstances):

    • "Difficult economic times constrain families to make tough decisions." (Times make it hard to choose.)
    • "The rules constrained the team’s strategy." (The rules limited what they could do tactically.)

  • To force someone to do something (often reluctantly):

    • "He was constrained to apologize, even though he didn’t believe he was wrong." (He felt forced to apologize.)

3. As a Noun (a limitation or restriction)

“Constrain” can also be used as a noun, referring to the limitation itself. This is less common but important to know.

  • Example: “Lack of funding is a significant constrain to the project’s success.” (Lack of funding is a limitation.)
  • Example: “The legal constrain prevented them from publishing the information.” (The law was a restriction.)

4. Synonyms

Here are some words that have similar meanings to "constrain," depending on the context:

  • Limit
  • Restrict
  • Impose
  • Restrain
  • Bind
  • Hedge
  • Check
  • Obstruct

5. Example Sentences Showing Different Uses

  • Verb (movement): “The slippery ice constrained her steps, making it difficult to climb the stairs.”
  • Verb (choices): “His family situation constrained his career aspirations.”
  • Verb (force): “He felt constrained to agree with his boss, even though he disagreed.”
  • Noun (limitation): “The company's strict policies are a major constrain on employee creativity.”

Resources for Further Understanding:

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  • What kind of context are you interested in? (e.g., academic writing, everyday conversation, a specific topic like physics or law?)

Synonyms for the word constrain

Practice with vocabulary constrain

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's ambitious goals were ultimately __________ by the limited financial resources available.
  2. Ethical guidelines __________ researchers from manipulating data, ensuring the integrity of their findings.
  3. Heavy traffic on the main route will __________ your journey and cause significant delays.
  4. The new safety regulations __________ all employees to undergo mandatory training before operating the machinery.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following words describe how strict regulations might affect a company's innovation efforts? A. encourage B. foster C. facilitate D. constrain E. stifle

  2. What factors might _________ an individual's career choices in a developing economy? A. expand B. constrain C. broaden D. enable E. limit

  3. How might limited resources _________ a research team's ability to conduct extensive fieldwork? A. facilitate B. enable C. constrain D. amplify E. restrict

  4. Which of the following best describes the act of making a payment obligatory by law? A. waive B. mandate C. recommend D. suggest E. require

  5. If an organization aims to reduce its carbon footprint, which actions would be most effective? A. increase emissions B. mitigate C. disregard D. alleviate E. intensify

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The tight budget significantly limited the scope of the research project. Rewrite using "constrain":

  2. Due to the strict company policy, employees cannot use personal devices during work hours. Rewrite using "constrain":

  3. The new rules made it impossible for them to proceed with the planned expansion. Rewrite without using "constrain":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's ambitious goals were ultimately constrained by the limited financial resources available.
  2. Ethical guidelines constrain researchers from manipulating data, ensuring the integrity of their findings.
  3. Heavy traffic on the main route will impede your journey and cause significant delays.
  4. The new safety regulations require all employees to undergo mandatory training before operating the machinery.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. D. constrain, E. stifle
  2. B. constrain, E. limit
  3. C. constrain, E. restrict
  4. B. mandate, E. require
  5. B. mitigate, D. alleviate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The tight budget severely constrained the scope of the research project.
  2. Strict company policy constrains employees from using personal devices during work hours.
  3. The new rules effectively prohibited their planned expansion.

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