What is corridor? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of corridor

corridornoun

/ˈkɒrɪdɔː(r)//ˈkɔːrɪdɔːr/
Definition & pronunciation of corridor

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "corridor" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Sounds:

  • cor: Pronounced like "core" – short "o" sound, as in "more."
  • rid: Pronounced like "red" – short "i" sound, as in "bed."
  • or: Pronounced like "or" – as in "for."

2. Putting it Together:

The key is to link those three sounds together smoothly. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the flow:

  • "Cor" - (core) – Slightly emphasized.
  • "Rid" - (red) – This is where people often stumble. Make sure the "i" is short and clear.
  • "Or" - (or) – Briefly, and connected to the "rid."

3. The Rhythm & Emphasis:

  • It's generally unstressed. You shouldn’t say it with a strong, emphasized syllable. Imagine a flowing, connected sound.
  • The first syllable ("cor") gets a little bit more emphasis, but it’s subtle.

4. Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them:

  • Saying "cor-id-or": This splits the word up too much. It creates a choppy sound.
  • Over-emphasizing the "i" in "rid": Keep it short and quick like the "i" in "bed."
  • Adding an extra "r" sound: Don’t say "cor-ridor-r."

5. Listen for Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. Here are some resources:

  • Google Translate: Type "corridor" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
  • Forvo: This website has pronunciations from native speakers: https://forvo.com/word/corridor/
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce corridor" – you'll find many videos.

In short, aim for a smooth, flowing sound: "Core-red-or."

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the word slowly for you?
  • Give you other similar words to practice?

Usage and examples with the word corridor in English

Let's break down how to use the word "corridor" in English. It's a fairly straightforward word, but understanding its nuances will make your writing and speaking more precise.

1. Basic Definition:

  • A corridor is a long, narrow passage connecting rooms or areas in a building. Think of it like a hallway, but often visually distinct and perhaps more enclosed.

2. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Buildings (Most Common):

    • "We walked down the corridor to the cafeteria."
    • "The office corridor was lined with cubicles."
    • "The hotel corridor smelled faintly of lemon and old carpets."
    • "Students hurried down the corridor to catch the bus."

  • Figurative Usage (More Advanced – often about a progression or flow):

    • "His career took a long corridor of slow progress." (Meaning a gradual and sometimes frustrating development.)
    • "The news traveled through the department in a long corridor of whispers." (Meaning it spread slowly and discreetly.)
    • "They felt trapped in a corridor of expectations." (Meaning they felt constrained by societal or personal pressures.)

3. Parts of Speech & How it Fits into a Sentence:

  • Noun: This is the most common usage. It's the thing you’re talking about – the passage. (e.g., "The corridor was dark.")
  • Adjective (Less Common): You can sometimes use "corridor" as an adjective to describe something related to a corridor. This is used more formally. (e.g., "He wore a corridor uniform.") – This is rare.

4. Related Words & Synonyms:

  • Hallway: Very similar and often interchangeable. “Hallway” is generally more common.
  • Passage: A broader term for a way through something.
  • Aisle: Often used in large spaces like supermarkets or airports.
  • Stride: (Verb) To walk with long steps - you might "stride down a corridor."

5. Tips for Using It Correctly:

  • Think of enclosed space: Corridors are generally inside buildings, providing connections.
  • Emphasis on length and narrowness: They're not just any path, they’re a “long, narrow passage.”

Example Sentences Demonstrating Different Uses:

  • Simple: "The children ran down the corridor, giggling."
  • Descriptive: “The long, ornate corridor was adorned with portraits of former presidents.”
  • Figurative: “His proposal met with a corridor of silence before finally being approved.”

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

  • What are you writing about? (e.g., a story, a report, a description of a place?)
  • What are you trying to convey by using the word "corridor"? (e.g., just describing a physical space, or is there a deeper meaning you’re trying to express?)

Synonyms for the word corridor

Idioms of the word corridor

the corridors of power
(sometimes humorous)the higher levels of government, where important decisions are made
  • She had considerable influence in the corridors of power.
  • She was a minister with considerable influence in the corridors of power.

Practice with vocabulary corridor

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The security cameras monitor the main ________ leading to the executive offices.
  2. An international aid organization established a humanitarian ________ to deliver supplies to the affected region.
  3. Guests should proceed down the main ________ and turn left to find the conference rooms.
  4. Please wait in the ________ while we prepare your meeting room.

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

  1. In a large hotel, guests typically navigate long, narrow ________ to reach their rooms from the elevator bank. a) lobbies b) chambers c) corridors d) courtyards

  2. Ecologists proposed creating a wildlife ________ to allow animals to safely cross the highway and access different habitats. a) barrier b) crossing c) habitat d) corridor

  3. The IT department requested improved network infrastructure to ensure a secure data ________ between the main server room and remote workstations. a) firewall b) pathway c) bottleneck d) corridor

  4. Which of the following best describes the open area just inside the main entrance of a public building, often used for waiting or initial reception? a) a cubicle b) a hallway c) a foyer d) a pantry

  5. After the emergency landing, passengers were directed to exit the aircraft via the nearest ________. a) aisle b) cargo hold c) cockpit d) wing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The long passage connecting the research labs was always busy. (Rewrite the sentence using "corridor")

  2. During the negotiation, it was crucial to maintain open lines of communication between all parties. (Rewrite the sentence using "corridor" or related word forms)

  3. Employees usually take the main route through the building to get to the cafeteria. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "corridor")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. corridor
  2. corridor
  3. hallway
  4. lobby

Exercise 2:

  1. c) corridors
  2. d) corridor
  3. b) pathway, d) corridor
  4. c) a foyer
  5. a) aisle

Exercise 3:

  1. The corridor connecting the research labs was always busy.
  2. During the negotiation, maintaining an open communication corridor between all parties was crucial.
  3. Employees usually take the main hallway through the building to get to the cafeteria.

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