What is critically? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of critically

criticallyadverb

/ˈkrɪtɪkli//ˈkrɪtɪkli/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "critically" in English. It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown of the sounds and how to put them together:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

  • crit- – This part is fairly straightforward.
  • -ically – This is where most people stumble.

2. Pronunciation Guide:

  • crit: Pronounced like "grit" – similar to the feeling of sand between your teeth. The "i" sound is short and sharp.
  • -ically: This is the key part. It's pronounced like "ick-ly.” Think of it as "ick" followed by the "ly" ending (like in "quickly").

3. Putting it Together:

The entire word is pronounced: “grit-ick-ly”

4. Emphasis:

The emphasis is on the first syllable: “grit-ick-ly”

5. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't pronounce the “i” in “crit” as long as in “bit.” It’s a short sound.
  • Avoid sounding like “crite-ick-ly.” That’s a very common mistake!
  • Listen to examples: The best way to get it right is to hear it!

Here are some resources that you can listen to:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more examples of how it's used in sentences?

Usage and examples with the word critically in English

Let's break down how to use the word "critically" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a detailed explanation, categorized for clarity:

1. As an Adverb (Most Common Usage – Meaning ‘Seriously’ or ‘Importantly’):

  • Meaning: This is by far the most frequent way "critically" is used. It emphasizes the seriousness or importance of something. It suggests that a matter is vital, potentially damaging, or needs careful attention.

  • Examples:

    • “The patient’s condition is critically low; he needs immediate surgery.” (meaning: his condition is very serious)
    • “The report critically examines the government’s economic policies.” (meaning: the report analyzes them in a serious and detailed way)
    • “She was critically injured in the accident.” (meaning: she was seriously injured)
    • “We must critically assess the risks involved.” (meaning: we need to carefully and seriously evaluate the risks)

2. As an Adjective (Meaning ‘Of or Relating to Criticism’):

  • Meaning: Here, "critically" describes something related to criticism.

  • Examples:

    • “Critically acclaimed film” (meaning: praised highly by critics)
    • “Critically analyzed text” (meaning: examined and interpreted through a critical lens)
    • “Critically challenged assumptions” (meaning: challenged assumptions with reasons and arguments)

3. In Phrases & Expressions:

  • “Critically important”: This emphasizes something is absolutely essential or vital. "Communication is critically important for team success."

  • “Critically successful”: This describes something that achieved great success. “The play was critically successful and ran for years.”

  • "Critically examine" / “Critically assess” / “Critically evaluate”: These are strong verbs indicating a thorough and objective analysis, often with the intent to judge or find flaws. “Let’s critically examine the evidence.”

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Strong Tone: “Critically” often carries a more weighty or serious tone than simply saying “seriously” or “carefully.”

  • Implies Judgment: It frequently suggests a degree of judgment or evaluation is involved. Someone is not just observing, but assessing, analyzing, and potentially finding fault or offering an opinion.

  • Academic Context: You’ll frequently see "critically" used in academic writing (essays, research papers) to indicate a detailed and rigorous analysis.

How to Distinguish the Meanings:

  • Look at the sentence: The surrounding words will usually give you a clue. If it's describing a condition or situation, it’s likely the adverbial meaning. If it’s describing something tied to reviews or assessments, it’s the adjective.

  • Think about the relationship: What is being emphasized? Is it the severity of the situation, or the nature of the analysis/review?

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples in a specific context (e.g., academic writing, medical reports, film reviews)?
  • Help you practice using “critically” in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word critically

Practice with vocabulary critically

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To truly understand the research findings, one must analyze the methodology ___________.
  2. The patient's condition worsened, requiring doctors to monitor vital signs ___________.
  3. Before submitting the proposal, the team leader advised us to review every detail ___________.
  4. Developing a strong online presence has become __________ important for small businesses in the digital age.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  • There may be multiple correct answers per question.

  1. Which word(s) best describe how one should approach complex statistical data to identify potential biases? a) quickly b) superficially c) critically d) objectively

  2. The success of the new product launch depends __________ on the marketing team's ability to adapt to market feedback. a) critically b) lightly c) negligibly d) peripherally

  3. To effectively evaluate a proposal, one must assess its strengths and weaknesses __________. a) superficially b) critically c) objectively d) haphazardly

  4. What is the __________ principle behind successful agile project management? a) optionally b) fundamentally c) superficially d) ambiguously

  5. She examined the complex legal document __________ for any potential loopholes. a) carelessly b) deeply c) superficially d) thoroughly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: It is essential to analyze all sources of information very carefully before forming an opinion. Rewrite using "critically" or a related word form:

  2. Original: The upcoming negotiations are extremely important for the future stability of the company. Rewrite using "critically" or a related word form:

  3. Original: We need to completely rethink our approach to customer service. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do NOT use "critically" or related forms):

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. critically
  2. critically
  3. carefully
  4. significantly

Exercise 2:

  1. c) critically, d) objectively
  2. a) critically
  3. b) critically, c) objectively
  4. b) fundamentally
  5. b) deeply, d) thoroughly

Exercise 3:

  1. One must critically analyze all sources of information before forming an opinion.
  2. The future stability of the company depends critically on the upcoming negotiations.
  3. We need to radically rethink our approach to customer service.

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