What is deliberately? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of deliberately

deliberatelyadverb

/dɪˈlɪb(ə)rətli/
Definition & pronunciation of deliberately

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "deliberately." It's a tricky word! Here's a breakdown with phonetic guidance:

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

/dɪˈlɪbərətli/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • di - Pronounced like "dee" – as in "dictionary."
  • lib - This is the tricky part! It sounds like “luhb.” It's a short "u" sound, almost like "uh" but with a "b" sound right afterward. Think of it as a quick glide between the "u" and "b."
  • er - Pronounced like "er" – as in "her."
  • ate - Pronounced like "ayt."
  • ly - Pronounced like “lee.” (like the letter L)

Putting it together, with emphasis:

  • di (short "i" sound) - dee
  • lib (uhb) - luhb
  • er - er
  • ate - ayt
  • ly - lee

So, said quickly, it’s roughly: "dee-luhb-er-ayt-lee"

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • The "lib" sound: This is the key. Practice saying "luhb" repeatedly. It takes a little bit of mouth movement.
  • Stress: The primary stress is on the third syllable: “lib.”
  • Smoothness: Don't chop the word up. Aim for a smooth, flowing pronunciation.

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some practice phrases using the word?

Usage and examples with the word deliberately in English

Let's break down how to use the word "deliberately" in English. It's a powerful word that emphasizes intention and conscious choice. Here's a breakdown of its usage, with examples:

1. Core Meaning:

  • Deliberately means "consciously and intentionally; planned and done with care and thought." It implies a decision to do something, rather than accidentally or by mistake.

2. Grammatical Usage:

  • Adverb: "Deliberately" is almost always used as an adverb, modifying a verb. It describes how something was done.
    • Example: "He deliberately broke the vase." (He did it on purpose, not accidentally.)

3. Common Uses & Examples:

  • Intentional Actions: This is the most frequent use.

    • "She deliberately chose the red dress." (She made a conscious choice.)
    • "The driver deliberately swerved to avoid the collision." (He took a planned action.)
    • "They deliberately spread rumors to discredit him." (They acted with a specific, malicious purpose.)

  • Careful Planning: When highlighting careful thought and preparation.

    • "He deliberately practiced his speech for hours." (He put in a lot of effort and thought.)
    • “The architect deliberately designed the building to maximize sunlight." (Thoughtful design.)

  • Suspicious Behavior: “Deliberately” often suggests something hidden or suspicious.

    • “He deliberately avoided eye contact.” (Could mean he's hiding something.)
    • "The company deliberately obscured the financial details." (Suggests an attempt to mislead.)

  • Figurative Use (more advanced): Sometimes, it can be used more creatively to describe a carefully crafted impression or a strategic approach.

    • "She deliberately cultivated a calm and friendly demeanor." (She consciously created that appearance.)

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Purposefully
  • Intentionally
  • Consciously
  • Aimed
  • Carefully
  • On purpose

5. Distinguishing from Similar Words:

  • Accidentally: Means happening by chance; unintentionally.
  • Unintentionally: Similar to accidentally.
  • Carefully: Emphasizes thoroughness and attention to detail, but doesn't necessarily imply a specific purpose.

6. Negative Connotations:

Be aware that "deliberately" can carry a negative connotation, especially when describing harmful or malicious actions. It implies a conscious choice to do something wrong, damaging, or deceptive.

Examples Demonstrating Different Shades of Meaning:

  • Positive: “He deliberately chose to donate to the charity.” (Good intentions)
  • Neutral: “She deliberately crossed the street.” (Simple action, no hidden meaning)
  • Negative: “The hacker deliberately planted a virus on the computer.” (Malicious intent)

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a story, an email, a report?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you’re considering using “deliberately”?

Synonyms for the word deliberately

Practice with vocabulary deliberately

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The cybersecurity team concluded that the system malfunction was not accidental but was ____ engineered by an external threat actor.
  2. During the negotiation, the CEO chose to remain silent for a significant period, ____ creating an atmosphere of anticipation.
  3. Despite the challenging market conditions, the company managed to increase its revenue ____ over the past two quarters.
  4. The new policy document was structured ____, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding for all employees.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The project manager's decision to delay the launch was not a spontaneous reaction but a well-thought-out strategy. a) impulsively b) accidentally c) deliberately d) coincidentally

  2. The speaker paused, allowing the audience to absorb the weight of his words, a move that felt quite ____. a) unintentionally b) by chance c) spontaneously d) calculated e) deliberately

  3. The research team chose to exclude certain variables from their analysis, understanding the potential impact on the results. Which word(s) best describe(s) their action? a) inadvertently b) carelessly c) with intent d) by accident e) deliberately

  4. Despite the tight deadline, the graphic designer proceeded with extreme attention to detail, ensuring every element was perfectly aligned. a) hastily b) recklessly c) meticulously d) impulsively

  5. The groundbreaking discovery emerged quite ____ during an unrelated experiment, surprising the entire scientific community. a) consciously b) by design c) spontaneously d) on purpose

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee intentionally omitted sensitive details from the public report to protect privacy. (Rewrite using "deliberately")
  2. The architect made a very careful and considered choice regarding the building's unconventional design. (Rewrite using a related form of "deliberately")
  3. His remarks, though poorly phrased, were not meant to offend anyone. (Rewrite without "deliberately" but with a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The cybersecurity team concluded that the system malfunction was not accidental but was deliberately engineered by an external threat actor.
  2. During the negotiation, the CEO chose to remain silent for a significant period, deliberately creating an atmosphere of anticipation.
  3. Despite the challenging market conditions, the company managed to increase its revenue steadily over the past two quarters.
  4. The new policy document was structured logically, ensuring clarity and ease of understanding for all employees.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) deliberately
  2. d) calculated, e) deliberately
  3. c) with intent, e) deliberately
  4. c) meticulously
  5. c) spontaneously

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee deliberately omitted sensitive details from the public report to protect privacy.
  2. The architect made a very deliberate choice regarding the building's unconventional design. (Alternative: The architect's choice regarding the building's unconventional design was made with great deliberation.)
  3. His remarks, though poorly phrased, were not unintended to offend anyone. (Alternative: His remarks, though poorly phrased, were not meant to offend anyone. / His remarks, though poorly phrased, were unintentionally offensive.)

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