What is detriment? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of detriment

detrimentnoun

/ˈdetrɪmənt//ˈdetrɪmənt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "detriment." Here's a detailed guide:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

The word is divided into three syllables:

  • det - like the word "debt"
  • ri - like the letter "R"
  • ment - like the word "moment"

2. Phonetic Transcription (approximate):

This is a more technical way to represent the sounds, but it's helpful for accuracy:

/dɪˈtrɪmən/

Let's break that down:

  • dɪ: Like the "di" in "did." A short "i" sound.
  • ˈtrɪ: This is the stressed syllable. "Tri" - the "i" is pronounced like the "i" in "bit." The stress is on this syllable.
  • mən: Like "mon" - with a short "u" sound.

3. A Step-by-Step Pronunciation Guide:

  1. Start with "det": Say "debt" clearly.
  2. Add "ri": Now, say "ri" – like the letter R. Make sure you roll your "r" lightly if you can – it's not a forceful, guttural "r" like in Spanish.
  3. Finish with "ment": Say “moment” clearly.

Putting it all together, smoothly:

"Di-tri-men" (emphasizing the "tri")

Tips for sounding correct:

  • Stress: The emphasis is clearly on the second syllable ("tri").
  • "R" sound: Keep the "r" in "ri" relatively soft and blended with the vowel sound. Don’t over-emphasize it.
  • Vowel Sounds: Make sure your “i” sounds are short and crisp.

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Say it out loud?
  • Give you some example sentences using "detriment"?

Usage and examples with the word detriment in English

Let's break down how to use the word "detriment" in English. It's a fairly formal word, and understanding its nuances is key to using it correctly.

1. Core Meaning:

At its most basic, "detriment" means harm, damage, or disadvantage. It suggests something negative that causes loss or injury.

2. Parts of Speech & Grammatical Forms:

  • Noun: This is the most common usage. It refers to the thing that causes harm.
    • Example: "The pollution caused significant detriment to the environment."
  • Verb: Less common, but it means to cause harm or impose a disadvantage.
    • Example: "The new regulations will detriment small businesses." (meaning: will harm small businesses)

3. How to Use It Effectively – Examples & Scenarios:

Here's a breakdown of how to incorporate "detriment" into sentences, with different contexts:

  • Physical Harm/Damage:

    • "The storm inflicted considerable detriment on the coastal town, damaging homes and infrastructure."
    • “He suffered a minor detriment to his hearing after the accident.”

  • Emotional/Psychological Harm:

    • "The constant criticism caused a deep detriment to her self-esteem."
    • "There’s a potential detriment to children’s development from spending too much time on screens."

  • Financial/Economic Harm:

    • "The company’s poor investments resulted in significant financial detriment."
    • “Rising interest rates could cause detriment to the housing market.”

  • Loss of Benefit/Advantage:

    • “There’s a detriment to using a single-speed bike – you lose the ability to climb hills efficiently.”
    • “Delaying the project will cause detriment to our timeline.” (Here, it’s a harm to the timeline.)

  • Formal Writing (Contracts, Legal Documents, Academic Papers): "Detriment" is frequently used in formal writing to describe negative consequences or disadvantages.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Harm
  • Damage
  • Injury
  • Loss
  • Disadvantage
  • Negative impact
  • Impairment

5. Considerations & Nuances:

  • Severity: "Detriment" can range from minor inconvenience to serious harm. The context will usually make the extent of the harm clear.
  • Formal Tone: It's a more formal word than "harm" or "problem." Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

6. Examples Putting it Together:

  • "The lack of funding represents a serious detriment to the school’s ability to provide a quality education."
  • “He experienced a significant detriment to his career due to the company’s downsizing.”
  • “The new policy could cause unforeseen detriment to the employees’ morale."

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., essay, report, creative writing, email?)
  • Can you provide a sentence or situation where you're considering using the word "detriment"?

Synonyms for the word detriment

Idioms of the word detriment

to the detriment of somebody/something | to somebody's/something’s detriment
resulting in harm or damage to somebody/something
  • He was engrossed in his job to the detriment of his health.
without detriment (to somebody/something)
not resulting in harm or damage to somebody/something
  • This tax cannot be introduced without detriment to people’s living standards.

Practice with vocabulary detriment

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The rapid expansion of the business, though initially profitable, eventually operated to the _____ of its core values and product quality.
  2. A major _____ of this proposed solution is its exorbitant implementation cost.
  3. Prioritizing short-term gains at the _____ of long-term sustainability is a common pitfall for many startups.
  4. The sudden policy change led to significant _____ across all operational departments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The new policy, aimed at increasing productivity, inadvertently came at the _____ of employee well-being and morale. A) advantage B) improvement C) detriment D) benefit E) gain

  2. Which of the following words describe a negative impact or disadvantage? A) boon B) drawback C) impediment D) detriment E) asset

  3. The company's decision to prioritize rapid market share expansion often worked _____ its reputation for quality and customer service. A) to the benefit of B) in favor of C) to the detriment of D) as an advantage for

  4. The strict penalties implemented by the government serve as a strong _____ to potential offenders. A) determinant B) deterrent C) detriment D) devotion

  5. Lack of robust data security measures poses a significant _____ to any organization handling sensitive information. A) opportunity B) asset C) vulnerability D) strength

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The company's outdated technology infrastructure significantly harmed its operational efficiency. Rewrite using "detriment" or a related word form:

  2. Original: Ignoring employee feedback can damage team morale and productivity. Rewrite using "detriment" or a related word form:

  3. Original: The unexpected economic downturn posed a considerable challenge for new businesses. Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "detriment"):

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. detriment
  2. drawback
  3. detriment
  4. disruption

Exercise 2:

  1. C) detriment
  2. B) drawback, C) impediment, D) detriment
  3. C) to the detriment of
  4. B) deterrent
  5. C) vulnerability

Exercise 3:

  1. The company's outdated technology infrastructure was a significant detriment to its operational efficiency.
  2. Ignoring employee feedback can be to the detriment of team morale and productivity.
  3. The unexpected economic downturn presented a considerable obstacle for new businesses.

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