What is development? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of development

developmentnoun

/dɪˈvɛləpm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of development

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "development" in English. It’s a tricky word! Here's a breakdown with different levels of detail:

1. The Basic Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • deh-VEL-oh-pment

Let's break that down:

  • deh: Like the "de" in "desk" - a short, clear "d" sound.
  • VEL: This is often where people stumble. It's a stressed syllable and sounds like "vel" as in "velvet," but shorter and crisper. Think of it as a quick, single syllable.
  • oh: As in "go" or "no."
  • pment: Pronounced like "pment" as in "employment."

2. A Slightly More Detailed Breakdown (for extra clarity):

  • deh-VEL-oh-pment – emphasize the "VEL" syllable.
  • "Vel" sound: This isn't exactly like "velvet." It's a bit more clipped and subtle. You can almost think of it as merging the "v" and "el" sounds.
  • "pment" – Don’t over-elongate this syllable.

3. Resources to Hear It:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Stress: Put the emphasis on the second syllable ("vel").
  • Don't over-vowel: The "vel" syllable shouldn't be drawn out like you would with a word like "velvet."
  • Listen and Repeat: The best way to learn is to hear the word spoken correctly and then practice saying it yourself.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some common mistakes people make?

Usage and examples with the word development in English

Let's break down how to use the word "development" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown by category, with examples:

1. Growth & Progression (Most Common)

  • Meaning: The process of becoming more mature, sophisticated, or advanced. It refers to change over time.
  • Examples:
    • "The company is undergoing significant development." (Meaning: it's growing and changing.)
    • "His musical development was remarkable throughout his career." (Meaning: his skills and understanding grew.)
    • “Early childhood development is crucial for a child’s future.” (Meaning: the process of a child’s growth and learning.)
    • "The village has seen a lot of development in recent years." (Meaning: it's become more modern and improved.)

2. Building & Construction

  • Meaning: The act of constructing or building something.
  • Examples:
    • "The development of the new shopping center will create hundreds of jobs." (Referring to the building process)
    • “They are planning the development of a new park.” (Referring to the construction)
    • "Infrastructure development is essential for economic growth." (Roads, bridges, etc.)

3. Planning & Projects

  • Meaning: A planned project or initiative. Often used in business or urban planning.
  • Examples:
    • "The development of the software has been delayed." (Referring to the project itself)
    • "This is a major project in the company’s development strategy." (A strategic plan for growth)
    • "The city council approved the development plan for the downtown area.” (A proposal for how the area will change.)

4. Evolution & Improvement (Especially in Skills or Ideas)

  • Meaning: The gradual process of becoming better or more refined.
  • Examples:
    • “Continuous development is key to staying competitive.” (Referring to improving skills)
    • “Her artistic development showed a clear progression in style.” (Meaning her style improved)
    • "The theory has gone through significant development since its initial publication." (Meaning it has been refined and expanded)

5. Biology (Less Common, more technical)

  • Meaning: The process of growth and maturation in living organisms.
  • Example: “Human brain development continues throughout life.”

Key Grammatical Points:

  • Noun: "Development" is most often used as a noun (a thing).
  • Verb: It can also be used as a verb, meaning “to develop” or “to cause to develop.”
    • "We are developing a new marketing campaign." (Meaning: creating a new campaign)
    • “She’s developing her skills in painting.” (Meaning: improving her skills)

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

The context of the sentence will usually make the meaning clear. Here are some tips:

  • Look for words related to growth, change, building, or planning. These often indicate the "growth & progression" meaning.
  • If it’s about construction or a specific project, it’s likely referring to building or development.
  • If it's about skills or ideas, it probably means "development" in the sense of improvement.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "development" in? (e.g., business, personal growth, construction, science?)

Synonyms for the word development

Practice with vocabulary development

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The rapid technological __________ has transformed global communication.
  2. Significant __________ in medical research have led to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
  3. Funding for the new urban housing __________ has been approved by the city council.
  4. The company's strategic __________ over the past decade has resulted in a 50% increase in market share.

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

  1. Which word best describes the process of creating a new software application? a) Deployment b) Development c) Destruction d) Deterrent

  2. Which terms are often used interchangeably to describe an increase in economic output and living standards in a country? a) Recession b) Growth c) Stagnation d) Development

  3. Which of the following words can describe a significant new event or change that impacts a situation? a) Incident b) Outcome c) Development d) Progression

  4. Which word describes the gradual change and adaptation of species over long periods? a) Evolution b) Revolution c) Resolution d) Regression

  5. When a company expands its operations into new markets, what is this process often called? a) Contraction b) Expansion c) Consolidation d) Progression

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "develop": Original: The team worked hard on creating the new product.

  2. Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "develop": Original: His skills have improved significantly since he started the training program.

  3. Rewrite the sentence, replacing "development" with a suitable alternative: Original: The development of the new policy took several months of extensive consultation.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The rapid technological development has transformed global communication.
  2. Significant advancements in medical research have led to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.
  3. Funding for the new urban housing development has been approved by the city council.
  4. The company's strategic growth over the past decade has resulted in a 50% increase in market share.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Development
  2. b) Growth, d) Development
  3. a) Incident, c) Development, d) Progression
  4. a) Evolution
  5. b) Expansion

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team dedicated itself to the development of the new product.
  2. His skills have undergone significant development since he started the training program.
  3. The formulation of the new policy took several months of extensive consultation.

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