What is diligence? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of diligence

diligencenoun

/ˈdɪlɪdʒəns//ˈdɪlɪdʒəns/

Okay, let's break down the pronunciation of "diligence":

Here's a phonetic breakdown and how to say it:

  • di - Pronounced like "dee" (as in "deep")
  • li - Pronounced like "lee" (as in "leaf")
  • gence - This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "juhns" (rhymes with "sun"). The "g" is silent.

Putting it all together:

dee-lee-juhns

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Usage and examples with the word diligence in English

Let's break down how to use the word "diligence" in English. It's a powerful word that describes a specific kind of effort and attitude.

1. Meaning:

  • Core Definition: Diligence means careful and persistent effort. It’s about doing things thoroughly, thoughtfully, and without being lazy or careless. It implies a commitment to doing a job well and to seeing it through to completion.
  • Beyond Just Hard Work: It’s not just about working hard. It's about working smart and carefully, paying attention to detail, and taking the necessary steps to achieve a goal.

2. How to Use It – Examples:

Here’s a breakdown of how to use “diligence” in different contexts, with examples:

  • As a Noun (the thing itself):

    • "Her diligence in studying led to her excellent grades." (Referring to her effort.)
    • "The company's diligence in researching the market ensured a successful launch." (Referring to their process.)
    • “He showed great diligence in reviewing the contract.” (Focusing on the careful attention he paid.)
  • As an Adjective (describing someone or something):

    • “She is a diligent worker.” (Describes her work ethic.)
    • “The diligent detective followed every lead.” (Describes the detective's careful and persistent approach.)
    • “They conducted a diligent investigation.” (Describes the thoroughness of the investigation.)
    • “A diligent student always completes their assignments on time.”

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Carefulness: This is a very close synonym.
  • Persistence: Highlights the continued effort.
  • Thoroughness: Emphasizes the completeness of the work.
  • Attention to detail: Focuses on the small, important aspects.
  • Industry: A more formal synonym, suggesting hard work.
  • Conscientiousness: Describes someone who is careful and responsible.

4. Common Phrases:

  • Show diligence: “Please show diligence in completing this report.” (Meaning: be careful and thorough.)
  • Apply diligence: “He applied diligence to solving the complex problem.” (Meaning: He tackled the problem with a systematic and careful approach.)
  • With diligence: “The research was conducted with diligence.” (Meaning: It was done carefully and thoroughly.)

5. Level of Formality:

“Diligence” is generally considered a more formal word. It’s perfectly acceptable in professional and academic contexts, but might feel a bit stiff in everyday conversation.


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