What is document? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of document

documentnoun

/ˈdɒkjʊm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of document

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "document" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /dəˈment/ (duh-MENT)

Let's break that down further:

  • duh: Like the "duh" in "duh" itself. Short and simple.
  • MENT: This is the tricky part. The "ment" is pronounced like the word "men" (as in, "a group of men"). The vowel sound is similar to the "e" in "bed" but slightly shorter and more closed.

Here's a slightly more detailed phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

/dəˈment/

  • d - as in "dog"
  • ə - a very short, unstressed "uh" sound (like the "a" in "about")
  • ˈment - stress is on the second syllable. The "ment" is pronounced like "men."

Tips for improving your pronunciation:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "document"?

Usage and examples with the word document in English

Let's break down how to use the word "document" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. As a Noun (Most Common Use):

  • Official Record/Paper: This is the most frequent meaning. It refers to something written down that proves something is true or exists.

    • Example: "I need to document all the expenses for my business trip." (writing down the expenses)
    • Example: "The police examined the crime scene document for fingerprints." (a physical document found at the scene)
    • Example: "She’s writing a document detailing the company’s new policies." (a written report or set of instructions)
    • Example: "The legal team will document the evidence in court." (recording and preserving evidence)

  • Type of Document (Specific Formats): It can refer to specific types of written materials.

    • Example: "He prepared a resume document to send to potential employers." (a resume)
    • Example: “I’ve saved the file as a Word document.” (a .doc or .docx file)
    • Example: "She needs to draft a contract document." (creating a contract)
    • Example: “This is a research document outlining the findings of our study.” (research report)

2. As a Verb (Less Common, but Important):

  • To Record or Write Down: This means to create a record of something, often formally.
    • Example: "Please document all changes to the system." (record the changes)
    • Example: “The researcher documented his observations in a notebook.” (recorded his observations)
    • Example: “The historian documented the events of the war.” (recorded the events)

3. Figurative Uses:

  • To Explain or Clarify: It can mean to make something clear or understandable.
    • Example: "The salesman tried to document the benefits of the product." (explain the benefits)

Here's a table summarizing the different ways to use "document":

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun Official record/paper "I need to document the meeting notes."
Noun Type of document (resume, contract, etc.) “Save it as a PDF document.”
Verb To record or write down "Document your progress regularly."
Figurative To explain or clarify "He documented the complex process."

Tips for Using "Document" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "document" depends on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand what the speaker or writer means.
  • Formal Tone: "Document" often has a more formal tone than words like "record" or "write."
  • Beware of Double Meanings: Sometimes "document" can refer to a physical thing (like a file) and the act of recording something.

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., business, academic, creative?)
  • Is there a specific situation you're wondering about? (e.g., "How do I document my research findings?")

Synonyms for the word document

Practice with vocabulary document

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. All new hires must thoroughly read and understand the company's policy ____________ before signing their employment contract.
  2. The research team plans to ____________ the entire process of glacier melt over the next decade using time-lapse photography and sensor data.
  3. During the audit, the financial team was asked to provide a comprehensive ____________ of all transactions from the previous fiscal year.
  4. Please ensure all sensitive client ____________ is stored securely and accessed only by authorized personnel to maintain confidentiality.

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

  1. Which of the following would typically be considered an official "document" in a corporate setting? A) A casual email discussing weekend plans B) An internal memo outlining new safety procedures C) A handwritten grocery list D) A signed non-disclosure agreement E) A detailed project proposal draft submitted for review

  2. To successfully ______ your research findings, you should provide clear evidence and citations. A) publish B) document C) archive D) endorse E) substantiate

  3. The project manager requested that all team members ______ their progress regularly to ensure proper tracking and accountability. A) record B) note C) document D) summarize E) verbalize

  4. Before presenting your thesis, you must ensure all your sources are correctly ______ in the bibliography. A) cited B) quoted C) referenced D) acknowledged E) listed

  5. The IT department recommended that employees regularly ______ their important files to an external drive to prevent data loss. A) backup B) transfer C) save D) store E) protect

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company keeps a detailed record of all transactions for auditing purposes. (Rewrite the sentence using "document" or a related word form.)

  2. It is crucial to accurately put down in writing the findings of scientific experiments. (Rewrite the sentence using "document" or a related word form.)

  3. Please gather all the necessary papers for the visa application process. (Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "document" or any of its forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. document
  2. document
  3. report
  4. data

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B, D, E
  2. B, E
  3. A, C, D
  4. A, C, D, E
  5. A, B, C, D

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company carefully documents all financial transactions for auditing purposes. (Alternatively: The company maintains a detailed document of all financial transactions for auditing purposes.)
  2. Accurate documentation of scientific experiment findings is crucial. (Alternatively: It is crucial to accurately document the findings of scientific experiments.)
  3. Please gather all the necessary paperwork for the visa application process. (Alternatively: Please gather all the necessary forms for the visa application process.)

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