What is emphasis? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of emphasis

emphasisnoun

/ˈɛmfəsɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of emphasis

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "emphasis." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

  • It's actually two syllables: em-pha-sis

2. Pronunciation Breakdown:

  • "Em": Pronounced like the word "them". It's a short, quick sound. (Think: /em/)

  • "pha": This is the tricky part. It’s a diphthong – a blended vowel sound. It sounds like the 'a' in "father" but shorter and more clipped. (Think: /fə/) The "ph" is pronounced as a "f" sound.

  • "sis": Pronounced exactly like the word "sist." (Think: /sɪs/)

3. Putting it Together:

The whole word flows together something like this: /em ˈfɑː.sɪs/

Here's a more detailed visual representation:

  • em (short 'e' sound) – /em/
  • pha (a short "f" followed by a blended "a" and "i" sound) – /fə/
  • sis (short 'i' sound) – /sɪs/

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The stressed syllable is the second syllable, "pha." So, you want to emphasize that syllable a bit more.

  • Listen to Examples: This is really helpful. Here are some resources:

    • Google Translate: Type "emphasis" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
    • Forvo: This website has pronunciations from native speakers: https://forvo.com/word/emphasis/
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce emphasis" on YouTube – you'll find numerous videos.

To help me give you even more tailored feedback, would you like me to:

  • Record myself saying it?
  • Focus on a particular aspect of the pronunciation (e.g., the "pha" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word emphasis in English

Let's break down how to use the word "emphasis" in English. It’s a versatile word with several related meanings.

1. As a Noun (the core meaning):

  • Definition: Emphasis refers to the act of stressing or highlighting something, making it more important. It's about drawing attention to a particular aspect.

  • Examples:

    • "The teacher used emphasis on the importance of studying." (Meaning: The teacher stressed the importance.)
    • “The report placed emphasis on the financial difficulties.” (Meaning: The report highlighted the financial difficulties as the most significant issue.)
    • “The artist used color and brushstrokes to create emphasis on the central figure.” (Meaning: The artist focused attention on the figure.)
    • “Her speech had a strong emphasis on community involvement.” (Meaning: She focused deeply on the need for community involvement.)

2. As a Verb (to place emphasis):

  • Definition: To emphasize means to draw attention to something, to stress it, or to make it prominent.

  • Examples:

    • "He emphasized the need for teamwork." (Meaning: He stressed the need for teamwork.)
    • “The director wanted to emphasize the suspenseful elements of the film.” (Meaning: The director wanted to make the suspenseful elements more noticeable.)
    • "Please emphasize that this is a confidential document." (Meaning: Please make it clear that this is a confidential document.)
    • "She emphasized her gratitude for the help she received." (Meaning: She stressed how thankful she was.)

3. Related Phrases and Usage:

  • Give emphasis to: “Let’s give emphasis to the positive aspects of the project.” (We should focus on the good parts.)
  • Place emphasis on: “The article placed emphasis on the scientific evidence.” (The article focused on the evidence.)
  • Draw emphasis on: “The speaker drew emphasis to the fact that the project was over budget.” (The speaker brought attention to the fact that it was over budget.)
  • With emphasis: "He told the story with emphasis." (He told the story stressing certain points.)

4. Synonyms:

  • Stress: (most common synonym) - "He stressed the importance of punctuality."
  • Highlight: - “She highlighted the key issues in her presentation.”
  • Focus: - “The debate focused on economic policy.”
  • Emphasize: (it’s a good synonym for itself!)

Tips for Using "Emphasis" Correctly:

  • Know the context: Consider what you want to convey – are you describing the act of stressing something, or referring to the act itself?
  • Combine it with other words: "He placed emphasis on detail,” “She emphasized her point,” “The report gave emphasis to cost.”
  • Don't overuse it: While it’s a useful word, too much emphasis on using “emphasis” can sound clunky. Sometimes, “stress,” “highlight,” or “focus” will be more natural.

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

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., essay, email, presentation, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with where you want to use "emphasis"?

Synonyms for the word emphasis

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