What is excursion? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of excursion

excursionnoun

/ɪkˈskəːʃn//ɛkˈskəːʃn/
Definition & pronunciation of excursion

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

1. The Core Sound:

  • "ex": This is pronounced like "eks" – as in "exit." It’s a clear, crisp "eks."
  • "cur": This is where most people stumble. It's not like "cur" as in "curtain." It's a sound closer to "kuh" but with a slightly more rounded "u" sound. Think of it as a short, quick "kuh."

2. The "sion" Ending:

  • "sion": This is pronounced like "shun." It's very similar to the word "motion."

Putting it all together:

The entire word is pronounced: eks-Kuh-shun

Here's a helpful breakdown with emphasis:

  • eks (short and sharp)
  • Kuh (brief, rounded “uh” sound)
  • shun (like "motion")

Resources to Listen:

Tips for Practicing:

  • Slow it down: Don’t rush! Focus on each syllable.
  • Record yourself: Hearing yourself speak can help you identify areas where you need to improve.
  • Repeat after a native speaker: Listen to the audio examples and try to mimic the sounds.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you a specific example sentence?
  • Focus on a particular part of the pronunciation (like the "cur" sound)?

Usage and examples with the word excursion in English

Let's break down how to use the word "excursion" in English. It's a versatile word with a specific meaning, but it can be used in a few different contexts.

1. Core Meaning: A Short Trip or Journey

  • Definition: An excursion is a short trip, usually for pleasure or education, typically undertaken as part of a larger activity or organized event. It's often outside of regular routines.

  • Examples:

    • "We took an excursion to the nearby botanical gardens." (A planned trip)
    • “The students went on an excursion to learn about local history.” (Educational trip)
    • “They planned an excursion to the coast for the weekend.” (Pleasure trip)

2. Different Ways to Use It - Nuances:

  • Part of a Larger Event: Excursions are often part of something bigger. Think of them as a side trip.

    • "The cruise included a day-long excursion to explore the old city." (The cruise is the main event, and the city visit is a related trip.)

  • Formal/Organized: "Excursion" often implies a planned and organized trip, sometimes by a group (school, tour company, etc.). It sounds a bit more formal than just saying "trip."

  • Short and Relatively Easy: It suggests a trip that isn't massively long or difficult. It’s not a backpacking trip through the wilderness.

3. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Trip
  • Outing
  • Journey
  • Visit
  • Tour
  • Expedition (This usually implies a more serious or exploratory journey)

4. Example Sentences (Variety):

  • “The company offered an excursion to a local winery.”
  • “The museum organized a school excursion for the children.”
  • “We had a lovely excursion to the countryside, filled with beautiful scenery.”
  • “A short excursion down the river by boat”
  • “The guide led an excursion through the historic district.”

5. Things to Note:

  • plural form: The plural is “excursions.” (e.g., "They planned several excursions.")

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a travel blog post, a school assignment, a casual conversation?)
  • What is the overall context? (e.g., are you talking about a family vacation, a school field trip, a hiking adventure?)

Synonyms for the word excursion

Practice with vocabulary excursion

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Our team plans an afternoon ____________ to the local factory to observe their production line.
  2. His daily ____________ to the city center takes over an hour by train.
  3. The university organized a cultural ____________ for international students to explore historical landmarks.
  4. The auditors conducted a thorough ____________ of the company's financial records.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. The museum offers a special guided tour, a short ____________ into ancient history. A. commute B. expedition C. excursion D. detour

  2. For our team-building event, we've planned a brief ____________ to the nearby nature reserve, including a light hike and picnic. A. excursion B. journey C. outing D. ramble

  3. Our department organizes an annual field ____________ to relevant industry sites for networking and learning. A. voyage B. excursion C. odyssey D. pilgrimage

  4. After months of meticulous planning, the scientific ____________ to the Arctic began. A. commute B. expedition C. trip D. stroll

  5. I need to make a quick ____________ to the bank before it closes. A. visit B. excursion C. expedition D. outing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Students went on a short organized trip to the art gallery to study modern sculptures. (Rewrite using a form of "excursion")

  2. Our research team made a brief investigative trip to the archives. (Rewrite using "excursion")

  3. The long journey across the desert was arduous but rewarding. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "excursion")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. excursion
  2. commute
  3. excursion
  4. investigation

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C. excursion
  2. A. excursion, C. outing
  3. B. excursion
  4. B. expedition
  5. A. visit, D. outing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. An organized excursion to the art gallery was arranged for students to study modern sculptures.
  2. The research team undertook a brief investigative excursion to the archives.
  3. The trek across the desert was arduous but rewarding.

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