What is fortnight? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of fortnight

fortnightnoun

/ˈfɔːtnʌɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of fortnight

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

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈfɔːrˌtɜːnɪt/ (British English)

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "For": Pronounced like the word "for" – as in, “for you.” (/ˈfɔːr/)
  2. "Tear-nit": This is the trickiest part!
    • "Tear": Pronounce it as if you're tearing something. It’s a short, sharp "teer" sound – similar to "tier" but with a shorter vowel. (/ˈtɜːr/)
    • "Nit": Pronounced like "nit" – as in, wool "nit." (/nɪt/)

Putting it together: "For-teer-nit"

Here's a helpful way to hear it:

Important Notes:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("for").
  • Linking: In fast speech, the "t" in "tear" often links with the "n" in "nit," creating a slight "tern" sound.

American English Pronunciation:

American English pronunciation tends to be slightly different:

  • /ˈfɔːrnɪt/

In American English, the "tear" part is often shortened to a simpler "for-nit" sound. It’s smoother and less emphasized.

To help me refine my advice, would you like me to:

  • compare the pronunciation differences in more detail?
  • provide practice words to help you distinguish the sounds?

Usage and examples with the word fortnight in English

Let's break down how to use "fortnight" in English. It's a word that's more common in British English than American English, but it's perfectly acceptable to use it in American contexts as well – just be aware it might sound a bit formal or old-fashioned.

1. What is a "Fortnight"?

  • Definition: A fortnight is a period of two weeks. It's an older word, derived from the Old French word "fort-nacht," meaning "four nights."

2. How to Use It:

  • Formal Writing & Speech: “Fortnight” is most often used in formal writing like newspapers, books, or official communications. It also comes up more frequently in British English conversation.

  • Informal Conversation: While perfectly understandable, using "fortnight" in casual conversation might make you sound a bit more educated or British. Most people will get it, but “two weeks” is perfectly fine in most situations.

3. Examples:

  • Formal: "The project is due to be completed in a fortnight."
  • Formal: "We’ll meet again in a fortnight."
  • British English (Conversation): "I'm going to take a fortnight's holiday." (meaning two weeks)
  • American English (Conversation - Less Common): "I'm going to take two weeks of vacation." (This is totally acceptable and far more natural.)

4. Grammar:

  • Noun: It’s almost always used as a noun – referring to the period of time.

    • Example: "She spent a fortnight in Italy."

  • Adjective (Rare): You can use it as an adjective, but it's much less common. It describes something that lasts for two weeks.

    • Example: "a fortnight-long trip" (This is more formal and literary)

5. Comparison to “Two Weeks”:

Feature Fortnight Two Weeks
Formality More Formal More Informal
Commonality Less Common (US) Very Common
Origin Old French English

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • Explain how it differs in usage between British and American English?
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Synonyms for the word fortnight

Practice with vocabulary fortnight

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project team decided to review progress every _____, ensuring consistent updates.
  2. We typically hold our departmental meetings on a _____ basis to discuss ongoing issues.
  3. The company publishes its internal newsletter _____, providing updates to employees twice a month.
  4. The audit committee convenes _____, usually in March, June, September, and December, to oversee financial reporting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Our software development sprints are structured to conclude and release new features every __________. a) month b) fortnight c) quarter d) half-year

  2. Which of these terms indicates a duration of two weeks? a) a fortnight b) two weeks c) a bi-weekly cycle d) a semi-monthly interval

  3. The board meeting is scheduled to reconvene in a __________ to finalize the acquisition details. a) few days b) fortnight c) year's time d) long stretch

  4. The company's financial report is published __________, meaning twice a year. a) annually b) biannually c) biennially d) semi-annually

  5. You must submit your travel expense claims __________ the end of the business trip. a) within a week b) by c) after d) over

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite the following sentence using a form of "fortnight": The committee convenes every two weeks to review project milestones.

  2. Rewrite the following sentence using "fortnight": I will be away on a business trip for a period of fourteen days, starting next Monday.

  3. Rewrite the following sentence without using "fortnight", but using a suitable replacement word: The team expects to complete the first phase of testing within two weeks.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. fortnight
  2. fortnight
  3. semi-monthly
  4. quarterly

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) fortnight
  2. a) a fortnight, b) two weeks
  3. b) fortnight
  4. b) biannually, d) semi-annually
  5. b) by

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The committee convenes fortnightly to review project milestones.
  2. I will be away on a business trip for a fortnight, starting next Monday.
  3. The team expects to complete the first phase of testing expeditiously.

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