What is fully? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of fully

fullyadverb

/ˈfʊli/
Definition & pronunciation of fully

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fully" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced!

Here's the breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • ˈfʊli (This is using phonetics - a way to represent sounds)

Let's break it down further:

  1. "F": Pronounced as a standard "F" sound – like in "fun".

  2. "U": This is the tricky part. It's a short, almost "uh" sound. Think of the vowel in "but" or "cut". It's not like the "oo" in "food." It's a more open "uh".

  3. "L": Pronounced as a standard "L" sound – like in "light."

  4. "Y": This is the key! The "y" at the end acts like a "i" sound. It makes the word sound like you're saying "full-ee." It's the same "y" sound you’d use in words like “sky” or “myth.”

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Don't say "fool-ee." That's a very common mistake. The "oo" sound is incorrect.
  • Short "u" sound: Really focus on the short, almost "uh" sound in the middle.
  • Practice the "y" sound: Make sure you're pronouncing the "y" like in “sky.”

Resources for Listening:

  • Google Translate: Type "fully" into Google Translate, and click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/fully/ – This website provides pronunciations by native speakers.

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

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some common phrases that use "fully"?

Usage and examples with the word fully in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fully" in English. It's a relatively uncommon word, and it's often better to use alternative phrasing, but it has specific uses where it adds a particular emphasis.

1. As an Intensifier (Most Common Use)

  • Meaning: "Fully" primarily functions as an intensifier, meaning it strengthens the meaning of the word it precedes. It suggests completeness or thoroughness.
  • Examples:
    • "I am fully confident." (Much more emphatic than "I am confident.")
    • "She is fully aware of the situation." (Stronger than "She is aware.")
    • "The room is fully booked." (Means it's completely booked, no spaces remain.)
    • "He spoke fully and eloquently." (Means he spoke fluently and with great skill.)

2. After Certain Verbs (Less Common, More Formal)

  • Meaning: "Fully" can follow certain verbs to indicate a complete or thorough action. This usage is usually more formal than simply using the verb alone.
  • Examples:
    • "The committee fully investigated the allegations." (The investigation was complete and thorough.)
    • "The team fully supported the proposal." (They strongly and completely backed the proposal.)
    • "I fully understood his instructions." (I grasped them completely.)
    • “The company fully complied with the regulations.” (They met all the regulations requirements completely.)

3. With Adjectives (Rare, Often Better Alternatives)

  • Meaning: Occasionally, you might see "fully" used with an adjective, but this is less common and often sounds a bit stiff. It usually implies a complete or intense state.
  • Examples (Note: Often better phrasing is available):
    • "He was fully exhausted." (Better: “He was utterly exhausted.”)
    • "The house was fully decorated." (Better: “The house was completely decorated.”)

Important Notes & Cautions:

  • Overuse: "Fully" can sound a bit overly formal or even pretentious if used too frequently. Often, you can simply use the main verb to convey the same meaning.
  • Alternatives: Frequently, there are better and more natural-sounding ways to express the same idea. Consider these alternatives:
    • Instead of "fully confident," try: "completely confident," “absolutely confident,” “very confident.”
    • Instead of "fully investigated," try: “thoroughly investigated,” “completely investigated.”
    • Instead of “fully supported,” try: “strongly supported,” “completely supported.”

Here’s a table summarizing the uses:

Use Meaning Example Better Alternative
Intensifier Complete, thorough I am fully prepared. I am completely prepared.
After Verbs Complete action The police fully apprehended him. The police apprehended him completely.
With Adjectives Complete state He was fully aware. He was completely/utterly aware.

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., academic writing, casual conversation, a specific type of writing?)
  • Can you provide an example sentence you’re trying to improve?

Synonyms for the word fully

Practice with vocabulary fully

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The new software needs to be ______ integrated into our existing systems before its official launch.
  2. Employees must ______ understand the company's new remote work policy to ensure full compliance.
  3. Despite the extensive training, he only seems to have a ______ grasp of the complex procedure.
  4. We need to be ______ prepared for the upcoming external audit; no detail should be overlooked.

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

  1. Before making a decision, we need to ______ consider all the implications of this strategic shift. A) partially B) fully C) barely D) thoroughly E) completely
  2. The team's success depends on each member being ______ committed to the project goals. A) entirely B) loosely C) partially D) fully E) somewhat
  3. The new system is designed to automate routine processes, allowing employees to ______ focus on core tasks. A) entirely B) barely C) completely D) fully E) partially
  4. The consultant's report provided a ______ analysis of the market trends, leaving no stone unturned. A) superficial B) comprehensive C) brief D) exhaustive E) cursory
  5. She was ______ aware of the inherent risks involved in the high-stakes investment, but proceeded anyway. A) acutely B) hardly C) vaguely D) keenly E) slightly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We need to achieve complete integration of the new module into the existing system.
  2. The team members are expected to understand the project requirements in their entirety.
  3. The manager has made an absolute commitment to the project's success.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. fully
  2. fully
  3. partial
  4. thoroughly

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) fully, D) thoroughly, E) completely
  2. A) entirely, D) fully
  3. A) entirely, C) completely, D) fully
  4. B) comprehensive, D) exhaustive
  5. A) acutely, D) keenly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. We need to fully integrate the new module into the existing system.
  2. The team members are expected to fully understand the project requirements.
  3. The manager has made an unwavering commitment to the project's success.

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