What is fund? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of fund

fundnoun

/fʌnd/
Definition & pronunciation of fund

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "fund" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on the context!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (as in "investment fund"):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈfʌnd/ (rhymes with "band" or "sand")
  • Breakdown:
    • ˈfʌn: This part is key. It’s pronounced like “fun” but with a shorter “u” sound. The stress (emphasis) is on the first syllable.
    • d: The "d" is silent.

2. The Less Common Pronunciation (as in "a small sum of money"):

  • Pronunciation: /fʌnd/ (rhymes with "hound")
  • Breakdown:
    • fʌn: This is exactly the same as in the first pronunciation – the “fun” sound with the shorter “u.”
    • d: The "d" is silent.

Here's a helpful way to visualize it:

  • "Investment Fund" - Think of the word "fun" but without the “oo” sound.
  • "Small sum of money" - Think of the word "hound" but without the "o" sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you the perfect pronunciation guide, could you tell me:

  • What kind of "fund" are you referring to? (e.g., an investment fund, a charitable fund, a small amount of money?)

Usage and examples with the word fund in English

Let's break down how to use the word "fund" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (the most common usage):

  • A Collection of Money: This is the primary meaning. A fund is a collection of money set aside for a specific purpose.

    • Examples:
      • "We need to raise funds for the new school library." (Raising the money)
      • “The charity relies on private funds to support its programs.” (The money itself)
      • "The company established a research fund for developing new medications." (Money dedicated to research)
      • “She created an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.” (Savings specifically for emergencies)

  • Specific Types of Funds:

    • Government Fund: Money held by a government for a particular purpose (e.g., a pension fund, a defense fund).
    • Endowment Fund: A large, permanent fund, often from donations, that provides a regular income (e.g., for a university or museum).
    • Investment Fund (Mutual Fund, Hedge Fund): A collection of money from many investors that is pooled together and managed by a professional fund manager.
    • Grant Fund: Money awarded by a foundation or government for a specific project.

2. As a Verb (Less Common):

  • To Provide Financial Support: "Fund" as a verb means to provide money to support something.
    • Examples:
      • "The government will fund the new transportation project." (Provide money for)
      • "The organization is seeking to fund its outreach programs." (Raise the necessary money)
      • “Scientists are funding research into renewable energy.” (Supporting the research financially)

3. Phrases with "Fund":

  • Raise Funds: To collect money. "We're holding a bake sale to raise funds for the animal shelter."
  • Seek Funds: To ask for money. "The non-profit organization is seeking funds to expand its services."
  • Allocate Funds: To distribute money to different areas or projects. "The budget committee will allocate funds to various departments."
  • Match Funds: To donate money that will be matched by another source (e.g., a corporate grant). “The foundation will match all donations up to $100,000.”

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Noun A collection of money "The school relies on annual fundraising."
Noun A specific type of money collection "An endowment fund provides scholarships."
Verb To provide financial support “The company will fund the research.”

Tips for Using "Fund" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "fund" is almost always determined by the context.
  • Consider the Purpose: What is the money intended for? This dictates the type of fund you’re referring to.
  • Synonyms: Sometimes, a synonym might be clearer: "money," "resources," "capital," "support."

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of "fund" in a specific context (e.g., business, education, healthcare)?
  • Explain a particular type of fund in more detail (e.g., endowment funds)?
  • Help you write a sentence using "fund" correctly?

Synonyms for the word fund

Practice with vocabulary fund

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. To ensure the long-term viability of the research initiative, the organization sought to establish a dedicated ______ for its operational costs.
  2. The company aims to ______ its expansion into new markets through a combination of internal capital and external investment.
  3. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to ______ all the necessary equipment and personnel for the upcoming conference.
  4. The board decided to significantly ______ the budget for employee training and professional development next year.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select all the words that best complete the following sentences. There may be more than one correct answer.

  1. The startup's primary goal for the next quarter is to successfully ______ its first round of seed capital from angel investors. a) secure b) fund c) obtain d) finance
  2. Universities often rely on an ______ to support scholarships and academic programs indefinitely. a) endowment b) fund c) grant d) subsidy
  3. Which of the following describes the act of providing financial resources for a particular purpose? a) to finance b) to fund c) to capitalize d) to invest
  4. Before implementing the new welfare program, the government had to ______ sufficient ______ to support its beneficiaries. a) raise / capital b) acquire / assets c) secure / resources d) gather / finances
  5. Small businesses can apply for a government ______ or a bank ______ to help them grow and create jobs. a) loan / assistance b) grant / loan c) backing / capital d) subsidy / credit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions provided, keeping the original meaning as close as possible.

  1. The non-profit organization successfully collected enough money to launch its new educational program. (Rewrite using a form of "fund")
  2. The venture capitalist firm is considering providing financial support for several innovative tech projects. (Rewrite using a form of "fund")
  3. The company decided to allocate a significant portion of its earnings to research and development. (Rewrite without using any form of "fund")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To ensure the long-term viability of the research initiative, the organization sought to establish a dedicated fund for its operational costs.
  2. The company aims to fund its expansion into new markets through a combination of internal capital and external investment.
  3. Despite initial setbacks, the team managed to acquire all the necessary equipment and personnel for the upcoming conference.
  4. The board decided to significantly increase the budget for employee training and professional development next year.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The startup's primary goal for the next quarter is to successfully ______ its first round of seed capital from angel investors. a) secure b) fund c) obtain d) finance Answer: a) secure, b) fund, c) obtain, d) finance
  2. Universities often rely on an ______ to support scholarships and academic programs indefinitely. a) endowment b) fund c) grant d) subsidy Answer: a) endowment, b) fund
  3. Which of the following describes the act of providing financial resources for a particular purpose? a) to finance b) to fund c) to capitalize d) to invest Answer: a) to finance, b) to fund, c) to capitalize, d) to invest
  4. Before implementing the new welfare program, the government had to ______ sufficient ______ to support its beneficiaries. a) raise / capital b) acquire / assets c) secure / resources d) gather / finances Answer: a) raise / capital, c) secure / resources, d) gather / finances
  5. Small businesses can apply for a government ______ or a bank ______ to help them grow and create jobs. a) loan / assistance b) grant / loan c) backing / capital d) subsidy / credit Answer: b) grant / loan, d) subsidy / credit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The non-profit organization successfully collected enough money to launch its new educational program. Rewrite: The non-profit organization successfully funded its new educational program. / The non-profit organization successfully raised funds to launch its new educational program.
  2. The venture capitalist firm is considering providing financial support for several innovative tech projects. Rewrite: The venture capitalist firm is considering funding several innovative tech projects. / The venture capitalist firm is considering providing funding for several innovative tech projects.
  3. The company decided to allocate a significant portion of its earnings to research and development. Rewrite: The company decided to dedicate a significant portion of its earnings to research and development. / The company decided to devote a significant portion of its earnings to research and development.

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