What is goods? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of goods

goodsnoun

/ɡʊdz/
Definition & pronunciation of goods

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "goods" in English. It's a tricky one because it's spelled like "good" but pronounced differently! Here's a breakdown:

The Pronunciation (Most Common): /ɡʊds/

  • "G": Pronounced like the "g" in "go" – a hard "g" sound.
  • "oo": Pronounced like the "oo" in "moon" or "food." It’s a short, rounded vowel sound.
  • "ds": Pronounced as two quick "d" sounds, blended together. It's almost like a very short "d-s."

Here's a breakdown with sounds:

  • ɡ (as in "go")
  • ʊ (as in "foot")
  • ds (quick "d-s" sound)

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Don't say "good." This is the biggest mistake people make.
  • Focus on the "oo" sound. Think "moon."
  • Practice the quick "d-s". It's a subtle sound, but important.

Resources to hear it:

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  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences where "goods" is used?

Usage and examples with the word goods in English

Let's break down how to use the word "goods" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings and usages. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. As a Plural of "Good": (Most Common)

  • Meaning: In this sense, "goods" means items for sale – things you buy and sell. This is the most frequent use.
  • Examples:
    • "We sell a wide range of goods, including electronics and clothing."
    • "The store specializes in handmade goods."
    • "He imported a shipment of high-quality goods from Italy."

2. Legal/Commercial Context - “Goods” in Contracts (Very Important)

  • Meaning: Specifically in legal and commercial documents, especially contracts, "goods" refers to tangible property that is bought and sold. It’s a formal, precise term. This is primarily used in international trade and shipping.
  • Examples:
    • “This contract covers the sale of goods conforming to [specific standards].”
    • "The Incoterms specify the responsibility for goods during transportation."
    • “The exporter is liable for the condition of the goods upon delivery.”
  • Why it’s important: Using "goods" in these contexts ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity when dealing with legal agreements involving tangible items.

3. General Meaning - Things or Items

  • Meaning: Occasionally, "goods" can be used more generally to mean things or items, though this is less common today.
  • Examples:
    • "He has a lot of goods to pack for the trip." (Meaning: a lot of things he needs to pack) – This usage is becoming less frequent.

4. Informal – “Stuff/Things” (Colloquial)

  • Meaning: Sometimes, in very informal conversation, "goods" is used almost like slang for “stuff” or “things”. It’s not standard English, and you’d mostly hear it in casual speech.
  • Example: “What goods are you bringing to the party?” (Meaning: what things are you bringing to the party?)

Key Differences & When to Use Which:

Usage Context Formality Example
Plural of "Good" Retail, General Sales Neutral "These are good goods."
Legal/Contractual International Trade Formal "The shipment of goods was delayed."
General Items Less Common Informal "He has a lot of goods to pack."
Slang Casual Conversation Very Informal “What goods are you bringing?”

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • In what context are you trying to use the word "goods"? (e.g., writing a business email, having a conversation, reading a legal document?)

Synonyms for the word goods

Idioms of the word goods

be the goods
(British English, informal)to be very good or impressive
    deliver the goods | come up with the goods
    (informal)to do what you have promised to do or what people expect or want you to do
    • We expected great things of the England team, but on the day they simply failed to deliver the goods.

    Practice with vocabulary goods

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The port handles a massive volume of imported and exported ____ daily, contributing significantly to the national economy.
    2. During the recent economic downturn, consumer spending on non-essential ____ saw a noticeable decline.
    3. The national economy is driven by both the production of physical ____ and the provision of intangible ____.
    4. Before shipping, each individual ____ in the consignment must be carefully inspected for quality assurance.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    Choose the most appropriate word(s) to complete each sentence. There may be multiple correct answers for some questions.

    1. The company specializes in the import and export of various _____, ranging from electronics to textiles. A. articles B. commodities C. goods D. services E. products

    2. The manufacturing sector reported a significant increase in orders for ______, indicating robust consumer confidence. A. durable goods B. quick assets C. perishable items D. intangible benefits E. industrial materials

    3. Proper inventory management is essential to prevent overstocking or shortages of _____ in the warehouse. A. supplies B. merchandise C. provisions D. goods E. wares

    4. The retail store strategically arranged its new _____ attractively on the shelves to entice shoppers and boost sales. A. inventory B. wares C. commodities D. stock E. merchandise

    5. Many modern economies are shifting from manufacturing-based industries to those primarily focused on providing professional _____. A. amenities B. utilities C. services D. deliverables E. provisions

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    Rewrite each sentence as instructed, maintaining the original meaning.

    1. Original: The company specializes in creating and selling tangible products, not providing assistance. Rewrite using "goods":
    2. Original: Customs officials thoroughly inspected the imported items. Rewrite using "goods":
    3. Original: The online store offers a diverse selection of products for various categories, from electronics to clothing. Rewrite WITHOUT using "goods" or "products":

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. goods
    2. goods
    3. goods, services
    4. product (or item)

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. C. goods, E. products (B. commodities is also plausible depending on context, but C and E are best for general range)
    2. A. durable goods
    3. B. merchandise, D. goods, E. wares
    4. B. wares, E. merchandise
    5. C. services

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The company specializes in creating and selling goods, not providing services.
    2. Customs officials thoroughly inspected the imported goods.
    3. The online store offers a diverse selection of merchandise for various categories, from electronics to clothing.

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