What is grade? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of grade

gradenoun

/ɡreɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of grade

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "grade" in English. There are a couple of slightly different ways it's pronounced, depending on where you are and what you're referring to. Here's a breakdown:

1. Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /ɡreɪd/
  • How it sounds: It's pronounced like "grayd." The emphasis is on the "gray" part.
    • "g" - Like the "g" in "go"
    • "r" - A short, quick "r" sound (almost like a slight "d" sound) - this is the trickiest part for some! Don't overemphasize it.
    • "ay" - As in "say" or "day" (the vowel sound)

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • IPA: /ɡreɪd/
  • How it sounds: It's pronounced more like "greed."
    • "g" - Like the "g" in "go"
    • "r" - A more distinct "r" sound (like in "red")
    • "ay" - As in "say" or "day"

Here's a quick audio comparison to help you hear the difference:

Tips for American pronunciation:

  • The "r" sound is key. Don't pronounce it as a full "r" as in "red." It's much softer and quickly blended into the "a" sound.
  • Focus on the "gray" rhythm. Think of it as saying "grayd."

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

  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)
  • What is the context you'll be using the word in? (e.g., school, grades on a report card, a specific subject)

Usage and examples with the word grade in English

Let's break down how to use the word "grade" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. As a Verb (to assess/evaluate):

  • Meaning: To formally evaluate something (usually work, performance, or a student's learning) and assign a score or mark.
  • Examples:
    • "The teacher will grade the students' essays this week." (She’ll evaluate them and give them marks.)
    • "I need to grade these tests before I return them to the class."
    • "The professor is known for her rigorous grading standards."
    • "Do you grade your own work?" (Are you reviewing it and assigning a score to it?)

2. As a Noun (a score/mark/classification):

  • Meaning: The specific score or mark given in an evaluation.
  • Examples:
    • "She received an 'A' grade on the exam." (She got an A.)
    • "My report got a low grade." (I received a bad mark.)
    • "The students are striving for high grades." (They're aiming for good scores.)
    • "The school uses a letter grade system: A, B, C, D, and F."

3. As a Noun (a rank/category - often used in agriculture/forestry):

  • Meaning: A level or category of something, usually relating to the maturity or quality of crops or trees.
  • Examples:
    • "The grapes are in a high grade." (They're of excellent quality.)
    • "The lumber is graded for strength." (It's classified based on how strong it is.)
    • "This wheat is a second grade." (It's not the highest quality.)

4. As a Noun (a category of fruit or vegetable):

  • Meaning: A specific type or category of fruit or vegetable, often distinguished by size, shape, or color.
  • Examples:
    • “These apples are a ‘Grades’ variety.” (A specific type of apple)
    • “The farmer sorts his produce by grade.”

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To evaluate and assign a score "The teacher graded the test."
Noun A score or mark "He got a good grade on the test."
Noun Rank/Category (crops, forestry) "The apples were graded by size."
Noun Category of fruit/vegetable "These are Grade A tomatoes."

Tips for Using "Grade":

  • Context is key: The meaning of "grade" will be clear from the surrounding words.
  • Think about the subject: Is it about schoolwork, crops, or something else?

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of a specific use of "grade"?
  • Explain how "grade" is used in a particular context (e.g., education, agriculture)?

Synonyms for the word grade

Idioms of the word grade

be above/beyond somebody's pay grade
to be a decision or an area of work that somebody does not have the authority or expert knowledge to deal with
  • This decision is above my pay grade.
make the grade
(informal)to reach the necessary standard; to succeed
  • About 10 per cent of trainees fail to make the grade.

Practice with vocabulary grade

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete the sentences with the most appropriate word.

  1. After weeks of studying, she was hoping for a top ____ in her calculus exam.
  2. The architect specified only the highest ____ steel for the building's structural framework.
  3. The manager gave constructive ____ to the new employees on their project presentations.
  4. Before making a final decision, the committee conducted a thorough ____ of all proposals.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

Select the best word(s) to complete each sentence. There may be multiple correct answers for some questions.

  1. Which of the following words can describe the quality or level of a product? a) mark b) rank c) standard d) grade e) type

  2. If you "make the ____", it means you successfully reach the required standard or achieve success. a) cut b) effort c) grade d) point

  3. Which of these actions relates to evaluating a student's academic performance? a) assess b) mark c) grade d) revise e) audit

  4. To give a general overview of a document's content, you would typically write a ____. a) summary b) critique c) outline d) draft

  5. Before receiving their final academic results, students often check their provisional ____ online. a) feedback b) scores c) comments d) progress

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

Rewrite the following sentences according to the instructions.

  1. The quality of the raw materials used in this product is exceptionally high. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "grade".)

  2. The professor is currently marking all the essays from the final exam. (Rewrite the sentence using a form of "grade".)

  3. The steep incline of the mountain road made driving difficult. (Rewrite the sentence, replacing "incline" with a suitable alternative word that is NOT "grade".)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. grade
  2. grade
  3. feedback
  4. assessment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) rank, c) standard, d) grade
  2. c) grade
  3. a) assess, b) mark, c) grade
  4. a) summary
  5. b) scores

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The raw materials used in this product are of an exceptionally high grade.
  2. The professor is currently grading all the essays from the final exam.
  3. The steep slope of the mountain road made driving difficult.

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