What is guarantee? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of guarantee

guaranteenoun/verb

/ˌɡarənˈtiː/
Definition & pronunciation of guarantee

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "guarantee" in English. It's a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown with phonetic spelling and tips:

Phonetic Spelling (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈɡærənˌtee/

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • gar-: Sounds like "gar" as in "garden." (Short "a" sound)
  • an-: Sounds like "an" as in "apple." (Short "a" sound)
  • tee: Sounds like "tee" as in "tea." (Short "ee" sound)

Putting it together:

It’s generally pronounced as "GAR-an-tee"

Here's a more descriptive breakdown for a non-IPA speaker:

  1. "Gar": Make a short "a" sound, like in the word "car".
  2. "An": Say "an" like in the word "apple".
  3. "Tee": Say "tee" like in the word "tea".

Tips for getting it right:

  • Emphasis: The primary stress is on the second syllable ("an"). So you want to say "GAR-an-tee" - with a slight emphasis on the "an".
  • Don't over-emphasize the "guar-" part: It's often shortened to just "gar".
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some good resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "guarantee" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
    • Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guarantee (Click the audio icon)
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%E2%80%98guarantee%E2%80%99/ (This website has pronunciations from native speakers)

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a sentence using "guarantee" so you can practice saying it in context?

Usage and examples with the word guarantee in English

Let's break down how to use the word "guarantee" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and ways to incorporate it into your sentences.

1. As a Verb (To Promise or Assure):

  • Meaning: To promise that something will happen or be the case; to assure someone that you will provide a certain result.
  • Examples:
    • “The company guarantees satisfaction with their product.” (They promise you'll be happy.)
    • “I guarantee I'll finish the report by tomorrow.” (I promise you I will.)
    • "He guaranteed her a good time." (He promised to make sure she had a fun experience.)
    • “The investors guaranteed the project funding.” (They assured the project would get the necessary money.)

2. As a Noun (A Promise or Assurance):

  • Meaning: A promise or assurance, often involving a refund or replacement if something isn't satisfactory.
  • Examples:
    • “The product came with a one-year guarantee.” (A formal promise of quality and repair.)
    • “She accepted the guarantee of his love.” (She accepted his promise to love her.)
    • "They offer a money-back guarantee." (They promise a refund if you’re not happy.)
    • "Read the terms and conditions carefully, especially the guarantee clause." (This refers to the specific promise about warranty)

3. More Informal Uses & Nuances:

  • “I guarantee it!”: This is a very common, slightly exaggerated phrase used to emphasize a strong certainty or truth. It’s often used playfully or to express confidence.
    • “I guarantee that movie is the best you’ll ever see!”
  • “I guarantee you'll love it!”: Used to express confidence and encourage someone to try something.

Here’s a breakdown of common phrases using “guarantee”:

  • Money-back guarantee: A promise to refund your money if you’re not satisfied with a product or service.
  • Satisfaction guarantee: A promise that you'll be happy with the product or service.
  • Lifetime guarantee: A guarantee that lasts for an indefinite period.
  • Full guarantee: A comprehensive guarantee covering all aspects of the product or service.

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is key: The precise meaning of "guarantee" depends on the context in which it's used.
  • Specificity: A good guarantee is specific. It should clearly state what is guaranteed (e.g., "guarantee of quality," "guarantee of delivery within 3 days").
  • Limitations: Guarantees often have limitations (e.g., "guarantee void if product is damaged by misuse"). It is good practice to understand these limitations.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to use "guarantee" in? (e.g., writing an email, giving a presentation, talking to a friend?)

Synonyms for the word guarantee

Idioms of the word guarantee

be guaranteed to do something
to be certain to have a particular result
  • If we try to keep it a secret, she's guaranteed to find out.
  • That kind of behaviour is guaranteed to make him angry.
  • The film is virtually guaranteed to do well at the box office.

Practice with vocabulary guarantee

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company bylaws ______ that all major decisions require a two-thirds majority vote from shareholders.
  2. Purchasing extended insurance provides a ______ of repair or replacement for faulty components.
  3. We need to ______ that all team members understand the project's revised deadlines.
  4. Before signing, always review the fine print to understand the full scope of the product's ______ or service agreement.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The company bylaws ______ that all major decisions require a two-thirds majority vote from shareholders. a) ensure b) guarantee c) stipulate d) mandate

  2. When purchasing a new car, a comprehensive ______ usually covers major mechanical failures for a specified period. a) assurance b) warranty c) promise d) guarantee

  3. The success of the marketing campaign doesn't ______ a significant increase in sales, but it certainly helps. a) assure b) guarantee c) certify d) ensure

  4. To effectively manage the project, team leaders must ______ responsibilities clearly among members. a) delegate b) assign c) allocate d) distribute

  5. The committee needs to ______ a comprehensive report on the economic impact of the new policy by next month. a) present b) compile c) submit d) develop

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We are committed to delivering high-quality products and excellent customer service. Rewrite: (Use "guarantee" or a related word form.)

  2. Original: There is no certainty that the merger will be approved by regulatory bodies. Rewrite: (Use "guarantee" or a related word form.)

  3. Original: We must ensure that all financial transactions are secure and compliant with regulations. Rewrite: (Do NOT use "guarantee"; use a suitable replacement word.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. guarantee
  2. guarantee
  3. ensure
  4. warranty

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) guarantee, c) stipulate, d) mandate (These three are all strong fits, with "guarantee" emphasizing the binding nature, "stipulate" emphasizing a condition, and "mandate" emphasizing an official requirement.)
  2. b) warranty, d) guarantee (A warranty is a specific type of guarantee, so both are correct here.)
  3. b) guarantee
  4. a) delegate, b) assign, c) allocate (All three are suitable depending on the nuance, with "delegate" often implying authority transfer, "assign" a task, and "allocate" a portion.)
  5. b) compile, d) develop (These two best describe the creation of the report.)

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Our commitment to high-quality products and excellent customer service serves as a guarantee of customer satisfaction.
  2. The approval of the merger by regulatory bodies is not guaranteed.
  3. We must safeguard all financial transactions to ensure compliance with regulations.

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