What is guard? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of guard

guardverb

/ɡɑːd/
Definition & pronunciation of guard

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "guard." There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends on whether you're talking about a protective person or a barrier.

1. As in "Protective Guard" (noun - a person):

  • ˈɡɑːrd (stress on the first syllable)
    • ɡ - Like the "g" in "go"
    • ɑː - This is a broad "ah" sound, like in "father" or "car." It's a longer, fuller vowel than a typical "a."
    • rd - Pronounced like "rd" in "bird"

2. As in "Guard" (noun - a barrier, wall, or defense):

  • ɡɑːrd (stress on the first syllable)
    • ɡ - Like the "g" in "go"
    • ɑː - Again, a broad "ah" sound (like "father").
    • rd - Pronounced like "rd" in "bird"

Here's a quick breakdown to help you:

Meaning Pronunciation Example
Protective Person ˈɡɑːrd "He’s a security guard."
Barrier/Defense ɡɑːrd "The guard protected the castle."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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

  • What context are you using the word "guard" in? (e.g., talking about a police officer, a wall, a defensive position?)

Usage and examples with the word guard in English

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

1. As a Verb (to protect/watch)

  • Meaning: To protect someone or something from harm or danger; to watch over carefully.
  • Examples:
    • "The soldiers guard the border." (protecting the border)
    • "She guards her privacy fiercely." (protects her privacy)
    • "The security guard guards the building." (watches over the building)
    • "He guards the entrance to the cave." (watches the entrance)
    • "A dog guards its owner." (protects its owner)

2. As a Noun (a person who protects/a barrier)

  • a) Security Guard: This is the most common usage.
    • "The police guard the museum during the exhibition."
    • "We need a guard to stand at the gate."
  • b) Guardian (of something): Someone who has care or protection over something.
    • "The forest is guarded by ancient spirits." (protected by spirits)
    • "He is the legal guard of her inheritance." (responsible for her inheritance)
  • c) Gate Guard/Turnstile Guard: (Specific to entrances)
    • "The guard checked our tickets at the turnstile."
  • d) Guard Post: A place where a guard is stationed.
    • "The guard post overlooked the entire city."

3. As a Noun (a defensive barrier/obstacle)

  • Meaning: Something that prevents entry or movement.
  • Examples:
    • "A wall guards the castle." (protects the castle)
    • "The dense forest guards the path." (blocks the path)
    • "A line of soldiers guards the road." (protects the road)
    • "The data is guarded with strong encryption." (protected through a barrier). Note: "Guarded" is a past participle used as an adjective here.

4. Less Common Usages

  • Guard (a shift): Referring to a period of time worked. "I'm working the night guard."
  • Guard (to protect carefully): “Guard your heart” (be careful with your emotions). This is a common idiom.

Key Differences & Similar Words:

  • Guard vs. Protect: "Protect" is often broader, while "guard" implies a more active, watchful role.
  • Guard vs. Defend: “Defend” suggests fighting against an attack. “Guard” is more about watching and preventing something from happening.
  • Guard vs. Secure: "Secure" implies making something safe or protected.

Tips for Using "Guard" Correctly:

  • Context is crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Think about the action: Are you describing someone doing the guarding, or are you describing something being guarded?

Can you give me a sentence where you want to use the word "guard" so I can help you tailor the usage to that specific situation? Or, do you have a particular usage you’d like me to explain in more detail?

Synonyms for the word guard

Idioms of the word guard

be on your guard
to be very careful and prepared for something difficult or dangerous
  • He was always on his guard against moneymaking schemes.
drop your guard
to stop being careful and preparing yourself for possible danger or difficulty
  • You can never drop your guard with a two-year-old.
  • Even when he's winning, he never drops his guard.
mount/stand/keep guard (over somebody/something)
to watch or protect somebody/something
  • Four soldiers stood guard over the coffin.
  • One of the men kept guard, while the other broke into the house.
off (your) guard
not careful or prepared for something difficult or dangerous
  • The lawyer’s apparently innocent question was designed to catch the witness off (his) guard.

Practice with vocabulary guard

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company hired a professional security ______ to ensure the safety of its assets overnight.
  2. It's essential to ______ against potential data breaches by regularly updating your security software.
  3. The new policy aims to ______ efficiency in project management by streamlining communication.
  4. Employees are expected to ______ to the company's code of conduct at all times.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The museum installed advanced surveillance systems to ______ its valuable artifacts from theft. a) display b) guard c) safeguard d) inventory

  2. The facility employs a team of professional security ______ to ensure safety. a) guardians b) watchers c) guards d) wardens

  3. It is crucial to remain vigilant and ______ against potential cyber threats in today's digital landscape. a) protect b) guard c) prevent d) secure

  4. The team leader asked everyone to ______ their attention on the critical phase of the project. a) focus b) direct c) assign d) allocate

  5. Before signing the contract, you should carefully ______ all the terms and conditions. a) review b) inspect c) oversee d) monitor

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The organization has implemented strict measures to protect its sensitive data from unauthorized access. Rewrite using "guard":

  2. Original: It is imperative to be watchful for any unusual activity in the server logs. Rewrite using "guard":

  3. Original: We must make sure that our resources are not wasted on unproductive tasks. Rewrite without "guard":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. guard
  2. guard
  3. improve / enhance
  4. adhere / conform

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) guard, c) safeguard
  2. c) guards
  3. a) protect, b) guard
  4. a) focus, b) direct
  5. a) review, b) inspect

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The organization guards its sensitive data with strict measures against unauthorized access.
  2. It is imperative to be on guard for any unusual activity in the server logs.
  3. We must prevent our resources from being wasted on unproductive tasks.

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