What is guess? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of guess

guessverb

/ɡɛs/
Definition & pronunciation of guess

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "guess." It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's the breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ɡɛs (pronounced like "guess" as in a quick estimate)

Let's break that down further:

  • ɡ: This is a hard "g" sound, like in "go" or "gate." It's a guttural sound – you make it with the back of your tongue.
  • ɛ: This is a short "e" sound, like in "bed" or "red." It's a relaxed "e" sound.
  • s: A simple "s" sound, as in "sun."

Here's a way to hear it:

Common Mistakes and Why They're Wrong:

  • "ghees" (like cheese): This is a very common mistake! Don't use the "ee" sound like in "cheese."
  • "gus": This is too short and doesn't include the "ess" sound.

Tips for Practice:

  1. Focus on the "ɡ" sound: Try making the back of your tongue touch the roof of your mouth.
  2. Keep the "e" short and relaxed: Don’t over-emphasize it.
  3. Practice with the "s" sound: Say "sun" slowly several times.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "guess"?
  • Provide a phonetic transcription (using symbols)?

Usage and examples with the word guess in English

Let's break down how to use the word "guess" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and ways to use it. Here's a detailed explanation, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Estimate or Form a Conjecture):

  • Meaning: This is the most common use. It means to form an opinion or idea about something without having definite knowledge. It's essentially a guess.
  • Examples:
    • "I guess I'll go to the party." (Making a decision without being sure)
    • "Do you guess what happened?" (Asking someone to try and figure something out)
    • "I guess it will rain tomorrow." (Forming a belief based on limited information)
    • "Let's guess the number." (Playing a game of guessing)
    • "I guess he's feeling a little down today." (Making an inference about someone’s emotions)

2. As a Verb (To Try to Find Out):

  • Meaning: Sometimes "guess" is used to try to find out something, usually by asking or investigating. This is more informal.
  • Examples:
    • "I guess I'll call him and see if he's free." (Trying to find out his availability)
    • “I guess I’ll look it up in the dictionary.” (Attempting to discover the meaning)

3. As a Noun (A Conjecture or Estimate):

  • Meaning: As a noun, "guess" refers to the act of guessing, or the result of a guess.
  • Examples:
    • "He made a guess about the answer." (The act of trying to figure it out)
    • "I don't know what the guess was." (The attempted solution/answer)

4. Phrases Using "Guess":

  • "I'd guess..." / "I'd reckon...": These are very common ways to express a tentative estimate. (Similar to "I'd estimate...")
    • "I'd guess it'll cost around $50."
  • "You can guess the rest.": Meaning the story or situation continues in a predictable way.
  • "Guess what!": An exclamation used to share exciting news.
  • "Guesswork": (Noun) Speculation or conjecture based on little information. "His decisions were based purely on guesswork."

5. Level of Formality:

  • Informal: "Guess" is generally considered casual. You'd typically use it with friends, family, or in relaxed conversations.
  • Formal: In formal writing or speech, you’d usually avoid "guess" and opt for more precise words like “estimate,” “suppose,” “believe,” or "conjecture."

Tips for Using "Guess" Correctly:

  • It's often followed by "that": "I guess that it will rain."
  • Use qualifying words to show uncertainty: "I think I guess it will rain" or "I'm just guessing."
  • Be mindful of the context. Consider the situation and your audience to determine whether "guess" is appropriate.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of "guess" in different contexts?
  • Focus on a specific usage (e.g., using "guess" in different tenses)?
  • Compare "guess" with similar words (e.g., "assume," "believe," "estimate")?

Synonyms for the word guess

Idioms of the word guess

keep somebody guessing
(informal)to not tell somebody about your plans or what is going to happen next
  • It's the kind of book that keeps you guessing right to the end.

Practice with vocabulary guess

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Without further data, we can only ______ the potential impact of this policy change on consumer behavior.
  2. I ______ that the project deadline will be extended, given the recent unforeseen delays.
  3. The researchers aimed to ______ the exact concentration of the compound in the solution using a precise titration method.
  4. Given the complex market fluctuations, it's challenging to ______ the stock's performance for the upcoming quarter with absolute certainty.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. When you have incomplete information about a situation and need to provide an answer, you might have to: a) Verify b) Ascertain c) Guess d) Conclude
  2. Which of the following verbs implies forming an opinion or answer without knowing the facts for sure? a) Speculate b) Confirm c) Guess d) Deduce
  3. The team was asked to ______ the most likely outcome of the negotiation, even without a clear mandate from upper management. a) Envision b) Evaluate c) Guess d) Project
  4. To ensure legal compliance, it is crucial to ______ all the specific clauses in the new regulation before implementation. a) Assume b) Ascertain c) Presume d) Imagine
  5. Before submitting the financial report, please ______ the data thoroughly for any discrepancies. a) Estimate b) Glance c) Review d) Speculate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. I have no definite information, but I will venture an opinion regarding the sales figures. (Rewrite using "guess")
  2. It seems likely that the new software will require an update soon after its release. (Rewrite using "guess" or a related word form)
  3. We must confirm the accuracy of these preliminary figures before proceeding with the budget allocation. (Rewrite without using "guess" or any of its forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. guess
  2. guess
  3. determine
  4. predict

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Guess
  2. a) Speculate, c) Guess
  3. c) Guess
  4. b) Ascertain
  5. c) Review

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. I have no definite information, but I will guess regarding the sales figures. / I have no definite information, but I will take a guess regarding the sales figures.
  2. My guess is that the new software will require an update soon after its release. / I guess the new software will require an update soon after its release.
  3. We must verify the accuracy of these preliminary figures before proceeding with the budget allocation. / We must ascertain the accuracy of these preliminary figures before proceeding with the budget allocation.

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