What is history? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of history

historynoun

/ˈhɪst(ə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of history

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "history" in English. It’s a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • HI-stree

Let's break that down further:

  • "Hi" – Like the greeting. Short and crisp.
  • "stree" – This is the tricky part. The "st" makes a "st" sound, and the "ee" makes a long "e" sound, like in "see" or "tree." It’s important that the "ee" sound is held slightly longer than a typical "i."

Here's a more detailed breakdown with visual cues (using IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • ˈhɪˈstrɪ

    • ˈhɪ – (Stress on the first syllable – the ‘hi’ part)
    • ˈstrɪ – (Stress on the second syllable – the ‘stree’ part)

Tips and Common Mistakes:

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  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you some example sentences using "history"?

Usage and examples with the word history in English

Let's break down how to use the word "history" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use it in sentences:

1. As a Noun (the study of the past):

  • Most Common Usage: This is the primary way "history" is used. It refers to the recorded past, events, and people.
    • Example: "I'm studying history in college." (meaning the subject of the study)
    • Example: "Ancient history is fascinating." (referring to the past)
    • Example: “She’s a renowned expert on 20th-century history.”

2. As a Noun (past events - the actual events that happened):

  • This refers to the facts of the past.
    • Example: "The history of the Roman Empire is incredibly complex." (referring to the actual events and details)
    • Example: “He doesn't know the history of this town.” (meaning the facts about its past)

3. As an Adjective (relating to the past):

  • Used to describe something connected to the past.
    • Example: "He has a historical perspective on the issue." (meaning he considers the past events)
    • Example: "This is a historical landmark." (meaning it’s a place with important past events)
    • Example: “The historical accuracy of the movie was debated.” (meaning it was checked to see if it reflected the real past)

4. "Making History" (achieving something significant):

  • This idiom means to accomplish something important or groundbreaking.
    • Example: “She’s making history as the first woman to lead the company.”
    • Example: "The team is making history by winning the championship."

5. "Write History" (to influence events – often used dramatically):

  • This idiom means to create history, to have a significant impact on the past. Often suggests a player actively shaping what will be remembered.
    • Example: “He hopes to write history by defeating the dictator.”
    • Example: “The discovery could write history for the field of medicine.”

Here's a breakdown by sentence type and some more examples:

  • Simple Statement: "The history of the United States is full of important turning points."
  • Describing a Person: "Professor Davies is a respected historian." (Historian is a person who studies history)
  • Asking a Question: “Can you tell me more about the history of this building?”
  • Expressing an Opinion: “I think it's important to learn history so we don’t repeat past mistakes.”

Tips for Using "History" Effectively:

  • Be specific: Don’t just say "history." Try to specify which history you're talking about (e.g., “European history,” “the history of art,” “personal history”).
  • Use the right tense: When talking about the past, use the past tense (e.g., "He studied history," "The empire fell").

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to use "history" in? (e.g., a writing assignment, a conversation, a test?)

Synonyms for the word history

Idioms of the word history

be history
(informal)to be dead or no longer important
  • Another mistake like that and you're history.
  • We won't talk about that—that's history.
  • That's past history now.
  • They had an affair once, but that's past history now.
the history books
the record of great achievements in history
  • She has earned her place in the history books.
history repeats itself
used to say that things often happen later in the same way as before
  • Years later family history repeated itself with Eve’s daughters.
make history | go down in history
to be or do something so important that it will be recorded in history
  • a discovery that made medical history
the rest is history
used when you are telling a story to say that you do not need to tell the end of it, because everyone knows it already

    Practice with vocabulary history

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Studying ancient civilizations is a significant part of world ________________________.
    2. The company's detailed annual ________________________ documented its growth over the last decade.
    3. Her research paper delves into the economic ________________________ of the post-war era.
    4. The events of the distant ________________________ continue to influence modern culture.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which academic discipline focuses primarily on interpreting and narrating the past through written records? a) Linguistics b) History c) Philosophy d) Sociology

    2. The detailed ________________________ of the incident helped the police piece together what happened. a) account b) fable c) myth d) legend

    3. The lecturer presented a fascinating overview of the ________________________ of art, from ancient cave paintings to modern abstract works. a) chronology b) history c) evolution d) narrative

    4. Which of these terms describes a record of past events, especially those concerning a nation or important person? a) memoir b) history c) biography d) chronicle

    5. The monument stands as a lasting ________________________ to the soldiers who fought bravely. a) memento b) legacy c) tribute d) memorial

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: The old buildings tell us a lot about how people lived in the past. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "history" or a related word.

    2. Original: He spent his career studying and writing about the past. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "history" or a related word.

    3. Original: The story of their journey was full of exciting events. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, do not use "history" or its forms.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. history
    2. account
    3. history
    4. past

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) History
    2. a) account
    3. a) chronology, b) history, c) evolution
    4. b) history, d) chronicle
    5. c) tribute, d) memorial

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The old buildings provide valuable historical insights into past human life.
    2. He dedicated his career to becoming a renowned historian.
    3. The narrative of their journey was full of exciting events.

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