What is income? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of income

incomenoun

/ˈɪŋkʌm//ˈɪŋkəm/
Definition & pronunciation of income

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

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈɪn.kəm/

Breakdown:

  • ˈin - This is pronounced like the "in" in "tin" or "win." It's a short, crisp "i" sound.
  • -kəm - This is where it gets a little tricky.
    • -k - Pronounced like the "k" in "kite."
    • -əm - This is a diphthong, meaning it's a glide between two vowel sounds. It sounds like the "uh" in "cup" or "up," but shortened. Think of it as a very quick "uh" sound, almost blending into the next sound.

How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  1. Start with: "in" (as in "tin")
  2. Add: "k" (as in "kite") – just a quick "k" sound.
  3. Finish with: A very short, quick "uh" sound (like the "uh" in "cup") – it should connect directly to the "k."

Putting it all together: /ˈɪn.kəm/ (almost sounds like "in-kum")

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't overly emphasize the "o" sound. It's not a long, drawn-out "o" like in "bone." It's that quick, short "uh" sound.
  • Linking: The "in" and "k" blend together a little bit.
  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce income" on Google, and you'll find audio clips.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%25income (This site has pronunciations from native speakers)
    • YouTube: Several YouTube videos demonstrate the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more example words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word income in English

Let's break down how to use the word "income" in English. It's a versatile word with a specific meaning, and understanding its nuances is important.

1. Basic Definition:

  • Income generally refers to the money you receive regularly. It's the money you earn or get, not necessarily tied to a specific output.

2. Types of Income:

This is where it gets more specific. “Income” can be broken down into several categories:

  • Salary: A fixed amount of money paid regularly (usually monthly) for work done. (Example: “He earns a salary of $60,000 per year.”)
  • Wages: Pay for hourly work. (Example: “She earns wages based on the number of hours she works.”)
  • Self-Employment Income: Money earned from running your own business or freelance work. (Example: “Her income from freelance writing fluctuates.”)
  • Investment Income: Money earned from investments like stocks, bonds, or real estate dividends. (Example: “The interest income from his savings account is modest.”)
  • Rental Income: Money received from renting out property. (Example: “The rental income covers the mortgage payments.”)
  • Pension Income: Money received as part of a retirement plan. (Example: "His pension income provides a comfortable standard of living.")
  • Social Security Income: Money received from the government based on your work history. (Example: "She receives social security income to supplement her retirement.")
  • Child Support/Alimony: Payments made to support children or a former spouse. (Example: "His income includes child support payments.")

3. How to Use "Income" in Sentences:

Here are some examples to illustrate different ways to use "income":

  • Simple Statement: “My income is my main source of support.”
  • Calculating Income: “Let’s calculate her total income by adding her salary and investment income.”
  • Comparing Income: “His income is higher than hers.”
  • Discussing Income Levels: “The average income in this city is quite high.”
  • Referring to Taxable Income: “The government taxes your income.” (This is a specific, more technical use.)
  • Budgeting: “We need to track our income and expenses.”
  • Describing a Lifestyle: "His income allows him to travel frequently."

4. Related Words & Phrases:

  • Gross Income: The total income before any deductions.
  • Net Income: The income after deductions (like taxes, insurance, etc.).
  • Disposable Income: The income remaining after taxes and essential expenses.
  • Income Tax: Tax levied on income.
  • Earned Income: Income received for work.
  • Unearned Income: Income received without providing direct services (e.g., investment income, social security).

5. Formal vs. Informal:

  • Formal: “The company’s annual income report showed a significant increase.”
  • Informal: “I’m trying to make more income.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you using "income" in? (e.g., a conversation, a writing assignment, a financial discussion?)
  • Do you have a specific sentence you’d like help with?

Synonyms for the word income

Practice with vocabulary income

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. His primary source of household _____ comes from his full-time job.
  2. The new policy aims to reduce the disparity in _____ between different social classes.
  3. After five years with the company, she finally received a significant raise in her annual _____.
  4. The company reported a substantial increase in its quarterly _____ due to strong sales and new product launches.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following are typically included when calculating an individual's gross income? A) Salary from a full-time job B) Quarterly stock dividends C) Reimbursement for business travel D) Rental payments received from a tenant

  2. A country's per capita income is a key indicator of: A) Its national debt B) The average economic prosperity of its citizens C) The total wealth of its government D) The distribution of wealth across all households

  3. To qualify for certain social benefits, an applicant's household income must fall below a specific threshold. What contributes to household income for such assessments? A) All wages and salaries of household members B) Government benefit payments received C) Inheritances from deceased relatives D) Child support payments received

  4. For many service industry workers, their weekly _____ can fluctuate significantly based on tips and hours worked. A) salary B) wages C) capital D) pensions

  5. A startup company often prioritizes increasing its customer base and generating strong _____ before expecting substantial _____. A) profit / revenue B) assets / liabilities C) revenue / profit D) income / expenses

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Because of the economic downturn, many families found their financial resources significantly reduced. (Rewrite the sentence using "income" or a related word form.)

  2. People who earn more money often pay a higher percentage of their earnings in taxes. (Rewrite the sentence using "income" or a related word form.)

  3. The small business managed to generate enough money from its services to cover all its operating costs this year. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "income".)

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. income
  2. income
  3. salary
  4. revenue

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) Salary from a full-time job B) Quarterly stock dividends D) Rental payments received from a tenant
  2. B) The average economic prosperity of its citizens
  3. A) All wages and salaries of household members B) Government benefit payments received D) Child support payments received
  4. B) wages
  5. C) revenue / profit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The economic downturn led to a significant reduction in many families' income.
  2. Individuals with higher incomes typically pay a greater percentage of their earnings in taxes.
  3. The small business generated sufficient revenue from its services to cover all its operating costs this year.

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