What is isolated? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of isolated

isolatedadjective

/ˈʌɪsəleɪtɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of isolated

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "isolated." It can be tricky for English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Most Accurate):

  • /ˌɪˈsoʊlɪˌteɪd/ (This is how it's represented using the International Phonetic Alphabet – IPA)

2. Breakdown and Explanation:

  • i-so-late: This is the most common and generally accepted pronunciation in American English.
    • i: As in "bit" – a short, quick "i" sound.
    • so: As in "soap" – pronounced like “so”.
    • late: Like the word "late".
  • -ted: This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced with a t sound, but the vowel sound is slightly different.
    • a: Sounds like the 'a' in "father" – a longer, more open sound.
    • t: Still a 't' sound.

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

  1. Start with: "i" - as in "bit"
  2. Add: "so" - as in "soap"
  3. Then: "late" - (as in “late”)
  4. Finish with: “-ted” – This is where you blend the ‘a’ sound with a ‘t’ sound. Make sure you don’t pronounce the ‘t’ in the usual way. It's like a softer, slightly elongated "ted" sound.

4. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't pronounce the 't' as a hard 't': This is the most frequent mistake. Focus on creating the blended sound of “a-t.”

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable ("so").

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Here are some resources:

    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce isolated" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • Forvo: (www.forvo.com) - This website has pronunciations by native speakers: https://www.forvo.com/word/isolated/

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a sentence using the word "isolated" so you can practice?

Usage and examples with the word isolated in English

Let's break down how to use the word "isolated" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Physically Separated (Most Common)

  • Meaning: Being far away from other people or things.
  • Examples:
    • "The cabin was isolated in the mountains, with no roads leading to it." (Physically distant)
    • "They lived in an isolated village, cut off from the rest of the country." (Far from others)
    • "The scientist spent years isolated in a laboratory, conducting research." (Separated physically)

2. Emotionally or Socially Isolated

  • Meaning: Feeling lonely, cut off from others, and lacking social connection. This often describes a state of being rather than a physical location.
  • Examples:
    • "After moving to a new city, she felt incredibly isolated and missed her friends and family." (Emotional loneliness)
    • "The elderly man became isolated and depressed, leading to a decline in his health." (Social disconnection)
    • "The refugees experienced profound emotional isolation during their displacement." (Feeling of detachment)

3. Independent or Separate (Used with Objects or Systems)

  • Meaning: Not connected to anything else; functioning alone.
  • Examples:
    • "The island was an isolated ecosystem, unaffected by outside influences." (Independent – referring to an environment)
    • "The computer was isolated from the network, preventing access to shared files." (Disconnected – referring to a system)
    • “He kept his feelings isolated, refusing to share them with anyone.” (Separate – referring to emotions)

4. (Adjective describing a place or circumstance) - Restricted or Limited

  • Meaning: Being limited in scope or influence; lacking resources.
  • Examples:
    • "The project faced isolated incidents of vandalism." (A few, specific problems)
    • "The company's success was isolated to a single product line." (Limited to one area)

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Usage Meaning Example
Physical Separated by distance "The lighthouse was isolated on the coast."
Emotional/Social Feeling lonely, disconnected "She felt isolated after the breakup."
Object/System Independently functioning "The server was isolated for maintenance."
Descriptive (limited) Restricted in scope or influence "There were isolated cases of fraud."

Tips for Using "Isolated" Effectively:

  • Context is crucial: Always consider the sentence and the overall meaning you want to convey.
  • Consider synonyms: Depending on the nuance you want, you could use words like: remote, separate, detached, alone, estranged, cut off.
  • Show, don’t just tell: Instead of just saying someone is "isolated," describe why they feel that way (e.g., "He spent his days reading books in a darkened room, rarely speaking to anyone.").

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a story, an essay, a description)
  • What specific context are you thinking of using “isolated” in?

Synonyms for the word isolated

Practice with vocabulary isolated

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company's data showed that these software glitches were __________ incidents, not indicative of a systemic failure.
  2. Accessing the __________ village required a long journey through unpaved roads and dense forest.
  3. Living in a small village on the coast, she often felt __________ from the fast pace of city life and major cultural events.
  4. Historically, some communities were __________ based on socioeconomic status, leading to significant social inequities.

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

  1. Which term describes a small group of people or a place that is cut off from external influences or major population centers? a) interconnected b) integrated c) isolated d) centralized

  2. If a scientist observes an anomaly that doesn't fit the expected pattern, how might they initially describe it? a) typical b) consistent c) isolated d) representative e) recurring

  3. Which of these words can describe the emotional state of feeling alone and lacking connection with others? a) included b) alienated c) integrated d) isolated e) connected

  4. Which words can describe a location that is geographically far from urban areas and difficult to access? a) accessible b) remote c) central d) distant e) urban

  5. Which words imply a lack of emotional or functional involvement, or being set apart from a main group? a) engaged b) connected c) detached d) involved e) disconnected

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Due to its geographical location, the small island community had very little contact with the mainland. (Rewrite using "isolated")

  2. These specific instances of data breach do not appear to be part of a larger, connected system problem. (Rewrite using a form of "isolated")

  3. To avoid conflicts of interest, the regulatory body kept its decision-making processes entirely separate from industry lobbying efforts. (Rewrite, but do not use "isolated" or any of its forms. Use a suitable replacement word.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. isolated
  2. remote
  3. isolated
  4. segregated

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) isolated
  2. c) isolated
  3. b) alienated, d) isolated
  4. b) remote, d) distant
  5. c) detached, e) disconnected

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Due to its geographical location, the small island community was isolated from the mainland.
  2. These specific instances of data breach appear to occur in isolation, not as part of a larger, connected system problem.
  3. To avoid conflicts of interest, the regulatory body kept its decision-making processes entirely detached from industry lobbying efforts.

Comment ()