What is join? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of join

joinverb

/dʒɔɪn/
Definition & pronunciation of join

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "join" in English. There are a couple of common ways to say it, and both are acceptable!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: "Joey" (like the name)
  • Phonetic Breakdown: /dʒɔɪn/
    • "j": Pronounced like the "j" in "jump" - a quick, brief "y" sound.
    • "oi": This is tricky! It's pronounced like "oy" in "boy." It’s a diphthong – meaning two vowel sounds blending together.
    • "n": A simple "n" sound.

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "Jown" (rhymes with "brown")
  • Phonetic Breakdown: /dʒɔːn/
    • "j": Same as American English – a quick "y" sound.
    • "oa": This is the key difference. It's pronounced like the "oa" in "boat." It's a longer, more drawn-out vowel sound.
    • "n": A simple "n" sound.

Here’s a helpful way to remember:

  • American: Think of the name "Joey."
  • British: Think of the word "boat."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google: Type "how to pronounce join" into Google and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/join/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.

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

  • Where are you from (generally)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This will help me know which pronunciation is most likely to be considered "correct" for you.

Usage and examples with the word join in English

Let's break down how to use the word "join" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word with a lot of nuances! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use them, categorized for clarity:

1. To Become a Member of Something:

  • Most Common Usage: This is probably the most frequent way "join" is used. It means to become a part of a group, organization, or club.
    • Example: "I want to join the hiking club." (Become a member)
    • Example: "She joined the Rotary Club last year." (Became a member)
    • Example: "He joined the army." (Enlisted)

2. To Come Together with Something:

  • Joining Physical Objects: This refers to physically connecting two or more things.
    • Example: “Please join the two pieces of wood together with glue.” (To connect)
    • Example: “He joined the wire to the circuit board.” (To attach)
    • Example: "The building is joined to an adjacent one by a covered walkway." (Connected)

3. To Meet Someone:

  • Arriving to be with someone: This means to arrive at a place to be with another person.
    • Example: "They joined us for dinner." (Arrived to be with us)
    • Example: "I joined them at the bar." (Met them at the bar)

4. To Add to Something:

  • Adding elements to a group or collection: This means to add something to an existing set.
    • Example: "Let’s join our lists of favorite books." (Combine lists)
    • Example: “He joined the conversation.” (Added to the discussion)

5. To Become Part of a Process or Activity (Often with “in”):

  • Participating: This indicates becoming involved in an ongoing activity.
    • Example: “I joined in the singing.” (Participated in the singing)
    • Example: “She joined in the debate.” (Participated in the debate)

6. To Unite or Combine (Figurative):

  • This usage is less common but describes bringing things together conceptually.
    • Example: "The new policy joined the two departments under a single leadership." (Combined the departments)

Phrases and Common Combinations:

  • Join forces: To collaborate with someone or a group. (“The two companies decided to join forces.”)
  • Join in: To participate in an activity. (“Everyone joined in the game.”)
  • Join together: To become united. (“The people joined together to protest.”)
  • Join a queue/line: (British English) To wait in a line.

Tips for Using “Join” Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of “join” depends entirely on the context of the sentence.
  • “Join” vs. “Attach”: “Attach” implies a more permanent connection. “Join” is often more flexible and can imply temporary connection.
  • With “in”: You’ll often see "join" used with "in" to indicate participation or involvement ("join in").

Can you give me a sentence you’re unsure about, or a specific situation where you're trying to use "join"? I can then give you a more tailored explanation.

Synonyms for the word join

Idioms of the word join

if you can’t beat them, join them
(saying)if you cannot defeat somebody or be as successful as they are, then it is more sensible to join them in what they are doing and perhaps get some advantage for yourself by doing so
    join battle (with somebody)
    (formal)to begin fighting somebody
    • The two armies joined battle.
    • Local residents have joined battle with the council over the lack of parking facilities.
    join the club
    (informal)used when something bad that has happened to somebody else has also happened to you
    • So you didn't get a job either? Join the club!
    join/combine forces (with somebody)
    to work together in order to achieve a shared aim
    • The two firms joined forces to win the contract.
    • The two companies have joined forces to form a new consortium.
    join hands (with somebody)
    if two people join hands, they hold each other’s hands
      to work together in doing something
      • Education has been reluctant to join hands with business.

      Practice with vocabulary join

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. After much deliberation, she decided to ______ the new project team, bringing her expertise in data analysis.
      2. The two companies plan to ______ forces to develop a groundbreaking sustainable energy solution.
      3. All employees are encouraged to ______ in the annual charity run to promote team spirit and community involvement.
      4. To ensure all data is accurately reflected, we must carefully ______ the information from both spreadsheets.

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

      1. Following the open house, many students expressed their desire to ______ the university's debate club. a) enroll in b) join c) participate on d) register for

      2. To complete the circuit, you need to ______ the red wire to the positive terminal. a) attach b) connect c) join d) link

      3. During the conference call, please ensure you ______ the session on time to avoid disruptions. a) attend b) join c) participate in d) listen to

      4. The new software update will ______ several distinct features into a single, cohesive interface. a) combine b) integrate c) merge d) consolidate

      5. It's crucial to ______ the main points of your argument with supporting evidence in your report. a) link b) articulate c) substantiate d) associate

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The two departments decided to work together on the new client proposal. (Rewrite using "join" or a related word form.)

      2. He wanted to become a member of the esteemed literary society. (Rewrite using "join" or a related word form.)

      3. The project manager requested that all team members meet up for a quick briefing at 10 AM. (Rewrite without using "join" or its related word forms.)

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. join
      2. join
      3. participate
      4. integrate

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. a) enroll in, b) join, d) register for
      2. a) attach, b) connect, c) join, d) link
      3. a) attend, b) join
      4. a) combine, b) integrate, c) merge, d) consolidate
      5. a) link, d) associate

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The two departments decided to join forces on the new client proposal.
      2. He wanted to join the esteemed literary society.
      3. The project manager requested that all team members convene for a quick briefing at 10 AM.

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