What is link? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of link

linknoun

/lɪŋk/
Definition & pronunciation of link

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "link" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it can depend slightly on where you are (British vs. American English).

1. American English (Most Common):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈlɪŋk/ (rhymes with "sink")
  • Breakdown:
    • li: Sounds like the "li" in "light."
    • nk: Sounds like "nk" in "think." It's a short, crisp sound.

2. British English:

  • Pronunciation: /lɪŋk/ (rhymes with "pink")
  • Breakdown:
    • li: Sounds like the "li" in "light."
    • nk: Sounds like "nk" in "think."

Tips for Both:

  • Focus on the "ink" sound: Thinking of it as "ink" can help you remember both pronunciations.
  • Keep it short and clipped: Both pronunciations are relatively quick and straightforward.

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

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

  • Where are you located (roughly)? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This will help me determine which pronunciation is most likely to be expected.

Usage and examples with the word link in English

Let's break down how to use the word "link" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings and ways to incorporate it into your sentences. Here's a breakdown categorized by its different uses:

1. As a Verb (To Connect)

  • Connecting Physical Things: This is the most common meaning. It means to join or attach two or more things together.

    • "Please link the two wires together."
    • "The engineer linked the bridge to the road."
    • "He linked his bicycle to the bike rack."

  • Connecting Ideas or Concepts: It means to show a relationship, association, or connection between things.

    • "The study links smoking to an increased risk of cancer." (Showing a cause-and-effect relationship)
    • "The author links the characters' actions to their past experiences." (Showing a connection between events)
    • "The presentation linked economic growth to technological advancements." (Showing a relationship between two factors)

  • Connecting Digital Information (Web): This is incredibly common in the internet age.

    • "Click the link to access the website." (A URL)
    • "I linked my Facebook account to my email." (Connecting accounts)
    • "The article links to several other relevant sources." (Providing references)

2. As a Noun (A Connection or Relationship)

  • Internet Link (URL): The most frequent use as a noun.

    • "Here’s the link to the product page."
    • "I saved the link so you can find it easily."
    • "The website provided a link to a helpful tutorial."

  • Connection or Bond: Referring to a relationship between people or things.

    • "There’s a strong link between family and happiness."
    • "They shared a powerful link based on a common passion."
    • "The evidence links the suspect to the crime." (Suggesting a connection of guilt)

  • Chain or Sequence:

    • "A link in the chain broke, stopping the machine."
    • "This is a crucial link in the process."

  • Bone Link (Anatomy): (Less common, more technical) Referring to the part of a bone that connects to another.

3. As an Adjective (Connected)

  • Linked (Connected): Describing something that is connected.
    • "They are linked by a shared history."
    • "The data is linked to a database."

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To connect physically "Link the wires together."
Verb To connect ideas "This article links poverty to education."
Verb To connect digitally (URL) "Click the link to the website."
Noun Internet URL "Here's the link to the product."
Noun Connection, relationship "They have a strong link."
Noun Chain, sequence "A link in the chain snapped."
Adjective Connected "They are linked by friendship."

Tips for Using "Link" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "link" depends heavily on the context.
  • Be Specific: When talking about internet links, use “URL” (Uniform Resource Locator) for the technical term.
  • Consider Alternatives: Sometimes "connect," "relate," "associate," or “join” can be clearer alternatives.

Could you give me an example sentence where you'd like to use the word "link"? Knowing the context will help me give you even more tailored advice.

Synonyms for the word link

Idioms of the word link

a link in the chain
one of the stages in a process or a line of argument
  • Food production, processing and marketing are different links in the chain from farmer to consumer.
  • Death is the last link in the chain.
the weak link (in the chain)
the point at which a system or an organization is most likely to fail
  • She went straight for the one weak link in the chain of his argument.

Practice with vocabulary link

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The research findings clearly demonstrated a strong _______ between a healthy diet and improved cognitive function.
  2. Please click on the embedded _______ in the email to access the shared document securely.
  3. Effective communication is crucial to _______ all team members towards achieving a common goal.
  4. The consultant was tasked to _______ a new system for tracking inventory in real-time.

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

  1. Which of the following can be used to describe a direct online reference to a webpage or resource? a) attachment b) link c) document d) file

  2. To establish a clear connection or relationship between two concepts, you might ________ them. a) isolate b) connect c) link d) relate

  3. The audit revealed a critical ________ missing in the supply chain, which caused significant delays. a) bond b) segment c) link d) element

  4. The primary goal of the project was to _______ the various departments more effectively through improved communication channels. a) align b) coordinate c) unify d) link

  5. The company decided to _______ two of its smaller subsidiaries to form a larger, more competitive entity. a) merge b) combine c) associate d) link

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The data shows a strong correlation between reduced spending and increased savings. Rewrite using "link" or a related word form:

  2. Original: There is an intricate connection between sustainable practices and long-term economic growth. Rewrite using "link" or a related word form:

  3. Original: Experts continue to find a direct link between physical activity and mental well-being. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "link" or any related word forms:

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The research findings clearly demonstrated a strong link between a healthy diet and improved cognitive function.
  2. Please click on the embedded link in the email to access the shared document securely.
  3. Effective communication is crucial to unite all team members towards achieving a common goal.
  4. The consultant was tasked to implement a new system for tracking inventory in real-time.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) link
  2. b) connect, c) link, d) relate
  3. c) link
  4. a) align, b) coordinate, c) unify
  5. a) merge, b) combine

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "link" or a related word form: The data strongly links reduced spending with increased savings.
  2. Rewrite using "link" or a related word form: There is an intricate link between sustainable practices and long-term economic growth.
  3. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "link" or any related word forms: Experts continue to find a direct relationship between physical activity and mental well-being.

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