What is move? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of move

moveverb/noun

/muːv/
Definition & pronunciation of move

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "move" in English. Here's a breakdown with different aspects:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • The "m" sound: This is a simple, voiced "m" – like in "man." Your lips should come together.
  • The "oo" sound: This is the key! It's a diphthong, which means it's a gliding sound that combines two vowel sounds. It’s similar to the "oo" in "moon" or "food."
  • The "v" sound: This is a voiced "v" - like in "van." Your vocal cords vibrate.
  • The "e" sound: This is a short, simple "e" sound, like in "bed."

2. Putting it Together - The Full Pronunciation:

The most common pronunciation is:

moo-v

Let’s break that down further:

  • "moo" - Practice saying "moon" and then drop the "n" at the end. That's the core of the sound.
  • "-v" – A clear "v" sound.

3. Phonetic Transcription (for those who like it technical):

[moʊv] (This is the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA)

  • moʊ – the "oo" sound (as described above). The "o" is slightly rounded.
  • v – the “v” sound

4. Tips for Accuracy:

  • Round your lips slightly when making the "oo" sound, like you're about to whistle.
  • Don’t overemphasize the "oo." It’s a smooth glide, not a drawn-out vowel.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to get it right is to hear how native English speakers pronounce it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "move" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/move/ – This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers from various regions.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce move" – you’ll find many videos.

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

  • Are you learning American English or British English? (Pronunciation can vary slightly between the two.)

Usage and examples with the word move in English

Let's break down how to use the word "move" in English. It's a hugely versatile word with lots of different meanings and ways to use it! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Physical Movement (Most Common)

  • To change position: This is the most basic meaning.
    • "I move my chair closer to the window."
    • "She moved the box to the corner."
    • "The ball moved across the floor."
  • To travel:
    • “We moved to a new city last year.” (Changed residence)
    • "The train moved slowly through the countryside."
  • To shift weight or body:
    • "He moved his foot slightly to find a comfortable position."
    • “I moved in my seat during the long flight.”

2. Actions & Changes (Verbal Movement)

  • To change state or position (figuratively): This is where "move" gets more sophisticated.
    • "The company moved to a new strategic direction." (Changed its plan)
    • "The negotiations moved forward." (Progressed)
    • "The discussion moved on to a different topic." (Shifted focus)
    • "He moved the goalposts." (Changed the requirements of a task – a common idiom)
  • To persuade or influence:
    • "He moved the council to vote in favor of the proposal." (He argued for it)
  • To initiate an action:
    • “Let’s move on to the next part of the presentation.” (Let's proceed)

3. Verbs Related to "Move" (Forms of the word)

  • Move: The base form (as shown above)
  • Moved: Past tense of “move”
  • Moving: Present participle (used with "on", "forward", "away", etc.) – “The crowd was moving quickly.”
  • Moves: Third-person singular present tense (He/She/It moves) – “She moves furniture with ease.”

4. As a Noun

  • Move: (noun) – A change of position or a sequence of actions.
    • "It was a difficult move in the game." (A strategic maneuver)
    • “The company announced a major move to cut costs.” (A strategic action)
  • Movement: (noun) – The act or process of moving; a style of dance, etc.
    • "The dancer's movement was graceful."
    • "There was a strong movement for environmental protection."

5. Idiomatic Expressions with "Move"

  • Move on: To stop dwelling on something and focus on the future. “Let’s move on from that topic.”
  • Move around: To walk or travel from place to place.
  • Move something around: To reposition something.
  • Move somebody around: To force or manipulate someone. (Can have negative connotations)
  • Move heaven and earth: To do everything possible. “I’ll move heaven and earth to get you that job.”

Tips for Using "Move" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “move” changes dramatically depending on the situation. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand its intended meaning.
  • Prepositions: "Move" is often used with prepositions like "around," "forward," "to," "away," “on,” etc. (e.g., "move around," "move forward," "move to").

Could you tell me a little more about what you'd like to know about "move"? For example:

  • Are you trying to use it in a specific sentence?
  • Are you interested in a particular aspect of its usage (e.g., idioms, different tenses)?

Synonyms for the word move

Idioms of the word move

get your ass in gear | move your ass
(offensive, slang)a rude way of telling somebody to hurry
  • If you get your ass in gear, we can make it out of here tonight.
get moving
(informal)to begin, leave, etc. quickly
  • It's late—we'd better get moving.
get something moving
(informal)to cause something to make progress
  • The new director has really got things moving.
going/moving forward
(formal or business)in the future, starting from now
  • We have a very solid financial position going forward.
  • The strategy going forward is still undecided.
  • Moving forward, we need to have a real plan.
keep up/move with the times
to change and develop your ideas, way of working, etc. so that you do what is modern and what is expected
  • Many complained that the Royal Family had failed to move with the times.
move your ass | get your ass in gear
(offensive, slang)a rude way of telling somebody to hurry
  • If you move your ass, we can make it out of here tonight.
move heaven and earth
to do everything you possibly can in order to achieve something
    move it
    (informal)to do something more quickly because there is not much time
    • Move it! We’re going to be late!
    move mountains
    to make a great effort to do something
    • The director moved mountains to remake this classic film.

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