What is notice? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of notice

noticenoun/verb

/ˈnəʊtɪs/
Definition & pronunciation of notice

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "notice." It's a tricky one for some because of the "t" sound. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "No" - Say the word "no" as in "no way."
  • "tice" - Now, add the "tice" part. The key here is the "t" sound.

2. The "t" Sound - This is the Trickiest Part!

  • Don't pronounce it as a hard "t." It's not like the 't' in "top".
  • It's a flap "t" (or a tap "t"). This is a very subtle sound. Imagine you're quickly tapping your tongue against the roof of your mouth. It’s a very short, quick sound – almost like a little puff of air.
  • The "t" sound is almost silent. You're really just blending it into the "ice" part of the word.

3. Putting it Together:

Say it like this: “Noh-tice” (with a very quick, almost silent “t” in the middle).

Here's a helpful breakdown of the sounds:

  • No: /noʊ/ (like the word "no" with a wide "o" sound)
  • t: /t/ (very quick, tap sound – almost unpronounced)
  • ice: /ɪs/ (as in "ice cream")

Putting it all together: /noʊtɪs/

Resources to Help You:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/notice/ – This website has native speakers saying the word, so you can hear it and compare.
  • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce notice" – you'll find many video tutorials.

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

  • What’s your native language? (This can help me pinpoint some potential pronunciation differences.)

Usage and examples with the word notice in English

Let's break down how to use the word "notice" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and ways to incorporate it into your speech and writing.

1. To Become Aware of Something (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent use. It means to become conscious of something you didn’t previously know or weren’t paying attention to.
  • Structure: “I noticed…”, “You noticed…”, “He noticed…”
  • Examples:
    • "I noticed you were looking sad." (You became aware of their sadness.)
    • "Did you notice the rain starting?" (You became aware of the rain beginning.)
    • "She noticed a mistake in the report." (She became aware of the error.)
    • “Notice the bright color of the flowers.” (You’re being directed to pay attention to the color.)

2. To Observe Carefully

  • Meaning: This implies paying specific attention and examining something closely.
  • Structure: “He noticed…”, “I noticed…” (often followed by an adjective describing what was observed).
  • Examples:
    • "He noticed a small scratch on the car." (He carefully looked for the scratch.)
    • "I noticed a change in her behavior." (I paid attention and observed a shift.)
    • “Notice the detail in the painting.” (Observe the intricate details.)

3. To Point Out (Formally)

  • Meaning: To bring something to someone's attention, often in a more official or polite way. This is closer to “to inform.”
  • Structure: “May I notice…?” or “I would like to notice…”
  • Examples:
    • "May I notice that the meeting has been rescheduled?" (Formally bringing the change to someone's attention.)
    • "I would like to notice a discrepancy in the accounts." (Pointing out an issue formally.)

4. (Formal) To Take Note Of

  • Meaning: Similar to the first meaning, but more formal.
  • Structure: “Take notice of…”
  • Example: “Take notice of the new regulations.” (Officially informing people about a rule change.)

5. (Less Common - British English) To Become Aware of a Social Signal

  • Meaning: This is more common in British English and refers to picking up on unspoken cues, like a person's mood or body language.
  • Example: “I noticed he was uncomfortable with the topic.” (You picked up on his discomfort, even if he didn't say anything.)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Usage Meaning Structure Example
Awareness Becoming conscious I/You/He noticed... I noticed a strange noise.
Careful Observation Observing closely He/I noticed... He noticed a small leak.
Pointing Out Bringing to someone's attention May I notice...? May I notice the damage?
Formal Note Taking official note Take notice of... Take notice of the new policy.
Social Signal (UK) Recognizing unspoken cues I noticed... I noticed she was feeling down.

Tips for Using "Notice" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "notice" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Consider your audience: "May I notice..." is more formal than "I noticed..."
  • Combine with adjectives: Adding adjectives (e.g., "a small detail," "a significant change") clarifies what was noticed.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you some more examples?
  • Focus on a specific usage of "notice" (e.g., only the "become aware" meaning)?
  • Help you create a sentence using "notice" in a particular way?

Synonyms for the word notice

Practice with vocabulary notice

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please ________ if any of the new security features are not functioning correctly.
  2. Did you ________ how quickly the market trends shifted last quarter?
  3. Employees received a formal ________ about the mandatory software update.
  4. After reviewing the data, the team began to ________ the full scope of the challenge.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The manager asked us to ________ any unusual activity on the server logs. a) observe b) disregard c) notice d) overlook
  2. Despite the low lighting, she managed to ________ the small inscription on the antique vase. a) perceive b) ignore c) detect d) notice
  3. It's important to ________ subtle shifts in consumer behavior when developing new products. a) acknowledge b) recognize c) miss d) notice
  4. The company issued a formal ________ to all staff regarding the upcoming holiday schedule. a) memo b) warning c) announcement d) report
  5. When you travel abroad, you should ________ local customs and traditions. a) respect b) ignore c) adhere to d) disregard

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. People often overlook the importance of regular breaks during work.
    • Rewrite the sentence using "notice":
  2. The supervisor brought to our attention a slight error in the calculations.
    • Rewrite the sentence using a form of "notice":
  3. It's crucial to be aware of the potential risks involved in this investment.
    • Rewrite the sentence without using "notice", but with a suitable replacement word:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. notice
  2. notice
  3. memorandum (or memo)
  4. realize (or understand/grasp)

Exercise 2:

  1. a) observe, c) notice
  2. a) perceive, c) detect, d) notice
  3. a) acknowledge, b) recognize, d) notice
  4. a) memo, c) announcement
  5. a) respect, c) adhere to

Exercise 3:

  1. People often fail to notice the importance of regular breaks during work.
  2. The supervisor drew our notice to a slight error in the calculations.
  3. It's crucial to be mindful of the potential risks involved in this investment.

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