What is partisan? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of partisan

partisanadjective

/ˈpɑːtɪzæn//ˈpɑːrtəzn/

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

1. The Core Sound:

  • "par" – This sounds like "par" in the word "park." Short ‘a’ sound.
  • "tis" – This is the most challenging part. It's pronounced like "tiss” – like you're making a tiny, quick, brushing sound with your tongue. Think of the ‘t’ quickly followed by a ‘iss’ sound (like in "kiss").

2. Combining it:

Putting it together, you get: “par-tiss”

3. Emphasis:

The emphasis falls on the first syllable: “PAR-tiss” (Stress the "PAR")

Here are some resources to help you hear it:

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "tiss" sound: Really concentrate on that quick, brushing sound with your tongue. Many people overemphasize the "t" and forget the following "iss".
  • Practice slowly: Don't rush it at first. Say "par-tiss" slowly, paying attention to each syllable.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to try saying "partisan"?

Usage and examples with the word partisan in English

Let's break down how to use the word "partisan" in English. It has a few distinct, but related, meanings.

1. As an Adjective: Loyal to a Party

  • Most Common Usage: This is by far the most frequent way "partisan" is used. It describes someone who strongly supports a particular political party or ideology.
    • Example: "He’s a partisan of the Republican party." (He strongly supports the Republican party.)
    • Example: "The report was written from a partisan perspective, favoring one side of the argument." (The report leaned heavily towards one side of the argument.)
    • Synonyms: advocate, supporter, follower, loyalist

2. As a Noun: A Supporter or Member of a Party

  • Referring to a person or group: This refers to the person who is a partisan or the group of people who share that partisan view.
    • Example: "The partisan split the meeting into two factions." (A member within the Republican party split the meeting.)
    • Example: "There's a strong partisan base within the Democratic party." (There’s a large group of dedicated Democrats.)

3. Less Common – As a Verb (Rarely Used)

  • To support a party or cause: This usage is much less frequent and often sounds a bit formal.
    • Example: "The activists partisaned for environmental protection." (They actively supported and promoted environmental protection.)

Key Nuances & Considerations:

  • Connotation: The word "partisan" often carries a slightly negative connotation. It suggests a strong, potentially inflexible, allegiance to a particular cause or party, sometimes to the exclusion of other viewpoints. It doesn’t always mean bad, but it frequently implies a lack of objectivity.

  • Neutral vs. Negative: While it can be neutral, emphasizing the “partisan” aspect of something might be used to criticize it as being overly biased. For instance, "The media's partisan coverage of the election" suggests that the coverage was slanted.

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "partisan" is heavily dependent on the context in which it's used.

Here's a table summarizing the uses:

Partisan Part of Speech Meaning Example
Republican Adjective Loyal to the Republican party He’s a partisan of the Republican party.
Partisan Noun A supporter of a political party The partisan voiced strong opposition.
Partisan Verb (Rare) To support a party or cause They partisaned for social justice.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how "partisan" is used in a specific context (e.g., politics, sports)?

Synonyms for the word partisan

Practice with vocabulary partisan

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The committee's report was widely criticized for its deeply ______ recommendations, favoring one political faction over others.
  2. During the negotiation, it was crucial for the mediator to remain entirely ______, ensuring both sides felt their concerns were heard fairly.
  3. Despite attempts to present a united front, the internal debate quickly devolved into a ______ struggle between two opposing groups.
  4. Her analysis of the market trends was incredibly ______, offering a balanced perspective without favoring any particular company.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following describes a statement or action that strongly favors one political party or viewpoint, often to the exclusion of others? a) Neutral b) Impartial c) Partisan d) Objective

  2. When a decision-maker is influenced by personal feelings or opinions rather than facts, they are exhibiting: a) Transparency b) Impartiality c) Objectivity d) Bias

  3. The board's decision was influenced by several influential members who acted as strong supporters for the CEO's controversial proposal. These members could be described as: a) Detractors b) Skeptics c) Partisans d) Opponents e) Advocates

  4. To ensure fairness, a mediator must always strive for a perspective that is: a) Subjective b) Prejudiced c) Objective d) Opinionated

  5. The debate was so deeply divided along ideological lines that reaching a consensus proved impossible. The arguments presented were largely: a) Unanimous b) Partisan c) Balanced d) Conciliatory

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Her unwavering loyalty to the party's agenda made it difficult for her to consider alternative solutions. Rewrite (using "partisan"):

  2. Original: The news report clearly favored one candidate over the other, lacking any attempt at presenting a balanced view. Rewrite (do not use "partisan", use a suitable replacement):

  3. Original: Environmental activists strongly supported the new regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Rewrite (using "partisan"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. partisan
  2. impartial
  3. partisan
  4. unbiased

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Partisan
  2. d) Bias
  3. c) Partisans, e) Advocates
  4. c) Objective
  5. b) Partisan

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Her partisan loyalty to the party's agenda made it difficult for her to consider alternative solutions.
  2. The news report was clearly biased towards one candidate over the other, lacking any attempt at presenting a balanced view.
  3. The environmental activists acted as partisans of the new regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

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