What is petition? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of petition

petitionnoun

/pəˈtɪʃn//pəˈtɪʃn/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "petition." Here's a breakdown and a few ways to approach it:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • puh-TEE-shun

Let's break that down:

  • puh: Like the "puh" in "cup" or "put"
  • TEE: Like the letter "T" – short and sharp.
  • shun: Like "shin" – the "sh" sound followed by the "n" sound.

Here's a more detailed breakdown with emphasis:

  • puh (as in "cup") - Emphasis here
  • TEE (as in "tea") - Medium Emphasis
  • shun (as in "sun") - Light Emphasis

Resources for hearing it:

Tips:

  • Don't overemphasize the “tee” sound: It’s just a simple "T" sound.
  • The “shun” is a clear “shin” sound.

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Usage and examples with the word petition in English

Let's break down how to use the word "petition" in English. It has a few different meanings and uses, so let's cover them all:

1. As a Noun (the most common use):

  • Definition: A formal written request addressed to a person or organization in authority, asking for a specific action or change. It’s essentially a formal plea.

  • Examples:

    • "The group launched a petition to save the local library." (Asking for a specific action - keeping the library open)
    • "He signed a petition demanding lower taxes." (Requesting a change - lower taxes)
    • "The petition received over 10,000 signatures." (Referring to the document itself)
    • "She presented the petition to the mayor." (The act of presenting the document)

  • Key Characteristics: Petitions are usually:

    • Formal and polite
    • Organized with a clear request
    • Often have a list of signers

2. As a Verb (less common, but still important):

  • Definition: To formally request something, usually through a written petition.

  • Examples:

    • "The activists petitioned the government for stricter environmental regulations." (They made a formal request)
    • "The residents petitioned the council to repair the roads." (They formally asked for repairs)

3. Figurative Usage (More advanced):

  • Sometimes "petition" can be used metaphorically to describe a persistent plea or demand, especially one that seems heartfelt or urgent.

  • Example: “The country petitioned for peace after years of conflict.” (Meaning it earnestly sought peace)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Use Part of Speech Definition Example
Request Noun A formal written request “They launched a petition to improve…”
Request Verb To formally request “They petitioned for funding…”
Persistent Plea Noun/Verb (Fig.) A heartfelt or urgent plea or demand “The city petitioned for better schools.”

Tips for Using “Petition” Correctly:

  • Formal Tone: "Petition" is generally a formal word. It's not appropriate for casual conversation.
  • Specificity: Be clear about what you're asking for in the petition.
  • Evidence (often): While not always required, petitions are more persuasive when they have supporting evidence or compelling reasons.

Resources for Further Learning:

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Synonyms for the word petition

Practice with vocabulary petition

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After repeated delays, the residents decided to organize a formal ____ to the city council concerning the unfinished construction project.
  2. The company's CEO issued a public ____ for understanding after the controversial decision.
  3. Hundreds of citizens signed the ____ demanding a full investigation into the municipal corruption allegations.
  4. Despite widespread ____ from the public, the new zoning laws were eventually approved.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The local residents decided to organize a ____ to demand the preservation of the historic park. A) petition B) protest C) boycott D) rally

  2. Which of the following terms refers to a formal written request, often signed by many people, addressed to an authority? A) declaration B) manifesto C) petition D) decree

  3. In a legal context, one might ____ the court for a specific ruling or action. A) implore B) challenge C) petition D) testify

  4. The board members chose to ____ their concerns directly to the CEO during the quarterly meeting. A) express B) articulate C) suppress D) defer

  5. To formally express their strong disapproval, the committee issued a ____ against the new policy. A) memorandum B) proclamation C) resolution D) condemnation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The community members made a formal request to the city council to lower property taxes.
  2. Activists gathered hundreds of signatures on a document asking the government to implement stricter environmental regulations.
  3. The victim's family made a heartfelt plea for justice in their son's case.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. petition
  2. appeal
  3. petition
  4. opposition

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) petition
  2. C) petition
  3. C) petition
  4. A) express, B) articulate
  5. C) resolution, D) condemnation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The community members decided to petition the city council for lower property taxes.
  2. Activists circulated a petition to the government, calling for stricter environmental regulations.
  3. The victim's family issued a heartfelt appeal for justice in their son's case.

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