What is recapture? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of recapture

recapturenoun

/ˌriːˈkæptʃə(r)//ˌriːˈkæptʃər/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "recapture" in English. It can be tricky! Here's a breakdown, with phonetic transcription and explanations:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/rɪˈkæpචər/

2. Breakdown & Explanation:

  • ri - Pronounced like "ri" in "ripe." It's a short, quick sound.
  • ˈkæp - This is the stressed syllable.
    • k – Pronounced like the "c" in "cat."
    • æ – This is the key sound! It's a short, open "a" sound, like in "cat" or "bat." Don’t pronounce it like the “a” in “apple.”
    • p - Pronounced like the "p" in "pen."
  • ch – Pronounced like the "ch" in "church." It's a soft, throaty sound.
  • ər – This is the final syllable. It’s a schwa sound (ə), which is a very relaxed, neutral vowel sound. Think of the "a" in "about."

3. Putting it Together (with emphasis on the stressed syllable):

"ri-ˈkæp-chər" (Emphasis on the "kæp" part)

4. Tips for Sounding Right:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "re." It’s a very quick “ri.”
  • The “æ” sound is crucial. Practice saying “cat” and “bat” to get that sound down.
  • The "ch" is a distinct sound. It’s not the same as a "ch" in "chair."

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/recapture/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.
  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce recapture" on YouTube – you'll find many audio examples.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any part of the pronunciation further?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word recapture in English

Let's break down how to use the word "recapture" in English. It's a versatile word with a few distinct meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. To regain possession of something lost:

  • Meaning: This is the most common usage. It means to get something back that was previously lost, stolen, or otherwise unavailable.
  • Examples:
    • "The police are trying to recapture the stolen painting." (They want to get the painting back.)
    • "She desperately wanted to recapture her lost childhood innocence." (She wanted to regain a feeling or experience from her past.)
    • "He’s working to recapture the trust of his friends after the argument." (He's trying to regain their confidence.)

2. To regain a feeling, memory, or state of mind:

  • Meaning: This refers to recovering an emotion, memory, or a past state of being. It’s often used with words like “feeling,” “memory,” “spirit,” or “enthusiasm.”
  • Examples:
    • "He hoped to recapture the excitement of his first love." (He wanted to feel that same passion again.)
    • “The music helped her recapture the joy she felt as a child.” (It brought back a positive emotion.)
    • "The old photographs helped him recapture memories of his grandparents." (He was able to remember things more clearly.)
    • “She tried to recapture the spirit of the old traditions.” (To revive those traditions.)

3. (More formal) To also mean “to find again” or “recover”:

  • Meaning: This is a slightly less common, more formal usage, usually implying a discovery or finding.
  • Examples:
    • “The explorers recaptured the lost city in the rainforest.” (They rediscovered it.)
    • "Archaeologists are trying to recapture evidence of this ancient civilization." (They’re searching for clues.)

Key Considerations and Synonyms:

  • Verb: "Recapture" is almost always a verb.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you could use words like: regain, recover, retrieve, recapture, revive, restore, rediscover, find again.

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Look for clues in the sentence: What was lost? What is being sought? Is it a physical object, a feeling, or a memory?
  • Consider the tone: "Recapture" often has a slightly nostalgic or yearning quality to it.

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

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write where you want to use "recapture"? (e.g., a story, an essay, a casual conversation?)

Synonyms for the word recapture

Practice with vocabulary recapture

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. After years of declining sales, the company's new marketing strategy aims to __________ its lost market share.
  2. The author often returns to her childhood village, hoping to __________ the innocent wonder she felt as a young girl.
  3. Following the system malfunction, IT worked tirelessly to __________ all the lost data from the backups.
  4. The peace treaty sought to __________ diplomatic relations between the two warring nations, fostering a new era of cooperation.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After losing the championship last year, the team is determined to ______ the title this season. a) regain b) recapture c) achieve d) secure

  2. The documentary brilliantly manages to ______ the vibrant atmosphere of 1960s London. a) depict b) recreate c) capture d) recapture

  3. The military operation's primary objective was to ______ the strategic outpost taken by enemy forces. a) seize b) conquer c) recapture d) occupy

  4. The board decided to ______ the company's core values, which seemed to have been forgotten over time. a) re-evaluate b) reinforce c) reiterate d) rebuild

  5. To improve brand image, the marketing team proposed a campaign to ______ trust among its long-standing customers. a) restore b) renew c) rebuild d) regain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The city government is planning a major initiative to bring back the charm that its historic downtown once possessed.

    • (Rewrite using "recapture" or a related word form)

  2. After the initial setback, the project team successfully managed to win back control of the schedule.

    • (Rewrite using "recapture" or a related word form)

  3. The primary goal of the renovation project is to restore the old theatre to its former glory and structural integrity.

    • (Rewrite, but do not use "recapture")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. recapture
  2. recapture
  3. recover
  4. restore

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) regain, b) recapture
  2. b) recreate, d) recapture
  3. c) recapture
  4. b) reinforce, c) reiterate
  5. a) restore, c) rebuild, d) regain

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The city government is planning a major initiative to recapture the charm that its historic downtown once possessed.
  2. After the initial setback, the project team successfully managed to recapture control of the schedule.
  3. The primary goal of the renovation project is to revitalize the old theatre, bringing it back to its former glory and structural integrity.

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