What is redress? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of redress

redressverb

/rɪˈdres//rɪˈdres/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "redress" in English. It's a tricky one because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules!

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation:

** /ˈrɛdrɛs/ (American English)**

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • re- - Pronounced like the "re" in "red" (as in red apple). Short "e" sound.
  • dress - Pronounced like the word "dress" (clothing). This is where it gets interesting.

The "re" and "dress" combo:

The key is that the vowels blend together. It's not pronounced as two separate words. Instead, think of it as a combined sound that's a bit like:

  • “red-ress” - but with the "d" sound getting swallowed slightly by the "e" sound. It's a single, fluid sound.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) for clarity:

/rɛdrɛs/

Tips:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to get the sound right is to hear it. Search online for "how to pronounce redress" on YouTube or use a dictionary app like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary. They will often have audio recordings.
  • Focus on the blend: Concentrate on the flow of the sound rather than trying to separate it into two words.
  • Don't overemphasize the "re": It's a subtle "re" sound, almost merging with the "ress."

Would you like me to:

  • Provide links to audio examples?
  • Give you a breakdown using different accents (British vs. American)?

Usage and examples with the word redress in English

Let's break down how to use the word "redress" in English. It's a bit of a formal word with a specific meaning, so understanding it well is key.

1. Core Meaning: To Correct or Remedy

At its heart, "redress" means to correct or remedy a wrong or grievance. It's about putting things right after something unfair or unjust has happened.

2. Common Usages:

  • As a Noun (the thing done): This is the most common usage. It refers to the act of correcting or compensating.

    • Example: "The company offered a full refund as a redress for the faulty product." (Here, "redress" is the action – the offering of a refund.)
    • Example: “She sought legal redress for the defamation.” (Here, “redress” is the result - the legal action.)

  • As a Verb (to correct or remedy): This is less frequent, and often sounds a bit more formal. It means to take steps to correct something that’s wrong or unfair.

    • Example: “The government will redress the imbalance in funding between rural and urban schools.” (Here, "redress" means to correct the imbalance.)
    • Example: “He hoped to redress the wrongs he had suffered.” (Here, "redress" means to rectify or make right his suffering.)

3. Synonyms:

Depending on the context, you might be able to use these words instead:

  • Correct: (Most common and often suitable) – “We need to correct the mistake.”
  • Remedy: – “The medicine offered a remedy for the illness.”
  • Rectify: – “They are working to rectify the situation.”
  • Compensate: – “The insurance company will compensate her for the damages.”
  • Abolish: (if removing something entirely) – “The law sought to abolish discriminatory practices.”
  • Vindicate: (to clear someone of blame) – “The evidence served to vindicate his innocence.”

4. Context & Tone:

  • Formal: "Redress" is a relatively formal word. It's more likely to be found in legal documents, academic writing, and official statements.
  • Legal Context: It's frequently used in legal contexts, referring to a legal remedy, a way to get justice, or compensation for a wrong.
  • Social Justice: It can also be used in discussions around social justice, where it refers to addressing systemic inequalities.

5. Examples in Sentences:

  • “The patient’s symptoms improved after receiving treatment, offering a much-needed redress for her discomfort.”
  • "The court ordered the company to provide a financial redress to the victims of the accident."
  • "She sought a formal redress for the discrimination she faced in the workplace.”
  • “The charity aims to provide educational redress for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

Key Takeaway: Think of "redress" as the act of making something right after an injustice.

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking of using "redress" in? (e.g., a news article, a personal essay, a legal document?)
  • What are you trying to say with the word? (e.g., are you talking about compensation, justice, correcting a mistake, etc.)

Synonyms for the word redress

Idioms of the word redress

redress the balance
to make a situation equal or fair again
  • For years poorer children have had to put up with a lower quality education, and now is the time to redress the balance.

Practice with vocabulary redress

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The victims of the systemic error sought legal avenues to ______ the financial and emotional damage they suffered.
  2. Before we can implement a new strategy, we must first ______ the underlying causes of the recurring client dissatisfaction.
  3. The community organization worked to ______ the grievances of residents affected by the new construction project.
  4. The committee decided to ______ the terms of the agreement to ensure all parties found it equitable.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The primary objective of the new legislation is to _______ historical injustices faced by marginalized populations. a) ignore b) perpetuate c) redress d) exacerbate

  2. Following the scandal, the organization offered substantial financial compensation and public apologies as a form of _______. a) retribution b) penalty c) redress d) reparation

  3. The government sought to _______ the significant imbalances in regional economic development through targeted investment programs. a) disregard b) redress c) exacerbate d) adjust

  4. The primary goal of the research initiative is to _______ the negative health impacts associated with air pollution in urban areas. a) amplify b) mitigate c) increase d) ignore

  5. The editorial team decided to _______ the article to include the latest data and expert commentary before publication. a) amend b) dispute c) clarify d) disregard

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company issued a formal apology and offered compensation to correct the errors in customer billing.

    • Rewrite, starting with: The company issued a formal apology and offered...

  2. It is crucial for governments to put right the historical wrongs committed against indigenous communities.

    • Rewrite, starting with: It is crucial for governments to...

  3. The project manager identified several areas in the workflow that needed improvement for better efficiency.

    • Rewrite, starting with: The project manager identified several areas in the workflow that needed...

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The victims of the systemic error sought legal avenues to redress the financial and emotional damage they suffered.
  2. Before we can implement a new strategy, we must first address the underlying causes of the recurring client dissatisfaction.
  3. The community organization worked to redress the grievances of residents affected by the new construction project.
  4. The committee decided to amend the terms of the agreement to ensure all parties found it equitable.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) redress
  2. c) redress, d) reparation
  3. b) redress, d) adjust
  4. b) mitigate
  5. a) amend, c) clarify

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company issued a formal apology and offered redress for the errors in customer billing. (or: ...offered to redress the errors...)
  2. It is crucial for governments to redress the historical wrongs committed against indigenous communities.
  3. The project manager identified several areas in the workflow that needed rectification for better efficiency.

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