What is representative? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of representative

representativeadjective

/ˌrɛprɪˈzɛntətɪv/
Definition & pronunciation of representative

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "representative." It can be a tricky one! Here's a breakdown and a few options for how to say it:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˌreprezənˈteɪtɪv (rhymes with "preventative")

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. re-: Sounds like "re" as in "red" – a short, crisp sound.
  2. prez-: This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like "preh" - like the beginning of "prepare," but shorter and sharper. It’s not quite “prez” as in “president.”
  3. en-: Sounds like "en" as in "end."
  4. -tate: This is like "tate" as in "gate."
  5. -tive: Sounds like "tiv" as in "active."

Putting it together: re-preh-en-tate-tiv

Alternative (slightly more formal) pronunciation:

  • /ˌreprezənˈteɪtiv (rhymes with "rabbit") - Some people prefer to stress the "repre" part slightly more.

Tips to help you:

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  • Break down a specific sound further?
  • Give you some practice words to help you build your pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word representative in English

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

1. As a Noun (Most Common Usage):

  • Meaning: A person chosen to act for or speak for others. They represent a group, organization, or idea.
  • Examples:
    • "She was elected as a representative for the student body." (Represents students)
    • "The company appointed a representative to deal with the negotiations." (Represents the company)
    • "He's a representative of the marketing department." (Represents the department’s interests)
    • "The country has a representative at the United Nations." (Represents the country)

2. As an Adjective:

  • Meaning: Describing something that serves as an example or illustration. It suggests a typical or representative case.
  • Examples:
    • "This data is representative of the entire population." (Means this data is typical of the whole)
    • "The painting is considered representative of the Impressionist movement." (Means it exemplifies the style of that movement)
    • "The product is representative of our company's quality." (Meaning it shows the quality of the company)

3. In Specific Contexts:

  • Parliamentary Representative: A member of parliament (MP) or a similar elected official. "She is a representative in the House of Commons."
  • Trade Representative: A person authorized to act on behalf of a country in trade negotiations (often associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce). "The Trade Representative met with officials from China."
  • Sales Representative: Someone who represents a company and sells its products or services. "He works as a sales representative for a software company."

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • “Represent” is the related verb: The verb "represent" is closely related and often used with "representative." For example: “The representative presented the findings.” “He represented his constituents' interests.”
  • Specificity: Be clear about what the representative is representing. Is it a group, an organization, an idea, or a specific quality?
  • Don't overuse: While a useful word, using "representative" too frequently can sometimes sound a bit formal. Consider if a more direct synonym might be appropriate (e.g., delegate, spokesperson, agent).

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to use "representative" in a sentence about? (e.g., a political situation, a group of people, a specific product?)

Synonyms for the word representative

Practice with vocabulary representative

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The union elected a new ______________ to negotiate their contract with management.
  2. The board requested a concise ______________ of the quarterly financial report.
  3. The selected data points are crucial because they must be ______________ of the entire population to ensure valid research conclusions.
  4. The CEO's opening remarks served as a brief ______________ of the company's annual achievements.

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

  1. Who was chosen as the students' ______________ to voice their concerns to the university administration? A) advocate B) delegate C) representative D) speaker

  2. The fossilized fern is an excellent ______________ of prehistoric plant life from that geological era. A) example B) specimen C) illustration D) representative

  3. The new AI model is designed to autonomously ______________ complex tasks without human intervention. A) execute B) perform C) conduct D) exemplify

  4. Is this small dataset truly ______________ of the larger population we're studying? A) accurate B) typical C) descriptive D) representative E) comprehensive

  5. The company's financial records showed a ______________ increase in profits over the last quarter. A) significant B) substantial C) noticeable D) exemplary

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The samples collected were a good indication of the overall quality of the product batch.

    • Rewrite using "representative" or a related word form:

  2. The committee decided to send one person from each department to the annual conference.

    • Rewrite using "representative" or a related word form:

  3. The organization chose an individual to speak on behalf of all its members at the public hearing.

    • Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "representative":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. representative
  2. summary
  3. representative
  4. overview

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) delegate, C) representative
  2. A) example, B) specimen, D) representative
  3. A) execute, B) perform, C) conduct
  4. B) typical, D) representative
  5. A) significant, B) substantial, C) noticeable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The samples collected were representative of the overall quality of the product batch.
  2. The committee decided to send one representative from each department to the annual conference.
  3. The organization chose an advocate to speak on behalf of all its members at the public hearing.

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