What is section? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "section" in English. It's a very versatile word with several common meanings and applications. Here's a detailed guide:

1. Basic Meaning: A Part of Something Larger

• Definition: The most fundamental meaning of "section" is simply a part or division of a whole. Think of it as a slice or segment.

• Examples:

  • "This book is divided into sections." (meaning chapters)
  • "The house has three sections: a living room, a kitchen, and a bedroom." (meaning separate rooms)
  • "The report is organized into sections dealing with different aspects of the project."
  • "The forest is divided into sections for research purposes."

2. Formal Writing & Documents (Most Common Usage)

• In Documents, Reports, Books, and Articles: “Section” is regularly used to clearly delineate parts of a longer piece of writing. It indicates a distinct division with a specific heading.

• Examples:

  • "Section 1. Introduction" (This signals the beginning of a chapter or part)
  • "Section 2. Methodology" (Describes how the research was conducted)
  • "Section 3. Results" (Presents the findings)
  • "Section 4. Discussion" (Interprets the results)
  • "Section 5. Conclusion" (Summarizes the key points)

• Key Characteristics in this context: Sections will always have headings or titles.

3. Geographic Sections/Areas

• Definition: This refers to a specific area or region within a larger geographical area.

• Examples:

  • "The city is divided into several sections, each with its own unique character."
  • "We hiked through a wooded section of the park."
  • "The section of coastline is known for its beautiful beaches."

4. Legal/Technical Sections

• Definition: In legal or technical contexts, "section" refers to a specific part of a law, regulation, or document.

• Examples:

  • "According to Section 3 of the contract..."
  • "The new law includes a section on environmental protection."

5. Parts of a Body (Less Common, more anatomical)

• Definition: Can refer to parts of the body, but this is less frequent in general usage.

• Example: “The surgeon examined the section of the intestine.”

6. “Section Off” – A Verb

• Definition: To divide or separate something.

• Examples:

  • “The police sectioned off the street for the parade.” (meaning they blocked it off)
  • "Let's section off this area for the meeting." (meaning to create a dedicated space)

Tips for Using “Section” Correctly:

• Capitalization: When used as a title or heading (as in documents), “Section” is always capitalized.
• Plural: The plural of “section” is “sections.”
• Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.

Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/section
• Cambridge Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/section

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

• In what context are you trying to use the word "section"? (e.g., writing a report, discussing geography, talking about a book, etc.)