What is sentiment? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of sentiment

sentimentnoun

/ˈsentɪmənt//ˈsentɪmənt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "sentiment" in English. It's a trickier word than it looks! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "sehn-tih-ment" is the most common and generally accepted pronunciation.

2. Detailed Breakdown:

  • "se-": This sounds like the "seh" in "set." It's a short, quick "eh" sound.
  • "n": This is a standard "n" sound, as in "no."
  • "tih": This sounds like "tea" but with a shorter "i" sound – a quick, light "ih" sound.
  • "ment": This is where it gets a little tricky. "Ment" sounds like "muhnt." It’s a very short, unstressed "uh" sound followed by an "nt" sound (like in "went").

3. Putting it Together:

Say it slowly at first: "seh-n-tih-muhnt"

4. Important Notes:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable: "sehn-tih-ment"
  • Don't over-emphasize the "tih": It's not a long "tee" sound. Keep it short and quick.
  • The final “nt” is silent: Don’t pronounce it.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce sentiment" on Google. You’ll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/sentiment/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.

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

  • Are you aiming for a more American or British pronunciation? (There are slight differences, but the "sehn-tih-ment" is good for either)

Usage and examples with the word sentiment in English

Let's break down how to use the word "sentiment" in English. It's a more nuanced word than just "feeling," and it’s often used in formal or literary contexts.

1. Core Meaning:

At its most basic, "sentiment" refers to a feeling, emotion, or attitude. However, it often carries a slightly more refined or thoughtful quality than simply saying "I felt happy." It suggests a deeper, perhaps more reasoned, emotional response.

2. Common Usages & Examples:

Here's how you can use "sentiment" in various ways:

  • Expressing a Feeling/Opinion:

    • "He expressed a strong sentiment of gratitude for their help." (More formal than “he was grateful.”)
    • “The audience responded with a palpable sentiment of sympathy for the character.” (A feeling of sympathy was felt.)
    • “There’s a prevailing sentiment among the public that the new tax policy is unfair.” (A widespread opinion/feeling.)

  • Referring to a Disposition or Attitude:

    • “Her sentiment towards her childhood home was one of deep affection.” (She had a strong and positive attitude towards it.)
    • "The politician’s sentiment was to prioritize economic growth.” (His overall approach/attitude was focused on this.)

  • Historical/Cultural Context (Often used with "national" or "social"):

    • “The national sentiment of unity was strong during the war.” (The feeling of unity within the country.)
    • “There was a widespread sentiment of protest against the government's actions.” (A common feeling of disapproval.)
    • “The company tapped into a prevailing sentiment of nostalgia for simpler times in their advertising campaign.” (People were feeling nostalgic.)

  • Literary/Artistic Use (Focus on emotional response):

    • “The poem evoked a powerful sentiment of loneliness.” (The poem created a strong feeling of loneliness.)

3. Distinctions from Similar Words:

  • Feeling/Emotion: “Feeling” is a broader, more general term. "Sentiment" implies a bit more weight or thoughtfulness.
  • Opinion: “Opinion” is a declared belief. “Sentiment” is more about the underlying emotion behind an opinion.
  • Attitude: “Attitude” can be more fixed and less easily changed than “sentiment.”

4. Tone and Formality:

"Sentiment" has a slightly formal and literary tone. It's less common in everyday conversation than words like "feeling" or “opinion”. You’ll find it more frequently in:

  • Formal writing: Essays, articles, speeches
  • Literature: Novels, poems
  • Academic contexts: Research papers, analyses

5. Phrases with "Sentiment":

  • "A sense of sentiment": A feeling of nostalgia, wistfulness, or gentle regret.
  • "Expressing good sentiment": Showing kindness and appreciation.
  • "Against the prevailing sentiment": Expressing an opinion that goes against the common view.

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., a personal essay, a business report, a novel?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word sentiment

Practice with vocabulary sentiment

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The CEO's statement aimed to gauge the general _____ towards the new corporate strategy among employees.
  2. Analysts closely monitor consumer _____ to predict future spending trends.
  3. Despite the strong evidence, his personal _____ remained unchanged.
  4. It's crucial to adopt a positive _____ when approaching complex challenges.

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

  1. Which of the following words best describes a general feeling, opinion, or emotional tone, especially among a group of people? a) emotion b) sentiment c) intuition d) perception
  2. The company wanted to gauge the collective _____ among its stakeholders concerning the new environmental policy. a) bias b) sentiment c) judgment d) conviction
  3. In which of the following sentences could "sentiment" appropriately replace the underlined word(s)? a) The analyst noted the overall feeling of optimism in the tech sector. b) Her strong belief in social justice drove her activism. c) We need to consider the general opinion of the public on this matter. d) He expressed his personal emotion about the sad news.
  4. Choose the word that describes a personal, firm belief, often based on moral or religious principles, rather than a general feeling. a) sentiment b) conviction c) notion d) inclination
  5. Which word best describes a strong, often irrational, feeling of liking or disliking someone or something, usually without a clear reason? a) prejudice b) sentimentality c) disposition d) attitude

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The public's overall opinion on the new policy was largely negative. (Use "sentiment")
  2. His attachment to old photographs was often considered overly emotional. (Use a related word form of "sentiment")
  3. Despite the challenges, her positive outlook on life remained unshaken. (Do NOT use "sentiment")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. sentiment
  2. sentiment
  3. conviction
  4. attitude

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) sentiment
  2. b) sentiment
  3. a) The analyst noted the overall sentiment of optimism in the tech sector. c) We need to consider the sentiment of the public on this matter.
  4. b) conviction
  5. a) prejudice

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The public sentiment regarding the new policy was largely negative.
  2. His attachment to old photographs was often considered sentimental.
  3. Despite the challenges, her optimistic attitude on life remained unshaken.

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