What is significantly? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of significantly

significantlyadverb

/sɪɡˈnɪfɪk(ə)ntli/
Definition & pronunciation of significantly

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "significantly" in English. It can be tricky, but with a bit of attention to the syllables, it becomes much clearer.

Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations:

1. Syllable by Syllable:

  • Sign: /saɪn/ (like the act of pointing or writing) - Think "sigh" with an "n" at the end.
  • i: /i/ (as in "it") – a short, simple "i" sound.
  • fi: /fi/ (like "fee")
  • cant: /kən/ (like "con") – short, quick sound.
  • ly: /li/ (like "Lee") – emphasizing the "l" sound.

2. Putting it Together (with emphasis):

The general pronunciation is: ** /ˈsaɪn.ɪ.fɪ.kənt.li/ **

Here's what that sounds like (you can type this into Google Translate or use an online pronunciation tool to hear it):

  • ˈsaɪn (emphasis on the first syllable - like "sign")
  • ɪ (short "i" sound)
  • fɪ (like "fee")
  • kənt (like "con")
  • li (like "Lee")

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("sign").
  • Don't slur: Don't rush from one syllable to the next. Give each syllable its own distinct sound.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce significantly" and listen to native English speakers. Here's a good one to start with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jv546PqR9U

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a different example word to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word significantly in English

Let's break down how to use the word "significantly" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a precise meaning, and using it correctly elevates your writing and speaking.

1. Core Meaning:

"Significantly" means in a noticeably important way; to a large extent; considerably. It describes something that has a substantial impact or effect. It’s stronger than simply “a lot” or “very.”

2. How to Use It – Common Sentence Structures:

  • With Verbs: This is the most common usage.

    • "The new policy significantly increased sales." (The policy had a big, noticeable effect on sales.)
    • "Climate change significantly affects weather patterns." (The impact is considerable and important.)
    • "The research significantly improved our understanding of the disease." (The improvement was substantial.)
    • "Her attendance significantly decreased after the accident." (A large and noticeable drop occurred.)

  • With Adjectives: You can use it to describe the degree of something.

    • "The earthquake caused significantly more damage than initially predicted." (The damage was much greater than expected.)
    • "The company's profits grew significantly last quarter." (The growth was considerable and important.)
    • "She felt significantly better after taking the medicine." (The improvement was noticeable and substantial.)

  • As an Adverb (describing a situation):

    • "The meeting was significantly delayed due to traffic." (The delay was substantial and important.)
    • "The storm caused significantly more flooding than we’d anticipated." (The flooding was much worse than expected.)

3. Important Considerations & Nuances:

  • It often implies a quantitative difference: “Significantly” is often best used when you can imply a measurable or noticeable change. If you can say how much something increased or decreased, that strengthens the use of "significantly."

  • Don't overuse it: Like many adverbs, “significantly” can become clunky if used too frequently. Consider if a more direct phrasing would be clearer. Sometimes, "a lot," "considerably," or "substantially" might be better choices.

  • Alternatives: Depending on the context, you could also use:

    • Substantially: Similar in meaning, often used in formal writing.
    • Considerably: Similar to "significantly"
    • Notably: “The results were notably different.” (Focuses on being worthy of attention)
    • Remarkably: "The singer's performance was remarkably captivating." (Emphasizes surprise or impressiveness)

4. Examples to Illustrate the Difference:

  • Weak: "The price of gas increased a lot." (Vague)

  • Better: "The price of gas increased significantly." (Implies a noticeable and important change.)

  • Weak: “The sales went up.” (Not descriptive)

  • Better: “The sales increased significantly this year.” (More informative – by how much?)

5. Let's Test Your Understanding

Fill in the blank with “significantly” or a suitable alternative:

"The study found that regular exercise __________ improved cardiovascular health."

(Answer: significantly – because you want to convey a substantial benefit)

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Help you practice using "significantly" in a sentence?
  • Focus on a specific context (e.g., academic writing, business communication)?

Synonyms for the word significantly

Practice with vocabulary significantly

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The recent policy changes have _____ impacted employee morale, leading to a noticeable drop in productivity.
  2. Researchers discovered that the new drug reduced symptoms _____ more than the placebo in clinical trials.
  3. After years of intense negotiation, the two countries _____ reached a consensus on the new trade agreement.
  4. The CEO stressed that adapting to market trends is _____ for the company's long-term success.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The project budget was reduced _____, forcing the team to re-evaluate their resource allocation. a) marginally b) rarely c) significantly d) barely

  2. The new software upgrade did not just add a few features; it _____ improved system performance and user experience. a) superficially b) incidentally c) significantly d) barely

  3. The company's market share increased _____ after the successful advertising campaign. a) noticeably b) faintly c) hardly d) significantly

  4. The architect explained that the building's foundation must be inspected _____ to prevent future structural issues. a) partially b) minimally c) thoroughly d) adequately

  5. The board meeting focused _____ on strategies for international expansion, as domestic growth had plateaued. a) secondarily b) incidentally c) primarily d) briefly

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The difference in test results between the two groups was very large. (Rewrite the sentence to include "significantly" or a related word form.)

  2. It is of great importance that we address these security vulnerabilities immediately. (Rewrite the sentence to include "significantly" or a related word form.)

  3. The team completed the complex task in a remarkably good way. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "significantly" or its related forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. significantly
  2. significantly
  3. eventually
  4. crucially

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) significantly
  2. c) significantly
  3. a) noticeably, d) significantly
  4. c) thoroughly, d) adequately
  5. c) primarily

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The test results of the two groups differed significantly.
  2. It is of significant importance that we address these security vulnerabilities immediately.
  3. The team completed the complex task exceptionally well.

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