What is state? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of state

statenoun

/steɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of state

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "state" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you're from!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Pronunciation: ˈsteɪt (stress on the first syllable)
  • Sounds: "stay" – like the word for a period of time.
  • Breakdown:
    • st – as in "stop"
    • a – as in "father"
    • te – as in "test"

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • Pronunciation: steɪt (stress on the second syllable)
  • Sounds: "stay" - just like the American pronunciation.
  • Breakdown:
    • st – as in "stop"
    • e – as in "bed"
    • a – as in "father"
    • t – as in "top"

Here’s a helpful resource to hear both pronunciations:

To summarize, when in doubt, "stayt" (with the stress on the first syllable) is generally understood as "state" in most English-speaking contexts.

Do you want me to:

  • Break down any particular part of the pronunciation?
  • Give you more examples of how it's used in a sentence?

Usage and examples with the word state in English

Let's break down how to use the word "state" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (Referring to a Place):

  • Political State/Country: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a recognized nation or country.
    • “The United States of America is a federal state.”
    • “She traveled to several European states.”
  • Administrative State/Region: Refers to a part of a country or territory.
    • “California is one of the states in the United States.”
    • “The state government manages education.”
  • Mental State: Describes someone’s emotional or psychological condition.
    • “He was in a bad state after the argument.”
    • “The patient's mental state improved with therapy.”
  • Physical State: Describes the condition of something, often referring to its texture or structure.
    • “The chocolate was in a solid state.”
    • “The ice is in a frozen state.”

2. As a Verb (Describing a Condition or Situation):

  • To Declare or Announce: To formally announce something.
    • “The government will state its policy next week.”
    • “The witness stated that he saw the accident.”
  • To Describe or Express: To describe a condition or feeling.
    • “I state my position clearly.”
    • “He states that he is innocent.”
  • To Be in a Certain Condition (Passive Voice): Used to describe something’s condition.
    • “The wine is stated to be vintage.” (Meaning: the wine is reported to be vintage.)
    • “The contract was stated to be legally binding.” (Meaning: the contract was reported as legally binding.)
  • To Regulate/Control (Often used in a bureaucratic context): Less common, but describes control or oversight.
    • "The state regulates the sale of alcohol."

3. Phrases Using "State":

  • State of Affairs: The current situation or conditions.
    • “There’s a difficult state of affairs with the company.”
  • State of Mind: A person’s emotional or mental attitude.
    • “He was in a good state of mind before the trip.”
  • State of Being: (Philosophical) A fundamental aspect of existence. ("I am," "I exist")
  • State-of-the-Art: The most modern or advanced.
    • “This is a state-of-the-art computer.”
  • State Visit: An official trip by a head of state to another country.

4. Legal/Formal Contexts:

  • State Law: Laws passed by a specific state government.
  • State Court: Courts that handle legal cases within a particular state.

Tips for Using "State" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of “state” depends heavily on the surrounding words and the situation.
  • Be Precise: Choose the specific meaning that best fits what you're trying to convey.
  • Consider Alternatives: Depending on the nuance you want to express, words like "condition," "situation," "position," "describe," or "declare" might be more appropriate.

Resources for Further Study:

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

  • What kind of context are you using "state" in? (e.g., writing an essay, speaking conversationally, filling out a form, etc.)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word state

Idioms of the word state

be in/get into a state
to be/become excited or anxious
  • She was in a real state about her exams.
  • He made a mistake and got into a terrible state about it.
  • Jane was in a terrible state after losing her job.
to be dirty or untidy
  • What a state this place is in!
  • How did the carpet get into that state?
in a state of grace
(in the Roman Catholic Church) having been forgiven by God for the wrong or evil things you have done
  • He died in a state of grace.
a state of affairs
a situation
  • This state of affairs can no longer be ignored.
the state of play
the stage that has been reached in a process, etc. which has not yet been completed
  • What is the current state of play in the peace talks?
(especially British English)the score in a sports match, especially in cricket

    Practice with vocabulary state

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The official report is expected to ____ the government's stance on public health policy.
    2. Before making any significant changes, it is crucial to assess the current ____ of the project.
    3. During the negotiation, each party was asked to clearly ____ their non-negotiable terms.
    4. The new regulations will significantly impact the environmental ____ of local industries.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (5 questions — there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following verbs can be used to formally or officially express a fact, opinion, or intention? A. State B. Declare C. Whisper D. Assert E. Suggest

    2. The auditor's report detailed the financial ____ of the company at the end of the fiscal year. A. state B. status C. condition D. feeling

    3. The United Nations works to promote cooperation among its member ____ on various global issues. A. cities B. regions C. states D. districts

    4. Before implementing the new system, it is vital to thoroughly ____ the potential risks and benefits. A. scrutinize B. announce C. publish D. ignore

    5. The project manager requested a comprehensive ____ of the team's progress before the weekly meeting. A. outline B. rumor C. complaint D. estimation

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: During the press conference, the CEO announced that he was stepping down from his position. Rewrite using "state" or a related word form:

    2. Original: The political situation in the region remains highly unstable. Rewrite using "state" or a related word form:

    3. Original: She clearly expressed her concerns about the project timeline in her email. Rewrite without using "state" or a related word form:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. state
    2. status
    3. state
    4. impact

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. A. State, B. Declare, D. Assert
    2. A. state, B. status, C. condition
    3. C. states
    4. A. scrutinize
    5. A. outline

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The CEO formally stated that he was stepping down from his position during the press conference.
    2. The political state in the region remains highly unstable.
    3. She clearly articulated her concerns about the project timeline in her email.

    Comment ()