What is substance? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of substance

substancenoun

/ˈsʌbst(ə)ns/
Definition & pronunciation of substance

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "substance" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to say it:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • Sub: Pronounced like "sub" in "subway" – a short, quick "uh" sound.
  • Stance: Pronounced like "stahns" – emphasis on the "ah" sound.
  • -ence: This is the tricky part! It's pronounced like "sens" – a short "eh" sound.

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced: ˈsʌb.stɑːns

Let's break that down further using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which can be really helpful:

  • ˈsʌb: The 'ˈ' symbol indicates primary stress, meaning this syllable is emphasized. "Sʌb" – as described above.
  • stɑːns: “stahns” – The 'ɑː' symbol represents a broad "ah" sound (like in "father").

3. Variations & Tips:

  • American English: A very common way to pronounce it in American English is more like: ˈsʌb.stɑːns (slightly shorter 'ah' sound).
  • British English: In British English, the 'a' sound in "stance" might be a bit more rounded, closer to something like "stahnss" (with a slight 'ss' sound at the end). However, both pronunciations are widely accepted.

4. Listen to Examples:

The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:

To summarize, think of it as: "Sub-STAHS-uhss" (with emphasis on the second syllable).

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you a more detailed explanation of any specific part of the word?

Usage and examples with the word substance in English

Let's break down how to use the word "substance" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by how it's used, with examples:

1. Physical Substance (Matter):

  • Definition: This is the most basic meaning - something solid, liquid, or gas. It refers to the raw material that makes up things.
  • Examples:
    • "The substance was a heavy, gray rock." (Describes a physical material)
    • "The scientist analyzed the chemical substance."
    • “The ship was made of strong substance.”

2. Strength of Character/Reliability:

  • Definition: Here, "substance" refers to a deep, solid feeling or belief - a genuine quality of a person. It's about being reliable, honest, and having real depth.
  • Examples:
    • "He lacked the substance to back up his claims." (Meaning he didn't have real evidence or a strong basis for what he was saying.)
    • "Her writing is full of substance; it’s not just fluff." (Meaning the writing is meaningful and well-developed.)
    • "The politician didn’t have the substance to win the election." (He needed more ideas or a stronger platform.)
    • "Don't focus on superficial appearances; look for the substance of a person's character."

3. Topic/Subject Matter (Formal Contexts):

  • Definition: In formal writing, "substance" can refer to the main topic or theme of a discussion or piece of writing. It’s about what's really being talked about.
  • Examples:
    • “The report lacked substance and offered no new insights.” (Meaning it was boring and didn’t say anything new.)
    • “Let’s get to the substance of the matter.” (Let’s talk about the important part.)
    • “The argument’s substance revolves around economic policy.” (The main focus of the argument is economic policy)

4. A Feeling or Emotion (Less Common):

  • Definition: Sometimes, "substance" can describe a powerful feeling, though this usage is less frequent. It suggests a strong, real emotion.
  • Example:
    • "She felt a strange substance of sadness wash over her." (She felt a deep, genuine sadness)

5. Drugs/Illegal Substances (Direct & Often Negative):

  • Definition: This is a straightforward use – referring to drugs or other illegal substances.
  • Example:
    • "The police seized a large amount of drug substance."

Key Considerations & Related Words:

  • Substantial: This is a closely related adjective meaning “large in amount” or “important.” (e.g., "a substantial amount of money"; "a substantial argument")
  • Substantiate: This verb means "to provide evidence to support" or "to prove." (e.g., "He needs to substantiate his claims.")
  • Substantiate (as a noun): "The evidence substantiated his claims."

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Context is key! The surrounding words and the overall situation will usually make it clear which meaning of "substance" is intended.
  • Pay attention to the sentence structure. Is it describing a material object, a person's character, or a topic of discussion?

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

  • Where did you encounter the word "substance" that you're trying to understand better? (e.g., a book, a conversation, a news article?)
  • Can you share the sentence or phrase where you saw/heard it?

Synonyms for the word substance

Idioms of the word substance

a man/woman of substance
(formal)a rich and powerful man or woman

    Practice with vocabulary substance

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. Scientists are still trying to identify the unknown _______ found at the excavation site, which appears to be a new element.
    2. Despite the elaborate presentation and flashy graphics, the consultant's proposal ultimately lacked real _______.
    3. To achieve the desired flavor, the chef carefully measured each _______ before adding it to the simmering stew.
    4. Her poignant speech captured the very _______ of the community's struggle for justice.

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

    1. Which of these words can refer to a tangible physical material? a) Abstract b) Compound c) Principle d) Substance e) Element

    2. The board was looking for a business proposal with real depth and _______. a) superficiality b) substance c) triviality d) significance e) weight

    3. During the debate, critics argued that the politician's speech lacked any real _______ and was mostly rhetoric. a) content b) filler c) substance d) fluff e) gist

    4. To build a robust system, it is crucial to select high-quality _______. a) rhetoric b) components c) implications d) elements e) narratives

    5. Can you summarize the main point or _______ of the research report for me, rather than going into all the minor details? a) periphery b) gist c) essence d) detail e) preamble

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. The core argument presented by the lawyer held considerable weight and was well-supported. Rewrite using "substance":

    2. The company experienced a significant increase in profits last quarter due to their new marketing strategy. Rewrite using a related form of "substance":

    3. The fundamental nature of their disagreement became clear during the intense negotiation session. Rewrite, replacing the core idea without using "substance" or its related forms:

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. substance
    2. substance
    3. ingredient
    4. essence

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) Compound, d) Substance, e) Element
    2. b) substance, d) significance, e) weight
    3. a) content, c) substance, e) gist
    4. b) components, d) elements
    5. b) gist, c) essence

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. There was considerable substance to the argument presented by the lawyer, and it was well-supported.
    2. The company experienced a substantial increase in profits last quarter due to their new marketing strategy.
    3. The essence of their disagreement became clear during the intense negotiation session.

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