What is survey? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of survey

surveyverb/noun

/səˈveɪ//ˈsəːveɪ/
Definition & pronunciation of survey

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "survey." There are a couple of common pronunciations, and they're both perfectly acceptable! Here are the two main ways, with explanations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈsɜː.və.ri (This is closer to British English)
    • ˈsɜː – This is the most important part. It sounds like "SURV" as in "surface." The 'r' is very subtle, almost like a little 'ruh' sound. It's not a strong, rolled 'r.'
    • və – This is like "vuh" – short and almost swallowed.
    • ri – This is like "ree," as in "see."

2. British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈsʌr.veɪ
    • ˈsʌr - Sounds like "SUR" as in "surface." A bit more distinct 'r' sound than American English.
    • veɪ - Sounds like "vay" - like the direction "way."

Here's a breakdown with sounds to mimic (using phonetic symbols):

  • American: [ˈsɜː.və.ri] (Imagine saying "SURV-uh-ree")
  • British: [ˈsʌr.veɪ] (Imagine saying "SURR-vay")

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

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

  • Where are you from? (Are you primarily speaking American English, or British English, or somewhere else?)

Usage and examples with the word survey in English

Let's break down how to use the word "survey" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings! Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. As a Verb (to examine carefully):

  • Meaning: To look at something closely and in detail, often with the purpose of understanding it.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to survey the damage after the storm." (To examine the damage)
    • "The archaeologist surveyed the site before starting to dig." (To examine the area)
    • "The CEO surveyed employee morale to find out how they were feeling." (To investigate feelings)
    • "She surveyed the room and noticed a few people were talking." (To observe the scene)

2. As a Verb (to collect information - often through a questionnaire):

  • Meaning: To gather information from a group of people by asking them questions. This is what most people think of when they hear "survey."
  • Examples:
    • "We're conducting a survey to find out what customers want." (Collecting opinions)
    • "The company will survey potential buyers about their needs." (Gathering data)
    • "Researchers surveyed over 1,000 people about their internet usage." (Collecting data from a large group)
    • "Please fill out this survey about your experience." (Requesting someone to complete a questionnaire)

3. As a Noun (a written questionnaire):

  • Meaning: The actual document or form used to collect information.
  • Examples:
    • "I received a survey asking about my voting preferences." (The questionnaire itself)
    • "The survey results showed a strong preference for the new product." (The data gathered from the questionnaire)
    • “She completed the survey online.” (The online form)

4. As a Noun (a map or aerial view):

  • Meaning: A map showing the features of an area, often made from the air. (More common in geographical contexts)
  • Examples:
    • "The pilot used a survey to navigate the mountainous terrain." (A map used for flight)
    • "The land survey determined the property boundaries." (A map showing property lines)

Here’s a table summarizing the different meanings:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb Examine carefully "I surveyed the scene for clues."
Verb Collect information (questionnaire) "We surveyed customers about their needs."
Noun Written questionnaire "Complete the customer survey."
Noun Aerial map/view “The survey showed a large forest area.”

Tips for Using "Survey" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Survey" is generally considered a more formal word.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you might use words like examine, investigate, assess, gather, or question.

Can you give me a specific sentence you'd like help with, or a situation where you're trying to use "survey"? That way, I can give you even more tailored advice! For example, "I want to say 'We need to survey our employees about their work-life balance.'"

Synonyms for the word survey

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