What is taxing? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of taxing

taxingadjective

/ˈtæksɪŋ//ˈtæksɪŋ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "taxing" in English. Here's a breakdown with audio resources:

1. The Basic Pronunciation:

  • tæksɪŋ (This is the most common and generally accepted pronunciation.)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • tæ - Sounds like "tah" (as in "father") - It's a short, quick "ah" sound.
  • ksɪ - This is a dipthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). It sounds like "kiss" but with the "i" sound a bit more emphasized. Think of it as a quick glide from a vowel sound to another.
  • ŋ - This is the "ng" sound as in "sing" or "long." It's a nasal sound - you feel the vibration in your nose.

2. Slow it Down:

  • t - As in "top"
  • a - As in "father"
  • x - This letter makes an 's' sound, not a 'k' sound. It’s a tricky one for many people. Concentrate on the "s" sound as you glide into the next vowel.
  • i - As in "bit"
  • ng – As in “sing”

3. Resources for Hearing It:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • The 'x' sound is key: This is the trickiest part for many learners. Imagine you're saying "kiss" and then subtly adding an 's' sound to the end.
  • Nasal sound: Make sure the "ng" sound is clear and nasal (you feel it in your nose).
  • Listen carefully to native speakers: The best way to learn pronunciation is to hear it from people who speak English natively.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly again?
  • Give you some common mistakes to avoid?

Usage and examples with the word taxing in English

Let's break down how to use the word "taxing" in English. It's a versatile word with several related meanings. Here's a breakdown, with examples:

1. As an Adjective – Meaning Difficult, Demanding, or Challenging (Most Common Use)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent way to use "taxing." It describes something that requires a lot of effort, energy, or mental strain.
  • Examples:
    • “The project was taxing on my resources.” (Meaning: The project was difficult and demanding.)
    • “Dealing with customer complaints can be incredibly taxing.” (Meaning: It’s a challenging and frustrating job.)
    • “The hike up the mountain was taxing, but the view was worth it.” (Meaning: The hike was physically difficult.)
    • “Raising a young family is a taxing but rewarding experience.” (Meaning: It's demanding.)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning Expensive or Costly

  • Meaning: This usage originates from the word “tax,” referring to money paid to a government.
  • Examples:
    • “The cost of living in this city is taxing.” (Meaning: It’s very expensive.)
    • “Their travel expenses were taxing.” (Meaning: The travel somehow cost a lot of money.)
    • "The new regulations will be taxing for small businesses." (Meaning: The regulations will create high costs.)

3. As an Adjective – (Less Common) Significantly Affecting or Burdening

  • Meaning: This implies a substantial impact, often negative.
  • Example:
    • “The new legislation is taxing the economy.” (Meaning: It's putting a heavy burden on the economy.)

Key Nuances & Usage Tips:

  • Context is crucial: The precise meaning of “taxing” depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms to add variety and clarity:
    • For “difficult/challenging”: strenuous, demanding, rigorous, challenging, overwhelming, trying.
    • For “expensive/costly”: exorbitant, pricey, costly, dear, steep.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Taxing" is generally considered more formal than words like "tough" or "hard."

Here's a table summarizing the usages:

Usage Meaning Example
Adjective Difficult/Challenging “The exam was a taxing one.”
Adjective Expensive/Costly “The repairs were taxing on our budget.”
Adjective Burdening “The pandemic has been taxing on communities.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., "I'm writing a description of a stressful job," or "I want to express how expensive a trip is.")

Synonyms for the word taxing

Practice with vocabulary taxing

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The year-end financial audit proved to be incredibly ________ for the accounting department, requiring long hours and meticulous attention.
  2. Despite the team's best efforts, the new software system remained quite ________ to implement due to its numerous integrations.
  3. Dealing with the constant pressure of client expectations can be emotionally ________ for sales professionals, especially during peak seasons.
  4. It is absolutely ________ that all security protocols are followed without exception to protect sensitive company data.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following situations would most likely be described as taxing? A) A leisurely stroll in the park B) An intricate problem-solving task under a tight deadline C) A routine data entry project with clear instructions D) A casual coffee break with colleagues

  2. The company's new policy was designed to foster a more ________ work environment, encouraging collaboration and creativity among employees. A) strenuous B) oppressive C) conducive D) burdensome

  3. Which of these attributes are often associated with a taxing workload? (Select all that apply) A) High mental effort B) Significant time commitment C) Minimal stress D) Emotional strain

  4. She found the constant stream of minor technical issues to be more ________ than truly difficult, often interrupting her workflow. A) stimulating B) annoying C) engaging D) profound

  5. After weeks of intensive research and writing, the academic project felt incredibly ________, leaving the students exhausted both mentally and physically. A) simple B) effortless C) taxing D) refreshing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The prolonged budget negotiations significantly depleted the CEO's energy reserves. Rewrite using "taxing" or a related word form:

  2. Original: Our primary objective is to develop a sustainable business model for the next decade. Rewrite without using "taxing" or any of its forms:

  3. Original: He felt completely drained after spending twelve hours analyzing complex financial data. Rewrite using "taxing" or a related word form:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. taxing
  2. complex
  3. taxing
  4. essential

Exercise 2:

  1. B) An intricate problem-solving task under a tight deadline
  2. C) conducive
  3. A) High mental effort, B) Significant time commitment, D) Emotional strain
  4. B) annoying
  5. C) taxing

Exercise 3:

  1. The prolonged budget negotiations were incredibly taxing on the CEO's energy reserves.
  2. Our primary objective is to establish a sustainable business model for the next decade.
  3. Analyzing complex financial data for twelve hours had completely taxed him.

Comment ()