What is together? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of together

togetheradverb

/təˈɡɛðə/
Definition & pronunciation of together

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "together" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Vowel Sound:

  • "a" sound: The most important part is the vowel sound. It's a short "a" sound, like in the word "cat." It's not like the "a" in "father" or "cake." Think of a quick, clipped "ah" sound.

2. The Syllables:

  • "to" - geh: Say "to" as you normally would. Then, say "geh" (rhymes with "he"). This is where many people stumble.
  • "ther" - (with a 'th' sound): This is the key! You need to make the "th" sound, as in "think" or "this." It's important not to sandwich the 'th' between vowels, which would make it sound like "ther".

3. Putting it Together:

  • "to-geh-ther"

Here's a breakdown of the sounds as separate syllables:

  • to: /tə/ (The "ə" is a schwa sound - a very short, neutral vowel sound – like the “a” in “about”)
  • geh: /ɡeɪ/ (The "a" is short, as in "cat")
  • ther: /θer/ (The "th" sound – as in "think")

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce together" on YouTube and listen to several examples. Pay attention to how they articulate the "th" sound.
  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying "together" and compare it to a native speaker. This can help you identify areas where you can improve.
  • Focus on the "th": Really emphasize that "th" sound. It’s often what people miss.

Resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more examples of words with the "th" sound?

Usage and examples with the word together in English

Let's break down how to use the word "together" in English. It's a very versatile word with multiple ways to use it! Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. As an Adverb (Describing How Something Happens)

  • Meaning: This is probably the most common usage. It means "at the same time," "simultaneously," or "in cooperation."
  • Examples:
    • "Let's study together." (Meaning: Let's study at the same time.)
    • "We should work together to solve this problem." (Meaning: We should work simultaneously and cooperatively.)
    • "The dancers moved together in perfect harmony." (Meaning: They moved at the same time and in synchronization.)
    • "They celebrated together on her birthday." (Meaning: They celebrated at the same time.)

2. As a Pronoun (Referring to a Group)

  • Meaning: "We" – it replaces "we" when referring to a group of people.
  • Examples:
    • “All of us are going together.” (Instead of: “We are all going.”)
    • “The team worked together to achieve its goal.” (Instead of: "The team worked together to achieve its goal.")
    • “They volunteered together at the soup kitchen.” (Instead of: “They volunteered together at the soup kitchen.”)

3. With Verbs (Creating Phrases)

  • “Work together”: Means to cooperate and accomplish something jointly.
    • “Let’s work together to improve the company.”
  • “Come together”: Means to gather, unite, or join forces.
    • “The protesters came together to demand change.”
  • “Stand together”: Means to support each other, usually in a difficult situation.
    • “We must stand together against injustice.”
  • “Grow together”: (often used metaphorically) Means to develop and strengthen as a group or relationship.
    • “The siblings grew together through shared experiences.”

4. With Nouns (Describing a Group)

  • “A team working together”: Describes a group of people collaborating.
  • “A group of friends together”: Indicates people who are associating with each other.

5. Figurative/Emotional Uses

  • “Feeling together”: Means feeling connected or in solidarity with someone.
    • “I felt so much closer to her after we talked together.”

Key Points & Nuances:

  • Emphasis on Shared Action: "Together" often highlights the idea of shared effort, cooperation, or experience.
  • Positive Connotation: It generally carries a positive feeling of unity and support.

Here's a table summarizing the different ways to use "together":

Usage Meaning Example
Adverb At the same time, together “Let’s clean the kitchen together.”
Pronoun As a substitute for "we" “We’re going together.”
Verb Phrases (e.g., work together) “Let’s work together to finish.”
With Nouns Describing a group “A group of friends together.”

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a sentence, a paragraph, an email?)
  • What context are you using "together" in? (e.g., teamwork, friendship, a specific activity?)

Synonyms for the word together

Idioms of the word together

together with
including
  • Together with the Johnsons, there were 12 of us in the villa.
in addition to; as well as
  • Our meal arrived, together with a bottle of red wine.

Practice with vocabulary together

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To successfully complete the large-scale project, all team members must work _____.
  2. The management has decided to bring all regional offices _____ for a unified annual conference next quarter.
  3. The company aims to enhance efficiency by running the marketing and sales campaigns _____, ensuring a cohesive message.
  4. After careful consideration, the board approved the budget allocation _____, reflecting their collective agreement.

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

  1. For the upcoming presentation, we need to consolidate all data and prepare the slides _____. A) individually B) separately C) together D) alone

  2. Despite initial disagreements, the negotiating parties eventually reached a consensus and decided to move forward _____. A) apart B) dispersed C) together D) separately

  3. The project's success depends on whether the diverse teams can function effectively _____ to achieve their shared objectives. A) collectively B) solely C) together D) independently

  4. The two companies decided to develop the new software application _____, sharing both the risks and the potential profits. A) independently B) jointly C) together D) separately

  5. The system upgrade and server migration must happen _____, otherwise, there will be significant downtime. A) sequentially B) subsequently C) simultaneously D) together

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite using "together" or a related word form: The research findings from various studies were combined to form a comprehensive conclusion.

  2. Rewrite using "together" or a related word form: The committee members decided to act as a unified group to address the community's concerns.

  3. Rewrite without using "together": Both departments are responsible for the project's success, sharing accountability equally.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. together
  2. together
  3. concurrently
  4. unanimously

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) together
  2. C) together
  3. A) collectively, C) together
  4. B) jointly
  5. C) simultaneously

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The research findings from various studies were put together to form a comprehensive conclusion.
  2. The committee members decided to act together to address the community's concerns.
  3. Both departments are jointly responsible for the project's success, sharing accountability equally.

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