What is tour? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of tour

tournoun/verb

/tʊə/
Definition & pronunciation of tour

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "tour" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: "tare" (rhymes with "dare")
  • Break it down:
    • "t" – Pronounced as a regular 't' sound.
    • "our" – This is where most people stumble. It doesn't rhyme with "our" as in "sour." Instead, it's pronounced like "er" (as in "her") followed by a quick, almost silent "r". It's a very short, subtle "r" sound.

So, it's "tah-r" - quick and snappy!

British English Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "toor" (rhymes with "door")
  • Break it down: The "our" is pronounced as a true "our" sound - as in "sour" or "tourist."

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Focus on the "er" sound: Really try to feel that quick, light "er" sound at the end.
  • Don't over-emphasize the "r": It's a very subtle "r."
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear how it's pronounced in real-life examples.

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

  • Are you aiming for American or British English pronunciation?

Usage and examples with the word tour in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tour" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use them:

1. As a Trip/Journey (Most Common)

  • Meaning: A planned journey, usually for pleasure or sightseeing.
  • Examples:
    • "We're planning a tour of Europe this summer."
    • "She took a tour of the city."
    • "Let's go on a tour of the Grand Canyon!"
    • "He's backpacking around Southeast Asia on a tour."

2. As a Guided Visit (Often with a Group)

  • Meaning: A guided visit to a place, often with a set itinerary and a guide. This is very common for attractions like museums, historic sites, or theme parks.
  • Examples:
    • "We booked a tour of the museum."
    • "They offer evening tours of the castle."
    • "The factory gave us a tour of their production line."

3. As a Performance (Music, Theater, etc.)

  • Meaning: A series of performances in different locations.
  • Examples:
    • "The rock band is going on tour next month." (Meaning they’ll play concerts in many cities)
    • "The Shakespearean play is on tour across the country."
    • "He's a famous opera singer who regularly goes on tour."

4. As a Route/Path (Less Common - More Formal)

  • Meaning: A specific route or pathway, often used in maps or planning. This usage is less frequent in everyday conversation.
  • Examples:
    • "The tour of the river was beautiful." (Referring to a planned route along the river)
    • "The map shows the tour through the forest."

5. "Take a Tour" (As an Action)

  • Meaning: To go on a tour.
  • Example: "I'm going to take a tour of the new art gallery."

Key Phrases and Variations:

  • Guided tour: A tour with a guide.
  • Bus tour: A tour conducted using a bus.
  • Walking tour: A tour where you walk to see the sights.
  • Food tour: A tour focused on sampling local cuisine.
  • Ghost tour: A tour focused on haunted locations.

Tips for Using "Tour" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "tour" depends heavily on the context.
  • Consider your audience: More formal settings might call for a more precise way of saying "trip" or "visit."

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

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., “I’m writing a travel blog post,” “I want to describe a concert,” “I’m explaining something to a friend.”)

Synonyms for the word tour

Practice with vocabulary tour

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company offers a comprehensive factory _______ to new employees to familiarize them with operations.
  2. Our team will embark on a promotional _______ next month, visiting key cities to launch the new product line.
  3. The board conducted a thorough _______ of the quarterly financial report before its approval.
  4. Effective risk management requires careful _______ of potential threats.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The museum offers various guided _______, including one focusing on ancient artifacts and another on modern art. a) tours b) travels c) journeys d) expeditions
  2. Which terms can describe a structured visit to multiple locations, often for a specific professional or educational purpose? a) tour b) excursion c) visit d) itinerary
  3. The famous author is scheduled for a book signing _______ across several major cities next spring. a) tour b) voyage c) trek d) rally
  4. To fully grasp the capabilities of the new system, users attended a practical _______ session. a) demonstration b) exhibition c) presentation d) display
  5. Our annual team-building event includes an overnight _______ to a mountain resort. a) journey b) trip c) voyage d) expedition

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The CEO will visit various regional offices next month to meet staff and assess local operations. (Rewrite using "tour" or a related word form.)
  2. Before purchasing the property, we were given an opportunity to see all the different rooms and facilities. (Rewrite using "tour" or a related word form.)
  3. We need to carefully examine the manufacturing plant for any potential safety hazards. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "tour".)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. tour
  2. tour
  3. review
  4. assessment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) tours
  2. a) tour, b) excursion, c) visit
  3. a) tour
  4. a) demonstration
  5. b) trip

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The CEO will tour various regional offices next month to meet staff and assess local operations.
  2. Before purchasing the property, we were given a tour of all the different rooms and facilities.
  3. We need to scrutinize the manufacturing plant carefully for any potential safety hazards.

Comment ()