What is urgent? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of urgent

urgentadjective

/ˈəːdʒ(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of urgent

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "urgent." It can be a tricky one! Here's a breakdown with phonetic guide and tips:

Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈɜːrτζənt/

Breaking it down:

  • ˈɜːr - This is the beginning.
    • ˈ (This symbol means "primary stress" – it’s the strongest part of the syllable.)
    • ɜː - This is a sound similar to the "ur" in "burn" or "hurt," but slightly deeper and rounder. It's a mid-vowel sound. Think of it as a short, almost throaty "er."
  • τζə – This part is a bit trickier.
    • τζ - This sounds like "j" as in "jump."
    • ə - This is a very short, unstressed "uh" sound – almost a schwa (the neutral vowel sound often found in unstressed syllables).
  • nt - Pronounced as “nt” as in “important”.

How to Say It Aloud:

  1. Start with the "er" sound: Say “er” like in “burn.”
  2. Add the “j”: Say “j” like in “jump.”
  3. Add the "uh" sound: Say “uh” very quickly and lightly after the "j". (almost like it’s swallowed)
  4. Finish with "nt": Say "nt" like in “important.”

Putting it together:

Try saying it slowly: "Ur-juh-nt" (emphasize the “Ur”)

Then, speed it up a bit: "Ur-jent" (this is the more common and natural pronunciation).

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t overemphasize the “j”: It’s a very brief sound. A lot of people lengthen it, which isn't quite right.
  • The "uh" is key: This little sound is what distinguishes "urgent" from words like "hurt." Don’t pronounce it fully like a syllable.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken. Search on YouTube for "how to pronounce urgent" – you'll find many videos with native speakers.

Resources:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some more example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word urgent in English

Let's break down how to use the word "urgent" effectively in English. It's a versatile word, but it needs to be used carefully to convey its meaning fully.

1. Basic Meaning:

  • Definition: "Urgent" means demanding immediate attention; pressing; vitally important. It describes something that needs to be dealt with quickly and seriously.

2. How to Use It – Different Contexts:

  • Describing a Situation:

    • "I have an urgent matter to discuss with you." (This means you need to talk about something important and require their attention now.)
    • "There’s an urgent need for more volunteers." (A critical shortage needs to be addressed quickly.)
    • "It was an urgent situation – a fire had broken out." (This highlights the immediate danger and requirement for action.)

  • Describing a Request/Message:

    • "I'm sending you an urgent email." (The email contains important information that demands a rapid response.)
    • "Please call me back – it's urgent!" (Your call is important, and you need a response soon.)
    • "We received an urgent request from the hospital." (A vital demand has been made.)

  • Describing a Feeling/Concern:

    • "I have an urgent feeling that something isn’t right." (You sense a problem that needs investigating.)
    • "She felt an urgent need to tell him the truth." (A strong motivation to act quickly.)

3. Key Phrases & Variations:

  • "Urgent priority": Something that needs to be handled above all else. “This project is a top urgent priority.”
  • "Urgent request": A request that demands immediate attention.
  • "Urgent deadline": A deadline that needs to be met quickly. “The report has an urgent deadline of Friday.”
  • "To be urgent": "The matter needs to be made urgent." (This indicates that something currently isn't urgent but needs to be elevated in priority.)

4. Important Considerations & Avoiding Overuse:

  • Don’t use it lightly: “Urgent” is a strong word. Reserve it for situations that genuinely require immediate action. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make you sound dramatic.
  • Explain why it’s urgent: Simply saying "It's urgent" isn't enough. Provide context. Instead of "It's urgent," say "It’s urgent because the patient is deteriorating."
  • Consider Alternatives: Sometimes, words like "important," "critical," "pressing," or "immediate" might be more appropriate depending on the situation.

5. Examples in Sentences:

  • "The doctor called with an urgent request for blood tests."
  • “Due to the severity of the storm, the evacuation is now considered urgent."
  • “He felt a sudden, urgent need to leave the room.”
  • "We need to address this issue with an urgent response to prevent further damage."

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing an email, speaking in a meeting, describing a situation to a friend?)

Synonyms for the word urgent

Practice with vocabulary urgent

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The hospital issued an ____ appeal for blood donors after the accident.
  2. It is ____ that all employees attend the mandatory safety training next week to ensure compliance with new regulations.
  3. The board convened an ____ meeting to discuss the sudden drop in stock prices.
  4. Timely submission of your application is ____ for consideration, as late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.

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

  1. The sudden server outage created a(n) ______ situation that demanded immediate attention from the IT department. (A) casual (B) trivial (C) urgent (D) pressing

  2. There is an ______ need for skilled workers in the renewable energy sector to meet future demands. (A) minor (B) urgent (C) superfluous (D) pressing

  3. Given the tight deadline, the project manager made an ______ plea for more resources to ensure completion. (A) indifferent (B) casual (C) urgent (D) trivial

  4. It is ______ to wear appropriate safety gear when working on the construction site. (A) discretionary (B) optional (C) imperative (D) trivial

  5. After the accident, the paramedics provided ______ medical assistance to the injured individuals. (A) delayed (B) expeditious (C) slow (D) prolonged

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We must address the security vulnerability immediately; it poses a significant risk to our data. Rewrite (using "urgent" or related word forms): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The hospital issued an urgent appeal for blood donors after the accident.
  2. It is essential that all employees attend the mandatory safety training next week to ensure compliance with new regulations.
  3. The board convened an urgent meeting to discuss the sudden drop in stock prices.
  4. Timely submission of your application is crucial for consideration, as late entries will not be accepted under any circumstances.

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

  1. The sudden server outage created a(n) (C) urgent, (D) pressing situation that demanded immediate attention from the IT department.
  2. There is an (B) urgent, (D) pressing need for skilled workers in the renewable energy sector to meet future demands.
  3. Given the tight deadline, the project manager made an (C) urgent plea for more resources to ensure completion.
  4. It is (C) imperative to wear appropriate safety gear when working on the construction site.
  5. After the accident, the paramedics provided (B) expeditious medical assistance to the injured individuals.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: We must address the security vulnerability immediately; it poses a significant risk to our data. Rewrite (using "urgent" or related word forms): There is an urgent need to address the security vulnerability, as it poses a significant risk to our data.
  2. Original: The CEO stressed the necessity of achieving our quarterly sales targets without delay. Rewrite (using "urgent" or related word forms): Achieving our quarterly sales targets has become an urgent priority, as stressed by the CEO.
  3. Original: It is extremely important that all employees comply with the new data privacy regulations. Rewrite (without "urgent"): Compliance with the new data privacy regulations is crucial for all employees.

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