pronounce

/prəˈnaʊns/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈnaʊns/ (ame, ipa) · /prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s/ (ame, mw)

pronounce — verb

  • pronouncepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • pronounceshe / she / it
  • pronouncedpast simple
  • pronouncing-ing form

1. to speak a word, letter, or name using your mouth and voice, especially in the c

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to speak a word, letter, or name using your mouth and voice, especially in the correct manner

例句

When Inês first learned French, she could not pronounce the letter 'r' correctly.

pattern: pronounce + letter + adverb (correctly)

The teacher asked Reuben to pronounce 'thorough' slowly for the rest of the class.

同義詞
  • say

    more general; 'say' does not focus on the physical act of producing a particular sound the way 'pronounce' does

  • utter

    more formal; 'utter' emphasises the act of producing sound, not necessarily the correct form of a word

  • articulate

    emphasises clear, distinct speech; often used when someone speaks each part of a word separately

反義詞
  • mumble

    to speak unclearly, without separating sounds

  • mispronounce

    to say a word in the wrong way

文法句型

pronounce + word/letter/sound

pronounce + word/letter/sound + adverb (correctly, slowly, clearly)

用法筆記

This sense can be used transitively (pronounce a word) or intransitively (How do you pronounce?). The supporting adverb of manner — correctly, clearly, slowly — is very common and helps specify the quality of the sound.

常見錯誤

❌I cannot pronounciate this word.
✅I cannot pronounce this word.
💡'pronunciate' is not a standard English word; use 'pronounce' instead.
❌She pronounciated the name wrong.
✅She pronounced the name wrong.
💡The past tense is 'pronounced', not 'pronunciated'.

2. to make a formal or official statement about something, especially a judgment, o

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make a formal or official statement about something, especially a judgment, opinion, or decision — for example, pronouncing a couple married, a patient dead, or a defendant guilty

例句

The head doctor pronounced the patient dead after all attempts to revive her failed.

passive structure: patient was pronounced dead (common in medical contexts)

After a short trial, Judge Heather pronounced a sentence of five years in prison.

同義詞
  • declare

    similar formality, but 'declare' is broader and can be used in non-legal contexts

  • proclaim

    more public and ceremonial; often implies an announcement to many people

  • rule

    specific to legal or authoritative decisions; often used in court contexts

反義詞
  • retract

    to take back a formal statement that was made

  • withhold

    to refuse to give a judgment or opinion

文法句型

pronounce + object + noun/adjective

pronounce + that-clause

用法筆記

Frequently used in passive structures ('was pronounced dead', 'was pronounced guilty'). The subject is typically an authority figure such as a judge, doctor, or official. The pattern 'pronounce + object + adjective' is the most common: the adjective describes the state or quality of the object.

常見錯誤

❌The manager pronounced the meeting over.
✅The manager declared the meeting over.
💡'Pronounce' in this sense implies official or legal authority; 'declare' is more appropriate for everyday workplace announcements.