What is afford? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of afford

affordverb

/əˈfɔːd/
Definition & pronunciation of afford

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

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈæfərd/ (rhymes with "ford")

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "aff-": This is pronounced like the word "half" but with an "f" at the beginning. It's a short, quick sound: /ˈæf/ (like "ah" quickly followed by "f")

  2. "-ord": This is the trickiest part. It's NOT pronounced like "ord" as in "order." Instead, it's a rounded "er" sound, similar to the "er" in "bird" or "herd". It's a slightly longer sound: /ɔrd/ (almost like "awrd")

Putting it together:

So, you're essentially saying "ah-ford" where "ah" is a quick "ah" sound and "ford" is "awrd."

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t say "or" like in "order." This is the biggest mistake people make.
  • Don't stretch the "ord" sound out. It's a relatively quick, rounded sound.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to get it right is to hear native speakers. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "afford" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: (https://forvo.com/word/afford/) - This website has pronunciations by native speakers from many different regions.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce afford" – you’ll find many videos with audio examples.

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of words with similar sounds?
  • Focus on a specific aspect of the pronunciation (like the vowel sound)?

Usage and examples with the word afford in English

Let's break down how to use the word "afford" in English. It's a versatile word with slightly different nuances, but generally, it means to have enough money to pay for something. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Basic Meaning: To Have Enough Money

  • Most Common Usage: This is the core meaning – being able to pay for something.
    • "I can't afford a new car right now." (I don't have enough money.)
    • "She affords herself expensive jewelry." (She buys it with her own money, even if it’s not necessary.)
    • "We can't afford to lose this deal." (We can’t afford the financial consequences of losing.)

2. “Afford” as an Alternative to “Can” or “Be Able To”

  • “Afford” often sounds a bit more formal and emphasizes the lack of funds rather than simply stating an ability. It’s a subtle difference.
    • "Can you help me?" vs. "Can I afford help?" (The second implies you're asking if you have the means to get help.)
    • "I can’t swim." vs. "I can’t afford to swim." (The second suggests you don't have the resources to pay for swimming lessons or access to a pool.)

3. “Afford” to Do Something (Meaning to Have the Time or Opportunity)

  • This is a less common but important usage. It means to have the time, resources, or opportunity to do something.
    • "I can’t afford to work late tonight; I need to take the kids to their activities." (I don’t have the time.)
    • “She couldn’t afford to ignore the problem any longer.” (She couldn’t afford to postpone dealing with it.)
    • “He can't afford to take risks with his health.” (He can't afford to make unhealthy choices.)

4. “Affordably” (as an Adverb)

  • It’s frequently used as an adverb to describe something that costs little.
    • “This hotel room is surprisingly affordably priced.”
    • “We’re looking for an affordably reliable car.”

Key Differences and Synonyms:

  • Afford vs. Can/Be Able To: “Can” focuses on the ability to do something; “afford” focuses on the financial means to do it.
  • Synonyms:
    • Pay for
    • Cover
    • Finance
    • Purchase
    • Be able to pay

Common Phrases:

  • Afford something to someone: “I can’t afford to pay him back.”
  • Afford a luxury: “She can only afford a basic apartment.”

Resources for More Practice:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some example sentences?
  • Help you practice using "afford" in a sentence?
  • Explain a specific nuance in more detail (e.g., the difference between “afford” and “can afford”)?

Synonyms for the word afford

Practice with vocabulary afford

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many people cannot _____ to buy a house in the current economy.
  2. The company decided to _____ the expensive marketing campaign to boost sales.
  3. She managed to _____ her studies despite financial difficulties.
  4. We need to find a more _____ solution to this problem.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits the sentence?
    "They couldn’t _____ to miss the opportunity."
    a) afford
    b) manage
    c) spend
    d) permit

  2. Which word is inappropriate in this sentence?
    "The team will _____ the project by the deadline."
    a) allow
    b) complete
    c) afford
    d) finish

  3. Which word(s) can replace "afford" in this sentence?
    "She couldn’t _____ to take a vacation this year."
    a) permit
    b) spare
    c) pay
    d) afford

  4. Which word best fits the sentence?
    "The company decided to _____ the new software despite its high cost."
    a) purchase
    b) afford
    c) invest
    d) acquire

  5. Which word is incorrect in this sentence?
    "He couldn’t _____ the time to attend the meeting."
    a) spare
    b) afford
    c) manage
    d) spend

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: "They don’t have enough money to buy a new car."
    Rewrite:

  2. Original: "She can’t spare the time to join the workshop."
    Rewrite:

  3. Original: "We can’t allow this mistake to happen again."
    Rewrite:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. afford
  2. fund
  3. support
  4. reasonable

Exercise 2:

  1. a) afford
  2. c) afford
  3. b) spare, d) afford
  4. b) afford
  5. d) spend

Exercise 3:

  1. They can’t afford to buy a new car.
  2. She can’t afford the time to join the workshop.
  3. We can’t let this mistake happen again.

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