What is agreement? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of agreement

agreementnoun

/əˈɡriːm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of agreement

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "agreement" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcriptions and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (Most Accurate):

  • /ˈæɡriːmənt/

Let's break that down:

  • ˈ – This symbol indicates primary stress (emphasis) – it falls on the first syllable.
  • æ – This is the "a" sound as in "cat" or "trap".
  • ɡ – A hard "g" sound as in "go".
  • riː – “ree” – This is a long "ee" sound, like in "see" or "tree”.
  • mənt – “ment” – This is a very quick, almost silent "m" followed by the “nt” sound which is like “ent” but shorter and more abrupt.

2. How to Say It Step-by-Step:

  1. "Ag": Say "ag" like in "bag".
  2. "ree": Say "ree" like "see" or "tree". Don’t over-elongate it.
  3. "ment": Say "ment" like “men-t.” It's a quick, clipped sound.

3. Putting it Together:

It really flows together relatively quickly. Focus on the emphasis on the first syllable ("ag") and the short, clipped "ment" at the end.

4. Listen to Examples:

  • Google it: Search "how to pronounce agreement" on Google and click the audio icon. You’ll hear many native speakers.
  • Forvo: Forvo.com is a great website where you can hear words pronounced by native speakers from different regions: https://forvo.com/word/agreement/

Tips for getting it right:

  • Don't over-emphasize the "ee" sound: It's a subtle sound.
  • The "ment" is crucial: It’s often a stumbling block for people. Make it quick and don't linger on the "nt."
  • Listen and repeat: The best way to learn is to hear it and then imitate the sound.

Would you like me to:

  • Generate a recording of the word being pronounced?
  • Give you some synonyms for "agreement" so you can practice those too?

Usage and examples with the word agreement in English

Let's break down how to use the word "agreement" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (The most common use):

  • Formal Agreement/Contract: This is the most frequent usage. It refers to a written or spoken understanding between two or more parties about something.

    • Example: “We reached an agreement on the price of the car.”
    • Example: “The company signed a five-year agreement with the supplier.”
    • Example: “The treaty was signed after years of negotiations—a historic agreement.”
    • Types of Formal Agreements: Contracts, leases, service agreements, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), etc.

  • General Agreement/Harmony: This refers to a state of being in accord or agreement.

    • Example: “There’s a general agreement that climate change is a serious problem.”
    • Example: “I reached an agreement with myself to start exercising regularly.”
    • Example: "I think we have a good agreement on the best way to handle this."

  • Agreement of Opinions/Ideas: Referring to sharing the same viewpoint.

    • Example: "There's a strong agreement among scientists about the cause of the storm."
    • Example: “We came to an agreement on the design.”

2. As a Verb (Less common, but important):

  • To Reach an Agreement: This means to come to a mutual understanding or an accord.

    • Example: “They agreed to meet for lunch tomorrow.” (Simple tense)
    • Example: “After several discussions, the negotiators agreed on the terms.” (Past tense)
    • Example: “We need to agree on the budget before we can move forward.” (Present simple tense - expressing a necessity)

  • To Conform/Be in Accordance: This means to align with something.

    • Example: “The painting agrees with my taste.” (Present tense - describing an aesthetic match)
    • Example: “The data agrees with the previous findings.” (Present tense - stating compatibility)

3. Phrases Using "Agreement":

  • In Agreement: "I'm in agreement with your suggestion." (Expressing support)
  • Lack of Agreement: "There was a lack of agreement on how to proceed." (Expressing disagreement)
  • Agreement to disagree: "We don't have to agree on everything, we can agree to disagree." (Accepting differing opinions)
  • Legal Agreement: Specifically referring to an agreement that has legal binding.

Tips for Using "Agreement" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to determine the intended meaning.
  • Formal vs. Informal: “Agreement” is more formal than words like “deal” or “understanding.”
  • Past Tense: The past tense of “agree” is “agreed.”

Resources for Further Learning:

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

  • What are you trying to do with the word "agreement"? (e.g., writing an email, giving a presentation, understanding a legal document)?
  • Can you provide a sentence where you were thinking of using "agreement"?

Synonyms for the word agreement

Practice with vocabulary agreement

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The two parties finally reached an __________ after weeks of negotiation.
  2. Her proposal was met with widespread __________ from the team members.
  3. The lack of __________ in the data made it difficult to draw any conclusions.
  4. They signed a __________ to formalize their partnership.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. What is the term for a mutual understanding between two or more parties?
    a) Argument
    b) Agreement
    c) Dispute
    d) Conflict

  2. Which word best describes a formal arrangement that is legally binding?
    a) Conversation
    b) Agreement
    c) Discussion
    d) Debate

  3. Which of the following can be used to describe harmony in opinions or actions?
    a) Agreement
    b) Discord
    c) Consensus
    d) Confusion

  4. What is the opposite of a disagreement?
    a) Agreement
    b) Misunderstanding
    c) Argument
    d) Tension

  5. Which word describes a verbal exchange of ideas?
    a) Agreement
    b) Dialogue
    c) Consensus
    d) Contract

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team came to a mutual understanding after the meeting.
  2. The contract was signed to finalize their partnership.
  3. Both sides decided to collaborate after a lengthy discussion.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. agreement
  2. agreement
  3. consistency
  4. contract

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Agreement
  2. b) Agreement
  3. a) Agreement, c) Consensus
  4. a) Agreement
  5. b) Dialogue

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The team reached an agreement after the meeting.
  2. The agreement was signed to formalize their partnership.
  3. Both sides decided to work together after a lengthy discussion.

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