What is appoint? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of appoint

appointverb

/əˈpɔɪnt/
Definition & pronunciation of appoint

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

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ə-ˈpɔɪnt/

2. Breakdown:

  • ə (schwa): This is the most common sound in English. It’s a very short, unstressed "uh" sound, like in "about." It's the first sound.
  • ˈpɔɪnt: This is the stressed syllable (the part of the word that gets emphasized). Let’s break this down further:
    • p: As in "pen" - a quick, short "p" sound.
    • ɔɪ: This is the tricky part! It's a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds. It sounds like the "oy" in "boy" or "toy." Think of it as a rounded, slightly higher sound.
    • nt: As in "went" or "hint."

3. How to Say It (Step-by-Step):

  1. Start with the "uh" sound: Say “uh” like in “about.”
  2. Add the “p”: Quickly say “p.”
  3. Blend the "oy" sound: Make the sound like the “oy” in “boy.” It's important this is a rounded vowel.
  4. Add the "nt": Finish with a quick “nt” sound, like in “went.”

4. Putting it all together:

It should sound like: “uh-POYNT” (with the emphasis on the "POYNT")

5. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't overemphasize the "a" sound: The "a" in "appoint" isn't pronounced like in "apple." It's the schwa sound.
  • The "oy" is key: This is the most common stumbling block. Practice saying “boy” and “toy” repeatedly to get the feel for this vowel combination.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it spoken correctly. Here are some resources:
    • Google: Type "how to pronounce appoint" into Google and listen to the audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/appoint/ – This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce appoint” on YouTube – you’ll find many videos.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some more practice words with similar sounds (like "point")?

Usage and examples with the word appoint in English

Let's break down how to use the word "appoint" in English. It has a couple of distinct meanings, but they both revolve around the idea of selecting someone for a role.

1. To Officially Select Someone for a Position:

This is the most common usage of "appoint." It means to formally choose someone to hold a specific job, role, or responsibility.

  • Structure: appoint + someone + to + a position/role/job

  • Examples:

    • “The board of directors appointed John Smith as CEO.” (Formal selection)
    • “The teacher appointed Sarah as class monitor.” (Choosing someone to a specific task)
    • "The government appointed a new ambassador to France." (Formal diplomatic appointment)
    • “I’m appointed to lead the project team.” (Passive voice; receiving the appointment)

2. To Assign a Task or Duty (Less Formal):

"Appoint" can also be used in a slightly less formal way to simply assign someone a task or duty. It’s often used when the selection isn't a permanent position.

  • Structure: appoint + someone + to + a task/duty

  • Examples:

    • “The boss appointed me to handle the customer complaints.” (Temporary assignment)
    • “He appointed her to write the report.” (Assigning a specific task)
    • “Let’s appoint someone to be in charge of refreshments.” (Assigning responsibility for something simple)

Key Differences & Nuances:

Feature To Officially Select (Formal) To Assign a Task (Less Formal)
Permanence Usually a permanent position Often a temporary assignment
Formality Very formal Less formal
Context Official roles, leadership, etc. Everyday tasks, responsibilities

Synonyms:

Here are some words you could use instead of "appoint," depending on the context:

  • Select: (Formal - similar to appoint)
  • Nominate: (Suggesting a candidate for an appointment)
  • Designate: (Officially assign)
  • Choose: (More common, less formal)
  • Assign: (More common for tasks)
  • Name: (Often used for official roles)

Let's test your understanding:

Which sentence is using "appoint" correctly?

a) The committee appointed her to be the spokesperson. b) The president appointed him to a lifetime position. c) She appointed him to take notes in the meeting.

Answer: a) is the best answer. It indicates a formal selection for a role. b) implies a permanent position, which "appoint" doesn't always convey. c) is a good use of "assign" or "asked" - "appoint" is slightly too formal for this simple task.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how "appoint" is used in a particular sentence?
  • Practice using "appoint" in a sentence?

Synonyms for the word appoint

Practice with vocabulary appoint

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The committee decided to ___ a new director to oversee the project.
  2. She was ___ as the head of the department after the previous manager retired.
  3. They ___ a meeting to discuss the budget for next quarter.
  4. The board chose to ___ him for his exceptional leadership skills.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best fits the sentence?
    "The company plans to ___ a new CEO by the end of the month."
    a) appoint b) assign c) dismiss d) promote

  2. What is the most appropriate word for the blank?
    "They decided to ___ a new team leader to improve productivity."
    a) select b) appoint c) nominate d) recommend

  3. Which word is incorrect in this context?
    "The principal will ___ a new head of the student council next week."
    a) appoint b) elect c) hire d) fire

  4. Which word is a synonym of "assign"?
    a) appoint b) allocate c) dismiss d) delegate

  5. What word does NOT fit the sentence?
    "The president will ___ a new ambassador to the country."
    a) appoint b) designate c) terminate d) nominate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: "They chose her to be the new project manager."
    Rewrite: "They ___ her as the new project manager."

  2. Original: "The committee selected him for the position of treasurer."
    Rewrite: "The committee ___ him as treasurer."

  3. Original: "The company assigned him to lead the new initiative."
    Rewrite: "The company ___ him to lead the new initiative."

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. appoint
  2. appointed
  3. scheduled
  4. appoint

Exercise 2:

  1. a) appoint
  2. b) appoint
  3. d) fire
  4. b) allocate
  5. c) terminate

Exercise 3:

  1. They appointed her as the new project manager.
  2. The committee appointed him as treasurer.
  3. The company assigned him to lead the new initiative.

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