What is associate? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of associate

associateverb

/əˈsəʊʃɪeɪt//əˈsəʊsɪeɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of associate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "associate." It’s a tricky one for some! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • “a” as in “father”: Start with the sound you make when saying "father." It's a short, open “a” sound.
  • “s” as in “sun”: Say the word "sun."
  • “o” as in “go”: Say the word “go.”
  • “ci” as in “city”: Say the word "city."
  • “ate” as in “late”: Say the word "late."

2. Putting It Together:

So, it's roughly: “a-SO-see-ate”

3. Emphasis & Breakdown:

  • “a-SO”: The emphasis is on the "SO" syllable. It's a distinct syllable.
  • “see”: The "see" part should be clear and not slurred.
  • “ate”: The “ate” retains the "a" sound as in ‘late’.

4. Rhyme & Tips:

A helpful (though slightly imperfect) rhyme people often use is: "a-so-see-ate" (like "a lease date").

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Regional accents can affect pronunciation.)
  • What’s your biggest challenge with this word? (Is it a particular syllable, or the overall flow?)

Usage and examples with the word associate in English

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

1. To Link or Connect (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: To regard as connected or relevant; to think of as belonging together. This is the most frequent usage.
  • Examples:
    • "I associate the smell of rain with childhood memories." (Linking feelings to a specific sense)
    • "He associates honesty with integrity." (Connecting qualities)
    • "She associates wealth with success." (Linking concepts)
    • "The color blue is often associated with calmness." (Connecting a color with an emotion)

2. To Be Connected with Someone (Professional or Social)

  • Meaning: To work with someone regularly, often in a professional setting. It implies a working relationship.
  • Examples:
    • "She associates with a lot of talented artists." (Social connection - being friends or colleagues)
    • "He associates with a prominent law firm." (Professional connection - working there)
    • "I associate with my colleagues during lunch breaks." (Social connection - spending time together)

3. To Be Connected to Something (Often Negative)

  • Meaning: To be linked to something unfavorable or undesirable. This is often used in a negative context.
  • Examples:
    • "He was associated with a criminal organization." (Linked to illegal activity)
    • "The company was associated with several environmental scandals." (Linked to negative events)
    • "The brand has been associated with poor quality in the past." (Linked to a reputation)

4. (Formal) To Be a Member of a Group

  • Meaning: To be formally part of an organization or group. This is often used in official contexts.
  • Examples:
    • "She was associated with the university as a research assistant." (Formal membership)
    • "The artist was associated with the gallery for many years." (Formal relationship)

5. (Less Common) To Bring Together

  • Meaning: To combine or unite, often in a deliberate way.
  • Examples: "The company aims to associate its various departments to improve efficiency."

Key Verb Forms & Usage:

  • Associate with someone/something: This is the most common structure. "He associates with his coworkers." "She associates with the problem."
  • Associate as someone: (Often in formal contexts). “She was associated as a professor.”
  • Associate to + infinitive: "He associates to improve his skills." (Less common, but grammatically correct)

Synonyms (depending on the meaning):

  • Link: "They are linked by a shared interest."
  • Connect: "She connects with people easily."
  • Work with: "He works with a team of engineers."
  • Relate to: “This problem relates to many aspects of our business."
  • Join: "She joined the association."

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

  • What context are you trying to use "associate" in? (e.g., a writing assignment, a conversation, a specific topic?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you're struggling with?

Synonyms for the word associate

Practice with vocabulary associate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Many people ______ the smell of coffee with waking up in the morning.
  2. She decided to ______ herself with the new project because of its innovative approach.
  3. The teacher asked the students to ______ their opinions during the discussion.
  4. He tends to ______ his success with hard work and perseverance.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following verbs means to connect something with something else in your mind?
    a) associate
    b) separate
    c) analyze
    d) ignore
  2. In a professional context, which term describes someone who works closely with others in a team?
    a) colleague
    b) associate
    c) competitor
    d) manager
  3. Which word can replace "link" in the sentence: "People often ______ this brand with luxury"?
    a) associate
    b) detach
    c) compare
    d) reduce
  4. Which word does NOT fit in the sentence: "She decided to ______ herself with the charity event"?
    a) associate
    b) involve
    c) distance
    d) connect
  5. Which word best completes the sentence: "The study aimed to ______ the effects of stress on productivity"?
    a) analyze
    b) associate
    c) evaluate
    d) disregard

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: People often think of beaches when they hear the word "vacation."
    Rewrite: People often ______ beaches with the word "vacation."
  2. Original: She decided to join the team working on the new project.
    Rewrite: She decided to ______ herself with the team working on the new project.
  3. Original: The study focused on connecting sleep quality to overall health.
    Rewrite: The study focused on the ______ between sleep quality and overall health.

Answers:

Exercise 1:

  1. associate
  2. associate
  3. share
  4. attribute

Exercise 2:

  1. a) associate
  2. b) associate
  3. a) associate
  4. c) distance
  5. c) evaluate

Exercise 3:

  1. People often associate beaches with the word "vacation."
  2. She decided to associate herself with the team working on the new project.
  3. The study focused on the link between sleep quality and overall health.

Comment ()