What is ex? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of ex

expreposition

/ɛks/
Definition & pronunciation of ex

The pronunciation of "ex" in English is tricky, and it depends heavily on the word it's in! It can sound like:

1. /eks/ (like "eggs") - This is the most common pronunciation.

  • Examples: excellent, example, expect, exercise

2. /iks/ (like "icks") - This is also very common, especially in American English.

  • Examples: exist, index, quick

3. /ɛks/ (like "ex" in "text") - This pronunciation is increasingly common, particularly in British English and younger speakers.

  • Examples: exact, exit, text

Here's a breakdown of how to figure it out:

  • Latin Roots: "Ex" comes from the Latin word for "out" or "from." This is why you'll often hear it pronounced with an "x" sound.

  • Stress: Where the stress is in the word is a key clue. If the stress is on the syllable with "ex," you're more likely to hear /eks/ or /iks/.

  • Word Type: Certain word categories have a stronger tendency:

    • Words related to movement or going out: Tend to have /eks/. (e.g., exit, expect)
    • Words with a more "formal" or technical feel: Are more often /iks/. (e.g., exist, index)
    • Words ending in -ex: Often /eks/. (e.g., exercise)

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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  • In what context are you asking about "ex"? (e.g., "in the word 'exercise'?", "in general?")

Usage and examples with the word ex in English

The word "ex" is a versatile little prefix in English, and it can be tricky to master because its meaning changes depending on the context. Here's a breakdown of how to use it, broken down by common usages:

1. Former/Past: This is the most common and well-understood use.

  • Meaning: Used to indicate something that used to be something else, but no longer is.
  • Examples:
    • "She was a teacher, but now she's an architect - she's an ex-teacher." (She used to be a teacher.)
    • "He was the CEO of the company, but he's an ex-CEO now." (He previously held that position.)
    • "I met my ex-boyfriend at a party last week." (I met my former boyfriend.)

2. Excluding/Except: Used to indicate “not including” or “leaving out.”

  • Meaning: To remove something from a group or category.
  • Examples:
    • "All students except John will take the exam." (Everyone else will take the exam.)
    • "The price includes tax, but not shipping - it’s excluding shipping." (Shipping is not included in the price.)
    • "I liked all the books except the first one." (I didn't like the first book.)

3. “Ex-” as a Prefix - Related to Something (Less Common Now): Historically, "ex-" indicated something originally connected to a particular thing. This usage is much less frequent today.

  • Meaning: This is an older, more formal usage that originally meant "out of" or "from." It’s more common in legal and academic contexts.
  • Examples (Older Usage - These are still used, but less often):
    • Ex-wife/Ex-husband: Formerly married woman/man. (Literally "out of" marriage)
    • Ex-president: Formerly president.
    • Ex-communication: Isolation from a religious community.
    • Ex-territory: Outside of a territory. (Historically "out of territory")

4. Shortened Forms (Informal): Sometimes "ex-" is used informally to shorten words, particularly names.

  • Examples:
    • Ex: Often used as a quick way to say “formerly” - “He's an ex.” (He was formerly something.)
    • Ex-girl/Ex-boyfriend: (Same as above – informal shortening)

Key Points & Considerations:

  • Capitalization: When "ex-" is used as a prefix to form a new word (like "ex-wife"), it starts with a capital letter. When referring to the concept of past or excluding, it's usually lowercase.
  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "ex-" depends entirely on how it’s used in the sentence. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
  • Don't Overuse: While convenient, constantly shortening words with "ex-" can sound slightly awkward.

Resources for Further Learning:

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  • Are you struggling with a specific example of how to use "ex-"?
  • Are you interested in a particular area where it's often used (e.g., legal writing, casual conversation)?

Synonyms for the word ex

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