Adjourned is the past participle of the verb 'adjourn,' meaning to suspend or delay a meeting, session, or event to a later time. It is often used in formal contexts, particularly in legal and parliamentary settings, to indicate that proceedings have been temporarily halted. The term can also apply more broadly to activities being paused until a specified time.
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When it comes to pronouncing 'adjourned,' learners often encounter several common pitfalls. Understanding these can aid in better articulation: • **Stress Misplacement:** Many non-native speakers might place stress incorrectly on the first syllable /əˈdʒɜrn̩d/, which leads to sounding unnatural. Always focus on the second syllable for the correct emphasis. • **Vowel Quality Issues:** The schwa sound /ə/ in the first syllable can be confusing. Non-native speakers may replace it with a stronger vowel sound, making it sound less formal or precise. Practice the schwa to achieve the correct pronunciation. • **Linking Sounds:** In connected speech, 'adjourned' can link to the following words, creating challenges for fluency. For instance, in phrases like 'adjourned until,' the /d/ sound may connect with the vowel sound of 'until.' Practicing these connections can build smoother speech. • **Rhoticity Variations:** In US English, the final /d/ is quite pronounced due to rhoticity, while in some UK accents, speakers might soften this sound. Pay close attention to variations in pronunciation • **Overexaggeration of R Sounds:** Some learners might over-articulate the 'r' in the stressed syllable, making it sound harsh. Focus on keeping this sound natural and subtle for better sounding. To improve, consider listening to native speakers and recording your own voice to evaluate these aspects. Practicing with peers can also create a supportive learning environment to refine your pronunciation.
Understanding the accent variations in pronouncing 'adjourned' can help learners to articulate more accurately: • **US Accent:** In American English, 'adjourned' is pronounced /əˈdʒɜrn̩d/. The 'r' is pronounced clearly, giving a distinctive sound quality. The vowel is a relaxed schwa /ə/, followed by a stressed /ɜr/. Make sure to differentiate the /d/ clearly at the end. • **UK Accent:** In British English, the pronunciation is /əˈdʒɜːnd/. The vowel here is lengthened, with a more relaxed quality compared to American pronunciation. The 'r' is often softer or absent, especially in non-rhotic accents. Listen closely to how the vowel sounds are prolonged to achieve accuracy. • **Australian Accent:** The Australian pronunciation is quite similar to UK but often features a slight twang, pronounced as /əˈdʒɜːnd/. The key differences involve the vowel quality and the intonation patterns, often a bit more melodious than both US and UK accents. It’s crucial to not overemphasize the 'r,' which would not be considered typical in this context. Overall, practice by comparing sound clips and repeat phrases from both accents. Shadowing exercises can greatly aid in mastering these subtleties of pronunciation.
"The judge adjourned the court session until the following morning."
"After a lengthy discussion, the committee decided to adjourn the meeting until further notice."
"The conference was adjourned due to unforeseen circumstances."
"Let's adjourn for lunch and continue our discussion afterward."
The word 'adjourn' originates from the Old French 'ajourner,' meaning 'to put off until another day,' derived from 'a-' (to) and 'jour' (day), which in turn comes from the Latin 'diurnus,' meaning 'daily' or 'of the day.' The evolution of this term reflects a historical practice in both legal and parliamentary contexts, where discussions or decisions were temporarily set aside. The first known use of 'adjourn' dates back to the 14th century, demonstrating its long-standing presence in formal temporality in English-speaking cultures. Over centuries, 'adjourned' has come to signify not only the act of postponing but also the formal closure of proceedings in various contexts, from legislative assemblies to informal meetings.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "adjourned" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "adjourned" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "adjourned" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "adjourned"
-ned sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
The word 'adjourned' is pronounced /əˈdʒɜrn̩d/ in US English, while in UK English, it is pronounced /əˈdʒɜːnd/. Notice that in both accents, the emphasis is on the second syllable. In Australian English, it is similar to UK pronunciation, also noting the vowel elongation in the second syllable. Ensure to capture the schwa sound in the first syllable, as it is softer than the second.
Common pronunciation mistakes include misplacing the stress on the first syllable instead of the second, which can lead to miscommunication. Non-native speakers might also struggle with the vowel sound in the second syllable, producing a less clear or more open sound. Practicing with models can help correct these issues and ensure clarity when using the word in a sentence.
In US English, 'adjourned' is pronounced /əˈdʒɜrn̩d/, with a rhotic 'r' sound, which is less pronounced in UK English, where it is pronounced /əˈdʒɜːnd/. Australian English resembles UK pronunciation, often elongating the vowel sound slightly more. The main difference lies in the treatment of the 'r,' affecting the overall clarity of the pronunciation depending on the speaker's accent.
Mastering the pronunciation of 'adjourned' is important due to its frequent use in formal settings, where precise communication is critical. Mispronunciation could lead to misunderstandings in meetings, legal settings, or discussions. It enhances clarity in professional communication, demonstrates language proficiency, and helps in engaging effectively in discourse where such terminology is standard.
In 'adjourned,' the vowel in the first syllable is a schwa sound /ə/, which is a relaxed, neutral vowel sound. The second syllable features a stressed vowel /ɜr/ in American English, pronounced as a mid-central vowel with a following rhotic glide. In British English, the vowel is typically pronounced as /ɜː/, a more extended mid-central vowel without the rhotic quality, showing a subtle difference across accents.
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To master the pronunciation of 'adjourned,' engaging in diverse practice techniques will enhance proficiency: • **Minimal Pairs Practice:** Identify minimal pairs that contrast with 'adjourned,' such as 'adjoined', 'returned', and 'discerned.' Repeat these pairs to sharpen your differentiation skills. • **Common Phrases:** Practice sentences that naturally use 'adjourned,' including: "The meeting was adjourned until next week," or "We have adjourned the session due to time constraints." Focus on the stress patterns in these phrases. • **Shadowing Practice:** Listen to native speakers pronounce 'adjourned' in various contexts, such as news reports or legal discussions. Imitate their pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. This technique allows you to develop a natural pronunciation style. • **Recording Yourself:** Regularly record your pronunciation. Compare your recordings with native models to evaluate your clarity, intonation, and stress placement. This reflective practice is valuable for identifying areas needing improvement. • **Sentence Stress Patterns:** Practice the sentence: "Let’s adjourn the meeting at noon." Focus on stressing the word 'adjourn' while maintaining a light touch on the other words. Doing this will help with your overall pronunciation flow. Consistency in these exercises will build up both confidence and fluency with the word 'adjourned' in spoken English.
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