Analogy is a comparison between two things that highlights their similarities, often to explain or clarify. It involves mapping relationships from one domain to another, typically in a structured, logical form. In everyday use, analogies help illustrate complex ideas by showing corresponding features or relations. The term stresses similarity rather than difference and is common in reasoning, literature, and instruction.
"The teacher used an analogy between the solar system and a clock to explain orbital motion."
"Her argument drew an analogy to a sports team, where every player has a specific role."
"The maze was explained by an analogy to navigating a city map."
"In philosophy, analogy is used to discuss how terms apply across different domains."
Analogy comes from the Greek word analogia, from ana- meaning ‘up, again’ and logos meaning ‘ratio, proportion, argument.’ The term entered English via Latin analogia in the 14th century, preserving the sense of proportionate relation or correspondence. Early uses emphasized logical demonstration by showing proportional similarities between things. Over time, analogy broadened into rhetorical and didactic functions, where a known relationship is used to explain an unfamiliar concept. In modern usage, analogy often implies a structured, causal or relational mapping (A is to B as C is to D), though the scope can be broader, including metaphorical resemblance. First known English uses appear in scholastic and philosophical texts where scholars compared intellectual ideas through parallel structures, and the word gradually stabilized into the current noun form, associated with reasoning, explanation, and figurative comparison.
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Words that rhyme with "Analogy"
-ogy sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Analogy is pronounced ə-NAL-ə-jee (US UK: /əˈnælədʒi/). The primary stress is on the second syllable: na-LA-gy with a soft final 'jee'. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then a clear /ˈnæ/ or / næ/ in the second, followed by /l/ and a soft /dʒi/ at the end. Keep your tongue high for the /dʒ/ and finish with a light, quick /i/. Audio references from standard dictionaries can help: listen for the crisp /dʒ/ and the trailing /i/.
Common mistakes include misplacing stress (putting it on the first syllable a-NAL-ə-ji), mispronouncing /næ/ as /ənæ/ in the second syllable, and softening the /dʒ/ into a /ʒ/ or /dʒ/ blends too early in the word. To correct: place primary stress on the second syllable (ə-NAL-ə-ji), keep /l/ clear between the vowels, and articulate the /dʒ/ as a separate segment before the final /i/. Practicing with 2-3 minimal pairs helps: /əˈnæl.ə.dʒi/ vs /əˈnælə.dʒɪ/ can steer you toward a CRisp /dʒ/ and a final /i/.
In US, UK, and AU, the rhythm is similar but vowel quality shifts. US often uses /ˈælə/ in the second vowel, UK leans toward /ˈænəlɒdʒi/ in some speakers, and AU maintains a clear /æ/ in the second syllable with a slightly longer /i/ at the end. Rhotic accents may add a light /r/ influence only in linked speech but not in the isolated word. IPA transcriptions help: US /əˈnælədʒi/, UK /əˈnælə.dʒi/, AU /əˈnælədʒi/ with minor vowel shifts. Listen for the stressed second syllable and the clear /dʒ/.
The difficulty centers on the stress pattern and the /dʒ/ consonant cluster. Many non-native speakers misplace the primary stress or merge /dʒ/ with /ʒ/ or /d/. Also, the middle vowels can drift toward /ə/ or /æ/ depending on accent, blurring syllable boundaries. To master: practice the exact stressed syllable (NA-lə-ji), exaggerate the /dʒ/ to avoid Balkanizing the sound, and use a slow pronunciation drill before speeding up. Consistent IPA guidance clarifies the precise articulation.
Is the final -gy pronounced as in 'gym' or as 'jee' in 'genie'? In Analogy, the ending is /dʒi/, like the 'g' in 'ginger' followed by a long 'ee' sound, not the hard 'g' as in 'gym'. Ensure the tongue contacts the palate for the /dʒ/ and ends with a light /i/. This combination often misleads learners who expect a hard 'g' sound; treat the ending as /dʒi/ for accurate pronunciation.
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