How to pronounce

paragraph

When learning how to pronounce "paragraph," the key is to break it down into its individual syllables. The word starts with "para," which is pronounced "PAIR-uh." The following syllable is "graph," which is pronounced "GRAF." When these two syllables are combined, the word should be pronounced "PAIR-uh-GRAF."

American Pronunciation: /ˈpærəˌɡræf/
British Pronunciation: /ˈpærəɡrɑːf/
IPA Notation:
- American: [ˈpærəˌɡræf]
- British: [ˈpærəɡrɑːf]

To pronounce "paragraph" correctly, start with the "par" sound, similar to "pair" or "pear." Follow this with "a," pronounced as a short "uh" sound, almost like a softer "a" in "cat." Then, end with "graph," which sounds like "graf" in American English, with a short "a" as in "cat," and more like "grahf" in British English, with the "a" sounding more like the "a" in "father." The primary stress is on the first syllable, "PAR."

To practice, try saying the word "paragraph" slowly. First, say the word "pair," then add the "uh" sound. After that, say the word "graf," and practice putting the syllables together. Keep practicing until you can say "paragraph" correctly.

If you are having trouble, try exaggerating the sounds when you are saying the word. For example, when saying the word "pair," stretch out the "ah" sound. When saying "graf," emphasize the "f" sound and really push it out of your mouth. Pronouncing the word with exaggeration can help you get the sounds correct.Once you can say the word "paragraph" correctly, try saying it faster. This will help you get used to saying the word at a normal speaking pace. With practice, you'll be able to pronounce "paragraph" correctly in no time.

Definition of

paragraph

A paragraph is a distinct section of writing that typically deals with a single theme or idea. It starts on a new line and is often indented or marked by a blank line before and after. Paragraphs help to break text into manageable chunks, making it easier to read and understand. They serve several functions, including:

Introducing ideas: Each paragraph often introduces a new concept or point related to the overall topic.
Organizing content: Paragraphs help organize and structure the content logically.
Providing structure: They give visual structure to a document, making it more accessible and easier to follow.

What does it mean

paragraph

The word "paragraph" comes from the Middle French "paragraphe" and directly from the Medieval Latin "paragraphus," meaning "a sign for a new section of a discourse" (the sign itself originally consisted of a horizontal stroke or a series of dots), which comes from the Greek "paragraphos," meaning "a short stroke in the margin marking a break in sense." The Greek term is composed of "para-" (beside, beyond, altered, against) and "graphein" (to write). Initially, the term referred more to the mark itself that signaled a new section of text rather than the section of text, as we understand it today. Over time, "paragraph" evolved to denote the concept of a written section dedicated to a particular point or idea, reflecting its etymological roots in the acts of marking and writing.