• Content (information or material) – Noun

• Content (satisfied or happy) – Adjective

Pronunciation

These words are heteronyms, meaning they are spelled the same but pronounced differently and have different meanings.

• Content (Adjective): Pronounced /kənˈtɛnt/ (kun-TENT) — Happy or satisfied.

• Content (Noun): Pronounced /ˈkɑːntɛnt/ (KAHN-tent) — Information.

Listen to the audio. Notice how the pronunciation changes based on the meaning.

What makes them different is your intonation, expression, and context, or the other words in the sentence.

Instruction

Read each sentence aloud and practice identifying the meaning of "content" in context.
Can you tell which “content” is being mentioned as you read each sentence?

Example Sentences

1. The content of the book was very informative.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

2. She felt content after finishing her favorite novel.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

3. The teacher reviewed the course content before the exam.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

4. He looked content sitting by the fire on a cold night.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

5. The website’s content was engaging and easy to navigate.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

6. She seemed content with her decision to move to the countryside.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

7. The movie’s content may not be suitable for young audiences.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

8. He was content to spend the weekend relaxing at home.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

9. The professor emphasized the importance of quality content in assignments.
   a. Information or material
   b. Satisfied or happy

10. They were content with the results of their hard work.
    a. Information or material
    b. Satisfied or happy

Answers

1. a

2. b

3. a

4. b

5. a

6. b

7. a

8. b

9. a

10. b

Intonation

Instructions: Intonation is controlling the rise and fall of your voice. When we do this with words and phrases, we send the listener a specific message.

Content (information or material)

1. The course content was well-organized and easy to understand. (Stress content to emphasize the material.)

2. The blog’s content keeps readers engaged. (Highlight content to show the focus on information.)

3. The film’s content received positive reviews for its originality. (Emphasize content to focus on the subject.)

Content (satisfied or happy)

1. She felt content with the results of her efforts. (Stress content to show satisfaction.)

2. He was completely content sitting under the shade of the tree. (Highlight content to focus on his happiness.)

3. They seemed content with the simple lifestyle they had chosen. (Emphasize content to show their peacefulness.)

Expression

The following explains how stressing or emphasizing the bolded words alters the tone or focus of the sentence and offers some helpful tips. Practice stressing these words when speaking.

Content (information or material):

1. Engaging content: Refers to material that captures interest.

   • Tip: Highlight engaging to show the material’s quality.

   • Sentence: The writer focused on creating engaging content for her blog.

2. Course content: Describes material in an educational setting.

   • Tip: Stress course to specify the type of material.

   • Sentence: The professor updated the course content to include recent research.

3. Digital content: Refers to online material.

   • Tip: Highlight digital to emphasize the medium.

   • Sentence: She specializes in creating digital content for social media.

Content (satisfied or happy):

1. Feel content: Highlights a state of satisfaction.

   • Tip: Stress feel to show emotion.

   • Sentence: She began to feel content after completing her goals.

2. Seem content: Suggests a noticeable state of peace or happiness.

   • Tip: Highlight seem to show observation.

   • Sentence: He didn’t say much but seemed content with his decision.

3. Completely content: Indicates full satisfaction.

   • Tip: Emphasize completely to stress the depth of the feeling.

   • Sentence: They were completely content living a quiet, rural life.

Things to Remember:

The word "content" is used in different contexts:

• Content (information or material): Often paired with phrases like "engaging content," "course content," or "digital content."

  • Example: The engaging content on the website kept readers coming back.

• Content (satisfied or happy): Commonly used with "feel content," "seem content," or "completely content."

  • Example: She felt completely content after achieving her goal.