Main Translations

English: Detract

Thai: ลดทอน (Lot Ton)

Phonetic: Lot Ton (pronounced as "loht tohn" with a rising tone on "lot" and a mid tone on "ton")

Detailed Explanation: The word "detract" is a verb that means to reduce the value, quality, or worth of something, often by drawing attention away from its positive aspects. It carries a negative connotation, implying a subtle or indirect diminishment. For instance, in SEO-optimized contexts like product reviews or critiques, "detract" is used to describe how certain elements might undermine an otherwise positive feature. In Thai, "ลดทอน" is commonly used in formal writing or discussions, such as in business evaluations or literary analysis, to convey a similar sense of depreciation without being overly harsh. This translation emphasizes emotional nuances like disappointment or criticism, making it suitable for scenarios where balance is needed, such as in balanced reviews or debates.

Thai: ทำให้เสื่อมค่า (Tham Hai Seum Kha)

Phonetic: Tham Hai Seum Kha (pronounced as "tham hai sum khaa" with a mid tone on "tham" and a falling tone on "kha")

Detailed Explanation: As a secondary translation, "ทำให้เสื่อมค่า" means to cause something to lose its value or degrade over time. This phrase highlights semantic nuances related to long-term effects, such as in cultural or economic discussions. It often evokes emotional connotations of regret or loss, and is used in contexts like art criticism or personal reflections. For SEO purposes, this translation aligns with searches for "detract meaning in Thai" in evaluative content, where the focus is on how external factors erode intrinsic worth.

Overview of Usage Scenarios

The word "detract" is primarily used in formal and semi-formal contexts to indicate a reduction in value or appeal. Common scenarios include business critiques (e.g., product flaws), leisure activities (e.g., weather impacting enjoyment), and everyday evaluations (e.g., minor issues in relationships). It is less common in casual speech due to its formal tone, making it ideal for written content like articles or reviews. SEO-wise, it's often searched in phrases like "detract from meaning" when users seek nuanced language for criticism or analysis.

Example Sentences

Example Sentences in Different Scenarios

Business Scenario

English: The outdated design detracts from the overall appeal of the new smartphone.

Thai: การออกแบบที่ล้าสมัยลดทอนความน่าสนใจของสมาร์ทโฟนรุ่นใหม่

Grammatical Breakdown: "The outdated design" is the subject (noun phrase); "detracts" is the main verb (third-person singular present tense); "from the overall appeal" is a prepositional phrase indicating what is being reduced. The sentence structure is subject-verb-object.

Structural Analysis: This declarative sentence uses "detract" transitively with "from," emphasizing cause-and-effect in a professional context. It's SEO-optimized for business-related queries like "detract in product reviews."

Leisure Scenario

English: The constant noise from traffic detracts from the peacefulness of our beach vacation.

Thai: เสียงรบกวนจากรถติดทำให้เสื่อมค่าสันติภาพของการพักร้อนที่ชายหาด

Grammatical Breakdown: "The constant noise from traffic" is the subject; "detracts" is the verb; "from the peacefulness" is the prepositional phrase. The sentence follows a simple subject-verb-object structure.

Structural Analysis: This sentence illustrates "detract" in a casual, experiential context, showing how external factors impact enjoyment. It's useful for SEO in travel blogs searching for "detract meaning in leisure activities."

Formal Occasion

English: His inappropriate comments detracted from the elegance of the awards ceremony.

Thai: คำพูดที่ไม่เหมาะสมของเขาลดทอนความสง่างามของพิธีมอบรางวัล

Grammatical Breakdown: "His inappropriate comments" is the subject; "detracted" is the past tense verb; "from the elegance" is the prepositional phrase. The structure is formal and linear.

Structural Analysis: The past tense highlights a completed action, making it suitable for retrospective analysis. This usage aligns with SEO for formal events, like "detract in ceremonies."

Informal Occasion

English: That stain on your shirt detracts from your otherwise cool outfit.

Thai: รอยเปื้อนบนเสื้อของคุณทำให้เสื่อมค่าความเท่ของชุดที่เหลือ

Grammatical Breakdown: "That stain on your shirt" is the subject; "detracts" is the verb; "from your otherwise cool outfit" is the object phrase. It's a straightforward sentence.

Structural Analysis: In informal settings, "detract" adds a light-hearted critique. For SEO, it fits casual searches like "detract meaning in everyday life."

Example Sentences in Different Sentence Types

Declarative Sentence

English: Poor lighting detracts from the ambiance of the restaurant.

Thai: แสงสว่างที่ไม่ดีลดทอนบรรยากาศของร้านอาหาร

Grammatical Breakdown: "Poor lighting" (subject), "detracts" (verb), "from the ambiance" (object). It's a standard statement.

Structural Analysis: This sentence states a fact, ideal for reviews. SEO relevance: "detract in declarative sentences."

Interrogative Sentence

English: Does the high cost detract from the value of this investment?

Thai: ค่าที่สูงมากทำให้เสื่อมค่าความคุ้มค่าของการลงทุนนี้หรือไม่?

Grammatical Breakdown: "Does" (auxiliary verb for question form), "detract" (main verb), "from the value" (object). Inverted structure for interrogation.

Structural Analysis: This poses a question for discussion, enhancing engagement. SEO: "detract in interrogative sentences for debates."

Imperative Sentence

English: Don't let minor flaws detract from your confidence in the project.

Thai: อย่าปล่อยให้ข้อบกพร่องเล็กน้อยลดทอนความมั่นใจของคุณในโครงการ

Grammatical Breakdown: "Don't let" (imperative form), "detract" (infinitive verb), "from your confidence" (object). Commands direct action.

Structural Analysis: It advises against negative impacts, suitable for motivational content. SEO: "detract in imperative sentences for advice."

Exclamatory Sentence

English: How the bad reviews detract from what could have been a perfect movie!

Thai: ดูสิที่รีวิวแย่ๆ ทำให้เสื่อมค่าของหนังที่ควรจะสมบูรณ์แบบ!

Grammatical Breakdown: "How" (exclamation starter), "detract" (verb), "from what could have been" (object). Ends with an exclamation mark.

Structural Analysis: Expresses strong emotion, amplifying criticism. SEO: "detract in exclamatory sentences for emphasis."

Example Sentences of Different Difficulties

Simple Sentence

English: Noise detracts from sleep.

Thai: เสียงรบกวนลดทอนการนอนหลับ

Grammatical Breakdown: "Noise" (subject), "detracts" (verb), "from sleep" (object). Basic structure.

Structural Analysis: Straightforward for beginners. SEO: "detract in simple sentences for language learners."

Intermediate Sentence

English: The politician's scandal detracts from his campaign's positive message.

Thai: เรื่องอื้อฉาวของนักการเมืองทำให้เสื่อมค่าข้อความบวกของการหาเสียง

Grammatical Breakdown: "The politician's scandal" (subject), "detracts" (verb), "from his campaign's positive message" (complex object).

Structural Analysis: Adds layers with possessive phrases. SEO: "detract in intermediate sentences for politics."

Complex Sentence

English: Although the book has strong characters, the predictable plot detracts from its overall impact, making it less memorable for readers.

Thai: แม้ว่าหนังสือจะมีตัวละครที่แข็งแกร่ง แต่พล็อตที่คาดเดาได้ทำให้เสื่อมค่าผลกระทบโดยรวม ทำให้มันน่าจดจำน้อยลงสำหรับผู้อ่าน

Grammatical Breakdown: "Although the book has strong characters" (subordinate clause), "the predictable plot detracts" (main clause), "making it less memorable" (additional clause).

Structural Analysis: Uses subordination for depth. SEO: "detract in complex sentences for literary analysis."

Related Phrases and Expressions

Synonyms/Near Synonyms:

Diminish – Used to indicate a reduction in size or importance, often in contexts like "detract meaning" for subtle criticism.

Undermine – Refers to weakening foundations, similar to "detract" in emotional or strategic scenarios, e.g., in business conflicts.

Antonyms:

Enhance – The opposite, meaning to improve or add value, contrasting "detract" in SEO queries like "detract vs enhance."

Improve – Indicates positive change, used when discussing growth instead of diminishment.

Common Collocations:

Detract from – Often paired to specify what is being reduced, as in "detract from the experience," common in reviews.

Detract attention – Used in contexts like media, e.g., "detract attention from the main issue," for SEO in focus-related searches.

Cultural Background and Usage Habits

Cultural Background:

Cultural Point 1: In Western cultures, particularly English-speaking ones, "detract" is rooted in literary and philosophical traditions, often appearing in critiques to maintain a balanced tone. For instance, in Thai culture, equivalent expressions like "ลดทอน" reflect a collectivist approach, emphasizing harmony and avoiding direct confrontation, which aligns with SEO for cross-cultural language learning.

Usage Habits:

Habit 1: "Detract" is more frequent in formal writing (e.g., articles, reports) than spoken language, popular among professionals and educators. In Thailand, it's used sparingly in everyday Thai, with higher adoption in urban, educated groups for international communication, making it SEO-relevant for "detract usage in Thai culture."

Grammar Explanation

Grammatical Function: "Detract" functions as a transitive verb, typically requiring a prepositional phrase like "from" to indicate what is being diminished (e.g., subject + verb + from + object). It can act as the main verb in a sentence or part of a larger clause.

Tense and Voice: In active voice, it changes as: present (detract), past (detracted), future (will detract), and progressive (is detracting). In passive voice, it becomes "is detracted from," e.g., "The value is detracted from by external factors." This flexibility aids in SEO for grammar tutorials.

References

Etymology and History:

The word "detract" originates from Latin "detractare," meaning "to pull away" or "withdraw," evolving through Old French to Middle English. Historically, it gained prominence in the 15th century in literary works, reflecting themes of criticism and evaluation, which ties into modern SEO searches for "detract etymology."

Literary References:

In Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Act 1, Scene 2), the phrase "detract the time" implies wasting or diminishing moments, highlighting existential themes. Another example is from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," where social flaws "detract from" character appeal, sourced from Chapter 4. These references enhance SEO for literary analysis of "detract."