"Semi-finals" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
The semi-finals refer to the stage of a competition, such as a sports tournament, musical competition, or other competitive event, in which two or more contestants compete against each other to advance to the final round of the competition. The semi-finals are typically the last major hurdle before the final match or performance, and often feature the top contenders from previous rounds.
Here are 5 usage examples:
Semi-conductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator. They can conduct electricity under certain conditions, but not as efficiently as metals (conductors) and not at all when they are not "activated" (like insulators). Semi-conductors are used in a wide range of applications, including electronics, solar panels, and computer chips.
A semi-deciduous tree or plant is one that sheds its leaves seasonally, but not all of them at once. These plants typically keep some of their leaves year-round, but may drop some or all of them in response to cold weather, drought, or other environmental factors. This contrasted with deciduous plants, which typically lose all of their leaves in autumn, and evergreen plants, which keep most of their needles or leaves throughout the year.
A semi-detached house is a type of housing where two houses that are joined at one side and have a shared wall, but a separate entrance and separate ownership. The word "semi-detached" emphasizes that the house is not fully independent, as it shares a wall with a neighboring house.
Semi-formal refers to a style that is not as formal as formal attire or language, but more structured and professional than casual.<br><br>In terms of clothing, semi-formal typically means dressing in attire that is less stuffy or formal than business attire, but not as relaxed as jeans and a t-shirt. This might include a dress shirt or blouse with dress pants or a skirt, or a suit jacket and tie (for men).<br><br>In language, semi-formal is a tone that is not overly strict or professional, but still maintains a level of respect and courtesy. It's often used in social situations, business meetings, or presentations where a level of formality is expected, but not required.
Refers to a person or group of people who regularly move from place to place, but not on a permanent or annual basis, often due to seasonal changes in weather, availability of resources, or other factors.
Not fully officially sanctioned, but unofficially recognized as authorized or accepted.<br><br>Example: The semi-official status of the proposal allowed it to be discussed at the meeting, despite not having official endorsement.<br><br>It can also be used to describe something that is recognized or accepted by a government, but not officially authorized or ratified.<br><br>Example: The semi-official diplomatic visit was seen as a sign of improving relations between the two countries.