First, let’s deal with the pronunciation. The `i’ in `sine’ is like the `i’ in `sit’, `pit’, and `hit’, while the following `e’ is pronounced like the `ay’ in `pay’, `bay’, and `day’. The `qu’ is like the `qu’ in `quart’, `quiz’, and `quick’; the following `a’ sounds like the `a’ in `ask’, `flask’, and `task’. The final word, which has the main stress, is pronounced like `known’.
If you say that something is `sine qua non’ what you mean is that it is absolutely necessary. The expression like most Latin expressions is mainly used in formal contexts.
*Perseverance is the sine qua non for all aspiring actors. *Thick woollen jackets are a sine qua non for the trek.
Source: The Hindu ‘Know Your English’ Series, November 28, 2005.
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