Understanding Synonyms

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following scenarios best demonstrates the correct use of a synonym?

Replacing 'run' with 'jog' in the phrase, 'He needs to run a business'.
Replacing 'cold' with 'freezing' when describing someone having a *cold*.
Replacing 'happy' with 'elated' in the sentence, 'She felt happy about receiving a gift'. (correct)
Replacing 'small' with 'microscopic' in a recipe calling for a *small* amount of salt.

Why is it important to consider the context when choosing a synonym for a word?

The surrounding words influence the meaning of a word, and a synonym might not fit the intended meaning. (correct)
Synonyms always have the exact same meaning, so context is irrelevant.
Context only matters in formal writing, not in casual conversation.
Using a thesaurus guarantees that the synonym will always be appropriate.

In which of the following sentences would replacing the underlined word with 'anxious' create the most significant change in meaning?

They were _apprehensive_ about the long journey.
She felt _worried_ about the upcoming test.
He was _concerned_ for his friend's safety.
The company was _eager_ to launch the new product. (correct)

Which sentence demonstrates the correct article adjustment after replacing a word with a synonym?

<p>He has a honest face. / He has an honest face. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does using a thesaurus contribute to improving one's writing skills?

<p>It suggests words with similar meanings, preventing repetition and enhancing vocabulary. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What are synonyms?

Words with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.

What does interchangeable mean?

Easily exchanged or replaced without changing the meaning or function.

What is context?

The words surrounding a specific word that provide clues to its meaning.

What is a thesaurus?

A reference book that lists words and their synonyms.

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Article agreement

Changing the article (a, an, the) to match the following word.

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Study Notes

Synonyms are words possessing the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in the same language.
Synonyms are interchangeable

Synonyms in Context

It's important to examine the context of a sentence to ensure a synonym doesn't alter the intended meaning.
Context includes the surrounding words that give meaning to the word you want to replace.
Replacing 'good' with 'great' may not always work due to differences in meaning.

Articles

Pay attention to articles preceding the word you want to replace; they may need changing.
For example, 'a great' becomes 'an amazing' when 'great' is replaced with 'amazing'.

Finding Synonyms

Building your vocabulary is key to finding synonyms.
A thesaurus is the best tool for finding synonyms
A thesaurus provides words with similar or exact meanings, like a dictionary.
Using a thesaurus while writing can prevent repetitive word use and ensure appropriate word choice.

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Description

Explore the nuances of synonyms and their importance in language. Learn how context affects synonym usage and the role of a thesaurus. Discover how to use synonyms to enhance your writing and avoid repetition.