Vocabulary: Effective Word Choice
B1 Lesson 1: Using Synonyms to Avoid Repetition
Why It Matters: Boring vs. Interesting
Using the same word over and over again can make your writing sound simple and boring. Using synonyms makes your sentences more engaging and professional.
We saw a big temple. Then we went to see a big statue. The view from the top of the hill was also big.
We saw a large temple. Then we went to see a huge statue. The view from the top of the hill was vast.
Word Spotlight: Shades of Meaning 🎨
Synonyms don't always mean the exact same thing. They often have a slightly different feeling or connotation. Choosing the right synonym can make your description more precise.
Consider the word "walk":
walk: A neutral, general word.
"I walk to work."stroll: A slow, relaxed, and pleasant walk.
"We strolled along the riverside in Battambang."hike: A long, difficult walk in the mountains or countryside.
"They hiked for three hours to reach the remote pagoda."Your Vocabulary Toolkit 🛠️
How to Find and Use Synonyms
The best tool to find synonyms is a thesaurus (you can find them online easily). However, don't just choose the first word you see! Always check the definition and example sentences to make sure it fits the context and has the right connotation for your sentence.
Practice Your Word Choice 🎯
Exercise: Choose the Best Word
Choose the best synonym for the context of each sentence.
- The view from the top of the mountain was ______. You could see for many kilometers.
→ Best word: vast (means extremely large in area) - He was very tired after a long day, so he _______ slowly through the park.
→ Best word: strolled (suggests a slow and relaxed walk) - She was very angry about the bad service. She _______ to speak to the manager.
→ Best word: demanded (means to ask for something strongly)
Your Vocabulary Mission ⭐
Writing Task: Improve the Paragraph
This paragraph uses the word "nice" too many times. Rewrite it using better, more interesting synonyms like: beautiful, charming, delicious, wonderful, friendly, excellent.
"Yesterday was a nice day. We went to a nice cafe in Battambang. The coffee was nice and the cake was nice too. We had a nice conversation with the owner, who was very nice."
Show Example Answer
"Yesterday was a beautiful day. We went to a charming cafe in Battambang. The coffee was excellent and the cake was delicious too. We had a wonderful conversation with the owner, who was very friendly."
Key Vocabulary
- Synonym A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
- Connotation The idea or feeling that a word invokes, in addition to its literal meaning.
- Enhance To improve the quality or strength of something.
- Thesaurus A tool that lists words in groups of synonyms.