💡 Lesson 1: Using Synonyms to Avoid Repetition
Welcome to our new module on effective word choice! Good English is not just about correct grammar; it's also about using interesting and precise words. Today, we will learn about synonyms1 and how they can make your writing much more powerful.
Why Is Repetition a Problem?
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. Look at the difference:
Bad Example: "We saw a big temple. Then we went to see a big statue. The view from the top of the hill was also big."
Good Example: "We saw a large temple. Then we went to see a huge statue. The view from the top of the hill was vast."
Enhancing Meaning with the Right Synonym
Synonyms don't always mean exactly the same thing. They often have a slightly different feeling or connotation2. Choosing the right synonym can enhance3 your meaning and make your description more precise.
Consider the word "walk":
- walk: This is a neutral, general word. "I walk to work."
- stroll: This means a slow, relaxed, and pleasant walk. "We strolled along the riverside in Battambang."
- hike: This means a long, difficult walk in the mountains or countryside. "They hiked for three hours to reach the remote pagoda."
Each word creates a different picture in the reader's mind.
How to Find and Use Synonyms
The best tool to find synonyms is a thesaurus4, which is like a dictionary for synonyms. 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.
🧠 Practice Quiz: 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.
Answer: vast ('Vast' means extremely large in area.) - He was very tired after a long day, so he _______ slowly through the park.
Answer: strolled ('Strolled' suggests a slow, tired, but peaceful walk.) - The food at that famous restaurant wasn't just good, it was _______. I will never forget that meal.
Answer: excellent ('Excellent' is much stronger than 'good'.) - She was very angry about the bad service. She _______ to speak to the manager.
Answer: demanded ('Demanded' means to ask for something strongly, which fits the feeling of anger.) - The ancient temple was not just big, it was _______. We were amazed by its size.
Answer: enormous ('Enormous' is a very strong word for 'big'.)
📝 Homework: 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, interesting.
Paragraph to improve: "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."
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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."
Vocabulary Glossary
- Synonym: (Noun) - ពាក្យមានន័យដូចគ្នា (péak méan ney doch'knea) - A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. ↩
- Connotation: (Noun) - អត្ថន័យបង្កប់ (ât'thâ'nœ̆y bâng'kâp) - The idea or feeling that a word invokes, in addition to its literal meaning. ↩
- Enhance: (Verb) - បង្កើន (bâng'kaeun) - To improve the quality or strength of something. ↩
- Thesaurus: (Noun) - កម្រងសទិសសព្ទ (kâm'râng sâ'tĭ'sâ'săp) - A book or online tool that lists words in groups of synonyms and related concepts. ↩
- Repetition: (Noun) - ពាក្យដដែលៗ (péak dâ'dael dâ'dael) - The action of repeating something that has already been said or written. ↩