- Synonyms -
Most standardized tests – including high school entrance exams, the SAT, civil service exams, and the GRE - use synonym questions to test verbal skills. These questions ask test takers to identify the word that is most similar or dissimilar to another word, effectively testing their knowledge of two words.
Furthermore,studying synonyms trains the mind by developing precise and accurate habits of thought, and it provides a wealth of knowledge.
There are about 8000 synonymic groups in English. A synonymic group is a group of all synonyms (chief – principal – main – important). In a synonymic group we can see “synonymic dominant”, mostly general, neutral word, usually belonging to the basic stock of words.
Synonyms may be classified into the following groups:
1. Absolute (total) synonyms. They are extremely rare in English, and probably in any other languages. However, it is possible to find few of them.
Some examples include: noun/substantive; functional affix, flexion and inflexion, which may be said to be identical in meaning.
- Vocabulary -
2. Semantic synonyms. They are those which differ in terms of their denotation.
For example: glance and look. We all know that “look” is the most neutral member of the group and simply means “turn one’s eyes in a particular direction in order to see”; on the other hand, apart from these semes, “glance” suggests a “quick and stolen look.”
3. Stylistic synonyms. They are those which differ in terms of their connotation.
For example: Policeman – bobby – cop; before – ere; father – dad; fellow – chap – lad.
We can see that their denotation is identical. No matter what their connotation is, “father” is “dad” in terms of notion.
4. Semantic – stylistic synonyms make up the majority of all synonyms in English – words differing both in denotational and connotational meaning, i.e in shades of meaning connotation:
To reduce – to axe – to cut back;
To dismiss – to sack – to fire – to lay off
5. Phraseological synonyms, i.e. words different in their collocations (combinability, i.e. ability to be combined with different words):
Do – make (to do exercises but to make money);
Language – tongue (native language, bu to know languages);
To lift – to raise (to raise or lift a finger but to raise prices, wages, question).
6. Territorial synonyms. They are those employed in different regions like British, Canada, Australia or the United States.
Consider “sidewalk” and “pavement”. We know that the former is common in the States, whereas the latter is used on the other side of the Atlantic.
7. Euphemisms, which literally means “speak well”. In using euphemisms, a less unpleasant or offensive effect is achieved.
Consider “redundant” and “be out of a job/unemployed”, thus, it may sound more “politically correct”.
Keeping yourself aware of the classification of the synonyms helps a great deal in writing, as well as preparing you for your tests in many ways.
