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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary
DIFFERENCES
Hey, my name is Kamil .
We know that there are many adjectives which describe people's characters and many other things. That which is mostly hard to learn is differences between adjectives.It's not only about adjectives . Things like 'I don't know if i may use this word because I don't know which word is stronger and if I use one of them I can't predict whether it won't be insulting to my interlocutor' . Yeah, I find it difficult to differentiate between words which at first glance seem to be the same. I don't know how strong some words are and If the person I'm talking to will not feel embarrassed. Do you know any method to learn words in such a way that you may remember the differences in use in particular context ?
i.e. astute, clever, crafty, cunning, devious, sharp-witted, wily
Thank you in advance
Kamil
(edited)
We know that there are many adjectives which describe people's characters and many other things. That which is mostly hard to learn is differences between adjectives.It's not only about adjectives . Things like 'I don't know if i may use this word because I don't know which word is stronger and if I use one of them I can't predict whether it won't be insulting to my interlocutor' . Yeah, I find it difficult to differentiate between words which at first glance seem to be the same. I don't know how strong some words are and If the person I'm talking to will not feel embarrassed. Do you know any method to learn words in such a way that you may remember the differences in use in particular context ?
i.e. astute, clever, crafty, cunning, devious, sharp-witted, wily
Thank you in advance
Kamil
(edited)
Top answer
There is no trick or gimmick-- each word carries its own denotation and connotation. The solution is careful use of the dictionary, and careful attention to use in the media and by native speakers.
- There is no trick or gimmick-- each word carries its own denotation and connotation.
- The solution is careful use of the dictionary, and careful attention to use in the media and by native speakers.
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5 Answers
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There is no trick or gimmick-- each word carries its own denotation and connotation. The solution is careful use of the dictionary, and careful attention to use in the media and by native speakers.
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There is no trick or gimmick-- each word carries its own denotation and connotation. The solution is careful use of the dictionary, and careful attention to use in the media and by native speakers.
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I agree with Mister Micawber. There aren't rules to really distinguish between such synonyms.
I think it's part of the culture how strong/weak some words are perceived. Some words have totally different meanings when used as slang.
I think the best way to become aware of the value of a word is to carefully listen to native speakers. You'll get a language feeling on how to use such wo
I think it's part of the culture how strong/weak some words are perceived. Some words have totally different meanings when used as slang.
I think the best way to become aware of the value of a word is to carefully listen to native speakers. You'll get a language feeling on how to use such wo
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I suggest you also buy a dictionary such as:
Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms: A Dictionary of Discriminated Synonyms With Antonyms and Analogous and Contrasted Words
Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Synonyms: A Dictionary of Discriminated Synonyms With Antonyms and Analogous and Contrasted Words
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