synonym

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I amd reading an article on vocabulary and I get confused by terms synonyms and near-synonyms.
For example, the article reads:
error, mistake, slip, and blunder are near-synonyms.
I used to think they are synonyms. Could you please explain the difference between synonyms and near-synonyms?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[JohnParis]

Synonyms: Words having the same or nearly the same meaning.
Near Synonyms: Words having a somewhat similar meaning.

I have never heard of a "near-synonym" until I read your question.

http://help.adobe.com/en_US/InCopy/6...b3f-7251a.html

Apparently, the above thesaurus has divided its look-up words into the two categories.
Personally, I wouldn't bother. English is hard enough without adding this sort of dribble.

John

[5jj]

I have found the expression 'near-synonym' useful. When I am using it, I am saying to the learners that the words concerned having a fairly similar meaning, and may in certain contexts be used interchangeably; they are, however, not exact synonyms, of which there are few in English.

[jiang]

Hi JohnParis,

Thank you very much for your help. I shall surf the website you provided.
I don't know why there isn't "post reply" so I have to "quote".

Jiang

Synonyms: Words having the same or nearly the same meaning.
Near Synonyms: Words having a somewhat similar meaning.

I have never heard of a "near-synonym" until I read your question.

Adobe InCopy CS4 * Using the thesaurus

Apparently, the above thesaurus has divided its look-up words into the two categories.
Personally, I wouldn't bother. English is hard enough without adding this sort of dribble.

John

[jiang]

Hi 5jj,

Thank you very much for your explanation. But they are hard.
I don't know why there is not "post reply" so I have to use "quote".

Jiang

I have found the expression 'near-synonym' useful. When I am using it, I am saying to the learners that the words concerned having a fairly similar meaning, and may in certain contexts be used interchangeably; they are, however, not exact synonyms, of which there are few in English.

[Raymott]

I have found the expression 'near-synonym' useful. When I am using it, I am saying to the learners that the words concerned having a fairly similar meaning, and may in certain contexts be used interchangeably; they are, however, not exact synonyms, of which there are few in English.

Yes, there are few exact synonyms in English. Using 'near-synonym' as an expression may be useful, but entrenching it as a formal term is fraught with complications.

syn·o·nym 1. A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or other words in a language.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/synonym
'Synonym' already subsumes 'near synonym' in meaning. They are synonyms, but could also be described as near-synonyms.

I'd be happier if students started with the premise that there are no exact synonyms or interchangeable words, rather than having them believe there are synonyms and near-synonyms.

[jiang]

Hi Raymott,

Thank you verymuch for your help. Now I see.

Jiang

[5jj]

I don't know why there is not "post reply" so I have to use "quote"

There is a 'Post Reply' button, immediately after the last post.

[jiang]

Hi 5jj,

What confuses me is sometimes there is sometimes there isn't. Next time when there isn't I shall look for it the way you told me.


Jiang

[Rover_KE]

If you have to use the Quote button, you can always delete the quoted words.

Rover