Synonyms and confusable words 1

Common synonym pairs

The (a) and (b) words in each pair in the table have similar meanings. Sometimes either word can be used in a sentence to give the same meaning, but in the collocations below only one word is possible.

synonyms	(a) example	(b) example
(a) close (b) shut	The chairperson closed the meeting at 4.30. [We close meetings/ discussions/conferences, etc.]	She was very rude. She said ‘Shut your mouth!’ [impolite way of telling someone not to speak] A dentist might ask you to close your mouth. Shut is generally more informal.
(a) start (b) begin	It was a cold morning and I could not start my car. [Start, NOT begin, is used for engines and vehicles.	Before the universe began, time and space did not exist. [Begin is preferred in more formal and abstract contexts.]
(a) big (b) large	It was a big decision to make. There were some big problems to solve.	I wanted the sweater in the large size but they only had medium.
(a) end (b) finish	The film ended with the hero dying. They ended their relationship a year ago. [End here means decide to stop.]	I haven’t finished my homework yet. [Finish here means complete.]

Groups of words with similar meanings Words meaning ‘old’

• I met an old friend the other day. It’s a very old building.

• She studied ancient history. In ancient times, life was very hard.

• This shop sells antique furniture. She collects antique jewellery. [old and valuable]

• I helped an elderly person who was trying to cross the road. [elderly is more polite than old]

Words meaning ‘with no one or nothing else or with nothing similar’

• Donna is a single parent; it’s difficult for her to work full time.

• He lives in a very lonely place/spot up in the mountains.

• At first I felt desperately lonely when I moved from London to the countryside.

• I live alone, but I don’t like travelling alone; it’s nice to be with someone.

• There was just one solitary figure on the otherwise deserted beach. [one person on their own]

• She was the sole survivor of the crash. Everyone else died. [only survivor]

• I am an only child; I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a brother or sister.

• This is a unique occasion, with three past Prime Ministers all together in one room.

Other synonym pairs

synonyms	(a) example	(b) example
(a) charge (b) load	I need to charge my phone. [used for batteries, electrical items]	They loaded the lorry and drove away. [used for cargoes, lorries, vans, ships, etc. and for weapons]
(a) injure (b) damage	Three injured people were taken to hospital after the accident. [collocates with words to do with people]	The shop tried to sell me a damaged sofa but I noticed it just in time. [collocates with words for things]
(a) grow (b) raise	In the south the farmers grow crops. [collocates with crops, plants]	In the north the farmers mostly raise cattle [collocates with animals, children]