SynonymsFor the next two weeks, when teachers mark your work, they will be focusing on how you use synonyms to avoid repetition in your writing.Synonyms are words with the same or similar meanings

Synonyms•Synonyms can be any part of speech (such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs or prepositions), as long as both words are the same part of speech.

SynonymsHere are some examples of English

synonyms:•verb

▫"buy" and "purchase"•adjective

▫"big" and "large"•adverb

▫"quickly" and "speedily"•preposition

▫"on" and "upon"

Synonyms• The valiant knight grabbed his sword and charged the fire-breathing

dragon. Valiant is another word for brave.1. The wicked witch caused trouble for the good people in the town._____________________________________________________2. The grouchy old man yelled at the kids and told them not to play near his

house._____________________________________________________3. The timid boy hid behind his mother whenever people came near him._____________________________________________________4. The obnoxious boy started to scream when his mother wouldn't buy him

any sweets._____________________________________________________5. She was so stingy that she never spent money on anything._____________________________________________________6. At first, we thought he was insane because he was talking to a frog._____________________________________________________

evil brave cheapcrazy shy grumpy rude

Use the words in the box below to find synonyms for the italicised words:

Wicked is another word for evil.

Grouchy is another word for grumpy.

Timid is another word for shy.

Obnoxious is another word for rude.

Stingy is another word for cheap.

Insane is another word for crazy.

•When you write, try to use the most precise word for your meaning, not the word that comes to mind first.

•Consult a thesaurus to find alternatives for some commonly overused words.

•Keep in mind that the choices offered in a thesaurus do not all mean exactly the same thing. Review all the options, and choose the one that best expresses your meaning.

Commonly overused words

•Just be careful not to rely on a thesaurus too much, like Joey from ‘Friends’ did!

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1tOqZUNebs&safe=active

Thesaurus

Finding synonyms on a computer

-Right-click on the word you want to change, then hover the mouse over ‘Synonyms’ to provide several alternatives.-If you still want to keep searching for other synonyms, click on ‘Thesaurus...’ to continue your search.

Baddefective, inadequate, poor, unsatisfactory, disagreeable, offensive, repulsive, corrupt, wicked, naughty, harmful, injurious, unfavourable

Bigenormous, extensive,huge, immense, massive

Excitingthrilling, stirring,rousing, dramatic

Funnycomical, ludicrous,amusing, droll, entertaining,bizarre, unusual, uncommon

Getobtain, receive, acquire,procure, achieve

Goodsatisfactory, serviceable,functional, competent,virtuous, striking

Interestingabsorbing, appealing, entertaining, fascinating, thought-provoking

Nicepleasant, satisfying, gracious, charming

Veryunusually, extremely,deeply, exceedingly, profoundly

Synonyms for commonly overused words

Synonym trees

BORING

monotonous

tedious

tiresome

dull dreary

lacklustre

uninteresting

mind-numbing

Synonym trees

ALSO SEE HAPPY

SAY DO THING

Divide yourselves into 6 groups. Each group will be responsible for each ofthe synonym trees below. In your group, find as many synonyms as you canfor your tree by next week. Be prepared to present your trees to the class!

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES•Tutors, the following activities can be

used at any point over the next 2 weeks during morning registration. You don’t need to use them on the same day that you introduce synonyms to your form groups for the very first time.

•You can get your tutees to complete these activities in order to either demonstrate or consolidate their knowledge of synonyms, or simply to extend their knowledge further.

1. Before you attempt to install it, you should read the directions.

2. I was anxious about my test results. 3. It is difficult to predict the weather.4. When the students heard they would have a test, they started to

grumble. 5. He began to ponder the reason that he failed. 6. After the earthquake, the villagers desperately needed aid.  7. Don’t worry. She’ll finish the job. She is very diligent. 8. I am weary. I need to rest. 9. I couldn’t persuade her to stay in school. 10. I can’t recall what his name is. 11. The captain began the assault in the middle of the night.  12. They started to construct the house yesterday.  13. You think it’s too expensive? I concur. I won't buy it at that

price. 14. If water gets in the building, it will ruin the paintings. 15. I will not permit you to marry my daughter.

Synonyms (extension)In pairs, think of your own synonyms for the italicised words:

1. Beneficial2. Weary3. Diligent4. Persuade5. Recall6. Predict7. Anxious8. Grumble9. Examine10. Ponder11. Aid12. Oppose13. Recommend14. Profit15. Despise16. Annoy17. Praise18. Irate19. Satisfied20. Understand

A. ThinkB. ContentC. WorriedD. HateE. HelpfulF. ComplimentG. SuggestH. TiredI. FuriousJ. ForecastK. InspectL. RememberM. ConvinceN. HelpO. Be againstP. ComplainQ. Hard-workingR. IrritateS. GainT. Comprehend

Match up the synonyms!1. E2. H3. Q4. M5. L6. J7. C8. P9. K10. A11. N12. O13. G14. S15. D16. R17. F18. I19. B20. T

ANSWERS