Yesterday I presented to you a passage that could be partially rewritten using a number of synonyms for various words that I highlighted. Below you will see two versions of this passage: yesterday’s (with words with potential synonyms in bold) and today’s (with the replacement words in italics). Take a look at these two versions and compare them to your own version. In comparing your own rewrite to mine you may find that you have chosen different words than I did – that is okay. One thing you will find about words that have synonyms is they often have multiple synonyms. At the end of this post I have listed the various synonyms that you could have chosen for the bold and italicized words in the passage – there are many. I hope this practice exercise with synonyms has gotten you thinking about this great way to increase your English vocabulary. Now, it is time to go out and learn more synonyms!
Version 1:
The Natural History Museum is filled with many antique items. I am sure if you visit the museum you will enjoy walking around viewing all of the amazing articles. There are artifacts large and small. Many of the exhibits are about humans and animals, while other displays contain items made by humans. The museum has a collection that is very impressive. My favorite area of the museum includes the Indian ceramics section. This section of the museum demonstrates the various vessels that have been used throughout time for cooking, storing food, and decoration. There are some very clever as well as odd designs to look at and think about in this part of the museum.
Version 2:
The Natural History Museum is filled with a lot of old articles. I am sure if you visit the museum you will relish strolling around seeing all of the astonishing pieces. There are objects big and little. Many of the exhibits are about people and animals, while other displays contain items made by man. The museum has a collection that is very striking. My most preferred area of the museum contains the Native American pottery area. This part of the museum shows the many dishes that have been used throughout time for preparing food, storing food, and ornamentation. There are some very smart as well as odd designs to look at and ponder in this part of the museum.
Looking at more synonyms:
many = a lot = numerous
antique = ancient = old = antiquated
item = article = things (this is less formal than item or artilce)
enjoy = relish = delight = like (this is less strong than enjoy, relish or delight)
walk = stroll = go by
view = see = behold = regard
amazing = astonishing = astounding
human = person = human being = Homo sapiens = man
favorite = preferred
impressive = striking = grand = awesome
Indian = Native American (this is the more correct term)
ceramics = pottery = clay pieces
section = part = division = segment = area = department = portion
decoration = adornment = ornamentation
cook = prepare food
odd = strange = peculiar = weird
clever = smart = intelligent
think about = ponder = consider = contemplate
