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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.]

- Lesson 10: B. Words meaning ‘old’


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