synonyms

Synonyms are different words with a similar meaning. A good writer uses them to
avoid repetition and thus provide more interest for the reader.

1 How synonyms work

• Underline the synonyms in the following text and complete the table.

Royal Dutch Shell is the largest oil company in the world by revenue, with a
significant share of the global hydrocarbon market. The giant firm employs over
100,000 people internationally, including over 8,000 employees in Britain.

Word/phrase Synonym
largest giant

oil
company
in the world
people

(a) Synonyms are not always exactly the same in meaning, and it is important not to change
the register. ‘Firm’ is a good synonym for ‘company’, but ‘boss’ is too informal to use
for ‘manager’.
(b) Many common words (e.g. culture, economy or industry) have no effective synonyms.

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2 Common synonyms in academic writing
• Match the academic synonyms in each list.
Nouns Verbs
area advantage accelerate change
authority part alter help
behaviour argument analyse question
benefit disadvantage assist explain
category tendency attach evolve
component field challenge examine
controversy source clarify establish
drawback emotion concentrate on insist
expansion target confine speed up
feeling explanation develop take apart
framework conduct evaluate join
goal topic found decrease
interpretation possibility maintain demonstrate
issue production predict increase
method research prohibit cite
option increase quote reinforce
quotation citation raise focus on
results figures reduce forecast
statistics type respond ban
study structure retain limit
trend system show keep
output findings strengthen reply

NB: These pairs are commonly synonymous, but not in every situation.

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3 Practice A

• Find synonyms for the words and phrases underlined, rewriting the sentences where
necessary.

(a) Professor Hicks questioned the findings of the research. (b)

The statistics show a steady increase in student numbers. (c)
The institute’s prediction has caused a major controversy. (d)
Cost seems to be the leading drawback to that system.
(e) They will concentrate on the first option.
(f) After the lecture, she tried to clarify her concept.
(g) Three issues need to be examined.
(h) The framework can be retained, but the goal needs to be altered.
(i) OPEC, the oil producers’ cartel, is to cut production to raise global prices.
(j) The trend to smaller families has speeded up in the last decade.

4 Practice B

• Identify the synonyms in this text by underlining them and linking them to the word
they are substituting for.

Example: agency – organisation

The chairman of the UK’s food standards agency has said that a national
advertising campaign is necessary to raise low levels of personal hygiene.
The organisation is planning a £3m publicity programme to improve British eating
habits. A survey has shown that half the population do not wash before eating, and
one in five fail to wash before preparing food. There are over 6 million cases of
food poisoning in this country every year, and the advertising blitz aims to cut this
by 20 per cent. This reduction, the food body believes, could be achieved by regular
hand washing prior to meals.

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5 Practice C

• In the following text, replace all the words or phrases in bold type with suitable
synonyms.

Many motor manufacturers are currently introducing electric cars. Their aim is to
manufacture cars which are cheaper to run and less polluting. But these motor
manufacturers face several key difficulties. One key difficulty is the limited
range of the battery, while another difficulty is its cost and weight. But the motor
manufacturers predict that these difficulties will soon be overcome and predict
that 10 per cent of cars will be powered by electricity in five years’ time.

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 Time Markers
Words such as ‘during’ and ‘since’ are often used to explain the timing of events.
But the application of some of these words is restricted to particular tenses. This
unit explains and practises their use.

1 How time markers are used

• Study the following:

She went on a training course for six weeks. (with numbers, without
start date)
The report must be finished by 12 June. (on or before)
He has been president since 2007. (with present perfect,
must specify start date)
They are studying in Bristol until March. (end of a period)
The library was opened two years ago. (usually with past)
The hotel is closed during the winter. (with noun)
Before writing, he studied over 100 sources. (often followed by -ing
form; also after)
He applied in May and was accepted two (often used with
months later. numbers; also earlier)

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Page Six of 8
2 Tenses
• Compare the tenses used with the following time markers:
Last year there was an election in Spain. (past – finished event)
In the last year there has been a decline (present perfect – unfinished)
in inflation.
Recently, there has been a sharp rise (present perfect – unfinished)
in Internet use.
Currently, there is widespread concern (present – focus on now)
about plagiarism.
3 Practice A
• Choose the best alternative in each case.
(a) Currently/recently she has been researching the life cycle of a Brazilian wasp.
(b) He worked there until/during he retired.
(c) Dr Hoffman has lived in Melbourne since/for 16 years.
(d) Last month/in the last month a new book was published on genetics.
(e) Applications must be received by/on November 25th.
(f) Since/during her arrival last May she has reorganised the department.
(g) During/for the winter most farmers in the region find work in the towns.

4 Practice B
• Study the schedule for Professor Wang’s recent trip and complete the sentences
opposite with a suitable word. It is now 16 April.

12 March Fly London – Barcelona

13–14 March Conference in Barcelona
15 March Train Barcelona – Paris
16 March Lecture visit to Sorbonne
17 March Fly Paris – Shanghai
18–19 March Meeting with colleagues
20 March Fly Shanghai – London
 (a) month Professor Wang made a lengthy trip.
(b) her trip she visited three countries.
(c) 18 March she had travelled 11,000 kilometres. (d)
She was away from home nine days altogether. (e) A month
she was in Paris.
(f) Two days she was in Shanghai.
(g) She stayed in Shanghai 20 March.
(h) she is writing a report on her trip.

5 Practice C
• Complete each gap in the following text with a suitable word.

Eating Out
(a) the last few decades there has been a significant change in
eating habits in the UK. (b) the early 1980s eating out in
restaurants and cafes has increased steadily. There are several reasons for this
trend.
50 years (c) most women were housewives, and cooked for their
families every day. But (d) , with more women working outside the
home, less time has been available for food preparation. (e) , 71 per
cent of women aged 20–45 are at work, and (f) 2020 it is estimated
that this will rise to 85 per cent.

Another factor is the growth in disposable income, which has risen significantly (g)
the late 1970s. With more money in their pockets people are more
likely to save the trouble of shopping and cooking by visiting their local restaurant.

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6 Practice D
• Study the details of Napoleon’s life, and write a short biography.

1769 Born in Corsica

1784 Entered military school in Paris
1789 French revolution started
1793 Promoted to brigadier general
1796 Appointed to command army of Italy; married Josephine
1799 Returned from Egypt and became First Consul of France
1807 France controlled most of continental Europe
Divorced Josephine and married Marie-Louise, daughter of Austrian
1810
emperor
1812 Forced to retreat from Russia
1814 Exiled to island of Elba
1814 Defeated at battle of Waterloo and exiled to island of St Helena
1821 Died in exile

Napoleon

Napoleon entered military school at the age of 15, …

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