Skripsi Fix THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH SYNONYMOUS VERB

THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH
SYNONYMOUS VERB “LOVE”
PUTU MITHA SARASWATI

1601541108
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
2020
THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH
SYNONYMOUS VERB “LOVE”
An undergraduate thesis submitted as partial fulfillment to obtain
Bachelor’s Degree at English Department, Faculty of Arts
Udayana University
PUTU MITHA SARASWATI

1601541108
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
2020
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APPROVAL SHEET
THIS UNDERGRADUATE THESIS HAS BEEN APPROVED AND
ASSESSED BY THE EXAMINING BOARD OF ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF ARTS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
IN FEBRUARY 2020
Based on the decree of Dean of Faculty of Arts, Udayana University
Number : 819/UN14.2.1/PD/2020
Date : 14th February, 2020
The Examining Board
Chairperson : Dr. I Made Rajeg, M.Hum
Secretary : Prof. Dr. Ni Luh Sutjiati Beratha, M.A.
Members : 1. Dr. I Made Netra, S.S., M.Hum.
2. Sang Ayu Isnu Maharani, S.S., M.Hum.
3. Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Sedeng, M.Hum.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like to express my great gratitude to Almighty God for
the majestic blessing that has been given to me to complete this study. Secondly, I
would like to express my gratitude to the head of English Department, Prof. Dr. I
Nyoman Sedeng, M. Hum., and all the lecturers who have educated me through my
academic years. My sincere gratitude is also expressed to Dr. I Made Rajeg, M.Hum
and Prof. Dr. Ni Luh Sutjiati Beratha, M. A. as my supervisors for their guidance
to complete this study.
I would like to dedicate this study to my parents for the endless supports,
and motivations. I would like to express my gratitude to my classmate in D class
for the entirety during academic years. I also would like to express my gratitude to
my English teachers team at Kumon, all of my friends at Class D’Squad and my
five best friends for motivation, caring, and togetherness, especially to Upayana
Wiguna Eka Saputra., S.Ak. who always gives me an abundant support through this
academic study. Last but not least, any criticism or suggestion will be appreciated
and I hope this study can be useful in this life.
Denpasar, January 2020
Putu Mitha Saraswati
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ABSTRACT
Expanding the vocabulary for avoiding the same words repeatedly in

speaking or writing is known as synonyms. To distinguish one meaning to the other
meaning, the features of each synonym are classified to obtain the distinctive
features. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the meaning and semantic
features contributing to the usages that are commonly used before and after the
English verb “love” and its synonyms. This study determined which one of the
verbs that mostly used by American people. The data were collected from the
Corpus of Contemporary American English by applying the corpus method with a
concordance technique. The semantic theories were required to analyze the data.
The result of the analysis indicates that the verb “love” is most frequently
used in five genres than its synonyms; admire, adore, appreciate, cherish, and like.
Furthermore, the usages of those verbs indicate that pronouns of the first person (I)
and the noun phrases denote people are more frequently used. In terms of the
semantic features, there are ten features on content; they are passion, devotion,
tenderness, affection, desire, joy, pleasure, respect, sexuality, and romance. In the
circumstance point of view, three features are mostly used in weddings, proposals,
and public places. Furthermore, in the reason, there are four features, that are to feel
or to show deep affection for somebody or something, to feel sexual or romantic
way for somebody or something, to take great pleasure in somebody or something,
and to regard somebody or something favorably. Each verb that has meaning the
verb “love” has the differences based on its features and the usages.
Keywords: Semantics, Componential Analysis, Synonym, Love
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1.1 The Semantic Features that are Used to Analyze the English Verb
“Love” and Its Synonyms ..................................................................... 8
Table 3.1 The Distribution of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms Usages
in Five Genres ....................................................................................... 22
in Percent .............................................................................................. 23
Table 3.3 The Types of Words that are Used Before the English Verb “Love” and
Its Synonyms ........................................................................................ 26
Table 3.4 The Types of Words that are Used After the English Verb “Love” and
Its Synonyms ........................................................................................ 27
Table 3.5 The Specific Category of Pronoun that are Used Before the English
Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ............................................................ 28
Table 3.6 The Types of Noun Phrases that are Used After the English Verb
“Love” and Its Synonyms ..................................................................... 29
Table 3.7 The Specific Category of the Noun Phrase that are Used After the
English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms............................................... 30
“Love” .................................................................................................. 52
“Admire” .............................................................................................. 54
“Adore”................................................................................................. 55
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“Appreciate” ......................................................................................... 57
“Cherish” ............................................................................................ 58
“Like” ................................................................................................. 60
Table 3.14 The Result of the Semantic Features that are Used to Analyze the
English verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ............................................. 62
Table 3.15 The Dominant Semantic Features Identified to be Used in the English
Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ......................................................... 63
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ACAD = Academic
COCA = Corpus of Contemporary American English
FIC = Fiction
KWIC = Key Word In Context
MAG = Magazine
NEWS = Newspaper
SPOK = Spoken
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER ............................................................................................................ ii
APPROVAL SHEETS ..................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................. v
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................... vi
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................... vii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................... ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................. x
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................... 1
1.2 Problems of the Study ............................................................................... 3
1.3 Aims of Study ........................................................................................... 3
1.4 Scope of Discussion .................................................................................. 4
1.5 Research Method ...................................................................................... 4
1.5.1 Data Source...................................................................................... 4
1.5.2 Method and Technique of Collecting Data...................................... 6
1.5.3 Method and Technique of Analyzing Data...................................... 6
1.5.4 Method and Technique of Presenting Data ..................................... 8
CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURES, CONCEPTS, AND
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS ................................................................. 9
2.1 Literature Review ....................................................................................... 9
2.2 Concepts ..................................................................................................... 13
2.2.1 Concept of Semantic Features ...................................................... 13
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2.2.2 Concept of Synonym .................................................................... 14
2.2.3 Concept of Verb............................................................................ 15
2.2.4 Concept of Noun ........................................................................... 15
2.3 Theoretical Frameworks............................................................................. 16
2.3.1 Theory of Semantic ...................................................................... 17
2.3.1.1 Synonym ........................................................................... 17
2.3.1.2 Word Meaning .................................................................. 19
2.3.1.3 Componential Analysis..................................................... 19
CHAPTER III. THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH SYNONYMOUS
VERB “LOVE” ................................................................................................ 21
3.1 The Usages of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms in COCA ...... 21
3.2 The Meanings of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms .................. 43
3.3 The Semantic Features of English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms .......... 51
CHAPTER IV. CONCLUSIONS .................................................................... 66
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Language is the genetically programmed sound to develop in human
communication as a signaling system to communicate with one another (Aitchison,
1973). Most linguists at least distinguish three levels of the structure, meaning, and
sound of the word in their analysis: phonological, syntactic, and semantic. From
those levels, this study was focused on semantics that interesting to be analyzed as
a branch of linguistics about the meaning of a word. Lyons argued that the study of
meaning is semantic (Lyons, 1995). Semantics attempt to analyze the structure of
meaning in language, as in the similarity and different words, and even to organize
or to express the meaning.
Therefore, a synonym was chosen to be analyzed as a specific topic in this
study. A synonym is a part of the semantic study that plays an important role in
language. However, not all synonyms can be used interchangeably in every context.
One has to be used in a particular context, while another is appropriate for other
situations. Therefore, this topic is interesting that learners need to improve their
English skills. Writing an essay or thesis, for instance, they may learn how to
replace a word with its synonym, thus their readers will not get bored with the piece
of work. The reason for the English verb “love” chosen was one of the basic verbs
in English that have some close synonyms. Dealing with synonyms, this verb often
uses in common communication and academic writing.
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Furthermore, this study investigated semantic features that are more
interesting to be analyzed. The receiver often misunderstood the meaning of what
the informer is talking about. This interrelated meaning leads to ambiguity if both
receiver and informer are not able to use the right verb in certain circumstances.
Therefore, semantic features used to find out more intensive about the actual
meaning of a word. Furthermore, the understanding of the English verb “love” is
more useful if people can use this verb to explain something explicitly in every
context.
Thus, this study used three undergraduate theses and two articles of
international journals that relevant to be discussed. The three undergraduate theses
are The Semantic Features on English Verbs Containing Meaning “To Walk” by
Paulina (2009), Semantic Features on English Verb Containing Meaning “To Help”
by Krisano (2016), and the latter is Rachmadewi (2018) entitled The Semantic
Features on English Synonymous Nouns of “Idea”. Furthermore, there are two
articles of international journals that are A Corpus-Based Study of English
Synonyms by Phoocharoensil (2010) and A Corpus-Based Study of English
Synonyms: “Appropriate, Proper, and Suitable” by Petcharat & Phoocharoensil
(2017). These studies are inclined to prioritize the semantic study by using Corpus
of Contemporary American English (COCA) as the same topic and data in this
study. Most of these researchers interested to use semantic features and synonyms
to find the same sense meaning between one word to another word.
Overall, this study provides an exciting opportunity to advance our
knowledge of using semantic features and synonyms. People become aware of the
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difference in their meanings and characteristics in each verb. Moreover, this study
is also hoped to improve the understanding and knowledge of definitions in the
English verb “love” and its synonyms that presented in the dictionary.
1.2 Problems of the Study
Based on the background of the study, there are three problems can be
formulated as follow:
1. How is the English verb “love” and its synonyms used in COCA?
2. What meanings do the English verb “love” and its synonyms express?
3. What semantic features characterize the English verb “love” and its
synonyms?
1.3 Aims of Study
The aims of the study are:
1. To find out the usage with the types of words that commonly used before
and after the English verb “love” and its synonyms.
2. To explain the meanings of each verb that has meaning the English verb
“love”.
3. To describe the semantic features in the English verb “love” and its
synonyms.
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1.4 Scope of Discussion
The focus of this study was the identifying process in the meaning of the
English verb “love” and its synonyms with the semantic features. This study only
analyzed the verbs words as in the verb “love” and its synonyms in COCA. The
synonyms are admire, adore, appreciate, cherish, and like. Furthermore, finding the
usage with the types of words that commonly used before and after the English verb
“love” and its synonyms. Then, finding the meanings of these verbs were taken
from Merriam-Webster Dictionary includes some examples of sentences.
Moreover, finding the semantic features in these verbs with componential analysis.
These synonyms were chosen based on the features of each verb that are taken from
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. The parameter of choosing these verbs as the
synonyms of the verb “love” is the senses in each verb that has the close meaning
with the verb “love” and mostly used in certain context of situations, as in spoken
or academic writing.
1.5 Research Method
Four points will be discussed in the research method: Data Source, Method
and Technique of Collecting Data, Method and Technique of Analyzing Data, and
the last is Method and Technique of Presenting Data Analysis.
1.5.1 Data Source
This study used the data of verbs containing the basic meaning of the
English verb “love”. The data were taken from the COCA which was created by
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Davis (2008), Professor of Corpus Linguistics at Brigham Young University. This
data were chosen as the data source because the corpus is the only available corpus
of American English publicly that contains a wide set of texts from some genres
and each year in 1990-2017. Spoken, fiction, magazine, newspaper, and academic
texts were the kind of many sources that have been taken in the corpus.
Spoken is the transcripts of unscripted conversation from nearly 150
different TV and radio programs. Fiction is shorts stories and plays, first chapters
of books and even movie scripts. Popular Magazines contain nearly 100 different
magazines, from a range of domains such as health, women’s, financial, religion,
and sports. Newspapers contain 10 newspapers from across the US, with different
text sections, such as local news and opinion. Academic Journals contain nearly
100 different peer-reviewed journals. These were selected to cover the entire range
of the Library Congress Classification system.
Besides, there is a corpus book by Cheng et al. (2008) to support this data
source. In this book, they stated that there are 0.9million-word that contains in this
application called Hong Kong Corpus of Spoken English (HKCSE) (prosodic). This
book was compiled in Hong Kong between 1997 and 2002 in the genre of academic,
business, conversation and public. Meanwhile, the COCA was compiled in America
between 1990 and 2017 in the genre of spoke, fiction, magazines, newspaper, and
academic. Therefore, this study also tend to use COCA as the data source because
of the wider of the boundaries in the years and genres.

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1.5.2 Method and Technique of Collecting Data
To write this study, the data were collected through the documentation
method by accessing https://corpus.byu.edu/coca/. The technique that is used in
collecting data is note-taking technique. In this study, Key Word In Context
(KWIC) was used in order to see the distribution of the English verb “love” and its
synonyms. First, the six synonymous verbs of love, admire, adore, appreciate,
cherish, and like were submitted into KWIC in COCA by input the shortcut key
(*verb_v) that focused on the verbs data. Second, checking the [sections] menu.
Hereafter, the frequency of the usages in the six synonymous verbs based on five
genres and the types of word that commonly used after and before those verbs were
noted and highlighted.
1.5.3 Method and Technique of Analyzing Data
Glynn & Robinson (2014) stated that the term corpus methodology should
be understood to indicate research that is corpus-driven. The corpus-driven research
examines large samples of natural language in order to test theories about language
structure (often previously proposed a priori in corpus-exemplified research).
Therefore, this study applied a corpus method with quantitative and
qualitative approach. The quantitative analysis is used to analyze the data through
statistical analysis. While the qualitative analysis is used to analyze by summarizing
and interpreting. In this study, a corpus method with both the quantitative and
qualitative analysis are match in the analysis that is started with a numerical data to
find out the overall trends, followed by interpreting, especially by American people
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as in corpus data, to have a better understanding about the reasons behind the trends.
To choose the more trusted in this study is quantitative (statistical analysis). As in
the statement of Glynn & Robinson (2014) is statistical analysis shows the
possibility of modelling the variation in the data and testing the accuracy of analyses
by using a corpus method to predict language use.
There were three steps to analyze the data in this study. First, to sort and
calculate the distribution and the usages that focused on the verb only by inserting
the verb “love” and its synonyms in five genres at COCA, then finding the
frequency, and making the explanation descriptively. Second, the meanings of each
verb were analyzed by using Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. Third, the semantic
features were identified by looking at the definition of each verb with componential
analysis.
To identify the features, the following table had been prepared based on the
meaning of each verb. The data were analyzed by using the theory of componential
analysis which is pioneered by Nida (1975). This analysis investigated three areas:
content, circumstances, and reasons. Content is the substances to propose
something. The circumstance, in this case, explains the situation in which someone
proposes something. Reason explains why someone proposes something. The
features are shown in the following table:

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“Love” and Its Synonyms
Contents Circumstances Reasons
a. passion a. weddings a. to feel or to show deep affection for
b. devotion b. proposals somebody or something
c. tenderness c. public b. to feel sexual or romantic way for
d. affection places somebody or something
e. desire c. to take great pleasure in somebody
f. joy or something
g. pleasure d. to regard somebody or something in
h. respect a favorable way
i. sexuality
j. romance
1.5.4 Method and Technique of Presenting Data
In presenting data, formal and informal methods were applied. The formal
method is the method of presenting analysis by using diagrams, table, and symbols,
meanwhile the informal method is the method of presenting analysis by using the
descriptive words to explain the data.
In this study, the formal method was used to see the distribution by using a
chart and the meaning of the English verb “love” with its synonyms. Moreover, the
semantic features of each verb were showed by using tables and plus-minus
symbols to show each verb in each category at componential analysis. Meanwhile,
the informal method was used to present the data descriptively. The meanings of
each verb were presented descriptively.

CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW, CONCEPTS, AND THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK
2.1 Literature Review
Three related undergraduate theses had been discussed that relevant to this
study. It was taken from Paulina (2009) entitled The Study of Semantic Features on
English Verbs Containing Meaning “To Walk”. The study focused on finding
semantic features and analyzed the use of each verb in sentences. Paulina found
twenty verbs that has meaning “To Walk”, they are: edge, limp, march, pace,
paddle, parade, plod, promenade, ramble, shamble, shuffle, stagger, stalk, stride,
stroll, tiptoe, totter, tramp, trudge, wade. She examined those words by using four
dictionaries; Oxford Advance Learner Dictionary, Webster’s New Twentieth
Century Dictionary Unabridged, Random House Webster’s College Dictionary, and
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. The theory she used are word and
sentential meaning by Fromkin, Blair, & Collins (2000), synonyms by Lyons
(1995) ,and theory of componential analysis by Nida (1975).
The result of her study found that all the verbs were intransitive. Her study
detailed on the features of the verbs that categorized into three parts: manner,
position of body, and the reason for moving. However, her study did not focus on
the usages and the dominant features in those verbs that had been used by people in
their daily life. Therefore, this study, besides the meanings and semantic features,
examined more about the usages of the verb “love” and its synonyms by people.
Specifically, the difference between her study to this study is the verbs containing
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meaning “To Walk” her object study, while this study is the verb “love”. Similarly,
both these study discussed the semantic features with componential analysis.
Krisano (2016) conducted an undergraduate thesis entitled The Semantic
Features on English Verb Containing Meaning “To Help”. In his comprehensive
study, it was not only to focus on finding its definition but also highlighting the
verbs through semantic features with componential analysis. Ten verbs have found
containing meaning “To Help” (accommodate, advise, bolster, cheer, contribute,
encourage, endorse, nurture, rescue, stimulate), by using three dictionaries: Oxford
Learner Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and Longman Dictionary of
Contemporary English. Qualitative method in analyzing data was used in this study.
The theory were word and sentential meaning by Fromkin et al. (2000), synonyms
by Lyons (1995), and componential analysis by Nida (1975).
The two result had been found in his study, i.e. the synonym occurred on a
verb meaning “To Help” and had a specific characteristic. His study was a detail
research that focused on the different meanings of those verbs in the three
dictionaries. However, his study did not explain more about the specific usages and
the dominant features of those verbs. Therefore, this study, besides the meanings
and semantic features, investigated the usages of the verb “love” and its synonyms
that had been used by people. It is apparent from his study that analyzed the verbs
containing meaning “To Help” by using three dictionaries. In contrast, this study
analyzed the verb containing meaning of “love” and only using one dictionary. The
similarity with this study is the data source taken from COCA and used
componential analysis in verbs meaning.

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Rachmadewi (2018) wrote The Semantic Features on English Synonymous
Nouns of “Idea”. Her study was about identifying the use of the English noun “Idea”
and its synonyms. She focused on the meanings of each noun as well as the semantic
features in each synonym (plan, thought, opinion, belief, and notion) of the English
noun “Idea”. The data were collected from COCA that contain 520 million words
by applying the documentation method and note-taking technique. The semantic
theories involved synonym by Lyons (1995), word meaning by Richards, Platt, &
Weber (1985) and componential analysis by Nida (1975).
The result had been shown that Idea was most frequently used with its
synonyms. Componential analysis used to observe the component in each noun with
its synonyms. Her study had been analyzed the distribution of the verbs in five
genres explicitly. However, her study was not more detailed about the specific types
of words and the dominant features in the verbs. Therefore, this study, besides the
meanings and semantic features, analyzed the types of words of the verb “love” and
its synonyms that had been used by people. The difference between her study and
this study was the object of the English noun “Idea”, while this study of the English
verb “love” had been analyzed. The similarity with this study is discussed about the
distribution of the English verb “love” and its synonyms by using COCA.
There were two articles of international journals which relevant to this
study. The article entitled A Corpus-Based Study of English Synonyms by
Phoocharoensil (2010) holds the view that five verbs have the same meaning, such
as; ask, plead, request, beg, and appeal. Those verbs had been identified on the
lexical, syntactic, and stylistic information. The data were drawn from three
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learners’ dictionaries; Oxford (OALD, 2005), Longman (LDOCE, 2009), and
Cambridge (CALD, 2009) ‒ in comparison to the corpus-informed data. Based on
the literature review, this study used the theory of synonymy in Jackson & Zé
Amvela (2000).
This article obtained a result, i.e. the definitions of all five verbs have the
same core meaning that involve in an action of “asking someone to do something”.
Moreover, these verbs had been shown as loose synonyms. However, this article
did not investigate the specific types of words and the dominant features between
those verbs. Therefore, this study, besides the meanings and semantic features, was
more detailed about the types of words of the verb “love” and its synonyms that had
been used by people. This study concerned with semantic features on the English
verb “love” and its synonyms, however, this article is more detailed on the
grammatical patterns and its near synonyms. The similarity between this article and
this study is the corpus data or called COCA.
The article from an International Journal of LEARN Journal Volume 10,
Issue 2, 2017. This article was from Thailand about Corpus-Based in some English
verbs by Petcharat & Phoocharoensil (2017). These three English verbs are
synonyms; appropriate, proper, and suitable. This article highlighted on meanings,
degrees of formality, collocations, and grammatical patterns. The sources of data
that used in their research; first three dictionaries, i.e. Longman Dictionary in
different edition (2014) and (2013), and Macmillan Collocations Dictionary (2010),
and second the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). This study
used the theory of synonymy in Jackson & Zé Amvela (2000).

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The result of this article was the three synonyms shared the same core
meaning. However, this article did not investigate the specific types of words and
the dominant features between those verbs. Therefore, this study, besides the
meanings and semantic features, investigated the types of words of the verb “love”
and its synonyms that had been used by people. The topic that used in this study
concerned with semantic features on the English verb “love” and its synonyms,
meanwhile this article focused on the grammatical patterns of those synonyms
verbs. The similarity between this article and this study is the corpus data or called
COCA.
3.2 Concepts
In giving more understanding about the topic in this study, there are some
concepts described, including: Concept of Semantic Features, Synonym, Verbs, and
Noun.
3.2.1 Concept of Semantic Features
Semantic feature is the specific components of meaning in a word that helps
to consider how the word fits in the certain context of a sentence. The meaning of
a word is made up of a set of abstracted characteristics, which distinguish this word
from other words.
The features express the systematic relationship among the various sense of
word between that word in the lexicon. Therefore, the degree of similarity between
two words can be easily measured by the number of the feature they have in
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common. A strategy in semantic features analysis that chart or matrix is used to
show whether or not a subject has a specific feature. According to Caramazza &
Grober (1976), might be in the form of words, for instance (+human) or (+animate)
to define the meaning of the words to be examined into its basic concepts.
3.2.2 Concept of Synonym
According to Lyons (1995), expressions with the same meaning are
synonymous. Synonym does not limit the relation of synonymy to lexeme; it allows
the possibility of lexically simple expression that may have the same meaning as
lexically complex expression. From those relation, synonym makes identity, not
merely similarity of meaning in the criterion of synonymy.
There are three kinds of synonym in language system; near-synonym, partial
synonym, and absolute synonym. Near synonyms are expressions that the words
have a same concept, however, it cannot substitute each other. Partial Synonym
means two words have similar meaning and the both words can be use in certain
context but sometimes not. Absolute synonym can be explained as two item which
are equal in meaning in all contexts. The expression can be absolute synonymous
if the words included in these following context and conditions: 1) having identical
meanings in all of the word, 2) the words are synonymous in all context, 3) the
words are semantically equivalent (their meanings are identical). From the concepts
of synonyms, among the English verb “love” and its synonyms is used to seek the
similarity of the characteristics in each verb.

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3.2.3 Concept of Verb
In many languages, verb is inflicted to imply some aspect and even tense,
mood, and also voice. According to the function of the verb phrase, verb might be
divided into three major categories. They are full verbs (e.g. believe, follow, like,
see), primary verbs (be, have, do) and modal auxiliary verbs (e.g. can, may, shall,
must, could, might, should, and could) (Quirk & Greenbeum, 2007).
Viewed from their meaning, verbs may be classified into transitive and
intransitive. The action done in the group of transitive verbs is regarded as “going
across” or “passing over” from a subject or doer to an object or receiver (House &
Harman, 1998). Therefore, every transitive requires a receiver for the action that
are expressed. Meanwhile, an intransitive verb may show no action or represent
action as limited to the subject or agent (House & Harman, 1998).
3.2.4 Concept of Noun
Wren & Martin (2017) defined a noun as a word used to name a person,
place, or thing. According to their kinds, nouns can be classified into proper and
common nouns:
- A proper noun is, referring to Maurer (2000), a name of a particular, person,
place, or thing who/which is usually unique. It is written in a capital letter.
- A common noun is, according to Wren & Martin (2017) “a name given in
common to every person or thing of the same class or kind”. Different from
proper nouns, this sort of nouns is not written in a capital letter.

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When classified into their particular details, common nouns can be divided
into 3 classes, i.e. abstract, individual, and collective nouns.
a. An abstract noun, which belongs to uncountable nouns, is a word used name
an idea, activity, action, a quality, or state which is “considered apart from
the object to which it belongs” (Wren & Martin, 2017), for example of this
noun category is kindness, theft, boyhood, and grammar.
b. A concrete noun, which belongs to countable nouns, is a noun that can be
identified through one of the five senses (taste, touch, hearing, or smell), i.e.
words which can be perceived by human senses. This category can be
exemplified by these words: student, lawyer, flower, and plant.
c. A collective noun names a group, number, or collection of persons, objects,
or things “taken together and spoken as one whole” (Wren & Martin, 2017),
for example, fleet, police, and crowd. A crowd means “a large number of
people together, but without order or organization.” (Hornby, 1974).
3.3 Theoretical Frameworks
The three problems in the problem formulation become the main discussion
of this study. The first problem is focused on the usage of the English verb “love”
and its synonyms that commonly used before and after these verbs. The second
problem is concentrated on finding the meanings of these verbs. The third problem
is investigated the semantic features that characterized these verbs. These problems
are answered by some theories of semantics that consist of synonym, word
meaning, and componential analysis.

17
2.3.1 Theory of Semantics
Several studies have revealed that semantic is generally defined as the study
of meaning systematically, conversely linguistics semantic is the study of how
languages organize and express meaning (Lyons, 1977; Kreidler, 1998). In the
cultural semantic of address practices point of view, understanding the differences
in address practices is important not only for discourse analysis and language
teaching, but also to explain why speakers address people differently in different
contexts. This, in turn, indicates that speakers are encouraged to express different
meanings in different contexts and that they know which meanings are suitable for
specific contexts and addressees (Farese, 2018).
3.3.1.1 Synonym
Synonym is part of the semantic study. Expressions with the same meaning
are synonymous (Lyons, 1995). He divided synonyms into three parts; near-
synonym, partial synonym, and absolute synonym. Near synonymy is the
expressions of meaning that not identical with each other word. Partial synonymy
is the expression that occur in two words in the two sentences can be replaced into
one another without effecting the meaning of the words within the sentences.
Absolute synonymy is the expressions that two words are equal in meaning in all
contexts.
According to Jackson & Zé Amvela (2000), the classified of synonyms can
be divided into two main types; strict and loose synonyms. Strict synonyms refer to
words that can substitute each other in all contexts without changes the meaning,
18
style, or connotation of the message. Loose synonyms refer to words that show
overlapping meaning, however the words cannot be used interchangeably in all
contexts of sentences.
According to Kreidler (1998), two words is used in predications that shared
the same referring expression, furthermore the predications must have the same
truth value can be called synonyms. These theories are used to find out the meaning
of the English verb “love” and its synonyms. For example:
a) To Love
To feel great affection for (someone); To feel sexual or romantic for
(someone); To like or desire (something) very much; To take great
pleasure in (something).
(https://www.merriam-webster.com)
To hold dear; To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for
(https://www.merriam-webster/thesaurus/love.com)
b) To Adore
To love or admire (someone) very much; To like or desire (something)
very much; To take great pleasure in (something)
(https://www.merriam-webster.com)
To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for; To love or admire too much;
To offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power; To take pleasure
in
(https://www.merriam-webster/thesaurus/adore.com)
19
From the example above, the definition of verb “love” expresses something
to feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for someone that have similar meaning with
the verb “adore”. In this case, what people think in their mind is clear that some
words have similar meaning and be aware how to use it to decrease the ambiguity
in using those words.
3.3.1.2 Word Meaning
According to Saeed (2003), words are not counted as the smallest semantic
units. Conversely, words are formed with the meaning of smaller components that
combined differently to different words form. Nida (1975) supports his idea by
stated a single word may have several quite different meanings. However, a word
has central meaning from which many other meanings are derived.
According to Nida (1975), word meaning can be classified into two groups,
lexical and contextual meaning, it is based on the forms they attach to. Lexical
meaning means the meaning of certain word that can be found in a dictionary. For
instance, the meaning “the man that somebody is married to”, that is meaning to the
word husband is lexical in English. Contextual meaning is the meaning based on
the context. It depends on the situation, where the time and the language usages are
different in the environment or society.
3.3.1.3 Componential Analysis
The sense-relations that hold among lexemes means componential analysis
(Lyons, 1995). This sense-relation includes the analysis of the sense of lexemes to
20
find its parts. For the example, the words boy, girl, man and woman are all indicated
human beings. Then, those words extracted from the sense of meaning in the
common factor of human beings. Similarly, we can filter from the words boy and
man become the common factor of genre in male, and the words from girl and
woman become the common factor of genre in female. Furthermore, for man and
woman, these words can be said as the sense-component factor of adult, conversely
with the words of boy and girl, which lack of adult sense.
Componential analysis is used to determine the exact component in each
similar word Nida (1975). For example, the English words “whisper” and
“murmur” (Nida, 1975). The verb whisper has semantic features [+verb, -musical
pitch, -voices] and the verb murmur has semantic features [+verb, - musical pitch,
+voiced]. The value [± voiced] is not an exactly component in this case because
both words still produce the voice. Nida’s theory is used to analyze the features in
each verb and its synonyms.
In accordance, O’Grady, Archibald, & Katamba (2016) argued that the
meanings in sentences are discovered by the meanings of the component words and
the syntactic structure of the sentence. For the example, The semantic features of
“man” and “boy” could be category as [+human, +male]; meanwhile the semantic
features of “man” and “woman” could be put in a class as [+human, +adult].

CHAPTER III
THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH SYNONYMOUS
VERB “LOVE”
This chapter contains three main sections. The first section is the usage with
the types of words that commonly used before and after the verb “love” and its
synonyms. In this chapter, the analysis began with the frequency of the five
synonymous verbs to the verb “love” in five genres. Then, the usage of the verb
“love” and its synonyms observed the specific types of words. The second section
is the meanings of the verb “love” and its synonyms. The definition of each verb
had investigated at meanings by using a dictionary. The third section is about the
semantic features of the verb “love” and its synonyms. The semantic features were
identified by looking at the definition of the English verb “love” and its synonyms
with componential analysis.
3.1 The Usages of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms in COCA
In this section, the usages of the English verb “love” and its synonyms were
analyzed. This section showed a description of the usages of each verb in five
genres. Moreover, this section presented the types of words and the specific
category used commonly before and after the verbs. The usages of the English verb
“love” and its synonyms had been prepared with table data as follow:
21
22
3.1.1 The Usages in Five Genres
The usages of the English verb “love” and its synonyms in five genres had
been analyzed. The distribution of these verbs is analyzed more detailed into the
numbers and the percentages. Therefore, the tables had been prepared as follows:
in Five Genres
Verb
SPOK FIC MAG NEWS ACAD TOTAL
Genre
Love 37.518 21.099 21.754 14.616 3.673 98.660
Admire 1.164 1.412 1.309 887 488 5.260
Adore 307 332 369 189 63 1.260
Appreciate 10.275 3.467 3.811 2.876 2.521 22.950
Cherish 265 218 423 298 163 1.367
Like 38.437 22.696 17.897 13.312 3.886 96.228
Table 3.1 illustrates that the result obtained from the distribution of the
English verb “love” and its synonyms usages in five genres. It is apparent that the
verb “love” is the greatest frequency in all genres with 98.660 usages. It is slightly
different from the verb “like” with 96.228 usages. In contrast, the verb “adore” have
the lowest frequency with 1.260 usages. The verb “adore” can be reach as the lowest
frequency because this verb is much stronger but temporary and unsustainable.
While the verb “love” is much longer and more sustainable, and it can be everlasting
for life. This is because adoring someone is a level of rush emotion than a permanent
feeling in your heart. The verb “love”, on the other hand, is just not an emotion but
a way of life.
23
The unexpected findings to emerge from data is the verb “like” that has the
highest frequency in spoken, fiction, and academic text with 38.437, 22.696, and
3.886 usages. In contrast, the verb “love” has reached the lower frequency with
37.518, 21.099, and 3.673 usages at the same genres. From the magazine and
newspaper genres, the verb “love” has reached the peak frequency with 21.754 and
14.616 usages. However, the frequency of the verb “like” has 17.897 and 13.312
usages. The more specific percentage that differentiate the usages of the verb “love”
and its synonyms had been explained in each verb with the table below:
in Percent
Verb SPOK FIC MAG NEWS ACAD
Genre
Love 38% 21% 22% 15% 4%
Admire 22% 27% 25% 17% 9%
Adore 25% 26% 29% 15% 5%
Appreciate 45% 15% 17% 12% 11%
Cherish 19% 16% 31% 22% 12%
Like 40% 23% 19% 14% 4%

Table 3.2 presents the percentage of the English verb “love” and its
synonyms in five genres. The verb “love” is focused on this table. The most popular
genre that people prefer to use this verb is spoken around 38%. Only 4% of the
genre of academics used by people to love someone compared with another genre.
Overall, the most interest of people to use the English verb “love” is spoken. This
finding shows that people generally use this verb as the feeling for someone could
be said in a spoken.
24
Besides, table 3.2 can be illustrated that how much the interest of people by
using the verb “love” and its synonyms “admire”. The highest percentage genre that
people prefer to use the English verb “love” is in a spoken with 38%, while 27% in
the fiction genre is mostly used in the English verb “admire”. The similarity shows
the lowest interest to use these verbs in the genre of academic texts with 4% and
9%. Overall, the English verb “admire” shows that people interest in using this verb
for admiring something or someone at the fiction. This finding illustrates that this
verb is said rarely in a spoken, as the English verb “love”, because of the suitable
sense just in the formal situations.
Furthermore, table 3.2 can be compared the interest of people to use the verb
“love” and its synonyms “adore”. It can be seen that there is a large difference in a
spoken of the verb “love” with 38% than the verb “adore” with 25%. Interestingly,
the verb “adore” has the highest percentage in the magazine and fiction with 29%
and 26% than the verb “love”. Both these verbs show a similar percentage in news
with 15%. The similarity shows the lowest interest to use these verbs in the genre
of academic texts with 4% and 5%. Overall, the verb “adore” indicates that the
highest interest for adoring something or someone in the magazine. This finding
illustrates that this verb is said rarely in a spoken.
The percentage of using the verb “love” and “appreciate” have been
presented in table 3.2. It is evident that there is a significant difference in a spoken
of the verb “love” with 38%, while 45% in the verb “appreciate”. The other genres
of this verb have fallen around 5% up to 6% than the verb “love”. The lowest
interest of people to use these verbs is academics. Overall, the verb “appreciate”
25
indicates that the people interest to use this verb for regarding something or
someone in the spoken.
The comparison of the percentage that used the verb “love” and its synonym
of the verb “cherish” have been illustrated in table 3.2. There is a wide significant
difference between those verbs in a spoken with 38% and 19%. Interestingly, the
magazine reaches the highest percentage in the verb “cherish” with 31%, while the
verb “love” only 22%. At 21% of the fiction in the verb “love” is more interested
to use than the verb “cherish” at 16%. These verbs have the lowest genre in
academics with 4% and 11%. Overall, the verb “cherish” shows that the people
interest to use this verb for expressing a deeply feeling to something or someone in
the magazine. This finding illustrates this verb is applied mostly in a written.
The comparison of the percentage of the verb “love” and its synonym of the
verb “like” is illustrated in table 3.2. There is a slightly difference between those
verbs in a spoken with 38% and 40%. However, the verb “like” has a higher
percentage than the verb “love” in spoken and fiction genre around 2%. At 22%
and 15% of the magazine and news in the verb “love” is more interested to use than
the verb “like” at 19% and 14%. These verbs have the same percentage as the lowest
genre in academics with 4%. Overall, the English verb “like” shows the people
interest to use this verb for enjoying something or take a pleasure with someone in
the spoken genre. This finding illustrates this verb is applied mostly in a spoken.
These findings are interesting to note that people could express their feeling
by using the verb “like” in speaking. Similarly, people have the most interest to
read or to write some books in the fiction and academic text genre. Compared with
26
the highest frequency in newspaper and magazine genre, people are more interested
to use the verb “love” than its five synonymous verbs. Overall, the highest of the
usages frequently in the five genres is the verb “love”, followed by the verb “like”,
“appreciate”, “admire”, “cherish”, and “adore”.
3.1.2 The Types of Words that Used Before and After the Verbs
Based on tables 3.1 and 3.2 above, the usages of the English verb “love”
and its synonyms had been analyzed more specific in the types of words that used
before and after these verbs. The tables had been prepared as follows:
Table 3.3 The Types of Words that are Used Before the English Verb “Love”
and Its Synonyms
Verb Love Admire Adore Appreciate Cherish Like
Types
Adjective phrases 0 1 0 0 0 0
Adverb phrases 12 36 30 28 24 34
Noun Phrases 8 14 25 12 22 13
Verb phrases 22 1 3 27 9 8
Conjunctions 5 25 12 3 20 3
Gerund phrases 0 0 0 0 0 0
Relative Pronouns 6 7 4 1 15 4
Preposition
0 0 0 1 0 0
phrases
Pronouns 127 109 113 98 79 125
Demonstrative
0 0 0 0 0 0
phrases
To-infinitive
11 1 5 15 7 2
phrases
Punctuations 0 6 8 15 24 11
[ bold typed ] = numbers
Table 3.3 above presents the frequency of the types of words that are used
before the English verb “love” and its synonyms. The highest frequency of the six
27
verbs is pronouns. Likewise, the frequency in the verb “love” reaches 127 usages
than others. This verb is slightly different from the verb “like” with 125 usages.
However, gerund phrases and demonstrative phrases are not found in the data,
means these phrases are not commonly used before these verbs. Overall, these
findings illustrate that pronouns have peaked the frequency than the other types of
words. Pronouns are shown as a person to express their feeling for someone.
Therefore, pronouns are used commonly before the verb “love” and its synonyms.
Table 3.4 The Types of Words that are Used After the English Verb “Love”
and Its Synonyms
Types
Adjective phrases 3 1 0 0 0 0
Adverb phrases 7 8 2 10 15 7
Noun Phrases 92 85 88 84 89 83
Verb phrases 3 2 5 0 9 1
Conjunctions 3 16 9 2 17 1
Gerund phrases 7 0 4 8 1 5
Relative Pronouns 4 5 2 15 2 2
Preposition
10 8 5 6 12 9
phrases
Pronouns 42 41 54 48 27 46
Demonstrative
4 4 2 14 8 2
phrases
To-infinitive
14 0 2 0 0 33
phrases
Punctuations 11 30 31 13 20 11
Table 3.4 above indicates that the highest frequency is the noun phrases in
the types of words commonly used after the English verb “love” and its synonyms.
Similarly, the verb “love” reaches a peak point in 92 usages than others. Then, the
verb “cherish” occupies the less frequency with 89 usages. Moreover, the verb
28
“like” has reached the lowest frequency with 83 usages. Overall, these findings
illustrate that noun phrases have reached a peak frequency than the other types of
words. The noun phrases are explicitly used as an expression or the feeling to
describe a person, place, or thing. Therefore, noun phrases are used commonly after
the verb “love” and its synonyms.
3.1.3 The Specific Category that Used Before and After the Verbs
Based on tables 3.3 and 3.4, the pronouns and the noun phrase are the
highest frequency. To know the more specific category of those types, the tables
had been prepared as follows:
Table 3.5 The Specific Category of Pronoun that are Used Before the English
Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
Verb
Love Admire Adore Appreciate Cherish Like
Category
1st person (I) 99 75 87 56 26 77

2nd person (You) 11 12 8 2 8 29
3rd person (male)
- - - - - -
(He)
3rd person (female)
- - - - 1 -
(She)
3rd person (It) 1 - - - 1 -
1st person (plural)
8 11 13 37 29 9
(We)
2nd person (plural)
- - - - - -
(You)
3rd person (plural)
8 11 5 3 14 10
(They)
Total 127 109 113 98 79 125
Table 3.5 illustrates the specific category of the pronoun that is used
commonly before the six verbs. The highest frequency is the verb “love” with 127
29
usages. The lowest frequency is the verb “cherish” with 79 usages. It is apparent
from the table that those six verbs reach the peak frequency in the category of
pronoun (I) as 1st person. The verb “cherish” reaches the lowest point in the pronoun
with 26 usages, conversely, the verb “love” with 99 usages. Although the verb
“appreciate” gets less interest to use in the pronoun, this verb has reached the
highest frequency in the pronoun 1st person (plural) (We) with 37 usages than the
others. Compared with the pronoun 3rd person (female, male, and It), this category
achieves the lowest frequency with 1 usage than the other verbs.
The verb “love” and its synonyms indicate that the verb “love” has reached
the highest usages of pronoun (I) with 99 usages. It could be interpreted that this
verb is commonly used to show a deep feeling for someone. Overall, people are
more interest or comfortable to express their feeling for someone as the pronoun (I)
1st person. Furthermore, people are likely to prove how far the deepness feeling to
someone than being asked or given by another person, as the other categories of
pronoun. Therefore, the specific category of pronoun that is used commonly before
the verbs is the pronoun 1st person (I) as the subject in the sentences.
Table 3.6 The Types of Noun Phrases that are Used After the English Verb
“Love” and Its Synonyms
Verb Proper Common Nouns
Total
Category Nouns Abstract Concrete Collective
Love 18 27 46 1 92
Admire 23 38 23 1 85
Adore 23 24 37 2 86
Appreciate 4 62 18 0 84
Cherish 11 41 35 2 89
Like 22 24 35 2 83
30
Table 3.6 indicates that those six verbs have used noun phrases with some
category. The verb “admire” and “adore” have the same frequency with 23 usages
in proper nouns. Furthermore, the highest frequency of abstract nouns is the verb
“appreciate” with 62 usages. Moreover, the highest frequency of concrete nouns
with 46 usages is the English verb “love”. The collective nouns have the lowest
frequency than the other types of nouns around 1 or 2 usages. It showed that those
verbs used the names of group words, for example, crowd.
The interpretation that could be drawn in table 3.5 is the types of noun
phrases commonly follow those six verbs. The most striking result is that the verb
“like” used commonly with proper nouns. It might be someone who gives the
feeling to somebody mentions the name of the person, places, things, or ideas.
While someone used the verb “appreciate” paired with the abstract noun, the verb
“love” paired with the concrete nouns. It might be someone appreciates an idea,
activity, or state to somebody. Similarly, loving someone could be expressed by
mentioning a person, place, or thing that can be perceived by one or more of the
senses. The table below provides the specific data of the noun phrases.
Table 3.7 The Specific Category of the Noun Phrase that are Used After the
English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
Verb Specific Category of Noun Phrase in Each Verb
Total
Catergory Things Persons Activity Ideas Places
Love 20 36 13 17 6 92
Admire 11 33 7 30 4 85
Adore 25 33 10 13 5 86
Appreciate 8 7 12 54 3 84
Cherish 23 18 2 41 5 89
Like 30 18 5 25 5 83
31
Table 3.7 presents the specific category of the noun phrases that are used
after the verb “love” and its synonyms. The highest frequency is the verb “like”
with 30 usages. The verb “love” is preferable to pair with persons, activity, and
places in 36, 13, and 6 usages. Moreover, the verb “appreciate” is the highest
frequency in the ideas with 54 usages. This verb had been used commonly with the
noun phrase that showed respect toward somethings.
Overall, the interpretation could be described that the specific category of
noun phrases commonly follow those six verbs. Most people might use the verb
“like” to show the liking in things. Surprisingly, the people could use the verb
“love” to show the deep feeling towards the person, activity, and the commonplace.
Furthermore, people often express their respect by appreciating the ideas.
3.1.4 The Usages of the Verbs in Sentences
3.1.4.1 The Usages of the English Verb “Love”
Table 3.3 shows the types of words that are used before the English verb
“love”. This table indicates that no adjective phrases, gerunds, preposition phrases,
demonstrative phrases, and punctuations are found in the data. It is because of
pronouns as the most word used before this verb. The verb “love” requires adverb
phrases, as in “I still love Mike”. Furthermore, this verb requires a noun phrase, as
in “…my aunts love collard green”. Likewise, relative pronouns and pronouns
found to be used e.g. “…deeply with those who love the sport” and “I love the man”.
The verb “love” does not only require verb phrase, as in “I’d love another cup of
32
Taze”, but also the conjunctions, as in “…denomination, and love for all” and to-
infinitive phrase, e.g. “She used to love Richard”.
Table 3.4 presents the types of words used after the verb “love”. All types
in this verb are found, for example, “I love red, white, and blue” requires adjective
phrases. Furthermore, this verb requires adverb phrases, as in “…about something
that they love very much”. While noun phrases can be drawn as in “I love this
game”, the verb phrases can be found in “…and what we love is the outdoors”. This
verb requires not only conjunctions, as in “…in trying to love and forgive you”, but
also gerunds e.g. “I love having the outside…” and preposition phrases e.g. “…love
for Venice”. As in “I love that I can just open my door…” and “I love her for…” are
examples of the relative pronouns and pronouns. In the same way, the example of
demonstratives is found in “D’Nel Byod would love this” and to-infinitive phrase,
as in “I love to watch the lights dance…”. This verb requires punctuations, e.g. “He
used to love ---”.
Table 3.5 reveals that pronoun is the highest frequency commonly used
before the verb “love”. All six verbs show that 3rd person (male) (He) is not found
in the data. Therefore, this verb requires a 1st person (I), as in “I love the man”.
Meanwhile, 2nd person (You) can be found in “Well, you love a crowd”.
Furthermore, the example of 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person (plural) (They)
are shown in “We love Al” and “They love aviation and spies”.
Table 3.6 illustrates that the noun phrase is the highest frequency with 92
usages commonly used after this verb. These nouns that classified as proper nouns
had been found in 18 usages, such as the name of a cover song (e.g. 2007 Playboy
33
Cover), the name of game (the NFL), and even the name of persons (e.g. Richard).
The abstract nouns have frequency with 27 usages (e.g. the way and the idea). Then,
followed by the concrete nouns with 46 usages (e.g. the cake and the earrings) and
the lowest frequency is the collective nouns with 1 usage (e.g. crowd).
Table 3.7 shows that the noun phrase had been analyzed into the specific
category. The verb “love” paired with noun phrase for expressing things are used
in 20 usages (e.g. the articles and vinegar). Meanwhile. For showing the persons
are used in 36 usages, (e.g. a child and the man). The category of activity is
expressed with 13 usages (e.g. a sport and parade). While the category of ideas is
used in 17 usages (e.g. the comfort and concept), the verb “love” linked with the
category of places is used in 6 usages (e.g. this school).
Overall, the noun phrase that used commonly after the English verb “love”
is the category of concrete nouns that reach 33 usages. Furthermore, the noun
phrases are used mostly in the specific parts of persons with 21 usages.
3.1.4.2 The Usages of the English Verb “Admire”
Table 3.3 presents the types of words that are used before the English verb
“admire”. This table indicates that no gerunds, preposition phrases, and
demonstrative phrases are found in the data. The verb “admire” is suitable for
pairing with adjective phrases, as in “…the morally obtuse admire for its human…”,
while adverb phrases, e.g. “… I particularly admire about him…”. Furthermore,
noun and verb phrases can be found in “Local residents admire the sign” and “…
but they will admire your resolve.”. The conjunctions and punctuations seem to be
34
possible with this verb, e.g. “…I can’t help but admire your colorful decoration”
and “…admire your brother-in-law”. Not only the relative pronouns that are
required as in “…many who admire the show…”, but also pronouns and to-infinitive
phrases, as in “I admire your empathy…” and “…which Dignam seems to admire”.
Table 3.4 shows that the types of words are used after the verb “admire”.
Gerunds and to-infinitive phrases are not found in the data. This verb requires
adjective phrases, e.g. “…and admire distinctive, beautiful,”. Similarly, the adverb,
noun and verb phrases are required of this verb, e.g. “…somebody who I admire
greatly”, “I admire her self-control”, and “…what I really admire is that he saw…”.
Meanwhile, the example of conjunction, preposition phrase, and demonstrative, and
even punctuation are obtained, as in “But I admire and respect him”, “I particularly
admire about him…”, and “I admire that”, and even “…I respect and admire -- my
fans”. Furthermore, the example of relative pronoun and pronoun is found in “I
really admire that they got…” and “I admire her very much”.
Table 3.5 presents that pronoun is the highest frequency commonly used
before this verb. The example of a 1st person (I) is “I admire her very much”. The
same patterns show in the example of a 2nd person (You), e.g. “Whether you admire
insects or …”. Furthermore, 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person (plural) (They)
are found, as in “And we admire Governor Bush” and “…the way they admire movie
stars…”. The rest of this category is not found in the data.
Table 3.6 indicates that the noun phrases are commonly used after the verb
“admire” with 85 usages as the highest frequency. At 23 usages, proper noun had
been analyzed, as in the name of persons (e.g. Harvey) and even the name of
35
President (President Trump). The abstract nouns have reached the peak frequency
with 38 usages (e.g. your empathy). Then, followed by the concrete nouns with 23
usages (e.g. the women) and the lowest one is the collective nouns with 1 usage
(e.g. of glacier-fed waterfalls).
The noun phrase as in table 3.7 explained the category things are used in 11
usages (e.g. movie stars and the sign). The category of persons is more frequent in
the 33 usages as the highest frequency, (e.g. these guys). The category of activity
seems to be less used in 7 usages (e.g. the scenery), than ideas as the highest used
in 30 usages (e.g. the loyalty). The last is the verb “admire” is paired with noun
phrases that showed the category of places is used in 4 usages (e.g. the
commonplace flowers and India).
Overall, the noun phrases that are used commonly after the English verb
“admire” is the category of abstract nouns with 38 usages. Furthermore, the noun
phrases are used mostly in the specific parts of persons with 33 usages.
3.1.4.3 The Usages of the English Verb “Adore”
Table 3.3 shows the types of words used before the English verb “adore”.
The adjective phrases, gerunds, preposition phrases, demonstrative phrases, and
punctuations are not found in the data. The example of adverb phrases paired with
this verb is “We just adore Kevin”, then followed with noun phrase e.g. “His
kindergarten teachers adore his spirit”, and verb phrases, as in “… that a grown
man would adore to have the trains…”. Furthermore, this verb requires
conjunctions and to-infinitive, as in “… an avid reader and adore all types of music”
36
and “Zines tend to adore what they cover sometimes…”. The example of relative
pronouns and pronouns are possible for pairing with this verb, e.g. “… other dads
who adore the cheesy gifts…” and “I adore advertising.” Moreover, the example of
punctuation is “, “ Adore Adam,’”.
Table 3.4 gives the illustration that the types of words commonly used after
the verb “adore”. Ony the adjective phrase is not found in the data. Meanwhile, the
adverb, noun, and verb phrases are found, as in “…Cara Delivingne, who I adore
as well”, “I adore voyages”, and “…woman I adore left me”. The example of
conjunctions and gerunds are “…I adore and wear…” and “People adore seeing the
big greenhouses…”. This verb requires relative pronoun and pronoun, as in “…I
adore that he’s in my life” and “…and I adore her even more now…”. Moreover,
the example of prepositions, demonstrative, and to-infinitive are “…that we adore
in the Bay Area”, “I can’t but adore that”, and “…man would adore to have the
trains…”. The last example is punctuation, as in “…good things that I adore. #”
Table 3.5 illustrates that pronoun is the highest frequency that commonly
used before this verb. It is apparent that the example of 1st person (I) is likely, “I
adore her even more now…”, while 2nd person (You) is likely, “… that you adore
both your husband…”. Similarly, 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person (plural)
(They) can be found as in “Yes, we adore this dog.” and “Well, they adore each
other”. The rest of this category is not found in the data.
Table 3.6 shows the noun phrase that commonly used after the verb “adore”
and showed the highest frequency with 88 usages. The proper nouns have been
found in 24 usages, such as the name of persons (e.g. Tim McGraw) and the name
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of places (New York City). The abstract nouns have frequency with 23 usages (e.g.
their fragrance). The concrete nouns with 37 usages have marked as the highest
frequency (e.g. white sheets) and the lowest frequency is the collective nouns with
2 usages (e.g. crops and blooms).
By unraveling the noun phrase into the specific category as in table 3.7, the
English verb “adore” is found can be paired with noun phrases. It could be shown
as the category of things in 25 usages (e.g. rice cakes and pillows). Furthermore,
the category of persons has reached the highest point in 34 usages, (e.g. that boy).
In contrast, the category of activity is less frequent in 10 usages (e.g. reading).
Although, the category ideas have 12 usages (e.g. your loyalty), the category of
places is less frequently used in 5 usages (e.g. gardens and New York City).
Overall, the noun phrase that used commonly after the verb “adore” is the
category of common in concrete nouns that reach 37 usages. Furthermore, the noun
phrases have the specific used as persons with 34 usages.
3.1.4.4 The Usages of the English Verb “Appreciate”
Table 3.3 shows the types of words used before the English verb
“appreciate”. The verb does not require adjective phrases, gerunds, preposition
phrases, demonstrative phrases, and punctuations. While adverb phrases are
required as in “I really appreciate all the support…”, noun and verb phrases have
the same requirement, as in “I think people appreciate that” and “I really do
appreciate a genuine conversations …”. The example of conjunctions, to-infinitive,
and punctuations are preferable to pair with, e.g. “… to understand and appreciate
38
what Ann had crafted…”, “…to educate my grandchildren to appreciate our
history”, and “…Thank you. CONAN : Appreciate it”. Similarly, with the example
of relative pronoun and pronoun, as in “… American kitchens who appreciate its
woody aroma…” and “I appreciate color”.
Table 3.4 indicates that the types of words are used after the verb
“appreciate”. The example of adjective phrases, verb phrases, and to-infinitive are
not found in the data. This verb requires adverb, noun, and preposition phrases, as
in “I appreciate very much your joining us”, “I appreciate his honesty”, and “They
appreciate in value”. The example of conjunctions, gerunds, demonstratives, and
punctuations is possible to pair with, e.g. “Roxanne will appreciate and be at
home…”, “I’d appreciate speaking with the officer…”, “I think people appreciate
that”, and “… as much as I appreciate ---”. Furthermore, the example of relative
pronoun and pronoun can be found as in “I appreciate that he played in pain” and
“We appreciate you helping us in this emergency”.
Table 3.5 presents that pronoun as the highest frequency that commonly
used before this verb. The example of a 1st person (I) can be seen in “I appreciate
that he played in pain”. The same patterns of a 2nd person (You), e.g. “it’s the little
things that you appreciate”. Furthermore, 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person
(plural) (They) are found as in “We appreciate you helping us in this emergency”
and “They appreciate in value”. The rest of this category is not found in the data.
Table 3.6 shows that the noun phrase commonly used after the verb
“appreciate” is the highest frequency with 84 usages. The noun phrases had been
found 4 usages as proper nouns, such as the name of persons and country (e.g. Pete
39
Wilson and Japan). Likewise, the parts of common nouns show the peak frequency
in the abstract nouns with 62 usages (e.g. the fact and the perspective). While the
concrete nouns as with 35 usages (e.g. the ice and the articles), the frequency of
collective nouns are zero.
The noun phrase had been analyzed into the specific category as in table 3.7.
The verb “appreciate” with noun phrases that showed the category of things is less
interest used in 8 usages (e.g. the articles). Furthermore, the category of persons is
used in 7 usages, (e.g. women). By showing the activity terms that commonly used
in 12 usages (e.g. the journey), the category of ideas reach the highest point in 54
usages (e.g. the beauty). The last, the verb “appreciate” is linked with noun phrases
that showed the category of places is used in 3 usages (e.g. a city and Japan).
Overall, the noun phrase that used commonly after the verb “appreciate” is
the category of common in abstract nouns that reach 62 usages. Furthermore, the
noun phrase showed something as ideas such as the feeling of someone, concept,
or state with 54 usages.
3.1.4.5 The Usages of the English Verb “Cherish”
Table 3.3 shows the types of words used before the English verb “cherish”.
The example of the adjective phrase, gerund, preposition phrase, demonstrative
phrase, and punctuation are not found in the data. The example of adverb, noun,
and verb phrases are “We rightly cherish our freedom”, “…that Aschenbrdel fans
cherish the films…” and “She would cherish each moment…”. Furthermore, this
verb requires conjunctions, to-infinitive phrases, and punctuations, as in “…I look

40
after and cherish them…”, “…she’s somebody to cherish forever”, and “…away. “
Cherish and treat it kindly…”. Moreover, the example of relative pronoun and
pronoun are found in “…for all who cherish peace …” and “The Loa knows, but
they cherish the light.”
Table 3.4 indicates that the types of words are used after the verb “cherish”.
Both adjective and to-infinitive phrases are not found in the data. The verb “cherish”
requires adverb, noun, and verb phrases, as in “…she’s somebody to cherish
forever”, “I cherish his memory”, and “…political underdogs cherish is,…”. The
conjunctions, gerunds, and prepositions are required, e.g. “Cherish and embrace
it”, “…they would cherish being seen by …”, and “…something to cherish for a
lifetime”. Furthermore, the example of relative pronoun and pronoun can be found
as in “…moments I cherish that it’s hard…” and “They pretend they cherish you…”.
Moreover, demonstratives and punctuations are possible in “You cherish that” and
“…the human categories that we most cherish.#”
Table 3.5 shows that the pronoun is the highest frequency commonly used
before this verb. The example of 1st person (I) is “I cherish his memory”, while 2nd
person (You) is “You cherish that”. Interestingly, 3rd person female (She) and
things (It) are in “…she cherish the ones and zeros…” and “Cherish it!”. Similarly,
the example of 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person (plural) (They) are found in
“We cherish such things…” and “…they cherish it”. The rest category is not found.
Table 3.6 shows that the noun phrase commonly used after the verb
“cherish” is the highest frequency with 89 usages. At 11 usages, the noun phrase
are used as proper nouns, such as the name of things and places (e.g. Thy Toes
41
Sidebar). The abstract nouns reach the highest frequency with 41 usages (e.g. these
values and the freedom). Then, followed by the concrete nouns with 35 usages (e.g.
the film and their snowballs) and the frequency of collective nouns is 2 usages (e.g.
my collection and a lot of those memories).
The verb “cherish” is paired with noun phrases showed the category of things is
used in 23 usages (e.g. the film). The category of persons is used in 18 usages (e.g.
old friends and these people), while the category of activity is less frequent used
only in 2 usages (e.g. the traditions). The peak frequency has used the category of
ideas with 41 usages (e.g. freedom). The last, category of places is just used in 5
usages (e.g. their markets and the Land).
Overall, the noun phrase that used commonly after the verb “cherish” is the
category of common in abstract nouns that reach 41 usages. It has the same
frequency with the noun phrase that showed ideas with 41 usages.
3.1.4.6 The Usages of the English Verb “Like”
Table 3.3 shows the types of words that are used before the English verb
“like”. The example of the adjective phrases, gerunds, preposition phrases, and
demonstrative phrases are not found in the data. The example of adverb, noun, and
verb phrases are “I really like the longhorn…”, “…kids like to be there.”, and “Ms.
Murphy might like to know…”. Furthermore, conjunctions, to-infinitive phrases,
and punctuations are shown in these examples, “…good looking, and like to date...”,
“I used to like you.”, and “:… like to see people…”. The latter is the example of the
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relative pronouns and pronouns as in, “Critics who like the book” and “Leslie, I like
you very much”.
Table 3.4 illustrates that the types of words are used after the verb “like”.
Only the example of the adjective phrase is not found in the data. The verb “like”
requires adverb, noun, and verb phrases, as in “…what I like best about America”,
“I like the car”, and “…visual metaphors like ‘behave’…”. Furthermore, the
example of conjunction, gerund, and preposition phrases can be shown as follow;
“…the foods you like and that taste good…”, “I like carrying the tiny pocketbook”,
and “…people like on the stage area…”. Moreover, relative pronouns and pronouns
are preferable to pair with this verb, as in “…and I like that I post on both…” and
“They really like him”. The last is the example of demonstrative, to-infinitive, and
punctuation that can be seen as follow; “I like that”, “… kids like to be there” and
“I like ---.”
Table 3.5 presents the pronoun is the highest frequency that commonly used
before this verb. The example of 1st person (I) is found in “I like carrying the tiny
pocketbook”. The same patterns in 2nd person (You), e.g. “You like my dog?”.
Furthermore, the example of 1st person (plural) (We) and 3rd person (plural) (They)
are shown as in “We both like dark chocolate.” and “They really like him”.
Unfortunately, the rest of the category is not found in the data.
Table 3.6 shows the noun phrase that commonly used after the verb “like”
showed the highest frequency with 83 usages. The proper noun had been found in
25 usages, the name of things and places (e.g. Shower Gel and Crazy Cakes). The
abstract nouns reach the highest frequency with 23 usages (e.g. the energy). Then,
43
followed by the concrete nouns with 33 usages (e.g. the car, and the book) and the
frequency of collective noun is 2 usages (e.g. their team and your group).
Pairing with the noun phrases, the category of things is the highest used in 30
usages (e.g. a white shirt). The fewer categories frequent used are persons with 18
usages (e.g. Brandon Jacobs) and activity with 5 usages (e.g. your play). Over more
than half of the difference between ideas in 25 usages (e.g. the taste, and the music)
and and places in 5 usages (e.g. Kansas). Overall, the noun phrase that are used
commonly after the English verb “like” is concrete nouns that reaches 33 usages. It
has the same frequency with the noun phrase that showed things with 30 usages.
3.2 The Meanings of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
In this second section, the definition of the English verb “love” and its
synonyms were analyzed. The meaning of each verb are taken from Merriam-
Webster’s dictionary. In this case, some examples of each meaning have taken at
COCA and have detailed in each meaning of the verb. Furthermore, the underline
in each sentence shows the noun phrase that commonly used after the English verb
“love” and its synonyms.
3.2.1 The Meanings of the English Verb “Love”
The meaning of the English verb “love” based on the Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To feel great affection for (someone); To feel sexual or romantic
for (someone); To like or desire (something) very much; To take great pleasure
44
in (something)”. In addition, the meaning of this verb in thesaurus that include in
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is “To hold dear; To feel passion, devotion, or
tenderness for”. From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of
the English verb “love” in sentences has meaning as follow:
1) To show passion
[3-1] I love you, baby, trust me when I say. (SPOK: Fresh Air)
[3-2] I love the way you love me, Kibryia. (FIC: Caramel Flava)
According to the sentences, the English verb “love” has a meaning.
These sentences indicate that the person feels a deep feeling romantically or
sexually attracted to someone, as in [3-2] the character of Kibryia.
Therefore, the person used the English verb “love” to show those feelings
for someone.
2) To care for
[3-3] You realize you love your wife, and you’d better spend some time
with her. (FIC: SouthernRev)
The sentence [3-3] above, the English verb “love” has another
meaning. It shows that the person cares to someone by behaving in a kind
and caring way. Clearly, this verb explains that the person loves someone
by showing a caring feeling.
3) To regard
[3-4] I absolutely love the articles written by Sharon Begley. (MAG:
Saturday Event Post)

45
There is another meaning of the English verb “love” as in [3-4]. This
sentence means that the person expresses his honor feeling and gives a
respect about somethings to someone. Thus, to regard what people have or
feel in something, then used the English verb “love” correctly.
4) To enjoy
[3-5] Oh, my gosh, I love the earrings. (SPOK: Ind_Oprah)
[3-6] Another thing that works extremely well, kids love to do hide-and-
seek, hide-and-find. (SPOK: ABC_GMA)
The English verb “love” in the sentences [3-6] and [3-6] present
another meaning. This sentence indicates that the person likes something
very much in which can give a pleasure and enjoyable feelings for someone.
Thus, to show a strong feeling of enjoy or by doing somethings, then used
the English verb “love” correctly.
3.2.2 The Meanings of the English Verb “Admire”
The meaning of the English verb “admire” based on the Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To feel respect and approval for (someone or something); To
regard with admiration”. In addition, the meaning of this verb in thesaurus that
include in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is “To think very highly or favorably
of”. From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of English verb
“to admire” in sentences has meaning as follow:
1) To respect
[3-7] I admire Barbara Walker’s work. (MAG: Ms.)

46
[3-8] I admire her self-control. (FIC: Bk: BonetoBone.)
According to the sentences, the English verb “admire” has a
meaning. In the [3-7] and [3-8], those mean that the person acts to give a
valuable feeling to someone that should be treated in an appropriate way.
Clearly, the person used the English verb “admire” to respect someone for
what he/she has done.
2) To marvel at
[3-9] They admire the commonplace pictures of flowers. (FIC: The Antioch
Review)
[3-10] When I admire a photograph, I cannot separate myself from the life
behind. (ACAD: PSA Journal)
The sentences [3-9] and [3-10] above, the English verb “admire” has
another meaning. Those mean that the person looks at something with
pleasure, enjoyable and even amazed point of view. It is clear that the person
used the verb “to admire” to marvel at somethings with those feelings.
3.2.3 The Meanings of the English Verb “Adore”
The meaning of the English verb “adore” based on the Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To love or admire (someone) very much; To like or desire
(something) very much; To take great pleasure in (something)”. In addition, the
meaning of this verb in thesaurus that include in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is
“To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for; To love or admire too much; To
offer honor or respect to (someone) as a divine power; To take pleasure in”.

47
From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of English verb “to
adore” in sentences has meaning as follow:
1) To honor
[3-11] I adore my children. (FIC: Kenyon Review)
According to the sentence, the English verb “adore” has a meaning.
In the sentence, the person honors something or someone, especially
children as in [3-11]. Apparently, the person used the English verb “to
adore” to honor or respect someone.
2) To worship
[3-12] Christianity exhorts its followers to adore God and taking moral
relations among people. (ACAD: American Indian Quarterly)
The sentence [3-12] above, the English verb “adore” has another
meaning. This context illustrated that the person shows a great love and
admiration for God with religious rites. It is clear that the person used the
verb “to adore” to worship as divine God.
3) To like
[3-13] I adore food, especially food that tastes good. (FIC: Kenyon
Review)
[3-14] I adore gardens. (FIC: Mov:GodsMonsters)
The sentences [3-13] and [3-14] above, the English verb “adore” has
another meaning. These sentences indicate that the person expresses a
pleasure and enjoyable feeling for something. Therefore, the person used
the English verb “adore” for those who wants to like something very much.
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3.2.4 The Meanings of the English Verb “Appreciate”
The meaning of the English verb “appreciate” based on the Merriam-
Webster’s Dictionary is “To understand the worth or importance of (something
or someone); To admire and value (something or someone); To be grateful for
(something)”. In addition, the meaning of this verb in thesaurus that include in
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is “To become greater in extent, volume,
amount, or number; To hold dear; To have a clear idea; To think very highly
or favorably of”. From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of
the English verb “appreciate” in sentences has meaning as follow:
1) To value
[3-15] Payton Head and John Butler, I appreciate your time tonight. (CNN:
Anderson Cooper)
[3-16] Middle Easterners appreciate Japan because of its political stance
and lack of the history of confrontation. (ACAD: Arab Studies
Quarterly)
According to the sentences in [3-15] and [3-16], the English verb
“appreciate” indicates that the person expresses the feeling of respect or
gratitude highly because it can be recognized in its good qualities to
someone or something. Therefore, the person used the English verb
“appreciate” is to value someone or something.
2) To be grateful
[3-17] We appreciate you helping us in this emergency. (FIC: Analog
Science Fiction & Fact)

49
[3-18] I really appreciate all the support that I’ve been receiving form the
fans, the Vikings organization. (SPOK: CBS Evening)
From the sentences above [3-17] and [3-18], the English verb
“appreciate” show the person’s feeling of gratefulness because someone has
done or is going to do something for him. It is also to be grateful of
someone’s support that give him a pleasure and enjoyable moment.
Apparently, that the person used the English verb “appreciate” to be grateful
for someone’s help, support or effort.
3.2.5 The Meanings of the English Verb “Cherish”
The meaning of the English verb “cherish” based on the Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To feel or show great affection for (someone or something); To
remember or hold (an idea, belief, etc.) in a deeply felt way”. In addition, the
meaning of this verb in thesaurus that include in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary is
“To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for; To hold dear; To keep one’s mind
or heart”. From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of the
English verb “cherish” in sentences has meaning as follow:
1) To hold
[3-19] I cherish the days I got to spend with my dad and worked with him.
(SPOK: PBS)
[3-20] She would cherish each moment of seeing, linger inside it, kiss it
goodbye. (FIC: The Hudson Review)

50
According to sentences in [3-19] and [3-20], the English verb
“cherish” has a meaning. Those sentences indicate that the person keeps a
hope or a pleasant memory in his mind for a long period of time. Clearly,
the person used the English verb “cherish” to hold someone or something
tightly in mind.
2) To support
[3-21] Readers still cherish the physical book and welcome bargains. (FIC:
Southwest Review)
[3-22] We all cherish our children’s future, and we are all mortal. (SPOK:
CBS_SunMorn)
From the sentences in [3-21] and [3-22], the English verb “cherish”
has a meaning. These sentences show that the person supports and takes
good care of someone or somethings. Apparently, the person used the
English verb “cherish” to support someone.
3.2.6 The Meanings of the English Verb “Like”
The meaning of the English verb “like” based on the Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To enjoy (something); to get pleasure from (something)”. In
addition, the meaning of this verb in thesaurus that include in Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary is “To wish to have; To show partiality toward; To take pleasure
in”. From the definition above, can be concluded that the meaning of the English
verb “like” in sentences has meaning as follow:

51
1) To delight in
[3-23] I like farming because it’s variety of jobs. (SPOK: CBS_Froast)
[3-24] I like carrying a tiny pocketbook, it is part of being in style. (FIC:
Feminist Studies)
Based on the sentences in [3-23] and [3-24], the English verb “like”
has a meaning. In the sentences, the person thinks somethings are
interesting, enjoyable, or attractive. It can be showed as part activities of
your normal life or routine. It is clearly seen that the person used the English
verb “like” to delight in someone or something.
2) To prize
[3-25] I like the idea of having secret gardens, little mysteries. (MAG:
Horticulture)
[3-26] I did like the way a girl laugh. (MAG: Cosmopolitan)
From the sentences in [3-25] and [3-26], the English verb “like” has
a meaning. These sentences indicate that the person, who like something
such as a particular course of action or way of behaving, approve of
something or someone to believe that is good or acceptable in highly
respect. Apparently, the person used the English verb “like” to approve of
someone or something.
3.3 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
In this third section, the semantic features of the English verb “love” and its
synonyms were identified by looking at the definition of each verb with

52
componential analysis. This section would present the componential analysis that
analyze three areas; content, circumstance, and reason. Content is the substances in
propose something. Circumstance in this case explains the situation in which
someone proposes something. Reason explains why someone proposes something.
3.3.1 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Love”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “love” that had presented at 3.2.1,
the features semantically of this verb can be concluded as this following table:
“Love”
+ passion + weddings + to feel or to show deep affection for
+ devotion + proposals somebody or something
+ tenderness + public places + to feel sexual or romantic way for
+ affection somebody or something
+ desire + to take great pleasure in somebody or
+ joy something
+ pleasure + to regard somebody or something
+ respect favorably
+ sexuality
+ romance
The semantic features of the English verb “love” which is included in the
content category is all of those features. These semantic features that can be
extracted from the sentences are passion, desire, sexuality, and romance. As in the
53
sentences [3-1] and [3-2] indicate a deep and strong feeling of wanting something
or someone. The sexuality and romance features can be seen in the sentence [3-1]
and [3-2] that illustrate the person loves someone by showing a feeling of attracted
to someone. It also can be seen by the efforts of person to demand someone for
trusting him or her feeling romantically.
Furthermore, the semantic features that can be extracted as the dominant
appearance features in the sentences [3-3] are devotion, tenderness, and affection.
Meanwhile, the sentence [3-4] is respect, and the latter, in the sentences [3-5] and
[3-6] are joy and pleasure. Overall, the person loves someone by showing an
affection feeling as in [3-3] in caring way with the feeling of devotion and
tenderness, followed with an honor and regard feeling as in [3-4] to the special
something, and the latter is enjoyable feeling for something as in the sentence [3-5]
and [3-6].
In the circumstance category, the English verb “love” can be used in
weddings, proposals, and public places situations. Weddings and proposals terms
are the sacred moment. Usually, the bride and the groom say this verb in the
cathedral. It also can be used in the public places, such as formal or daily activities.
In this term, this verb shows a caring feeling in the friendship at school, respect
feeling in the attitude of people at office, or hobby activities at playing a game. In
the reason category, it can be explained when people felt deep affection as in the
sentence [3-3], took a great pleasure as in the sentence [3-5] and [3-6], and even
regard somebody or something as in the sentence [3-4] in romantic or sexual way
as in the sentence [3-1] and [3-2].

54
3.3.2 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Admire”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “admire” that had presented at
3.2.2, the features of this verb can be concluded as this following table then there is
the comparison between this verb and the English verb “love”:
“Admire”
- passion - weddings + to feel or to show deep affection for
- devotion - proposals somebody or something
- tenderness + public places - to feel sexual or romantic way for
+ joy something
+ respect favorably
- sexuality
- romance
The semantic features of the English verb “admire” which is included in the
content category are affection, desire, joy, pleasure, and respect. The semantic
features of respect is in the sentences [3-7] and [3-8]. These sentences show that
person admires something with a valuable and honor feeling to be treated in an
appropriate way. However, the respect features at [3-4] shows that person loves as
something with a high honor feeling. Furthermore, the semantic features in the verb
“admire” can be extracted from the sentences [3-9] and [3-10] are affection, desire,
joy, and pleasure. These sentences show a deep affection of person to admire
55
something with pleasure. However, the sentence [3-5] and [3-6] shows that the
person loves something that means he or she likes it very much.
In the circumstance category, the verb “admire” just can be used in public
places situations. This term is ordinary moment that people say this verb in the daily
activities, as in conversations. Unfortunately, this verb are rare used in the wedding
and proposal situations, because the sense is not enough to express a deepfeeling
for someone than the verb “love”. In the reason category, person felt deep affection
and great pleasure as in the sentence [3-7] and [3-8]. This verb used to explain when
people regard somebody or something as in the sentence [3-9] and [3-10].
3.3.3 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Adore”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “adore” that had presented at
3.2.3, the features semantically could be concluded and compared between the
English verb “love”:
“Adore”
+ passion - weddings + to feel or to show deep affection for
+ devotion - proposals somebody or something
+ tenderness + public places - to feel sexual or romantic way for
+ joy something
+ pleasure
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+ respect + to regard somebody or something
- sexuality favorably
- romance
The semantic features of the English verb “adore” which is included in the
content category is almost all of those features, except romance and sexuality.
These semantic features that can be extracted from the sentences [3-11] is respect.
This sentence indicates that person adores something or someone with the feeling
of an honor feeling. However, as in the [3-4], the person shows high feeling of
honor to someone or something. Furthermore, the sentence [3-12] and [3-13] have
passion, devotion, affection, desire, joy, and pleasure. As in the sentence [3-12]
shows that person adores Almighty God as devotion and affection in the religious
rites. As in the sentence [3-13] shows that person adores something fulfill with a
tenderness, desire, pleasure and joy feeling. However, as in the [3-5] and [3-6], the
verb “love” shows that the person loves something - he or she likes it very much.
In the circumstance category, the English verb “adore” just can be used in
public places situations. This term is ordinary moment that people usually say this
verb in the daily activities, such as a conversation, writing a short story or a note.
Conversely, this verb “adore” shows rarely in the wedding and proposal situations,
because the sense is not enough to express a great feeling for someone in the sacred
moment than the English verb “love”. In the reason category, it can be explained
when people felt deep affection and great pleasure as in the sentences [3-13] and
[3-14]. This verb used to explain when people regard somebody or something as in
the sentence [3-11].

57
3.3.4 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Appreciate”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “appreciate” that had presented
at 3.2.4, the features semantically of this verb could be concluded as this following
table then there is the comparison between this verb with the English verb “love”:
Table 3.11 The Semantic Features that are Used to Analyze the English
Verb “Appreciate”
+ joy something
+ respect favorably
- sexuality
- romance
The semantic features of the English verb “appreciate” which is included in
the content category are affection, desire, joy, pleasure, and respect. The semantic
feature of respect is in the sentences [3-15] and [3-16]. These sentences show that
person appreciates something with high gratitude, while the respect in the verb
“love” at [3-4] shows that person loves something with a high honor feeling.
Furthermore, the semantic features in the verb “appreciate” from the sentences [3-
17] and [3-18] are affection, desire, joy, and pleasure. In [3-17] shows an affection
and desire to appreciate something. The features that show a pleasure and grateful
58
feeling of a support as in [3-18]. However, as in the sentence [3-5] and [3-6], the
verb “love” shows that the person loves something he or she likes it very much.
In the circumstance category, the public places situations illustrate the verb
“appreciate” mostly used. This term is ordinary moment in the daily activities.
Rarely, this verb expresses in the weddings and proposals because the sense is not
enough to show a great feeling for someone than the verb “love”. In the reason
category, it can be explained when people felt deep affection and great pleasure as
in the sentence [3-17] and [3-18]. This verb used to explain when people regard
somebody or something as in the sentence [3-15] and [3-16].
3.3.5 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Cherish”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “cherish” that had presented at
3.2.5, the features semantically of this verb could be concluded and compared with
the English verb “love”:
“Cherish”
+ passion - weddings + to feel or to show deep affection for
+ devotion - proposals somebody or something
+ tenderness + public places - to feel sexual or romantic way for
+ joy something
+ pleasure
59
+ respect + to regard somebody or something
- sexuality favorably
- romance
The semantic features of the English verb “cherish” which is included in the
content category is almost all of those features, except romance and sexuality.
These semantic features from the sentences [3-19] and [3-22] are affection, desire,
devotion, tenderness, joy, and pleasure. These sentence shows that person
cherishes moment in the great affection that keeps a hope or a pleasant memory in
his or her mind as in [3-19]. It can be enjoyed as in [3-20] for a long period of time.
However, as in the [3-5] and [3-6], the verb “love” shows that person loves
something he or she likes it very much. Furthermore, the sentence [3-21] and [3-
22] are the semantic features of passion, desire, and respect. These sentences said
that person cherishes something as in [3-21] with joy feeling. Furthermore, our
children’s future as in [3-22] shows a devotion, tenderness, and affection. However,
as in the [3-4] the verb “love” shows strong and high feeling of honor for someone
or something.
In the circumstance category, the English verb “cherish” just can be used
in public places situations. This term is ordinary moment that people usually say
this verb in the daily activities, such as daily conversation, a short story and
academic writing. In contrast, the verb “cherish” shows rarely in the wedding and
proposal situations, because the sense is not enough to show a great feeling for
someone than the verb “love”. In the reason category, it can be explained when
people felt deep affection and great pleasure as in the sentences [3-19] and [3-20].
60
This verb used to explain when people regard somebody or something as in the
sentences [3-21] and [3-22].
3.3.6 The Semantic Features of the English Verb “Like”
Based on the meaning of the English verb “like” that had presented at 3.2.6,
the features semantically of this verb could be concluded as this following table
then there is the comparison between this verb with the English verb “love”:
“Like”
+ joy something
+ respect favorably
- sexuality
- romance
The semantic features of the English verb “like” which is included in the
content category are affection, desire, joy, pleasure, and respect. The semantic
feature from the sentences is respect as in the sentences [3-25] and [3-26]. These
sentences show that person likes something or someone to believe that is good or
acceptable. However, the respect features of the verb “love” at [3-4] shows that
61
person loves something with an honor feeling higher. Furthermore, the semantic
features in the verb “like” from the sentences [3-23] and [3-24] are affection, and
desire. These sentences indicate that person likes the routine activities that showed
affection and desire with something. However, as in the sentence [3-5] and [3-6],
the verb “love” shows that the person loves something he or she likes it very much.
In the circumstance category, people can use the public places situations
illustrate that the verb “like”. Occasionally, this verb can be used when people want
to say this verb in proposal. Unfortunately, this situation is rarely found in the real
life because the groom shows his feeling in a strong sense of word by said “love
her” to ensure the bride to accept him. Moreover, the verb “like” shows rarely in
the wedding and proposal situations, because the sense is not enough to show a
great feeling for someone in the sacred moment than the verb “love”. Therefore, the
verb “like” is commonly used in the conversation, writing an informal, story or even
a note. In the reason category, it can be explained when people felt deep affection
and great pleasure as in the sentences [3-23] and [3-24]. This verb used to explain
when people regard somebody or something as in the sentences [3-25] and [3-26].
Based on the all of analysis about the semantic features of the English verb
“love” and its synonyms, included the verb admire, adore, appreciate, cherish, and
like, the table of summary semantic features had been prepared as the following
table:
62
Table 3.14 The Result of the Semantic Features that are Used to Analyze the English verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
Features
Content Circumstance Reason
Tenderness
Romance
Affection
Sexuality
Devotion
Pleasure
To feel
Respect
Passion
Desire
Verb To feel or To take
Joy
Public sexual and To
Weddings Proposals show deep great
Places romantic regard
affection pleasure
way
Love + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Admire - - - + + + + + - - - - + + - + +
Adore + + + + + + + + - - - - + + - + +
Appreciate - - - + + + + + - - - - + + - + +
Cherish + + + + + + + + - - - - + + - + +
Like - - - + + + + + - - - - + + - + +
[ + ] = has the feature

[ - ] = doesn’t have the feature
63
Table 3.14 presents that the features of the verb “love” has 10 features in all
categories. The nearest synonym with the verb “love” are verb “adore” and
“cherish” with 8 out of 10 features. The other verbs - admire, appreciate, and like
- have 5 features that show the less near synonym with the verb “love”. In the
circumstance category, only the verb “love” is used in the weddings and proposals
situations. Meanwhile, its synonyms just can be used in the public places situations,
such as conversation. In the reason category, only the verb “love” is used to express
the deep feeling for someone sexually or romantically. Its synonyms are just used
to show the feeling of deep affection, pleasure, and regard for someone or
something.
Table 3.15 The Dominant Semantic Features Identified to be Used in The English
Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms
Features
Passion 15 0 7 0 5 0
Devotion 17 11 12 6 21 4
Tenderness 15 0 9 2 12 8
Affection 109 83 125 65 129 109
Desire 50 24 20 16 36 26
Joy 40 61 63 84 61 100
Pleasure 54 43 59 46 64 83
Respect 76 177 105 181 72 70
Sexuality 12 1 0 0 0 0
Romance 12 0 0 0 0 0
[bold typed] = numbers
Table 3.15 illustrates that the frequency of semantic features had been
analyzed by considering two dominant features in each sentence. Surprisingly, the

64
features of affection as the most dominant features in the verb “love” with 109
usages. It can be interpreted that people have expressed this verb with the feeling
of affection than the sexuality and romance. It has the same frequency of the
features in the verb “adore”, “cherish”, and “like”. Besides, the verb “admire” and
“appreciate” have the same features of respect. It can be interpreted that people
have expressed those verbs to show the respect feelings.
The verb “admire”, “appreciate”, and “like” do not show the same features
of passion, devotion, and tenderness with the verb “love” in the table 3.13.
However, these verbs have found several features in the sentences. The feature of
devotion has found in the verb “admire” as in “… I admire President Trump for
having the wisdom…”. This sentence indicates that person admire someone with
the great devoted of feeling, for instance, an important person to manage the
country. Surprisingly, the verb “admire” has the context of the sexuality that found
in this sentence “… a full-length mirror, bring themselves to full erection, and
admire it”. This sentence indicates that person admire something with the full of
sexuality feeling, for instance, talking about the erection at this context.
Moreover, the verb “appreciate” has the feature devotion and tenderness that
found in these sentences, “… I appreciate what the president did this week with
sanctions…” and “I appreciate every morsel of food.” Similarly with the verb “like”
are found as in, “I like the British system…” and “… I like a good, old-fashioned
cheese ball…”. Both the verb “appreciate” and “like” in the first sentences have the
same interpretation as the verb “admire”. Furthermore, both of those verbs in the
65
second sentences indicate that the person like something very much with the feeling
of tenderness to taste the softness of food.
Both table 3.14 and 3.15 can be interpreted that the features of each verb
taken from dictionary do not always present the same features as in the usages in
sentences or spoken. Therefore, the verb “love” and its synonyms can be used with
the different meanings because the sense of action would be shown different based
on the context or situation, such as which is stronger or lower sense.

CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSIONS
The general conclusions that can be drawn from this study is that the
meaning of the English verb “love” is comprehended through the usages and the
semantic features with its synonyms. The verb “love” has five lexical items, which
share similar meanings; admire, adore, appreciate, cherish, and like. As a result,
the verb “love” is the highest frequently used in five genres with 98.660 usages.
Furthermore, pronouns and noun phrases are the most frequent types of words that
used commonly before and after those verbs. Expectedly, the verb “love” is the
highest usages in all of the categories denote person.
The meaning of English verb “love” proves that the definitions of words are
occupied the same core meaning as the definitions of other words. The synonyms
of the verb “love” is not based on the meaning only but also sharing the semantic
features. The nearest synonym with the verb “love” are verb “adore” and “cherish”.
For instance, the definition of adore and cherish indicates that these verbs can be
used to express an honor and support to something or someone that keeps it as a
pleasant memory. The meaning of a verb is also considered by its usages in the
sentence. Most verbs have more than one meanings and features.
Based on the observation of the meaning in each verb intensively, those
verbs can be distinguished by looking at the distinctive features. The features are
categorized into ten features on content, three features on the circumstance, and
four features on reason. As a result, the verb “love” has all of those features that
show a deep feeling to someone in weddings or proposals situation. In a certain
66
67
context, only this verb can express the feeling of sexuality and romance to someone.
While its synonyms have the same features in five points (admire, appreciate, and
like) or eight points (adore and cherish) as the near-synonyms with the verb “love”.
The dominant features that American people mostly used the verb “love” is
affection rather than sexuality or romance. Surprisingly, the verb “admire” has the
context of the sexuality that found in the sentence. It means that the features of each
verb taken from dictionary do not always present the same features as in the usages
in sentences or spoken. Therefore, the verb “love” and its synonyms can be used
with the different meanings and can be changed with how often these verbs used by
people based on its contexts and situations in the future.
Overall, understanding the meaning of the verb “love” and its synonyms is
essential and useful for learners since these words are commonly faced up to
express the feeling to someone in real life.

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THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH

SYNONYMOUS VERB “LOVE”

PUTU MITHA SARASWATI

An undergraduate thesis submitted as partial fulfillment to obtain

Bachelor’s Degree at English Department, Faculty of Arts

PUTU MITHA SARASWATI

THIS UNDERGRADUATE THESIS HAS BEEN APPROVED AND

ASSESSED BY THE EXAMINING BOARD OF ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Based on the decree of Dean of Faculty of Arts, Udayana University

Date : 14th February, 2020

The Examining Board

Chairperson : Dr. I Made Rajeg, M.Hum

Secretary : Prof. Dr. Ni Luh Sutjiati Beratha, M.A.

Members : 1. Dr. I Made Netra, S.S., M.Hum.

2. Sang Ayu Isnu Maharani, S.S., M.Hum.

3. Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Sedeng, M.Hum.

to complete this study.

and motivations. I would like to express my gratitude to my classmate in D class

my English teachers team at Kumon, all of my friends at Class D’Squad and my

and I hope this study can be useful in this life.

Denpasar, January 2020

Putu Mitha Saraswati

Expanding the vocabulary for avoiding the same words repeatedly in

Keywords: Semantics, Componential Analysis, Synonym, Love

“Love” and Its Synonyms ..................................................................... 8

in Five Genres ....................................................................................... 22

Its Synonyms ........................................................................................ 26

Its Synonyms ........................................................................................ 27

Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ............................................................ 28

“Love” and Its Synonyms ..................................................................... 29

English Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms............................................... 30

English verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ............................................. 62

Verb “Love” and Its Synonyms ......................................................... 63

COCA = Corpus of Contemporary American English

KWIC = Key Word In Context

APPROVAL SHEETS ..................................................................................... iii

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................... vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................... ix

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................. x

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the Study .......................................................................... 1

1.2 Problems of the Study ............................................................................... 3

1.3 Aims of Study ........................................................................................... 3

1.4 Scope of Discussion .................................................................................. 4

1.5 Research Method ...................................................................................... 4

1.5.1 Data Source...................................................................................... 4

1.5.2 Method and Technique of Collecting Data...................................... 6

1.5.3 Method and Technique of Analyzing Data...................................... 6

1.5.4 Method and Technique of Presenting Data ..................................... 8

CHAPTER II. REVIEW OF LITERATURES, CONCEPTS, AND

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS ................................................................. 9

2.1 Literature Review ....................................................................................... 9

2.2 Concepts ..................................................................................................... 13

2.2.1 Concept of Semantic Features ...................................................... 13

2.2.3 Concept of Verb............................................................................ 15

2.2.4 Concept of Noun ........................................................................... 15

2.3 Theoretical Frameworks............................................................................. 16

2.3.1 Theory of Semantic ...................................................................... 17

2.3.1.1 Synonym ........................................................................... 17

2.3.1.2 Word Meaning .................................................................. 19

2.3.1.3 Componential Analysis..................................................... 19

CHAPTER III. THE SEMANTIC FEATURES OF ENGLISH SYNONYMOUS

VERB “LOVE” ................................................................................................ 21