Shades of meaning show small differences between related words. These words are similar, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. Learning shades of meaning helps writers choose the best word to match the feeling or idea they want to express.
Ask yourself: “Do these words mean the same thing, or does one sound stronger, softer, faster, or slower?”
Writers use shades of meaning to make their writing more exact and interesting. Choosing the right word helps readers picture the scene more clearly and understand the writer’s exact meaning.
Think about how strong, soft, or precise you want your word to be when you are writing.
Here are groups of related words that show different shades of meaning. Notice how the words change in strength or feeling.
When you see a group of related words, think about which one is the softest, which is the strongest, and which is in the middle.
Using shades of meaning makes your writing stronger and clearer. Instead of using the same words over and over, you can choose a word that shows the exact meaning you want.
Remember: Choosing the right shade of meaning helps your reader understand exactly what you want to say.