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JJ.1 Read the story and find the synonyms

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What are synonyms?

Synonyms are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning. Using synonyms can make writing more interesting and help us express ideas clearly.

Examples:
  • happy → glad
  • big → large
  • fast → quick
Helpful hint

Think of synonyms as “word friends” that share a similar meaning. If one word doesn’t sound right, a synonym might fit better.

Why do writers use synonyms?

Writers use synonyms to avoid repeating the same word and to make their sentences more fun to read. Synonyms also give writers more choices to show exactly how they feel or what they mean.

Example Sentences:
  • Without synonyms: “The cat is big. The dog is big. The house is big.” (repetitive)
  • With synonyms: “The cat is big. The dog is large. The house is huge.” (clearer and more interesting)
Helpful hint

Ask yourself: “Can I use a different word with the same meaning?” This can make your writing smoother and more colorful.

Common synonyms

Here are some pairs of common synonyms that you might use in reading and writing:

Synonym Pairs:
  • small → little
  • begin → start
  • smart → clever
  • angry → mad
  • pretty → beautiful
  • cold → chilly
Helpful hint

Some synonyms are stronger than others. “Big” and “huge” are similar, but “huge” shows something even larger.

Using synonyms in sentences

When writing, you can choose synonyms to show feelings, describe things, or make your story sound better. This makes your writing more exciting for your reader.

Examples:
  • “The puppy was happy. The puppy was glad to see me.”
  • “She is smart. She is also very clever.”
  • “It was cold outside. The air felt chilly on my face.”
Helpful hint

Remember: Synonyms make your writing stronger and help you show the reader exactly what you mean.

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