English Grammar Tutorial:
Synonyms,
Antonyms
and
Diminutives
Synonyms, antonyms and diminutives are useful to know because
they enrich vocabulary and improve reading and writing skills.
Knowing synonyms and antonyms enables us to understand a wide
range of words and to recognise different meanings that words
can have. Knowing diminutives enables us to make good use of
prefixes and suffixes. If you do not have a stable internet
connection, you can download a copy of the lesson here and use
it offline for free.
Synonyms
Synonyms are 2 words that have similar meaning or almost mean
the same as each other.
Examples:
Sick / ill
Silent / quiet
Noisy / loud
Expressions used to describe words that are synonyms include:
______ is similar to ______ .
______ is another word for ____.
______ expresses the same idea as _____
______ has the same meaning as ______.
______ is a synonym for _____.
.
Examples:
Beautiful is another word for pretty.
Fire expresses the same idea as flames.
Tired is a synonym for sleepy.
Antonyms
An antonym is a word that is opposite in meaning to another
word. It is a word that expresses a meaning which is different
to the meaning of another word.
Examples:
Open / closed
Happy / sad
Slow / fast
Expressions used to describe antonyms include:
______ is the opposite of _____ .
______ and_______ are antonymous words.
Examples:
Good is the opposite of bad.
Cheap and expensive are antonymous words.
Note: synonyms and antonyms are useful to know because they
improve reading and writing skills.
Diminutives
Diminutives are words that sound ‘small’ or imply that
something is small.
Examples:
Serviette (small towel)
Minibus (small bus)
Little Mary
Diminutives are used to describe smaller or younger versions
of animals or things.
Examples:
Calf (a young cow)
Duckling (a young duck)
Puppy (a young dog)
Certain prefixes and certain suffixes can be added to
words to make them diminutive.
Common diminutive words with prefixes include: micro, mini,
nano.
Examples:
Microscope; microchip
Minimarket; miniskirt
Nanometre; nanosecond
Common diminutive words with suffixes include: ette, ine, ish,
let, ling, ock, y
Examples:
Kitchenette; cigarette
Figurine; tambourine
Largish; tallish
Leaflet; droplet
Duckling; nestling
Buttock; hillock
Billy; yellowy
If you feel like practising the content of this lesson
further, you can download it here for free.