LL.1 Identify the difference between related words
What Are Shades of Meaning?
Shades of meaning are the small differences between words that are similar. Words can mean almost the same thing, but one word may feel stronger or softer than another.
- Big – The dog is big. / The dog is huge. (Huge is stronger than big.)
- Happy – I am happy. / I am joyful. (Joyful feels stronger than happy.)
Think about how strong or soft a word feels when you read it in a sentence.
Comparing Words
Some words are close in meaning but are not exactly the same. Comparing them helps you understand which word is best to use in a sentence.
- Cold – The drink is cold. / The drink is freezing. (Freezing is colder than cold.)
- Fast – The rabbit is fast. / The rabbit is speedy. (Both mean quick, but speedy sounds stronger.)
When you compare words, ask yourself: Which word shows more? Which word shows less?
Choosing the Right Word
Writers choose words carefully to show how strong or gentle they want something to sound. The right word makes the meaning clear.
- Scared – I was scared during the movie. / I was terrified during the movie. (Terrified is much stronger.)
- Small – The mouse is small. / The mouse is tiny. (Tiny means even smaller.)
Think about the picture the word makes in your mind. Does it match what the sentence is really saying?
Practicing Shades of Meaning
The more you practice, the easier it is to understand how words are alike and how they are different. Try using word pairs in your reading and writing.
- Happy – She felt happy. → A good feeling. / She felt delighted. → A stronger feeling.
- Big – The box is big. → Large. / The box is enormous. → Much larger.
- Cold – The soup is cold. → Not warm. / The soup is icy. → Very, very cold.
Try making two sentences with similar words. Notice how one word feels stronger or softer than the other.