Dictionary of English-related Term Differentiation

Author: Hu Xiongding (Editor)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: English contains a pair of related words that differ in implied meaning, rhetorical color, grammatical structure, collocation, and usage. These words are often both distinct and easily confused. Students who have studied English often find it difficult to master them. The author of this book has spent over two decades compiling 2,096 such related words (including 898 pairs of words and 1,198 pairs of phrases), providing detailed explanations and distinctions, along with precise examples and practical British and American annotations, making it a reference book for accurately mastering these related English words.
Detailed Introduction: In China, English can be considered a major foreign language. All institutions of higher learning include it as a compulsory course. However, mastering English is indeed not an easy task. For instance, during the learning process, we often encounter various difficulties. Setting aside other issues, even a single pair of related words (related words and expressions in pairs) is enough to challenge us.
When discussing such related words, they differ in implied meaning, rhetorical color, grammatical structure, collocation, and usage. These words are often both distinct and easily confused. Students who have studied English frequently find them difficult to grasp. Let us take some examples to illustrate these points.
First, let’s consider paired words. For example, the pair "accept:receive." The former verb "accept" means "to accept" consciously, while the latter verb "receive" means "to receive" unconsciously. Compare the following sentences:
- The official accepted bribes from people who wanted favors in return. This official accepted bribes from those who sought favors (the verb "accepted" implies consciousness, so the official should be guilty).
- The official received some bribes from people who wanted favors in return. This official received bribes from those who sought favors (the verb "received" implies no consciousness, so the official should be innocent).
Next, let’s discuss the pair "each:every." The former adjective "each" has a base of "two," while the latter "every" has a base of "three" (Note: In the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, it is noted that "Every" cannot be used for only two people or things, indicating that "every" cannot modify two people or things). Compare the following sentences:
- Here came two pupils, and I gave each pupil a dictionary as a prize. Two students came, and I gave each one a dictionary as a prize (only "each" can be used here).
- Here came three pupils, and I gave each/every pupil a dictionary as a prize. Three students came, and I gave each one a dictionary as a prize (both can be used here).
Based on these examples, "each other," which means "one another," refers to two people, so "every other" is not used for this reason (Note: In the Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, it is explained that "each other" is often replaced by "one another" when referring to a number greater than two).
Second, let’s explain the difference in meaning between the phrase pair "in future:in the future." The former phrase means "from now on," while the latter means "(to) in the future" (Note: In the Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, the definition of the former phrase is "from this time on"). Compare the following sentences:
- There is no excuse in future. No more excuses. (The phrase "in future" is more suitable for the present tense.)
- There will be no such chance in the future. There won’t be such opportunities again in the future. (The phrase "in the future" is more suitable for the future tense.)
For example, the phrase pair "as good as:as well as." The former adverb means "almost" or "equally." The latter compound conjunction means "in addition to" and "also." (Note: In the Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English, the former adverb is explained as "practically, almost," while the latter compound conjunction is explained as "in addition to" and "also"). Compare the following sentences:
- They are as good as ruined. They are almost ruined.
- We shall travel by night as well as by day. We shall travel both day and night.
In terms of content, this book is a specialized reference book that explains and distinguishes each pair of words—whether single words or phrases—to serve as a reference for teachers and students in institutions of higher learning and professionals. With this idea in mind, the compiler spent over two decades compiling 2,096 such related words—898 pairs of words and 1,198 pairs of phrases. Most of these were collected from the research findings of British and American linguists on modern English usage, while some were discovered by the compiler through extensive reading of British and American classics and years of teaching experience.
To ensure comprehensive annotations, this book:
(1) Generally notes synonyms and antonyms;
(2) Adds annotations for differences between British and American English;
(3) Provides examples for analogical usage;
(4) Adds English explanations when necessary;
(5) Also includes reference entries for reference and citation.
As for the example sentences, except for a small number that have been simplified and rewritten, most are quoted directly from the original texts. Except for a few exceptions, the sources are not individually noted.
Due to the compiler’s limitations, shortcomings and errors are inevitable. The compiler sincerely hopes that readers and fellow scholars will kindly point out any mistakes.