April, 28, 2020 Synonyms	
Common synonym pairs
The (a) and (b) words in each pair in the table have similar meanings. Sometimes either word
can be used in a sentence to give the same meaning, but in the collocations below only one word
is possible. 
Общие пары синонимов
Слова (a) и (b) в каждой паре в таблице имеют аналогичные значения. Иногда любое слово
может использоваться в предложении, чтобы  передать то же значение, но в словосочетаниях ниже только одно слово возможно.	
Synonyms	(a) example	(b) example	
a) close

(b) shut

закрывать, закрыть	The chairperson closed the meeting at 4.30.

[We close meetings/discussions/
conferences, etc.]	She was very rude. She said ‘Shut your mouth!’ [impolite way of telling someone not to speak]
 A dentist might ask you to close
your mouth. Shut is generally more informal. 	
(a) start

(b) begin

начать	It was a cold morning and I could not start my car.  

[Start, NOT begin, is used for engines and vehicles. ]
Только Start используется для слов "мотор", "автомобиль" в значении 
"завести"	Before the universe began, time and space did not exist. 

[Begin is preferred in more formal and abstract contexts.]
Begin чаще используется в более формальном контексте.	
(a) big

(b) large
большой	It was a big decision to make.
There were some big problems to solve.	I wanted the sweater in the large size but they only had medium.	
(a) end 

(b) finish

заканчивать	The film ended with the hero dying.
They ended their relationship a year ago.
[End here means decide to stop.] 

End в значении "остановить(ся)"	I haven’t finished my homework yet.

[Finish here means complete.]
Finish в значении "завершить что-либо"	
Groups of words with similar meanings- Группы слов с похожими значениями
Words meaning ‘old’ - Слова, означающие «старый»

I met an old friend the other day. It’s a very old building.
She studied ancient history. In ancient times, life was very hard.
This shop sells antique furniture. She collects antique jewellery. [old and valuable]
I helped an elderly person who was trying to cross the road. [elderly is more polite than old ]	
Words meaning ‘with no one or nothing else or with nothing similar’ - Слова, означающие «одинокий»

Donna is a single parent; it’s difficult for her to work full time.
He lives in a very lonely place/spot up in the mountains.
At first I felt desperately lonely when I moved from London to the countryside.
I live alone, but I don’t like travelling alone; it’s nice to be with someone.
There was just one solitary figure on the otherwise deserted beach. [one person on their own]
She was the sole survivor of the crash. Everyone else died. [only survivor]
I am an only child; I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a brother or sister.
This is a unique occasion, with three past Prime Ministers all together in one room.	
Other synonym pairs- другие пары синонимов	
Synonyms	(a) example	(b) example	
a) charge -заряжать
(b) load-загружать	I need to charge my phone.
[used for batteries, electrical items]
используется для батареек, электроприборов 	They loaded the lorry and drove away.
[used for cargoes, lorries, vans, ships, etc.
and for weapons]
используется для грузов, грузовиков и т.д., а также в значении "заряжать оружие"	
(a) injure-ранить

(b) damage- повреждать	Three injured people were taken to
hospital after the accident.
[collocates with words to do with people]
используется в контексте, в котором речь идет о людях	The shop tried to sell me a damaged sofa
but I noticed it just in time.
[collocates with words for things]
используется в контексте, в котором речь идет о вещах	
(a) grow-расти, увеличиваться
(b) raise- растить, вырастить,	In the south the farmers grow crops.
[collocates with crops, plants]
используется в контексте, в котором речь идет о зерновых, о растениях	In the north the farmers mostly raise cattle.
[collocates with animals, children]
используется в контексте, в котором речь идет о животных, детях	
Choose the correct collocation. Выберите правильное употребление.
1 The dentist told me to shut / close my mouth.
2 I didn’t know what to do when I got into my car and couldn’t start / begin the engine.
3 I want to buy a sweater for my dad. He needs one in a big / large size.
4 I haven’t finished / ended my essay yet. I can’t decide how to finish / end it.
5 At what time do you plan to shut / close the conference?
6 All societies develop their own stories about how the world started / began.
7 It’s far too big / large a problem for you to solve on your own.
8 It’s never easy to finish / end a relationship.	
Complete each phrase with a word meaning either ‘old’ or ‘alone’. Закончите предложения, вставив слова со значение "старый", "одинокий"
1 a ............................................... figure on the horizon 
2 a shop selling ............................................... furniture 
3 to be an ............................................... child 
4 the ............................................... survivor of the accident 
5 to study ............................................... history	
Correct these sentences. Исправьте предложения.
1 Were many people damaged in the earthquake?
2 Single parents who are growing children without a partner’s support are entitled to financial help from the government.
3 My mobile isn’t working. I need to load the battery.
4 She has a lot of beautiful elderly jewellery.
5 When we moved house, two men helped us to charge the van.
6 That’s not news – it’s antique history!
7 I don’t know how to charge a gun, let alone fire one.
8 I’ve never been very successful at raising plants.	
Переведите.
1. Боюсь, они нам не поверят. — Пусть делают, что хотят. Я не собираюсь им ничего доказывать.
2. Пожалуй, я куплю эту книгу в подарок подруге. Я иду к ней завтра на день рождения.
3. Во сколько начнется фильм? — В 5. — Тогда я не смогу пойти. Мои занятия закончатся только в 6.
4. Они собираются уехать восьмичасовым поездом. Тогда они будут на море уже днем.
5. Летом дни станут длиннее, а ночи короче.
6. Не забудь зонт. Собирается дождь.
7. Мэри приведет своего нового друга на вечеринку. — Правда? Как ты думаешь, ему понравится наша компания?	
Все материалы из  книги "English collocations in Use" by M. McCarthy, F. O'Dell.