Unveiling the Distinction of Near Synonymy: A Corpus-Based Analysis on 'Attempt, Endeavor, Strive,' and 'Try'
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| Title: | Unveiling the Distinction of Near Synonymy: A Corpus-Based Analysis on 'Attempt, Endeavor, Strive,' and 'Try' |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Piyapong Laosrirattanachai, Piyanuch Laosrirattanachai |
| Source: | PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand. 2025 70:132-163. |
| Availability: | Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.culi.chula.ac.th/en/pasaa/1 |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 32 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Computational Linguistics, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, North American English, Semantics, Scores, Intonation, Suprasegmentals, Word Frequency, Language Research, Accuracy, Phrase Structure, Preferences, Language Patterns, Literary Genres, Evaluation Criteria, Verbs, Dictionaries, Electronic Publishing, Grammar |
| ISSN: | 0125-2488 2287-0024 |
| Abstract: | Learners frequently encounter challenges in accurately utilizing near-synonyms in the English language. This investigation explored the similarities and differences among four near-synonymous verbs: "attempt, endeavor, strive," and "try." The analysis encompassed their prevalence across diverse genres, formality levels, collocational patterns, semantic preferences, semantic prosody, and colligations, utilizing linguistic data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) for examination. Statistical measures, including frequency, MI scores, corpus-based judgment, and linguistic research tools like the UCREL Semantic Analysis System (USAS), were employed to scrutinize the similarities and variances. The findings have shown that although the four near-synonymous verbs share surface-level resemblances in meaning and certain characteristics, they also manifest distinct and unique features. In summary, "try" markedly differs from other near-synonyms in terms of genre distribution and degree of formality, while "strive" is distinguished by its unique colligational pattern. Among the six criteria used to differentiate the four near-synonyms, their semantic preferences exhibit the most significant differences. Although the four near-synonyms share some collocations and have others that are unique to each term, an analysis of semantic preferences has revealed the semantic distinctions preferred by each near-synonym. Consequently, these four target verbs are not interchangeable in particular contexts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1478191 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Learners frequently encounter challenges in accurately utilizing near-synonyms in the English language. This investigation explored the similarities and differences among four near-synonymous verbs: "attempt, endeavor, strive," and "try." The analysis encompassed their prevalence across diverse genres, formality levels, collocational patterns, semantic preferences, semantic prosody, and colligations, utilizing linguistic data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) for examination. Statistical measures, including frequency, MI scores, corpus-based judgment, and linguistic research tools like the UCREL Semantic Analysis System (USAS), were employed to scrutinize the similarities and variances. The findings have shown that although the four near-synonymous verbs share surface-level resemblances in meaning and certain characteristics, they also manifest distinct and unique features. In summary, "try" markedly differs from other near-synonyms in terms of genre distribution and degree of formality, while "strive" is distinguished by its unique colligational pattern. Among the six criteria used to differentiate the four near-synonyms, their semantic preferences exhibit the most significant differences. Although the four near-synonyms share some collocations and have others that are unique to each term, an analysis of semantic preferences has revealed the semantic distinctions preferred by each near-synonym. Consequently, these four target verbs are not interchangeable in particular contexts. |
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| ISSN: | 0125-2488 2287-0024 |
