Shades of Meaning Move Slowly Using more precise

Shades of Meaning Move Slowly Using more precise words that fit particular situations while writing

Although there may be words that have the same meaning, there are usually slight differences.

For example: cross and furious

The word ‘Walk’ Stroll swagger tread shuffle wander trudge stride creep

What do these words mean? stroll – to describe walking for pleasure without hurrying.

wander – to describe walking without specific purpose

trudge – to describe walking slowly with effort, usually in a tiring and long journey

swagger – to describe walking as if you are very important

stride – to describe walking fast, taking big steps

tread – to describe taking a step on or over something

shuffle – to describe walking slowly, without taking your feet off the ground

creep – to describe walking without making any noise because you do not want people to notice you. Crept is the past tense of creep.

Use some of the words in order from weakest to strongest: stroll wander swagger shuffle

Now try it: beautiful pretty cute gorgeous

Write the weakest words first: 1. Grumpy, cross , furious. 2. Eat, gobble, nibble. 3. Sip, swig, swallow, gulp. 4. Wreck, destroy, damage. 5. Shining, sparkling, glittering, dazzling.

Write the weakest words first: 1. Pretend, fake, phony. 2. Boring, dull, tedious, uninteresting. 3. Lump, particle, speck, chunk. 4. Great, big, enormous, gigantic. 5. Awake, sleepy, tired, asleep.

Complete using the strongest word: 1. John………. . the door loudly. (shut, slammed, banded). 2. The towels were ……. (hairy, scratchy, rough).

Complete using the strongest word: 1. May’s weather was …. . ( scorching, hot, warm). 2. “What do you think you are doing? ” ……. . the referee. (whispered, snapped, yelled). 3. Joe was……when his puppy went missing. (sad, depressed, tearful, heartbroken).

Why use shades of meaning? Use shades of meaning to increase your vocabulary, and to pick precise words for a specific situation.