Problems of synonymous classification in the English language

Abstract

The article deals with the theoretical aspects of synonym classification. The basic idea is that the more developed the language, the richer the diversity, and therefore the greater the possibilities of lexical choice enhancing the effectiveness and precision of speech.

The author concretizes the types of synonyms as absolute, ideographic, stylistic, contextual and phraseological synonyms. The novelty of the article is that the author calls the binomial lexical phrases as binomial synonyms, and also highlights a group of precedent synonyms. In determining synonymy, the main task is to examine lexical units not separately but in relation to other units, which to some extent coincide with them in value.

The author points out that synonyms are united by a common objective significance and have a powerful mechanism of expressing by using the words belonging to the same part of speech, differing in sound form and possessing one or more identical or nearly identical meanings.

It is proved the idea that the range of synonyms can be made up from two and more words which are connected by their similar meaning. Anyway, there is the synonymic dominant, the most general term of its kind potentially containing the specific features rendered by all the other members of the group.

The field of further scientific research of synonyms may include the researches in various kinds of texts. In our opinion, the researches of semasiology devices are promising in the sphere of neologisms.