Choose the antonym
Key Notes :
| What are Antonyms? |
Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. Think of them as being on opposite ends of a seesaw. If one goes up, the other goes down! Understanding antonyms can help you:
- Expand your vocabulary.
- Improve your writing by adding variety and contrast.
- Understand different perspectives and points of view.
- Sharpen your reading comprehension skills.
| Why are Antonyms Important? |
Antonyms add richness and depth to our language. They allow us to express contrasting ideas clearly and effectively. Imagine trying to describe something without using words like ‘good’ if you only had ‘bad’! Antonyms help us to be more precise and descriptive in our communication. They also play a key role in humour and irony, where opposite meanings can create unexpected effects.
| How to Identify and Choose Antonyms |
Here’s a simple process to find the antonym of a word:
- Understand the meaning: Make sure you completely understand the meaning of the original word.
- Think of the opposite: Ask yourself, ‘What is the direct opposite of this word?’
- Consider the context: Sometimes, a word can have multiple meanings. Choose the antonym that fits the specific context in which the word is being used.
- Check your answer: Does the potential antonym truly have the opposite meaning? Use a dictionary or thesaurus if you’re unsure.
| Examples of Antonyms |
| Happy – Sad Hot – Cold Fast – Slow Big – Small Up – Down Right – Wrong Dark – Light | Easy – Difficult Loud – Quiet Brave – Cowardly Kind – Cruel Love – Hate Arrive – Depart Start – Finish |
Instructions: For each word below, choose the best antonym from the options provided.
| ✏️ Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Antonym |
Choose the correct antonym for the bold word.
- The movie was very boring.
a) sad
b) fun
c) exciting
d) long - His handwriting is neat.
a) messy
b) short
c) thin
d) simple - We should be honest in our work.
a) careful
b) dishonest
c) helpful
d) brave - The box is heavy to lift.
a) wide
b) full
c) empty
d) light - They showed generosity to the poor.
a) kindness
b) greed
c) hope
d) respect
✅ Answer Key for Exercise 1:
1 – c) exciting
2 – a) messy
3 – b) dishonest
4 – d) light
5 – b) greed
| ✏️ Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with Antonyms |
Write the antonym of the underlined word in each blank.
- The instructions were clear, but his explanation was __________.
- She looks confident, but he seems very __________.
- The weather is pleasant today, unlike yesterday’s __________ day.
- His speech was truthful, unlike the __________ stories we hear.
- That machine is very modern, while this one is quite __________.
✅ Suggested Answers:
- confusing
- nervous
- stormy
- false
- old/ancient
| ✏️ Exercise 3: Correct the Sentences (Find and Replace the Incorrect Antonym) |
Each sentence has an incorrect antonym. Replace it with the correct one.
- The room is bright, but the corridor is brilliant.
- This road is rough, but the other one is hard.
- She was happy, but her brother was funny.
- That task is difficult, but this one is daring.
- He is strong, but his opponent is brave.
✅ Corrected Sentences:
- … but the corridor is dark.
- … but the other one is smooth.
- … but her brother was sad.
- … but this one is easy.
- … but his opponent is weak.
| Next Steps |
Now that you understand what antonyms are, practice using them in your writing and speaking! Try replacing words with their antonyms to create different effects. You can also use a thesaurus to find even more antonyms and expand your vocabulary.
Let’s practice!
