Theme

States and conditions: synonyms worth the distinction

A state is what is true of something right now rather than what it does. Actual, existent and factual all sit here and none of them are interchangeable in a careful sentence. Useful shelf for anyone tightening up formal writing.

246 words · 258 audited pairs · 5 of 5 tiers represented

Start hereOne per tier, easiest first

agreeverbcheckbe compatible, similar or consistentFoothillsHas a reason line amountverb, nouncometo measure up to in kind or qualityFoothills2 sensesHas a reason line accommodateverbholdhave room forRidgeline2 sensesHas a reason line

The whole shelfGrouped by difficulty tier

FoothillsTier 1 · everyday words · 64 words

Words you already use, paired with a synonym you probably also know.

Every word at Foothills, across all themes

TreelineTier 2 · one step up · 66 words

Familiar words, with a synonym that sits slightly outside daily speech.

Every word at Treeline, across all themes

RidgelineTier 3 · solid vocabulary · 103 words

The middle of the bank, where the near misses start to bite.

Every word at Ridgeline, across all themes

High CampTier 4 · testing · 42 words

Words that turn up in serious reading rather than in conversation.

Every word at High Camp, across all themes

SummitTier 5 · rare and formal · 15 words

The rare register: literary, legal and technical English.

Every word at Summit, across all themes

States and conditions is one shelf of many

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