Distinguishing Synonyms: A Corpus-based Study on Ill and Sick

摘要

Distinguishing synonyms is invariably an important and difficult point in language learning. The author analyzes the senses, colligation, grammar and collocation of a pair of synonyms, ill and sick, and explores their differences by adopting the corpusbased approach. Language learners and teachers are suggested to realize the significance of using corpus widely as an effective way of distinguishing synonyms so as to promote their learning and teaching.