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Unveiling the Distinction of Near Synonymy: A Corpus-Based Analysis on 'Attempt, Endeavor, Strive,' and 'Try'

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Title: Unveiling the Distinction of Near Synonymy: A Corpus-Based Analysis on 'Attempt, Endeavor, Strive,' and 'Try'
Language: English
Authors: Piyapong Laosrirattanachai, Piyanuch Laosrirattanachai
Source: PASAA: Journal of Language Teaching and Learning in Thailand. 2025 70:132-163.
Availability: Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.culi.chula.ac.th/en/pasaa/1
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 32
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Computational Linguistics, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, North American English, Semantics, Scores, Intonation, Suprasegmentals, Word Frequency, Language Research, Accuracy, Phrase Structure, Preferences, Language Patterns, Literary Genres, Evaluation Criteria, Verbs, Dictionaries, Electronic Publishing, Grammar
ISSN: 0125-2488
2287-0024
Abstract: Learners frequently encounter challenges in accurately utilizing near-synonyms in the English language. This investigation explored the similarities and differences among four near-synonymous verbs: "attempt, endeavor, strive," and "try." The analysis encompassed their prevalence across diverse genres, formality levels, collocational patterns, semantic preferences, semantic prosody, and colligations, utilizing linguistic data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) for examination. Statistical measures, including frequency, MI scores, corpus-based judgment, and linguistic research tools like the UCREL Semantic Analysis System (USAS), were employed to scrutinize the similarities and variances. The findings have shown that although the four near-synonymous verbs share surface-level resemblances in meaning and certain characteristics, they also manifest distinct and unique features. In summary, "try" markedly differs from other near-synonyms in terms of genre distribution and degree of formality, while "strive" is distinguished by its unique colligational pattern. Among the six criteria used to differentiate the four near-synonyms, their semantic preferences exhibit the most significant differences. Although the four near-synonyms share some collocations and have others that are unique to each term, an analysis of semantic preferences has revealed the semantic distinctions preferred by each near-synonym. Consequently, these four target verbs are not interchangeable in particular contexts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1478191
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Chulalongkorn University Language Institute. Prem Purachatra Building, Chulalongkom University, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Tel: +66-2-218-6092; Fax: +66-2-218-6104; e-mail: pasaa.editor@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.culi.chula.ac.th/en/pasaa/1
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  Data: Learners frequently encounter challenges in accurately utilizing near-synonyms in the English language. This investigation explored the similarities and differences among four near-synonymous verbs: "attempt, endeavor, strive," and "try." The analysis encompassed their prevalence across diverse genres, formality levels, collocational patterns, semantic preferences, semantic prosody, and colligations, utilizing linguistic data from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) for examination. Statistical measures, including frequency, MI scores, corpus-based judgment, and linguistic research tools like the UCREL Semantic Analysis System (USAS), were employed to scrutinize the similarities and variances. The findings have shown that although the four near-synonymous verbs share surface-level resemblances in meaning and certain characteristics, they also manifest distinct and unique features. In summary, "try" markedly differs from other near-synonyms in terms of genre distribution and degree of formality, while "strive" is distinguished by its unique colligational pattern. Among the six criteria used to differentiate the four near-synonyms, their semantic preferences exhibit the most significant differences. Although the four near-synonyms share some collocations and have others that are unique to each term, an analysis of semantic preferences has revealed the semantic distinctions preferred by each near-synonym. Consequently, these four target verbs are not interchangeable in particular contexts.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 32
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      – TitleFull: Unveiling the Distinction of Near Synonymy: A Corpus-Based Analysis on 'Attempt, Endeavor, Strive,' and 'Try'
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