Improve Your Business English Strategy: Use of Thesaurus Tip 1 of 4

What is a thesaurus? This book is an A-Z listing of English words and their synonyms: similar meaning words!

How to use a thesaurus is a skill. Those who master the use of a thesaurus not only expand their English vocabulary but they also write and speak more impressively with interest.

Part 1 – On which English is the thesaurus based? British or American English?

British and American words have some different meanings as you know. Examples:

British American

Biscuit Cookie

Boot (of a car) Trunk  (of a car)

A lift An elevator

To learn more British vs American words: https://www.lexico.com/grammar/british-and-american-terms

For obvious reasons, you have to be sure you are using the correct thesaurus for your readers or listeners. How do I know which thesaurus is British or American?

1.      Spelling of words: British English often uses “ou”; American spelling is only “O”. For example, colour vs. color, favour vs. favor. Look up these 2 words and you will know which English used.

2.      Name of publisher will tell you this difference as well: Oxford and Cambridge Press Thesaurus are British; American name is Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

3.      Online thesaurus versions ask you to choose which English or they offer both on the same page.

For example: Thesaurus.com gives you American English synonyms first then British English if that word shares a meaning

Macmillian Thesaurus online gives you the option of searching for words in British or American English.  

Knowing your audience when writing English dictates which English thesaurus you use!

Tip 2 focuses on parts of speech when using a thesaurus to improve your business English communication.