words frequent and special usage..

Without offering specifics on your question, it's sometimes a problem picking the "perfect" word because, as you wrote, of the nuances. Except for #2 (and I wouldn't use the "at"), each example you offer in each case has a connotative meaning which evokes specific images.

In Shelley's poem "Ozymandias," the first line: "I met a traveler from an antique land" offers an interesting word choice with "antique." Why not ancient or old? The word "antique" offers a deeper meaning (to me).

That is why a thesaurus is useless tool unless one knows the specific meanings of the synonyms. I hope someone offers more here.

Navigator, I first want to tell you how much I admire your desire to learn english. Lately I have had to correspond with several native speakers who don't even come close to your grasp of the language.

Well done, navigator!

I may never be an expert but I will take a stab at your questions:

1) Remains is typically used as a word for corpse - a dead body.
Remnant is usally used to mean a leftover piece of fabric after the rest of the roll has been purchased.
Relic/antiquity are pretty interchangable.

This really depends on what you were looking at. I get the idea that you might be looking at two ancient objects.

2) Contemplating/pondering are very similar. You would want to leave the "at" out.

I was contemplating/pondering that object.
Or,
I was thinking about that object.

3) Marvelous/wonderful are both adjectives to describe something that you liked.
Eccentric usually means something is a bit odd - not quite what you would expect.

4) I had never heard of a lavalier but I looked the word up and found that it is very much like a pendant!

Both a lavalier and a pendant are ornamental objects that dangle from an unadorned chain.
A necklace typically is uniform in its ornamentation. Like pearls.
A choker is a short necklace that fits tight around the throat.

Quality/strain/feature - I'm still working on that one.

Wand, as you suggest, typically describes a rod used for magic.
Stick is a small branch that has fallen from a tree.
Staff is a big stick - perhaps a branch - perhaps one that is used as a weapon.
Cane is a finished stick or staff, usually decortive that is used to help one balance and walk.

Instrument usually describes a scientific tool - a microscope, for instance; or someting used to make music - a piano, a violin.
Tool typically refers to something that can be bought at the hardware store - a hammer, a wrench, a screwdriver.

I hope this helps!

Like I said, I'm no expert. I just wanted to give you a well deserved pat on the back and offer some encouragement to you.

Nice job, Boomerang. The only thing I have to offer is for 2. Contemplating as opposed to pondering. Contemplating really means looking and is passive in nature. Pondering is active as if there's a mystery that has to be solved and you're working on it.

Thanks everybody.Thanks for the nice words boomerang .What you wrote really helped.

Hi again.New things coming up,

1) What is the difference between creed, doctrine, cult, and dogma ?

2) This book was rendered / translated by me .

3) We continually / continuously strive to meet.

If I say, what happens after marriage.I found this sentence as a title to a book.I suppose that this isn't a question, but the word what is used for questions ( I guess ) .How come ?


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