Every content word, whether it be a verb, noun, adjective, or adverb, has its definitions. The two lexemes ‘shred’ and ‘tear’ share the common semantic component of ripping. A contrastive semantic component of ‘shred’ also implies multiple pieces produced by ripping—this meaning excludes two pieces, even few pieces. Therefore, the choice between the two can be decided by considering the context the word needs to be place in.
The context in the image above narrows the choice between ‘shredded’ and ‘torn’ to ‘torn’. Why? The key word here is ‘two’. As mentioned above, the nuances in the meaning of the word ‘shred’ communicate many pieces and never two nor few. This is a great example of the axiom that there are no true synonyms, meaning that no two words are identical in meaning.
What problems could a learner of English as an additional language face? Translating a particular word from one language to another is not always straightforward. All the defining features of a lexeme may not be found in its closest correspondent in another language. Some bilingual dictionary do not give you enough definitions or options. So, what can you do to know the meaning a word in English? Look it up in an English monolingual dictionary as well to get more information about the defining features of that word. A good dictionary will also give you examples, so you can see the word used in appropriate contexts.
How can you remember the meaning of new words? Extensive reading. The more you engage with texts, the more exposure you have to those words in a variety of contexts from which you can build a comprehensive understanding, just like native speakers do when acquiring their native language.
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