EXAMINING THE SUBTLE DISTINCTIONS IN SYNONYMY: A CORPUS-BASED ANALYSIS OF 'PRETTY,' 'HANDSOME,' AND 'BEAUTIFUL' ACROSS ACADEMIC AND FICTIONAL REGISTERS

Abstract

This study explores the nuances of putative synonymy in English adjectives, specifically focusing on "pretty," "handsome," and "beautiful." Although commonly regarded as synonyms, these adjectives exhibit distinct use patterns and nuanced meanings in various linguistic contexts. Using corpus-based analysis with data from the British National Corpus (BNC), this research examines each adjective's frequency distributions and collocational tendencies across two registers: academic prose and fiction. The findings reveal significant differences in usage patterns, with "beautiful" being the most prevalent overall, though its context and collocates vary by register. "Pretty" is often associated with descriptions of physical beauty, while "handsome" is frequently linked to quantity and behavior. Through a detailed comparison of collocational patterns, this study underscores the complexity of synonymy, shedding light on how language users intuitively select specific adjectives based on social and contextual factors. The results of this analysis hold implications for language learners, providing insights into the subtle semantic distinctions that shape natural language use.