phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Linguistics

Posted by Al on November 18, 2003

In Reply to: Linguistics posted by Kateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee on November 18, 2003

: This is my linguistic research. I'm poling English native speakers. Please estimate the synonims in the samples according to the Scale. How would YOU say it in English. Thanks for help and cooperation!
: : The Scale
: no mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . acceptable, preferred
: +. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .acceptable, not preferred
: ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . marginally acceptable
: * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .unacceptable

: 1. There are four genuine pictures by Rubens in this museum.

: There are four true pictures by Rubens in this museum.

: There are four authentic pictures by Rubens in this museum.

: There are four real pictures by Rubens in this museum.

: 2. This signature is proved genuine.
:
: This signature is proved true.
:
: This signature is proved authentic.

: This signature is proved real.

: 3. Was it a real man you saw or only a ghost?

: Was it a genuine man you saw or only a ghost?

: Was it a true man you saw or only a ghost?

: Was it an authentic man you saw or only a ghost?

: 4. She was lucky to find her true love.

: She was lucky to find her genuine love.

: She was lucky to find her real love.

: She was lucky to find her authentic love.

: 5. Is the news true?

: Is the news genuine?

: Is the news authentic?

: Is the news real?
: 6. True friendship lasts forever.

: Real friendship lasts forever.

: Genuine friendship lasts forever.

: Authentic friendship lasts forever.

: 7. A few authentic Scottish songs sounded on the music festival.

: A few real Scottish songs sounded on the music festival.

: A few true Scottish songs sounded on the music festival.

: A few genuine Scottish songs sounded on the music festival.

: 8.They are hospitable, with true Yorkshire hospitality.

: They are hospitable, with genuine Yorkshire hospitality.

: They are hospitable, with authentic Yorkshire hospitality.

: They are hospitable, with real Yorkshire hospitality.

: 9. My true friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I thank you.

: My real friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I thank you.

: My genuine friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I thank you.

: My authentic friend, from the bottom of my broken heart I thank you.

: 10. Wherever his [the author's] plot goes, the novel carries the authenticity of someone who has been there and was paying attention.

: Wherever his [the author's] plot goes, the novel carries the truth of someone who has been there and was paying attention.

: Wherever his [the author's] plot goes, the novel carries the genuineness of someone who has been there and was paying attention.

: Wherever his [the author's] plot goes, the novel carries the reality of someone who has been there and was paying attention.

: 11. And that's the true New York visual pleasure: looking at other people.

: And that's the real New York visual pleasure: looking at other people.

: And that's the authentic New York visual pleasure: looking at other people.

: And that's the genuine New York visual pleasure: looking at other people.

: 12. Southwestern cuisine is so authentic, even the locals love it.

: Southwestern cuisine is so real, even the locals love it.

: Southwestern cuisine is so genuine, even the locals love it.

: Southwestern cuisine is so true, even the locals love it.

Do you mean literally "say" as in spoken English?
Most of the cases I would use genuine or authentic interchangeably without even thinging, perhaps, and not use true or real. (Love and hospatality being exceptions here.) My problem is some other parts of the sample sentences I might never say. I would not e.g. talk of "picture" by Rubin.

© 1997 – 2024 Phrases.org.uk. All rights reserved.