Synonyms are words different in their outer aspects, but identical or similar in their inner aspects. All synonymic groups can be classifi ed into several types. The classifi cation system for synonyms was established by Academician V.V. Vinogradov, the famous Russian scholar. In his classifi cation system there are three types of synonyms: 1. Ideographic (words conveying the same concept but differing in shades of meaning), e.g. stool – chair, piece – lump – slice. Ideographic synonyms correspond to one and the same referential area, i.e. denote the same thing but different in the denotational aspect of their meanings. 2. Stylistic (different in stylistic characteristics). Stylistic synonyms are similar in the denotational aspect of meaning, but different in the connotational aspect. Substituting one stylistic synonym for another one results in an inadequate presentation of the situation of communication. Stylistic synonyms can have different characteristics: colloquial, slang, dialect, poetic, learned words. The following examples of synonyms are differentiated by stylistic connotations of attendant features. For example, snack, bite (coll.), snap (dial.) all denote a frugal meal taken in a hurry; refreshment (formal) is also a light meal; feast (formal) is rich or abundant meal. Among stylistic synonyms Prof. Ch. F. Hockett points out a special group of words are called euphemisms, “There are words used to substitute some unpleasant or offensive words, e.g. the late instead of dead”[Hockett: 2000,74]. He also presents the phraseological synonyms which are identical in their meanings but different in the combination of words. Eg., to get into a jam – to get into hot water – to get in trouble; phrasal verbs: to look like – to take after, to carry on – to go on – to continue.

3. Absolute (coinciding in all their shades of meaning). E.g.: big – large, to begin – to start; homeland– motherland.

These synonyms are often interchangeable in the meaning: a big house, country, family, dog – a large house, country, family, dog. One can say big success, large success; big problem, large problem, where

big is more colloquial and large is more formal.

It has been mentioned that some modern linguists (F.R. Palmer, Ch. F. Hockett) give the typological classifi cation of synonyms:

 contextual synonyms – similar in meaning only under some specifi c conditions, when the difference in meanings of words is neutralized in a certain context. Eg.: uninteresting book – a dull book; smart clothes – fashionable clothes.

 dialectical synonyms – include the different variants of a language. Eg.: Lift – elevator, Autumn – full, fl at – apartment.

 terminological synonyms – two existing terms for one concept. Eg.: borrowing and loan-word, concept and notion, wordformationand word-building.

 total synonyms – can replace each other in any given context, without the alteration in denotative meaning and connotations. Eg.: fl ection – infl ection, full –total, big – large.

Having analyzed the problem of synonymy in Modern English we could do the following conclusion:

 English synonyms can have several meanings, they are mostly polysemantic words;

 Many English synonyms are borrowed from other languages;

 Synonyms can be defi ned with the same denotation but differing in connotations.

 Synonyms can be a source of euphemisms.

 English synonyms are distinguished in meaning, coloring and usage. Synonyms are quite diffi cult to study. In many cases it is not enough to know the meanings of the synonyms in a group and have one or two examples of their use, and it is sometimes diffi cult to single out the most general synonym that can substitute for the other synonyms in a group.