Topic 2: Word Substitution

 

Topic - 2

WORD SUBSTITUTION

 

INTRODUCTION

Word substitution is the process of replacing a group of words or a phrase with a single word without changing its meaning. It helps in making sentences shorter, clearer, and more effective. In drafting skills, word substitution improves the quality of writing by avoiding unnecessary repetition, reducing wordiness, and ensuring precision.

For example, instead of saying “a person who loves books," we can simply say bibliophile.

Similarly, "a place where ships are kept" can be replaced by the single word dockyard.

Effective word substitution makes communication professional, concise, and polished an essential skill in academic writing, corporate drafting, and competitive examinations.

In short: Word substitution enhances drafting skills by helping writers say more with fewer words. It improves clarity, conciseness, and professional tone in both spoken and written communication.

 

Examples of Word Substitution

 

1. One who loves mankind → Philanthropist

2. A person who looks at the bright side of things → Optimist

3. A speech made without preparation → Extempore

4. A government ruled by the people → Democracy

5. A person who can speak many languages → Polyglot

6. A fear of confined spaces → Claustrophobia

7. A place where birds are kept → Aviary

8. A person who studies ancient things → Archaeologist

9. One who does not believe in God → Atheist

10. One who travels from place to place → Nomad

11. A person who writes for newspapers → Journalist

12. A person who eats human flesh → Cannibal

13. Government by the king or queen → Monarchy

14. A person who looks at the dark side of life → Pessimist

15. A person who is all-powerful → Omnipotent

16. A life history written by oneself → Autobiography

17. A person who believes in fate → Fatalist

18. A person who talks too much → Loquacious

19. A person who cannot read or write → Illiterate

20. A person who collects coins → Numismatist

21. A place where books are kept → Library

22. Murder of one's own mother → Matricide

23. Murder of one's own father → Patricide

24. A person who walks in sleep → Somnambulist

25. Government by officials or clerks → Bureaucracy

26. A handwriting that cannot be read→ Illegible

27. A speech delivered at a funeral → Eulogy

28. A government by the rich → Plutocracy

29. A person who hates mankind → Misanthrope

30. Fear of water → Hydrophobia

31. One who knows everything → Omniscient

32. One who is unable to pay debts → Insolvent / Bankrupt

33. Study of human mind → Psychology

34. Murder of a king → Regicide

35. The custom of having only one wife/husband at a time → Monogamy

36. The custom of having many wives → Polygamy

37. Murder of one's own child → Infanticide

38. One who is greedy for wealth → Avaricious

39. A person who pretends to be what he is not → Hypocrite

40. An animal that lives both on land and water → Amphibian

41. A government by priests → Theocracy

42. A speech in praise of someone → Panegyric

43. A person who abstains from alcohol → Teetotaler

44. A book containing meanings of words → Dictionary

45. One who eats everything → Omnivorous

46. One who cannot be corrected → Incorrigible

47. A medicine that prevents infection → Antiseptic

48. One who is new to a profession → Novice

49. A child without parents → Orphan

50. A record of events in order of time → Chronicle

 

 

Practice Exercises

 

Type 1: Choose the correct one-word substitution.

 

1. A person who hates mankind

(a) Optimist

(b) Pessimist

(c) Misanthrope

(d) Fatalist

2. One who believes in fate

(a) Realist

(b) Fatalist

(c) Optimist

(d) Nihilist

3. Murder of a king

(a) Regicide

(b) Homicide

(c) Fratricide

(d) Patricide

4. A speech without preparation.

(a) Extempore

(b) Dialogue

(c) Monologue

(d) Eulogy

5. One who eats human flesh

(a) Cannibal

(b) Carnivorous

(c) Omnivorous

(d) Herbivorous

6. A person who speaks the truth always

(a) Optimist

(b) Pessimist

(c) Veracious

(d) Loquacious

7. A person who talks too much

(a) Taciturn

(b) Silent

(c) Loquacious

(d) Reticent

8. A person who collects coins

(a) Numismatist

(b) Philatelist

(c) Archaeologist

(d) Economist

9. One who collects stamps

(a) Numismatist

(b) Philatelist

(c) Botanist

(d) Zoologist

10. A handwriting that cannot be read

(a) Illiterate

(b) Illegible

(c) Eligible

(d) Incredible

11. A person who is unable to pay debts

(a) Insolvent

(b) Solvent

(c) Affluent

(d) Creditor

12. A person who abstains from alcohol

(a) Vegetarian

(b) Teetotaler

(c) Optimist

(d) Epicure

13. Fear of confined places

(a) Hydrophobia

(b) Claustrophobia

(c) Acrophobia

(d) Xenophobia

14. Fear of water

(a) Acrophobia

(b) Claustrophobia

(c) Hydrophobia

(d) Pyrophobia

15. A place where birds are kept

(a) Aviary

(b) Apiary

(c) Sanctuary

(d) Aquarium

16. A place where bees are kept

(a) Aviary

(b) Apiary

(c) Sanctuary

(d) Stable

17. A place where fish are kept

(a) Aviary

(b) Apiary

(c) Aquarium

(d) Abattoir

18. A place where animals are slaughtered

(a) Aviary

(b) Apiary

(c) Aquarium

(d) Abattoir

19. A book that contains words and their meanings

(a) Encyclopedia

(b) Dictionary

(c) Glossary

(d) Thesaurus

20. A government by the people

(a) Autocracy

(b) Democracy

(c) Monarchy

(d) Oligarchy

21. A government by one person

(a) Autocracy

(b) Democracy

(c) Monarchy

(d) Oligarchy

22. A government by a king or queen

(a) Autocracy

(b) Democracy

(c) Monarchy

(d) Oligarchy

23. A government by few persons

(a) Autocracy

(b) Democracy

(c) Monarchy

(d) Oligarchy

24. A government by the rich

(a) Aristocracy

(b) Plutocracy

(c) Bureaucracy

(d) Theocracy

25. A government by priests

(a) Democracy

(b) Aristocracy

(c) Theocracy

(d) Autocracy

26. The murder of one's mother

(a) Matricide

(b) Patricide

(c) Homicide

(d) Infanticide

27. The murder of one's father

(a) Matricide

(b) Patricide

(c) Homicide

(d) Fratricide

28. The murder of one's brother

(a) Fratricide

(b) Patricide

(c) Homicide

(d) Infanticide

29. The murder of a child

(a) Infanticide

(b) Patricide

(c) Fratricide

(d) Genocide

30. The killing of a whole race

(a) Regicide

(b) Suicide

(c) Genocide

(d) Homicide

31. A person who loves mankind

(a) Philanthropist

(b) Misanthrope

(c) Fatalist

(d) Egoist

32. A person who loves himself only

(a) Egoist

(b) Altruist

(c) Optimist

(d) Realist

33. A person who looks at the bright side of life

(a) Pessimist

(b) Optimist

(c) Realist

(d) Nihilist

34. A person who looks at the dark side of life

(a) Pessimist

(b) Optimist

(c) Realist

(d) Nihilist

35. A person who does not believe in God

(a) Theist

(b) Atheist

(c) Agnostic

(d) Monotheist

36. A person who is unsure about the existence of God

(a) Theist

(b) Atheist

(c) Agnostic

(d) Monotheist

37. A life history written by oneself

(a) Autobiography

(b) Biography

(c) Memoir

(d) Chronicle

38. A life history written by another

(a) Autobiography

(b) Biography

(c) Memoir

(d) Chronicle

39. A short account of someone's life

(a) Autobiography

(b) Biography

(c) Memoir

(d) Chronicle

40. A record of daily events

(a) Chronicle

(b) Biography

(c) Memoir

(d) Diary

41. One who knows everything

(a) Omnipotent

(b) Omnipresent

(c) Omniscient

(d) Optimist

42. One who is all powerful

(a) Omnipotent

(b) Omnipresent

(c) Omniscient

(d) Egoist

43. One who is present everywhere

(a) Omnipotent

(b) Omnipresent

(c) Omniscient

(d) Optimist

44. A person who eats everything

(a) Carnivorous

(b) Herbivorous

(c) Omnivorous

(d) Cannibal

45. A person who eats only plants

(a) Carnivorous

(b) Herbivorous

(c) Omnivorous

(d) Cannibal

46. A person who eats only flesh

(a) Carnivorous

(b) Herbivorous

(c) Omnivorous

(d) Cannibal

47. A medicine that prevents infection

(a) Antidote

(b) Antiseptic

(c) Antibiotic

(d) Analgesic

48. A medicine that reduces pain

(a) Antidote

(b) Antiseptic

(c) Antibiotic

(d) Analgesic

49. A medicine that works against poison

(a) Antidote

(b) Antiseptic

(c) Antibiotic

(d) Analgesic

50. A medicine that kills bacteria

(a) Antidote

(b) Antiseptic

(c) Antibiotic

(d) Analgesic

51. One who composes music

(a) Dramatist

(b) Novelist

(c) Composer

(d) Philatelist

52. One who writes plays

(a) Poet

(b) Dramatist

(c) Essayist

(d) Novelist

53. One who writes essays

(a) Poet

(b) Dramatist

(c) Essayist

(d) Novelist

54. One who writes novels

(a) Dramatist

(b) Novelist

(c) Essayist

(d) Journalist

55. One who reports news

(a) Essayist

(b) Novelist

(c) Journalist

(d) Lexicographer

56. One who compiles dictionaries

(a) Lexicographer

(b) Editor

(c) Essayist

(d) Critic

57. One who edits books or newspapers

(a) Novelist

(b) Editor

(c) Bibliophile

(d) Journalist

58. A person who studies ancient remains

(a) Zoologist

(b) Botanist

(c) Archaeologist

(d) Geologist

59. A person who studies the rocks of the earth

(a) Geographer

(b) Geologist

(c) Astronomer

(d) Seismologist

60. A person who studies earthquakes

(a) Meteorologist

(b) Geographer

(c) Seismologist

(d) Astronomer

61. A person who studies weather

(a) Meteorologist

(b) Seismologist

(c) Botanist

(d) Zoologist

62. A person who studies stars and planets

(a) Astrologer

(b) Astronomer

 (c) Geographer

(d) Scientist

63. A person who predicts by stars

(a) Astronomer

(b) Astrologer

(c) Meteorologist

(d) Philologist

64. A person who studies languages

(a) Psychologist

(b) Philologist

(c) Philanthropist

(d) Philosopher

65. A person who studies mankind

(a) Anthropologist

(b) Sociologist

(c) Philosopher

(d) Archaeologist

66. A person who studies human society

(a) Sociologist

(b) Psychologist

(c) Anthropologist

(d) Philosopher

67. A person who studies the mind

(a) Psychologist

(b) Philosopher

(c) Psychiatrist

(d) Scientist

68. A doctor who treats mental illness

(a) Psychologist

(b) Psychiatrist

(c) Surgeon

(d) Physician

69. A doctor who treats children's

(a) Paediatrician

(b) Physician

(c) Psychiatrist

(d) Surgeon

70. A doctor who treats old people

(a) Paediatrician

(b) Geriatrician

(c) Psychiatrist

(d) Surgeons

71. A doctor who treats teeth

(a) Dermatologist

(b) Dentist

(c) Cardiologist

(d) Neurologist

72. A doctor who treats skin diseases

(a) Cardiologist

(b) Neurologist

(c) Dermatologist

(d) Dentist

73. A doctor who treats heart diseases

(a) Neurologist

(b). Cardiologist

(c) Dentist

(d) Dermatologist

74. A doctor who treats nerves

(a) Neurologist

(b) Cardiologist

(c) Dentist

(d) Dermatologist

75. A doctor who treats eyes

(a) Neurologist

(b) Optician

(c) Ophthalmologist

(d) Cardiologist

76. A person who sells medicines

(a) Chemist

(b) Pharmacist

(c) Druggist

(d) All of these

77. A person who sells flowers

(a) Gardener

(b) Florist

(c) Botaniste

(d) Horticulturist

78. A person who sells meat

(a) Grocer

(b) Butcher

(c) Fishmonger

(d) Vendor

79. A person who sells fish

(a) Butcher

(b) Fishmonger

(c) Vendor

(d) Florist

80. A person who sells fruits and vegetables

(a) Florist

(b) Vendor

(c) Greengrocer

(d) Butcher

81. A person who sells books

(a) Librarian

(b) Bibliophile

(c) Bookseller

(d) Author

82. A person who sells milk

(a) Vendor

(b) Dairyman

(c) Butcher

(d) Baker

83. A person who sells bread

(a) Baker

(b) Butcher

(c) Grocer

(d) Vendor

84. A person who sells clothes

(a) Draper

(b) Tailor

(c) Weaver

(d) Cobbler

85. A person who makes clothes

(a) Draper

(b) Tailor

(c) Weaver

(d) Cobbler

86. A person who mends shoes

(a) Cobbler

(b) Tailor

(c) Draper

(d) Weaver

87. A person who makes shoes

(a) Cobbler

(b) Shoemaker

(c) Tailor

(d) Draper

88. A person who makes furniture

(a) Tailor

(b) Carpenter

(c) Cobbler

(d) Draper

89. A person who makes pots

(a) Carpenter

(b) Potter

(c) Mason

(d) Sculptors

90. A person who builds with stone

(a) Sculptor

(b) Mason

(c) Carpenter

(d) Potter

91. A person who carves in stone or wood

(a) Sculptor

(b) Mason

(c) Potter

(d) Carpenter

92. A person who paints houses

(a) Painter

(b) Decorator

(c) Artist

(d) Sculptor

93. A person who paints pictures

(a) Painter

(b) Artist

(c) Decorator

(d) Sculptor

94. A person who acts in plays/movies

(a) Dramatist

(b) Actor

(c) Novelist

(d) Artist

95. A person who dances professionally

(a) Musician

(b) Dancer

(c) Actor

(d) Artist

96. A person who plays music

(a) Musician

(b) Composer

(c) Singer

(d) Artist

97. A person who sings

(a) Musician

(b) Singer

(c) Actor

(d) Artist

98. A person who teaches

(a) Student

(b) Scholar

(c) Teacher

(d) Mentor

99. A person who learns

(a) Teacher

(b) Student

(c) Mentor

(d) Professor

100. A person who guides or advises others

(a) Teacher

(b) Student

(c) Mentor

(d) Learner

 

Type 2: Fill in the Blanks (Complete each sentence with the correct one-word substitution.)

 

1. A person who can use both hands equally well is _______.

2. A person who eats too much is a _______.

3. A person who hates women is a _______.

4. A person who loves women is a _______.

5. A person who admires himself excessively is a _______.

6. A person who avoids company and lives alone is a _______.

7. A person who pretends to be what he is not is a _______.

8. A person who always postpones work is a _______.

9. A person who wastes time instead of working is an _______.

10. A person who changes sides frequently is a _______.

11. A person who lends money on very high interest is a _______.

12. A person who is new to a place or activity is a _______.

13. A person who loves to read books is a _______.

14. A person who lives by begging is a _______.

15. A person who avoids luxury and lives simply is an  _______.

16. A person who spends too much money carelessly is a _______.

17. A person who saves money excessively is a  _______.

18. A person who never wastes time and uses it well is a _______.

19. A person who works without being paid is a _______.

20. A person who helps others in need is a  _______.

21. A person who talks in sleep is a _______.

22. A person who delivers a long, formal speech is an  _______.

23. A speech by one person alone is a _______.

24. A speech between two people is a _______.

25. A speech by many people together is a _______.

26. A speech in praise of someone is an _______.

27. A speech at a funeral is an _______.

28. A short witty remark is an _______.

29. An exaggerated statement is called _______.

30. A pleasant expression used in place of a harsh one is a  _______.

31. A person who studies maps is a _______.

32. A person who makes maps is a _______.

33. A person who studies coins is a _______.

34. A person who studies stamps is a _______.

35. A person who studies handwriting is  _______.

36. A person who studies human languages is a _______.

37. A person who studies volcanoes is a _______.

38. A person who studies fossils is a _______.

39. A person who studies ancient buildings and monuments is an _______.

40. A person who studies human evolution is a _______.

41. A person who studies population is a _______.

42. A person who studies elections is a _______.

43. A person who studies plants is a _______.

44. A person who studies insects is an _______.

45. A person who studies birds is an  _______.

46. A person who studies fishes is an _______.

47. A person who studies animals is a _______.

49. A person who studies earthquakes is a _______.

50. A person who studies weather is a _______.

51. A doctor who delivers babies is an _______.

52. A doctor who treats bones is an _______.

53. A doctor who treats teeth is a _______.

54. A doctor who treats skin diseases is a _______.

55. A doctor who treats mental illness is a _______.

56. A doctor who treats children is a _______.

57. A doctor who treats old people is a  _______.

58. A doctor who treats the eye is an  _______.

59. A doctor who treats the ear, nose, and throat is an  _______.

60. A doctor who treats cancer is an _______.

61. A place where weapons are stored is an _______.

62. A place where ships are built is a _______.

63. A place where ships are loaded and unloaded is a  _______.

64. A place where soldiers live is a _______.

65. A place where monks live is a _______.

66. A place where orphans live is an _______.

67. A place where old people live is an _______.

68. A place where wine is stored is a  _______.

69. A place where clothes are washed is a _______.

70. A place where aeroplanes are kept is a _______.

71. A place where cars are kept is a _______.

72. A place where money is coined is a _______.

73. A place where public records are kept is an  _______.

74. A place where wild animals are kept is a  _______.

75. A place where criminals are kept is a _______.

76. A place where historical objects are preserved is a _______.

77. A place where clothes are kept is a _______.

78. A place where plays are performed is a _______.

79. A place where dead bodies are kept is a _______.

80. A place where dead bodies are buried is a _______.

81. One who believes in nothing is a _______.

82. One who doubts everything is a _______.

83. One who believes in practical results is a _______.

84. One who opposes traditions is an _______.

85. One who breaks religious images is an _______.

86. One who is a lover of fine food is a _______.

87. One who is a lover of luxury is a _______.

88. One who is skilled in many arts is a _______.

89. One who is always against progress is a _______.

90. One who wastes resources foolishly is a _______.

91. A record of daily events is a _______.

92. A record of past events in order of time is a  _______.

93. An official order is a _______.

94. An official written statement is a  _______.

95. A book giving synonyms and antonyms is a  _______.

96. A book giving meanings of words is a  _______.

97. A book giving information on all branches of knowledge is an _______.

98. A list of books is a _______.

99. A list of things to be discussed at a meeting is an  _______.

100. A person who wastes his talents is a _______.