One Word Substitute

What is a one-word substitution?

Simply put, one-word substitution is replacing a long, complicated, or wordy
sentence/phrase with one word. This makes the sentence short, crisp, and also more
meaningful without being lengthy. Some common types of substitutions involve
group names (example: ‘crowd’ instead of ‘a large group of people’). Not only do one-
word substitutions in English help you expand your vocabulary, but they also help you
write in a brief, to-the-point manner.
To prove this, here is an example
John is someone who operates a spacecraft and works in space.
John is an astronaut.

What is the purpose of one-word substitutions?

Simplified substitutions help to make reading and understanding easier. It improves
the flow of your speech and allows more information to be transmitted with fewer
words.
Saying “The people who come to my church are always looking on the brighter side
of things” is much longer than putting it like this: “My church’s congregation is full of
optimists”.
The complexity is reduced and so is the sentence length. To write better
substitutions, you need to learn and familiarise yourself with suffixes and also similar
vocabulary.
Additionally, this kind of test helps an examiner or teacher understand what
command you have over the language. If your vocabulary is adequate, then you
should be able to handle these tests with ease.
So without further delay, let us look into some common one-word substitution
examples, categorized under different types-

Study/Work/Education-related substitutions:
Some education-related substitutions may be known to you already, but did you
know that the suffix ‘ology’ comes from the Latin root word ‘logia?’. It means a
subject of study or a branch of knowledge.
The scientific study of stars, galaxies, and the universe
Astronomy, cosmology
Study of rock, soil, fossils, and more
Geology
The field of study dedicated to the mind, emotions, and behavior
Psychology
The study of plant life, their interactions, and their relationships
Botany
When referring to the person who has studied or completed his/her education in a
field, the substitutions simply take on a new ending (suffix). An example from the
above list would be geology becoming ‘Geologist’.
Let us have a look at some examples with this new suffix-
A person who studies fossils and artifacts specific to humans
Archaeologist
Someone who studies the brain, its structure, and the things that affect it
Psychiatrist
Another way to simplify your sentences with substitutions is to mention the specific
profession, rather than explain what the profession is. So here are a few examples:
A person who grows and sells flowers and makes floral arrangements
Florist
The teacher or staff member who supervises class during an exam
Invigilator
Person-related substitutions
So the previous entries were within the category of study/work. The next list
categorizes people based on various characteristics they may have. These types of
words are useful when describing oneself or others. It may be especially useful for
compact introductions (written or spoken)
Someone who does not believe in the existence of God
Atheist
A person who sees the dark/negative side of situations and events
Pessimist
Someone who loves mankind/a person who offers financial aid often
Philanthropist
A person who speaks multiple languages fluently
Polyglot
A person who is selected to settle a fight between two parties
Arbitrator
So far, we have talked about mostly words associated with a person, but they apply in
many other scenarios.
Substitutions for things and descriptive phrases
You can also substitute things and phrases with one word. For example, there is no
need to say “a heavy snowstorm with powerful winds” when you can say “a blizzard”.
Similarly, if your daily routine is “dull, repetitive, and boring”, you can call it a
“mundane” day instead!
Note that this is just a tiny one-word substitute list, the actual extent of substitutions
is vast. For now, go through these examples and add them to your vocabulary
Appreciation of beauty and form, according to a set of ideas
Aesthetics
A large fire, often used for festivals, large outdoor parties, and similar
Bonfire
The parts of a country far from the center and away from rivers
Hinterland
To enjoy something over a longer period of time
Savor
A person who is blamed for things others have done
Scapegoat
A type of government with a king, queen, or similar royalty at the head
Monarchy
Having extreme physical or mental pain and suffering
Agony
A person who loves himself/herself over everyone else
Narcissist
The benefits of one-word substitution in English:
 These substitutions help to avoid the repetition of phrases when talking about
a particular subject.
 It allows you the scope to give out more information without sounding boring.
 The meaning of your sentence stays the same but in a smaller package.
 Additionally, it reads better, with a smoother flow and simple embellishments.
 It also aids in structuring your sentences and writing better.