Exercise in Connotation

Explain why the boldfaced words in the following sentences reflect the writer's insensitivity to connotation, and in each case supply a more appropriate word. Answers to the first three items are provided for you.

1. We all wanted to go swimming, but Father combated the idea.
2. I am pleased with your drastic improvement in this course over the past weeks.
3. In our college painting class, our instructor is teaching us how to draw and paint naked figures.

Answers

1. "Combated" is too negative and militaristic-sounding for the context. A more appropriate verb would be "rejected" or "turned down."
2. "Drastic" suggests a serious change for the worse, not for the better. Better choices would be "significant" or "noticeable" or even "strong."
3. "Naked" doesn't carry the artistic or aesthetic sense of "nude."

Now continue with these items. Consult a dictionary if you unsure of either the meaning or the connotative value of the boldfaced words. In one or two cases, you may need to reword the sentence slightly rather than merely supplying a new word with a different connotation.

1			The young man was really very comely, for he had wavy hair and striking blue eyes.
2			The evangelist does not intend his crusades to make money; they are merely to improve the religious lives of the audience.
3			Although she was really twenty-one, there was a certain childishness in her voice and manner, setting her apart from the other girls and delighting everyone who met her.
4			Handle this Ming vase with care; it's very brittle.
5			What especially interests newcomers is the absolute smoothness of the landscape in Kansas and other Midwestern states.
6			When she got out of the hospital, she was pretty lean, but a good wholesome diet of home cooking soon fattened her up.
7			Attractive though it was in terms of pay and prospects for advancement, Leroy decided finally to spurn the new job offer.
8			I've been taking aspirins by the carload, but they haven't healed my headache.
9			I knew she had studied the lesson thoroughly, so after asking my question I waited a little. Finally the retort came in her usual quiet, almost hesitant voice.
10			One of the best things the Boy Scouts did for Jack was to develop genuinely mannish qualities.
11			My grandmother is always so interested in my life and my activities. Every time I see her, she invites me to enjoy her wonderful homemade chocolate chip cookies, and while I eat them, she interrogates me about my weekend plans.
12			What I pined for above all was a thick, juicy hamburger, with plenty of relish and catsup and a side order of French fries and onions.