"Have you ever tried to locate a reference book devoted entirely to the synonyms of phrases?"

Have you ever tried to locate a reference book devoted entirely to the synonyms of phrases? For example, you wish to avoid an over used expression such as "over one's head" and replace it with one word. Most thesauri would not be of much help, as they are primarily devoted to offering synonyms for single words. Furthermore, all of the headwords in most of these thesauri are single words.

Incidentally, how about using one of the following serve as a replacement: baffling, bewildering, beyond comprehension, beyond one, complex, complicated, deep, hard to understand, incomprehensible, profound, unfathomable?

Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer has now filled this void with the first of its kind reference book devoted entirely to the synonyms of phrases, a thesaurus of phrases. Kipfer's credentials are impeccable! She is Head Lexicographer for Cymfony, a leader in information extraction, text mining, and question and answering. Author of over twenty books, Kipfer is a renowned expert in the field of lexicography-the study and practice of the principles of dictionary writing and compiling.

As mentioned in the introduction to the book, Roget's Thesaurus Of Phrases, it is a book for the twenty-first century. Try looking up something on the Internet where the terms you are using are not the most appropriate. After several attempts you give up in complete frustration. Perhaps, the problem was not using the most effective phrase? Experienced Internet users realize that you must use keywords and phrases in order to retrieve the information needed. Here is where Kipfer thesaurus will come in handy.

Another area where the thesaurus will be put to good use is replacing collocations-words that are commonly used together-with another way to express them. How would you replace "lone wolf"? Reference to Kipfer's book will point out that you may want to use anyone of the following: hermit, independent, individualist, lone hand, loner, nonconformist, odd man out, outsider, pariah, rogue elephant, separatist, solitary.

One of the keys to effective writing is being able to use simple and clear language. Whatever you have to say, say it simply and directly. Fortunately for many of us, Kipfer has seen the need for a thesaurus of phrases that will help us express ourselves in a way that will make every word count. This ultimately will lead us to powerfully deliver our message. As the author asserts in the introduction: "everyone has experienced the frustration of not being able to rephrase something or find the word or phrase they want. Another phrasing or the right word can enable you to do so much more."

Reviewed by Norman Goldman
Courtesy Bookpleasures
Posted August 23, 2003