anglista2008  +  717656 Wed, 06 May 09 03:08 AM Howdy, How am I supposed to know the difference between the following synonyms, and how am I supposed to be 100% sure that the word I've chosen fits best to the context? Here're the words: ancestor, antecedent, forebear, forefather, forerunner, precursor, predecessor, progenitor, descendant Thanks! anglista2008 Joined on Thu, Mar 6 2008 Full Member 180 Difference Between, Synonyms, Context

	Prof Dunc  +  717695 Wed, 06 May 09 03:44 AM They're not all synonyms... for example, the first and last words are opposites.   To be sure it fits well, use a dictionary that has model sentences with the word. Prof Dunc Joined on Wed, May 6 2009 New Member 07 Synonyms, Sentences

	Philip  +  718521 Wed, 06 May 09 03:47 PM As Prof Dunc has indicated, they aren't all synonyms.  Furthermore, I would suggest that antecedent is rarely used to refer to ancestors (it's more often a grammatical term).  Precursor, forerunner, predecessor, progenitor usually do not suggest family ties, but just someone (something) that came before the current objcet.  I use the American Heritage Dictionary of English:  it is very good at offering uses as well as the definition. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 9,277 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen Synonyms, Countries, United Kingdom, Great Britain, United States, American, Languages