Stylistic classification of the english vocabulary

2. Neutral, Common Literary and Common Colloquial Vocabulary

a) Neutral Words

Neutral words, which form the bulk of the English vocabulary, are used in both literary and colloquial layers. Neutral words are the main source of synonymy and poly­semy. Most neutral English words are of monosemanti'c character.

Unlike all other groups, the neutral group of words cannot be considered as having a special stylistic colou­ring, whereas both literary and colloquial words have a definite stylistic colouring.

b) Common Literary Words

Common literary words are chiefly used in writing and polished speech. Literary units stand in opposition to colloquial units.

The following synonyms illustrate the relations that exist between the neutral, literary and colloquial words in the English language.