One Word Substitution
SSC GD English Section
Introduction
One Word Substitution (OWS) means expressing a full phrase or sentence using one single word. SSC GD asks very simple and commonly used OWS — nothing too advanced.
Exam Tip: This topic boosts vocabulary and helps in error detection + comprehension.
Meaning
When a group of words is replaced by a single word that carries the same meaning.
A person who loves books
→ Bibliophile
A handwritten document
→ Manuscript
How to Learn OWS Easily
Learn by Categories
Group words into people, places, objects, etc.
Focus on Daily Life
Most SSC GD OWS are from common usage
Root Words Help
philo = love, bio = life, auto = self
Important One Word Substitutions for SSC GD
People & Professions
| Phrase | One Word |
|---|---|
| A person who writes poems | Poet |
| A person who sells medicines | Chemist |
| A person who studies plants | Botanist |
| A person who loves humanity | Philanthropist |
| One who can speak many languages | Polyglot |
| One who eats too much | Glutton |
| One who believes in God | Theist |
| One who does not believe in God | Atheist |
Places
| Phrase | One Word |
|---|---|
| A place where books are kept | Library |
| A place where animals are kept | Zoo |
| A place where birds are kept | Aviary |
| A place where weapons are stored | Arsenal |
| A place where ships are built | Dockyard |
| A place where wines are made | Brewery |
Objects & Actions
| Phrase | One Word |
|---|---|
| A handwriting sample | Manuscript |
| A speech given without preparation | Impromptu |
| A short story with a moral | Fable |
| A life story written by oneself | Autobiography |
| A life story written by someone else | Biography |
General Concepts
| Phrase | One Word |
|---|---|
| Fear of heights | Acrophobia |
| Fear of water | Hydrophobia |
| Fear of closed spaces | Claustrophobia |
| Practice of eating no animal food | Vegetarianism |
| Killing of one's own brother | Fratricide |
| Killing of one's own father | Patricide |
High-Frequency OWS (SSC GD Repeat Words)
A person who always doubts → Sceptic
A person who never dies → Immortal
A person who cannot make a mistake → Infallible
A speech for the dead → Eulogy
A written false statement → Libel
A person who talks too much → Garrulous
A person who spends money freely → Extravagant
Sample Questions (SSC GD Style)
A person who speaks many languages is called —
Options: (a) Botanist (b) Polyglot (c) Orator (d) Linguist
View Answer
Polyglot
A life story written by oneself is —
Options: (a) Biography (b) Manuscript (c) Autobiography (d) Chronicle
View Answer
Autobiography
Fear of water is —
Options: (a) Hydrophobia (b) Claustrophobia (c) Acrophobia (d) Xenophobia
View Answer
Hydrophobia
A person who doubts everything is —
Options: (a) Theist (b) Atheist (c) Sceptic (d) Optimist
View Answer
Sceptic
A short story with a moral is —
Options: (a) Tale (b) Fable (c) Diary (d) Legend
View Answer
Fable
Quick Recap
OWS = replacing a phrase with one word
Learn by categories - person/place/fear/actions
SSC GD repeats common words frequently
Root words help: phobia = fear, cide = killing
Practice builds instant recognition
Focus on: bio = life, auto = self, poly = many
Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
SSC GD 2022 — "A story with a moral" → Fable
SSC GD 2021 — "Fear of water" → Hydrophobia
SSC GD 2020 — "One who does not believe in God" → Atheist
SSC GD 2019 — "A handwriting sample" → Manuscript
SSC GD 2018 — "A person who loves books" → Bibliophile
You've completed One Word Substitution Lesson!
Courage Tip: Master One Word Substitutions by learning them in categories and understanding root words. Regular practice with previous year questions will help you recognize patterns. Remember that SSC GD focuses on common, frequently used substitutions rather than obscure vocabulary.
Master One Word Substitution for SSC GD Exam!
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