1
general::
method
a way of doing something, especially one that is well known and often used:
• You can choose whichever method of payment you prefer. • an environmentally friendly method for treating household waste
way
a set of actions that you use in order to do something. Way is more informal than method and is used more often in everyday English:
• What’s the best way to remove wine stains? • a new way of treating the disease • There are lots of ways of cooking mushrooms.
means
something that you use to do something or achieve something:
• Their main means of transport is their car. • E-mail is often the most convenient means of communication . • He looked around for a means of escape . • Education and training are the most efficient means of improving the nation’s economy.
approach
a way of dealing with a particular problem or situation, especially a way that has been carefully thought about or planned:
• Today’s approach to raising children is very different from 40 years ago. • I think we need to try a different approach.
technique
a particular way of doing something, for which you need a skill that has to be learned and practised:
• tips on how to improve your exam technique • More patients are surviving thanks to improved surgical techniques.
tactics
methods that you use in order to achieve what you want, especially in a game or competition:
• There were complaints about police tactics used to clear demonstrators. • The team was discussing tactics for the game.
strategy
a set of carefully planned methods for achieving something that is difficult and may take a long time:
• our sales strategy • a strategy to reduce the level of teenage smoking
mode
formal a particular way of doing something:
• For him, painting is just another mode of expression . • You can choose between several different modes of operation . • the most efficient mode of transportation • Withdrawing a child from class is still the preferred mode of providing extra help to that child.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
method
verbs
use a method
( also employ a method formal )
• Which payment method do you use when travelling?
adopt a method
(= start using a new method )
• Quite a few companies adopted Japanese business methods.
devise a method
(= invent a method )
• Scientists have devised a method of recycling contaminated oil.
outline a method
(= describe a method in a few words )
• This leaflet outlines the methods that are available to you.
adjectives
effective/efficient
(= giving the result you want )
• Some methods are more effective than others.
reliable
(= likely to give the result you want )
• We need a more reliable method of predicting earthquakes.
suitable
• No single method is suitable for all occasions.
a teaching method
• Neill had considerable influence over modern teaching methods.
a farming method
• Farming methods have changed a lot over the last 100 years.
the usual method
• The usual method of investing in a company is by buying shares in it.
the traditional method
(= the usual method )
• Farmers are being encouraged to return to more traditional methods of farming.
modern methods
(= methods used now, but not in the past )
• Modern methods of solving crime depend a lot on forensic evidence.
the scientific method
(= the usual way of finding out information in science, which involves testing ideas in experiments )
• It is sometimes difficult to apply the scientific method to subjects such as sociology or psychology.
an alternative method
(= a method that is different than the usual one )
• Try to use alternative methods of transport, such as cycling or taking the bus.
transnet.ir
4
general::
noun ADJ. effective, efficient, good, practical, reliable Which method is the most effective? | simple | common, conventional, principal, traditional, usual | new | alternative, other | different, various | unorthodox, unusual | farming, research, scientific, teaching, working ~s modern farming methods VERB + METHOD adopt, employ, follow, use the method adopted by the party for the selection of its candidates | develop, devise, work out | change, improve METHOD + VERB involve sth This method involves cutting a very thin slice from the object. | work How does this method work? PREP. ~ for an alternative method for resolving disputes | ~ of This is the best method of settling such arguments.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary