She's got a boyfriend.
Someone left an umbrella here yesterday.
Is he a friend of yours?
You can make a quick snack, for example a sandwich. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; German)
Can you ride a bike?
A child needs love.
A cheetah can run faster than a lion.
I don't need it because I'm too old to have a doll. (Key English Test; A2; French)
a hundred dollars
a dozen eggs
Dear Ally, All my friends [from] school were here, more than a hundred people. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
Sally's an engineer.
It's a rabbit.
She's a teacher. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Tamil)
a few days
a bit of wool
Please come next Monday with old clothes and a bit of green paint. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
Take a look at this, Jez.
I'm just going to have a wash.
I took a shower and ate my breakfast. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Thai)
a cup and saucer
a knife and fork
I like a clean fork and knife. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)
I'd love a coffee.
All I had for lunch was a yogurt.
We both had a coke and a hot dog. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
half a mile
a quarter of a kilo
three-quarters of an hour
The lesson is half an hour but you have to be ther[e] 10 minutes before. (Key English Test; A2; Greek)
Take one tablet three times a day.
She earns $100 000 a year.
I can write to him or her twice a week. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)
They were forced to abandon the car.
As a baby, he'd been abandoned by his mother.
We were sinking fast, and the captain gave the order to abandon ship.
I lived with my mother and brother but my father was never there. I knew that he had abandoned us for another woman. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
The match was abandoned because of rain.
How would you feel if you establish[ed] a long-time plan for your career and then you ha[d] to abandon it? (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)
an abandoned factory/village
Arriving [at] an altitude of 2000m, people can visit the abandoned salt-mines. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)
An abandoned baby was found in a box on the hospital steps.
Please, just have a look [at] your wife Margaret and her eyes will tell you that she is this abandoned princess of your childhood fairy-tale. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
She had the ability to explain things clearly.
athletic/academic ability
The protagonist had been bitten by a strange spider and some days later, he noticed [he had] some strange powers, such as the ability to create spider[s'] webs. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
He'll be able to help you.
Will she be able to do the work?
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to phone you yesterday.
It's so wonderful being able to see the sea from my window.
I will be able to go to your house next Friday. (Key English Test; A2; Japanese)
She's a very able student.
They contend that this will lead to better grades, better results in key stage test[s], and a more able work force. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hebrew)
abnormal behaviour/weather
They found abnormal levels of lead in the water.
The cost of it for the Chinese population is an abnormal level of pollution, that causes many deaths every year. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Portuguese)
Welcome aboard flight BA109 to Paris.
Competition entry "Welcome aboard on the flight to ancient Rome..." Please fasten your seatbelts... (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
I think bullfighting should be abolished.
National Service was abolished in Britain in 1962.
Therefore, I suggest you should not change or abolish any event for any reason. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
She had an abortion.
Some of these problems are serious and should be eliminated, such as abortion and domestic violence. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Arabic)
What's she talking about?
I've got a book about Jung.
I like my IT course becaus[e] I want to learn about computers. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)
How about a trip to the zoo this afternoon?
"Coffee, Sarah?" "No, thanks." "What about you, Kate?"
How about cycling there?
What about going on Saturday? (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
What about Ava - is she nice?
So the town was nice - how about the food?
I also enjoy shopping for shoes, what about you? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
It happened about two months ago.
"What time are you leaving work today?" "About five."
It's not far [from] my home, about 20 minut[es'] walk, [or] 5 minut[es] by bus. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Thai)
They heard someone moving/walking about outside.
I was about to leave when Mark arrived.
When I was just about to cross the road, I realised that I was going to faint [at] any moment. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
There's a mirror above the washbasin.
Her name comes above mine on the list.
I think I have [put] it above the bookshelf. (Key English Test; A2; Assamese)
It says on the box it's for children aged three and above.
Rates of pay are above average.
The weather is too hot in Beijing. Every day [it] is above 30 degrees. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
Above all, I'd like to thank my family.
He is known above all for his film roles.
She is a very nice person and above all, she is really cheerful. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
No one is above suspicion in this matter.
the above diagram
Match these words with the pictures above.
Please send the articles to the address given/shown above.
I can be contacted at the above address and I would be free to attend an interview at any time from Monday to Saturday. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
He's currently abroad on business.
We always go abroad in the summer.
I have never been abroad. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
Our conversation came to an abrupt end.
Their income came from the revenues obtained by selling milk, fruit, jelly and other perishable goods, but they had to pay John, or their happy lifestyle would come to an abrupt end. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
She has a rather abrupt manner.
I was poorly received and the general tone of the person assisting me was rude and abrupt. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Afrikaans)
They abruptly left the party.
His speech ended abruptly and he left the stage.
When she became an adolescent, her perspective changed abruptly. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
A new manager was appointed during/in her absence.
She has had repeated absences from work this year.
Thank you very much for letting me stay in your flat during your absence on holiday. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)
He drew attention to the absence of concrete evidence against the defendant.
The biggest difference the absence of TV made in my life was that I actually started living. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
John has been absent from school/work for three days now.
I would like to apologise, because I'm missing tomorrow's class. I'm going to be absent because my grandmother is ill and I have to take care of her. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
absolute control
He's an absolute idiot!
That's absolute rubbish!
I have no experience [of] surfing - I am an absolute beginner with high motivation. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)
The food was absolutely delicious.
It's absolutely ridiculous.
I have absolutely no idea what she's talking about.
We've achieved absolutely nothing today.
I absolutely hate it.
I've heard the film is absolutely fantastic. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)
"Do you think it helped his career?" "Absolutely."
"It was an excellent film, though." "Absolutely!"
So have the Swedish grandparents got funkier? Absolutely! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)
"Are you suggesting that we should just ignore the problem?" "No, absolutely not."
Does it mean the parents will allow them to eat anything they please? Absolutely not. You have to give the children some options, instead of imposing things on them. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)
Plants absorb carbon dioxide.
The drug is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Everything is getting intermingled and absorbed into the system, making life terribly efficient, quick and easy. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)
Simon was so absorbed in his computer game that he didn't notice me come in.
We hadn't noticed them at first because we were absorbed in [listening to the] birds singing. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
It's hard to absorb so much information.
You will have only three school [subjects] and that'[ll] make it easier to absorb the new knowledge. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
abstract ideas
Truth and beauty are abstract concepts.
Reading improve[s] your ability to imagine and your abstract thinking skills. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
abstract paintings/sculpture
What kind of material will you use for this painting? Will it be a realistic picture or an abstract one? (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
What an absurd explanation!
Don't be so absurd! Of course I want you to come.
It's an absurd situation - neither of them will talk to the other.
[In your article,] some performers are called 'second-rate', which, in my view, is absurd when talking about such famous groups as 'Snakes' and 'KGB'. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
sexual/psychological/mental abuse
The rescued dogs had been victims of physical abuse.
The one side opposes this treatment as an abuse of living creatures while the other side denies any suffering and points at the values of zoos for people. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
Drug and alcohol abuse contributed to his early death.
This program tries to address problems that lead to substance abuse.
Get information about the [effect]s of drug abuse and make your generation a better one. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
The politician's behaviour was an abuse of power.
It is a vast resource of information, but the abuse of it may have detrimental consequences. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
Rival fans shouted abuse at each other.
I went all the way back cycling on the wrong side of the road, and anyone who said something about it could expect a stream of abuse. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
an abusive phone call
This is partly true, because even [a] slightly abusive expression might result in discord or [rupture] between seemingly close friends. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)
academic subjects/qualifications/books
academic standards
As a member of our academic community, I'm very glad to hear that our college will have a surplus in its annual budget. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
He's not very academic.
Inflation is likely to accelerate this year.
Fashion has always been changing but I think this process accelerated after the Second World War. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Hungarian)
The car in front accelerated and left us behind.
When I ride my bike and start accelerating, I feel that I move with the speed of the wind. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
an American accent
He speaks with a broad/heavy/strong Yorkshire accent.
Our teacher is a middle-aged lady with a kind smile and [a] British accent. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)
There's an acute accent on the 'e' of 'café'.
to accept an apology/invitation/offer
I've been invited to their wedding, but I haven't decided whether to accept.
She won't accept advice from anyone.
I hope that you accept my apology. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)
He refuses to accept that he's made a mistake.
I can't accept that there's nothing we can do.
David told her that the reason [for] his failure was her, because she used to press him a lot and she couldn't accept that he wanted to be an actor. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
She's been accepted by two universities.
He was accepted as a full member of the society.
His fellow workers refused to accept him.
When I returned home I check[ed] my mail and I ha[d] a new message from my uncle, saying that the university have accepted me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
I accept full responsibility for the failure of the plan.
work of an acceptable standard
Clearly we need to come to an arrangement that is acceptable to both parties.
This kind of attitude is simply not acceptable.
So what is an acceptable level of radiation?
I am sure that finally I will succeed in [us]ing English in an acceptable way! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
Smoking is less and less socially acceptable.
They should teach them what is right [and] wrong, and what is morally and socially acceptable. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Spanish)
His acceptance of the award was controversial.
There is a growing public acceptance of alternative medicine.
The main reason for the "fast-food" groceries winning acceptance in Swedish culture is lack of time. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)
an accepted spelling
Competition can also be an accepted form of expression of one's aggression. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Others)
Internet access
The system has been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required information.
I would suggest free Internet access as an extra facility in our library. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swiss German)
disabled access
The only access to the village is by boat.
I think it would be better if you stayed in a small village which has easy access to the city centre. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
You can access the files over the Internet.
We have more time to stay together at home, because we can access [the] internet at home. (First Certificate in English; B2; Thai)
The resort is easily accessible by road, rail and air.
It is very accessible because it is situated in the centre. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
They are attempting to make opera accessible to a wider audience.
Jacques Prevert, the French poet, changed our way [of seeing] the world by making poetry accessible to everyone. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)
bathroom accessories
computer accessories
They find pleasure in looking at different clothes, shoes, accessories, gadgets and home furnishings. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Tagalog)
Josh had an accident and spilled water all over his work.
She was injured in a car/road accident.
I had an accident two weeks ago and now I can't do sport. (Key English Test; A2; French)
I deleted the file by accident.
I was dancing and someone [kicked me] by accident and my glasses fell [off]. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
accidental damage
The archeological site was located after the accidental discovery of bones in a field.
She accidentally knocked over a glass of water.
I accidentally broke one of your vases - the most beautiful one. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
the acclaimed singer and songwriter
In order to avoid s[uch an] embarrassing inconsistency in the next meeting, I suggest inviting Colin Briggs, the acclaimed footballer, to talk to his fans. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
rented accommodation
The price includes flights, all meals and accommodation.
There's a shortage of cheap accommodation.
You can find cheap accommodation in a student room because they are usually free in July an[d] August. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)
We accompanied her back to her hotel.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
I asked my cousin to accompany me because she knew the way to the temple. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
The course books are accompanied by four CDs.
The salmon was accompanied by a fresh green salad.
The weather was very hot and a shining sun accompanied us during our trip. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
He accompanied me on the piano.
Last year, for instance, the concert became a recital: two singers performed Lieder by Schubert accompanied by the piano and by the sweet sound of Arimany's golden flute. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
I feel as if I've accomplished nothing all day.
To accomplish this, schools should try to respect the individuality of each child, give them chances to think more freely. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Japanese)
She left of her own accord.
She would go alone, but it was something that was chosen of her own accord. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
Both companies have insisted that they were acting in accordance with the law.
Although they do not earn much money in this profession, they try to do their best and judge in accordance with the law which they also have to interpret. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)
According to Sarah, they're not getting on very well at the moment.
According to our records, you owe us £45.
According to the guide, it was a famous culture in ancient times. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
Students are all put in different groups according to their ability.
The job included organizing suitable activities according to their age, capability and wishes. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
I've opened an account with another bank.
I paid the money into my account this morning.
The man, whose name I can't remember, wrote a serious looking message in which he [talked about] a money transfer to a Swiss bank account. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)
She gave a thrilling account of her life in the jungle.
The documents provide a detailed account of the town's early history.
I would be very interested [in participating] and [writing] the accounts of our journeys. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
A good architect takes account of the building's surroundings.
I hope you will take account of our request. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
I think you have to take into account the fact that he's a good deal younger than the rest of us.
Taking into account all these arguments, I also think, like many people, that keeping animals in zoos is cruel and unnecessary. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)
He doesn't eat any dairy products on account of the diet he is following.
On account of its location, it is always busy. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)
On no account must these records be changed.
Mary did not want Martin to leave on any account, let alone move to a foreign country. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
The party was, by all accounts, a great success.
I have known Michael Van Cleef for over two decades now, and he is, by all accounts, an exemplary worker. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; French)
Can you account for your absence last Friday?
He'd had an argument with Caroline, which accounts for his bad mood this morning.
She was asked to account for the missing money.
I was at a loss for words when I tried to account for her behaviour, but I never ceased to consider her a very valuable friend. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
Hospitals must be held accountable for their mistakes.
Politicians should be accountable to the public that elects them.
Finally, there should be a person who should be held accountable and [is] accessible to our complaints. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Hindi)
a firm of accountants
I am working as an accountant at Deloitte & Touche. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
The chemicals accumulate in your body.
Rain water then accumulates in the reservoir. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Urdu)
Despite this accumulation of evidence, the government did nothing.
What is success? For some it is the accumulation of pos[s]es[s]ions, for others it's fame, health, love. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
We can predict changes with a surprising degree of accuracy.
I was very disappointed to observe your lack of accuracy in the description of this wonderful event. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
accurate information/measurements
She was able to give the police a fairly accurate description of the man.
Her novel is an accurate reflection of life in post-war Spain.
We hope to become more accurate in predicting earthquakes.
Some information in the Guidebook was not very accurate. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
The plans should be drawn as accurately as possible, showing all the measurements.
It's necessary to consider a lot of aspects to answer this question accurately, but in general I would prefer to go to work by bicycle. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)
He made a number of accusations against his former colleagues.
I have enclosed the Distribution Chart in order to prevent you from [making] further accusations. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Russian)
He's been accused of robbery/murder.
Are you accusing me of lying?
They were accused of vandalism. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)
I've worked nights for years now so I've grown accustomed to it.
She isn't accustomed to dealing with so much media attention.
I am quite accustomed to being with many kinds of people of different ages. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Korean)
As you get older, you have all sorts of aches and pains.
I've got an ache in my lower back.
Since then, I have [had] a[n] ache in my left leg. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)
My head/tooth/back aches.
I ache/I'm aching all over.
After a[n] hour of horseback riding your muscles can really ache. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
She finally achieved her ambition to visit South America.
The government's training policy, he claimed, was achieving its objectives.
My father is a person who has achieved a lot of great things in his life. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)
An Olympic silver medal is a remarkable achievement for such a young athlete.
It gives you a sense of achievement if you actually make it to the end of a very long book.
I think this is an achievement because he is now a lawyer. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
hydrochloric/fatty acid
Vinegar is an acid.
We saw a little black dragon with scales like iron charging [at] us and spitting acid. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
He acknowledged that there was a problem.
They fully acknowledge the need to keep fit as a part of being a healthy and well-educated person. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)
He sent a letter acknowledging receipt of her application.
Re: Follow-up job as interpreter, I acknowledge receipt of your recent correspondence. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)
He's just a business acquaintance.
Should you not give us a printed apology, I would seriously consider recommending all my friends and acquaintances not to trust your future articles. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
He acquired the firm in 1978.
I seem to have acquired two copies of this book.
I would like to join the club because I will be able to acquire more stamps for my collection. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
to acquire knowledge/skills
I have already acquired experience in the Tourism Field, working as a guard in a summer camp in Florida in 1997. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
He's got 400 acres of land in Wales.
We have to admit that, not only because of the financial weakness but also because of the badly organized plans, we failed to achieve the planting of 10,000 trees per acre. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)
She walked across the field/road.
They're building a new bridge across the river.
When I reached the river, I simply swam across.
My new phone is great. It is black with white lines going across it. (Key English Test; A2; French)
The improvement has been across the board, with all divisions reporting increased profits.
Children in separate schools get on with things regardless of it being work for boys or girls, which can be quite positive especially in today's lifestyles where chores are done across the board. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Afrikaans)
The library is just across the road.
I think you will enjoy it, so let's meet at 6:00 pm at London Bridge Station next to Pret a Manger, because the cinema is just across the road. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
Have you ever acted in a play before?
Andrew Pike was chosen to act the part of the lawyer in the film.
We are taught how to act in both comic and serious parts. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
He acted as if he'd never met me before.
Don't be so silly - you're acting like a child!
I always care about how much money I have and I always act sensibly. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)
She acted without thinking.
We have to act now to stop the spread of this disease.
We can make the village much more attractive than it has ever been. If we act together as a group, things will be easier. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
He was asked to act as an advisor on the project.
In the last race held by Nostred Motor Klub, I [saw] that you were short of officials. Now I think I can act as [an] official in your club. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)
Her character doesn't appear until Act 2.
Everything was going all right, until we reached the "balcony act". (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
an act of aggression/kindness/terrorism
a kind/thoughtless/selfish act
The simple act of telling someone about a problem can help.
I think that reading is a[n] act of intel[l]igence because animals can't read, while watching T.V. is only an act of having fun!!! (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
Was she really upset or was that just an act?
Sometimes what is put on display for the tourists is all an act and gives you a different impression and opinion of the country and people, so it would be advisable to meet some local people like the butcher or baker and have a talk with them. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together.
He was determined to get his act together and try to find a solution to his problem. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
I like films with a lot of action.
In her last novel, the action moves between Greece and southern Spain.
I really like science fiction films and this film has lots of action and special effects. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
We must take action before the problem gets worse.
She has to accept the consequences of her actions.
What do you think is the best course of action?
I decided to take action on my own. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
They are planning to take legal action against the company.
If we do not get a satisfactory answer to this letter, apologising and offering the compensation that the students deserve, we will have no other option but to take legal action. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
I'm afraid my car's out of action.
They've got three players out of action.
The air-condition[ing] in my room was out of action and the hotel manager didn't care. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Japanese)
I think the best course of action would be to write to him.
However, I believe that the best course of action in this case is to give our student a refund. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
He was killed in action.
It was a shock when she got to know that her husband had been killed in action. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
The rocks are smoothed by the action of water.
The area of Sayago - in the Spanish province of Zamora - and Tras-os-Montes, in Portugal, are joined by a natural border: the river Duero and the rocky canyon that has been eroded for millions of years by the action of the water. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
physically/mentally active
You've got to try to keep active as you grow older.
Nico is a very active guy and I enjoyed going out with him very much. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
'Catrin told me' is an active sentence, and 'I was told by Catrin' is passive.
He played an active role in the campaign.
Both of his parents were politically active.
Enemy forces remain active in the mountainous areas around the city.
I have always been very active in different organizations, sports as well as c[h]arity. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
Mount Etna in Sicily is one of the world's most active volcanoes.
The beautiful, crystal-blue sea and the small white houses, the bright orange of the sky during the evening and the unidentified colour of the volcanic rocks around the great, active volcano are just a few of the colours that paint the natural beauty of Thera. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
He's very actively involved in the local Labour Party.
I've been actively looking for a job for six months.
There's statistic[al] evidence that maths can train a brain to study actively. (First Certificate in English; B2; Mongolian)
The centre offers a range of activities, such as cycling, swimming and tennis.
We did many activities: playing games, singing and [watching a] magic show. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)
He was found guilty of terrorist activity.
criminal activities
But Rollo was also a good man, so when a policeman, called Calloway, informed him about [Harry's] illegal activity, he turned against him. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)
Ministers are concerned by the low level of economic activity.
There was a lot of activity the other side of the room.
Technical progress and industrial activity are causing a lot of problems. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
"Who's your favourite actor?" "Robert de Niro."
We watched a DVD called "Minority Report" with the actor Tom Cruise. (Key English Test; A2; German)
We had estimated about 300 visitors, but the actual number was much higher.
The exams are in July, but the actual results don't appear until September.
In my opinion, Burgers' Bush, Safari & Zoo in Arnhem has found the perfect solution. The actual zoo is rather small but each animal has a lot of space for running or wandering around. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
I thought she was Portuguese, but in actual fact she's Brazilian.
Nowadays almost all people own a car and in actual fact more and more people have been facing death as a consequence of careless driving. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
I don't actually like seafood.
So what actually happened?
Last night I w[as] at your house and I think I have left my purse there. It's actually quite important because my Identi[ty] Card is inside. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)
A friend of mine from university was actually at the same concert - I hadn't seen her for years!
Don't tell me he actually paid for you? You are honoured!
It was so cool, man! They had actually built a good skate park with a pool, a halfpipe, a funbox, several rails and of course many ramps. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
Actually, Gavin, it was Tuesday of last week, not Wednesday.
"You didn't tell me about needing the car." "Actually, I did."
"Do you mind if I smoke?" "Actually, I'd rather you didn't."
Actually, TORRENTS was [the] second group [at the festival]. I think you probably missed the first performance [in] which KING CUP sang. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)
I saw an ad for a part-time job that you might like.
The ad mentions this is a temporary job, up to 6 months and part-time or full-time. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
It takes time to adapt to a new working environment.
I and my parents easily adapted to London, [and] to English people. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)
Many software companies have adapted popular programs to the new operating system.
Davies is busy adapting Brinkworth's latest novel for television.
In my opinion, as the town is not so big it will be enough to adapt the two areas outside the town walls and to use them for car parking. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)
Evolution occurs as a result of adaptation to new environments.
This varies from one person to another, it depends on everyone's priorities and degree of adaptation [to] their new communities. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Arabic)
Beat the butter and sugar together and slowly add the eggs.
She's added a Picasso to her collection.
When we have [a] special day we also cook manto, which is made from meat, vegetables [and] bread. You must [pour some mint juice on top] and to be more delic[ious], you must add chili. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Others)
If you add three and four you get seven.
The restaurant will add 10% to your bill for service.
My maths teacher is going to give me 5 marks which will be added [to] my exam [result]. (Key English Test; A2; Hindi)
She was sad, she said, but added that she felt she had made the right decision.
The guide told us they called [it] Swan Lake because there are lots of swans and added that the swans come from all over the country. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)
To add insult to injury, we had to pay for the damage!
To add insult to injury, such an approach often turns out to be counterproductive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)
Her colleagues' laughter only added to her embarrassment.
To add to the bitterness, I had my right hand broken. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
If you add those four figures up, it comes to over £500.
I'm not very good at adding up!
a drug/heroin addict
a gambling addict
I'm a chocolate/shopping addict.
I like TV, I watch it but luckily I haven't become a TV addict yet. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
He later became addicted to heroin.
One day my uncle called and told me a story of a boy who was addicted to drugs. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
He's addicted to chocolate/football.
However, I believe that some people are addicted to computer games and that is not good. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
drug addiction
an addiction to alcohol
His addiction to computer games means he is spending far too much time indoors.
Sending text messages is an addiction which every teenager is obsessed with. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
Tobacco is highly addictive.
The problem with computer games is that they're addictive.
Serial dramas are addictive - it is not unknown for whole countries to come to a standstill because an important re[vel]ation will be made on television. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Singhalese)
In addition to his flat in London, he has a villa in Italy and a castle in Scotland.
In addition, I saw a wonderful programme about Aborigines. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
Defender Matt Smith is the latest addition to the team.
There is only one more thing missing: it would be great if there was popcorn provided. I am sure that would be a good addition for everyone. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swiss German)
Twice a week the children are tested in basic mathematical skills such as addition and subtraction.
additional costs/problems
There will be an extra charge for any additional passengers.
I do have some additional questions for you. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
Additionally, we request a deposit of $200 in advance.
Additionally, I am very interested in helping an organization that's trying to protect [the] environment. (First Certificate in English; B2; Mongolian)
her business/home address
a change of address
Pl[ease] tell me your address. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Kurdish)
Do you have their Web address?
P.S [This] is my new e-mail address: xxxxxxxxx (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)
We have to address the issue/problem before it gets worse.
On balance, I would say that increasing the price of petrol to solve traffic and pollution problems is certainly a viable, although maybe not the best, way to address the issue. (International English Language Testing System; C1; German)
Today she will be addressing a major conference in London.
He inhaled deeply before addressing the group again. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)
A parcel arrived addressed to Emma.
The envelope was addressed to Kathleen. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)
I didn't have adequate time to prepare.
Will future oil supplies be adequate to meet world needs?
I hope the information I gave is adequate. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)
The sound quality isn't brilliant but it's adequate for everyday use.
The council's provision for the elderly is barely adequate.
In my opinion, animals should only be kept in a zoo that provide[s] adequate living conditions and sufficient room. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
While some patients can be adequately cared for at home, others are best served by care in a hospital.
The fire started in an adjacent building.
They live in a house adjacent to the railway.
Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to you with regard to the recent proposal of the City Council to build a supermarket on land that is currently a local park, namely Cranleigh Gardens, adjacent to the Cranleigh housing estate, where I live. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)
'Big', 'boring', 'purple', 'quick' and 'obvious' are all adjectives.
If the chair is too high you can adjust it to suit you.
As a teacher you have to adjust your methods to suit the needs of different children.
I had to clean the lenses, prepare the tapes, and adjust the sound. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
They found it hard to adjust to life in a new country.
People will be able to adjust and change with the times. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
We've made a few adjustments to the schedule.
I have a few minor adjustments to make.
I have some questions and a minor adjustment to make. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
The job involves a lot of administration.
For schools, it is much easier in terms of administration. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Chinese)
The work is largely administrative.
The engineers and administrative staff must be able to work in both English and French whereas German would be an asset. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
She is an administrator at the hospital.
As a[n] ex-army officer and an administrator in an international firm, I am learning to work as a member of a team. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
My admiration for that woman grows daily.
She gazed in admiration at his broad, muscular shoulders.
All over the world there are so many people who deserve admiration. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)
I was just admiring your jacket, Delia.
We stood for a few moments, admiring the view.
It was a sunny day, luck[i]ly, so I was able to admire the lake and the Marmolada, the highest mountain in [the] Dolomit[es]. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
I admired him for his determination.
I really admire people who can work in such difficult conditions.
The person I admire most, however, is my father. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)
Art exhibition - free admission.
They are charging more for admission to the festival this year.
We believe that [this] is a great opportunity because [it] is one of the best shows of the year, and the best part is that the admission is free for students. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
She's applied for admission to law school.
I was wondering whether you could send me some information [about] the rules of admission to the club. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
He admitted his guilt/mistake.
She admitted (that) she had made a mistake.
I wasn't entirely honest with him, I admit, but I didn't actually tell him any lies.
I have to admit I love lions, but while I was watching the programme, I was afraid. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
Admittedly, I could have tried harder but I still don't think all this criticism is fair.
Admittedly, using your car is more convenient and easier [than] using public transport but in my opinion, the advantages of using public transport outweigh the disadvantages it can cause. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
Many adolescents are secretive.
Children become adolescents with more freedom and yet more responsibilities. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Bulgarian)
They've adopted a baby girl.
She had the child adopted.
She isn't my biological mother, she adopted me when I was a baby. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
We've adopted a new approach to the problem.
The new tax would force companies to adopt energy-saving measures.
He's adopted a remarkably light-hearted attitude towards the situation.
I believe that we must continue to adopt his ideas. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
They've got two adopted children and one of their own.
She couldn't have children, so they were considering adoption.
Adults pay an admission charge but children get in free.
Dear Jo, The class day is Wednesday for children (8-16[s]) and Tuesday for adults. (Key English Test; A2; Catalan)
adult education
She spent most of her adult life in prison.
[After the wedding,] we go to a restaurant to celebrate. There are two t[y]pes of menu, the adult one, and [the one] for the children. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
an adult male rat
Tony Soprano is the bad kid [in] every adult male. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)
If you're going to come, please let me know in advance.
Don't forget to book in advance bec[a]use as you can imagine, everyone goes away from the city during the summer holiday! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
technological/scientific advances
Our lives have been improved by the many recent advances in computer technology.
the advance of modern medicine
I guess science is about solving our daily problems with technological advances. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
an advanced English course
I just couldn't stay with my old classmates because they were too slow and I needed a more advanced group. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
advanced technology
This is the most advanced type of engine available.
We are living in the 21st century where everybody is surrounded by advanced technological methods. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
The advantage of booking tickets in advance is that you get better seats.
For a goalkeeper, it's a great advantage to have big hands.
The main advantage is that there are so many places to visit like museums, old streets in the city centre, churches and cathedrals. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)
I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here.
If you take advantage of this opportunity, in the future you'll thank me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
I think she takes advantage of his good nature.
There will always be the threat of those men who take advantage of animals' inferior status. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)
These new routes will give the airline the advantage over its competitors.
It's a film about the adventures of two friends travelling through Africa.
We got lost on the Metro - it was quite an adventure.
My favo[u]rite present was a [trip] to Egypt. I like it because I will have adventures and be [able to] explore other countries. (Key English Test; A2; Catalan)
I'm trying to be more adventurous with my cooking.
She led an adventurous life.
I think it's better for us to sleep in tents because it'll be more adventurous than staying in rooms. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
In the phrase 'she smiled cheerfully', the word 'cheerfully' is an adverb.
adverse weather conditions
Pollution levels like these will certainly have an adverse effect on health.
The price rise had an adverse impact on sales.
However, we should bear in mind that tourism could have an adverse effect on the local environment. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
an advert for the local radio station
I read an advert in the newspaper about that new club called "Click". (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
Companies are not allowed to advertise cigarettes on television any more.
On this bus we can advertise [the] village's best products. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
The university is advertising for catering staff.
Dear Sir/Madam, I wish to apply for the post of helper which was advertised on the college noticeboard last Monday. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
a television/newspaper advertisement
an advertisement for a new car
She scanned the job advertisements in the paper.
Hi Jo, I've seen an advertisement for a job that might interest you at the music shop near the park. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
Fiona works in advertising.
the advertising industry
Some weeks ago, she was hired by a famous advertising company, widely known for its ironic ads. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
Steven gave me some good advice.
I think I'll take your advice and get the green dress.
Can I give you a piece of advice?
I need some advice on which computer to buy.
My advice is to go by train.
I need advice from you because I am not sure what colour I want. (Key English Test; A2; Czech)
I think I'd advise him to leave the company.
I'd strongly advise against making a sudden decision.
They're advising that children be kept out of the sun altogether.
I'd advise waiting until tomorrow.
She advised us when to come.
I advise you to go there and have a good time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)
a financial adviser
Some of our financial advisers could provide your students [with] the latest methods used in Accounting and in developing new business projects. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)
I certainly wouldn't advocate the use of violence.
Just like Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated non-violent methods of struggle, Picasso struggled against fascism [by] peaceful means, namely with his art. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)
He has always been an advocate of space exploration.
Advocates of international tourism subscribe to the view that mass tourism offer[s] benefits to the whole community. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Spanish)
She has her own private aeroplane.
I'm going to travel by aeroplane. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
She's having an affair with a married man.
The book doesn't make any mention of his love affairs.
I met a very handsome man and my husband had a little love affair with a very pretty girl there, but we forgave each other. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
The government's handling of the affair has been widely criticized.
He refused to discuss his financial affairs.
To make matters worse, people gossiped about me and tried to find out more and more about my private affairs, which made me feel embarrassed. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
The divorce affected every aspect of her life.
Both buildings were badly affected by the fire.
The telephone is a very important invention, which has affected our lives. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
I was deeply affected by the film.
When the fo[u]rth song, 'Rebel[l]ion' started, I was deeply affected by the r[h]ythm. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
He had a deep affection for his aunt.
She felt no affection for the child.
In addition she loves me very much and she offers a lot of affection to me when I face a difficult situation with my job. (First Certificate in English; B2; )
an affectionate child
He's very affectionate.
She is attentive and affectionate, but most of all she is a sweet mother. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)
affluent families/nations/neighbourhoods
Children who come from poor families are more mature and responsible than those children coming from affluent families. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Tagalog)
I don't know how he can afford a new car on his salary.
Few people are able to afford cars like that.
I'd love to go away for a few days but I can't afford the time.
I can't afford to buy a house.
Unfortunately, I can't afford it now, but Christmas is coming, so I can ask my parents for a stereo for Christmas, but I'm not sure if they will agree or not. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Russian)
We can't afford to take that risk.
We cannot afford to lose our national and global identity. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
We need more affordable housing in this area.
They are very pleased with the affordable fares, however they are more inclined to comfort. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
I'm afraid (that) we can't come this evening after all.
This is your room - it's rather small, I'm afraid.
I'm afraid I disagree with you there.
I don't agree at all, I'm afraid.
Hi! I'm afraid that last night I left my phone in your home. (Key English Test; A2; Bulgarian)
He was/felt suddenly afraid.
She's afraid of water.
I'm afraid of height[s]. (Key English Test; A2; Turkish)
Many people are afraid (that) they might lose their jobs.
She's afraid of upsetting Clare.
If I go shopping [for] clothes as a gift for children, I'm usually afraid of buying [the wrong] size. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Czech)
Shall we go for a walk after breakfast?
We had a chat after the meeting.
Let's get the shopping. After that, we can stop for a coffee.
After a while, I began to like him.
His birthday is exactly a week after mine.
It was so boring, I left after ten minutes.
You can go shopping, eat [a tasty] meal and after that you can go to the disco and dance all night. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)
Turn left after the hotel.
You want the turning on the right just after the police station.
You can go to a wonderful place near here, The Great Falls. This is a very good place because you can [do] extreme sports. It is just after the town, on Main Road. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
H comes after G in the alphabet.
We ran after him but he escaped.
I ran after the bus and shouted to her 'hurry up!' (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
You can't expect to be perfect - after all, it was only your first lesson.
I stopped talking with my friends, but not [for long] - after all, we are friends. Anyway, I'm planning nice things for the next April 1st. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
We went to the same part of France for our holidays year after year.
And there she was, day after day, walking in the rain... (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
I'll never trust her again after what she did to me.
I really needed those days after what I've been through this spring. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
I can't believe he was so rude to you after all the help you've given him!
But, even after earning more in 2001, the women still do not earn as much [as] men on average earned (£20,363) in 1997. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Gujarati)
Helen couldn't come to the party after all.
Cars still enter the city so there will be pollution after all. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
It was called the Biko building, after the famous South African.
I called her Lena after my sister. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)
Hilary got here at midday and Nicholas arrived soon after.
I can't go next week - how about the week after?
Hi Joe, I would love to see the film with you. We must have dinner after. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
Soon/shortly after we joined the motorway, the car started to make a strange noise.
I went to the post office straight/immediately after I left you.
I hope we will meet soon after I come back home. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Romanian)
It was a sunny afternoon.
She works three afternoons a week at the library.
Let's go to the park this afternoon.
She's coming round on Wednesday afternoon.
He's been in a bad mood all afternoon.
She cooks every afternoon. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)
We had tea, and afterwards we sat in the garden for a while.
They separated, and soon/shortly afterwards Jane left the country.
Why don't we go for a pizza afterwards? (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
Could you spell your name again, please?
Throw it away and start again.
Thank you again. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Hungarian)
Get some rest and you'll soon be well again.
Unfortunately, it started to rain when we were leaving the town, but five minutes later the weather became warm again. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
He played the same song again and again.
I read it again and again and was more and more surprised. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)
Once again I'm left with all the washing-up!
Once again I'm sorry. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)
We had to start all over again.
After that I went back to my home in Ribeirao Preto to begin my routine all over again. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
The bus was late yet again.
Tom, thank you so much yet again for your interest. This talk is very important to me and to count on you is an honour for our college. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
I failed my history test - but then again, I didn't do much studying for it.
The fact that people live longer nowadays does have some advantages, but then again it also causes a lot of problems. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
Germany are playing against Brazil in the final tonight.
I like it very much because I can play it [o]n the Internet with all of my friends and I can also form a team to play against other teams in tournaments. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
Why don't we put the bed against the wall?
On your left there is a large window and on the right there is a desk between the two cupboards, they are against the wall. (Preliminary English Test; B1; french)
Commuting is not so bad when you are travelling against the traffic.
We had to fight against the wind and the rain. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
She spoke against the decision to close the college.
Are you for or against the proposal?
It is very hard to keep [a] dog because it makes too much noise and so my Mum is against it. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
It's against the law to leave a young child alone in the house.
Until that moment, Mary thought [he]r uncle and his friends were smugglers and were doing things against the law. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
I've got nothing against him personally, I just don't think he's the right man for the job.
If you have nothing against taking public transport, I suggest taking a bus. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)
He flew there against his doctor's advice.
She sold the house even though it was against his wishes.
He was a very ambitious student who wasn't afraid to develop ideas in unconventional ways and pursue his research even against the advice of his supervisors. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
We won the game against all odds.
The stormy waters and heavy winds were a great challenge, and almost deemed it impossible for me to succeed, but against all odds I managed to defeat my fears. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)
I'd guess she's about my age.
We're the same age.
She was 74 years of age when she wrote her first novel.
He left home at the age of 16.
The show appeals to people of all ages.
She is the same age as me. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)
the modern age
the nuclear age
I'm going to see "Ice age", it's a good comedy. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)
He is starting to show his age.
Some wines improve with age.
Usually, as the saying goes, we grow wiser with age. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)
She first appeared on stage at the tender age of 14.
She met my father at the tender age of 14, and she soon knew that this was the man she wanted to stay with for the rest of her life. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)
They've got one daughter, Isabel, aged 3.
Dear teacher, I certainly would like a pen-friend, a girl aged 14 in Britain [would be best]. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)
an advertising/employment/estate/travel agency
As you know I am employed in a travel agency and last week I started my new English class. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
an international development agency
Television conveys the weather forecasts and any warnings issued by the government agencies, such as flood alerts. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Tamil)
There are several items on the agenda.
Your memo was one of the points on the agenda for last week's meeting. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Danish)
The issue of rail safety is back on the political agenda.
Postponing the age of retirement is not a realistic solution either, in view of the fact that there are more than 20 million unemployed people in the European Union. The matter has only recently been put on the agenda, and nobody seems to know what to do. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
Please contact our agent in Spain for further information.
I hope the agent will sell it soon. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
a secret agent
She interrupted and told the man that she was a secret agent. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
I've been waiting here for ages.
I feel like I've been here for ages. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Croatian)
an act of aggression
However, it can turn into [a] terrible form of violence and aggression, where the very sense of competition is forgotten and only wild instincts prevail. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Turkish)
aggressive behaviour
If I criticize him, he gets aggressive and starts shouting.
At such moments he became angry and aggressive. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
an aggressive marketing campaign
Our competitors pursue a more aggressive marketing strategy, despite the fact [that] they offer inferior products. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)
Small children often behave aggressively.
They played more aggressively in the second half.
He left the house over an hour ago.
We left London ten years ago.
About five months ago, I got a letter from him.
The dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago.
Two months ago I booked a trip to Malta. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Russian)
I think we met once, long ago.
It was not long ago that I last saw him.
Not so long ago, you could ring each Dutch doorbell of your choice at 6 pm and you'd f[i]nd the whole family gathered around the kitchen table, having their supper. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
I agree with you.
My father and I don't agree about/on very much.
We all agreed that mistakes had been made.
"You're absolutely right," agreed Jake.
Do you agree with me? (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
We agreed to meet on Sunday.
We couldn't agree on what to buy.
I met him when I travelled to Greece last year and we agreed to meet this year in Switzerland. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)
She agreed to help him.
The bank has agreed to lend me £5000.
When I came home, I told my mother everything and she agreed to put him up. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
Her notes do not agree with what I remember happening.
Does the information in the two reports agree?
This does not agree with the intentions of our Programme. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
I don't agree with hunting.
I don't agree with keeping animals in zoos; I think that it's cruel and unnecessary. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)
an agreement with the company
an agreement between both parties
It was difficult to reach an agreement.
The government has signed an international agreement on climate change.
They have broken the agreement on human rights.
There was an attempt to cut down on using and producing sprays which destroy the ozon[e] layer [and] an international agreement was signed. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
Are we all in agreement?
There was broad agreement about/on what to do.
With your agreement we could change the programme. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)
Agriculture is still largely based on traditional methods in some countries.
The area depends on agriculture for most of its income.
People who live in big cities suffer from air pollu[t]ion and noise, and vill[a]gers suffer from chemicals us[ed] for agriculture. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
Turn left at the traffic lights, and you'll see the hospital straight ahead.
Behind our school there was a beautiful forest and if you walked 200 meters straight ahead you would reach a clearing . (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
She has a difficult time ahead of her.
Even if you're satisfied with your life now, take a look 10 or 20 years ahead. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
Barcelona was ahead after ten minutes.
Sue is ahead of everyone else in French.
I have always been a couple of steps ahead of my schoolmates and peers, not only in terms of scholastic pursuits, but in my opinions and desires as well. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Romanian)
We finished the project ahead of schedule.
However, a bonus will be given if the project finishes ahead of schedule. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
Emergency aid was sent to the flood victims.
aid workers
Many people in poorer nations die without proper medical aid. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Bihari)
a concert in aid of famine relief
It w[ould] be an honour for us students at the centre if you could attend our sport[s] function in aid of stress[ed] out kids and present the pri[z]es. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
She can walk with the aid of a stick.
The newest computer can handle data that human brains cannot and therefore all scientific research [is] carried out with the aid of computers. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Chinese)
teaching aids such as books and videos
Also, it would be an excellent aid if a new laser printer was bought, so as to make more copies in less time. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
The project is designed to aid the homeless.
He was aided in his research by his knowledge of Greek.
Some people believe that it is essential for both poorer and rich countries [that] the rich countries aid the poorer ones, and this is my opinion, for [a] number of plausible reasons. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Arabic)
He went to Paris with the aim of improving his French.
My main aim is to make people laugh.
The aim was to get a picture of each person. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
I aim to be a millionaire by the time I'm 35.
Our English Club aims to help students with their English. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)
These advertisements are specifically aimed at young people.
PIAZZA is too modern and is aimed at the young. (First Certificate in English; B2; Korean)
a plan aimed at reducing traffic
Working within projects aimed at improving local agricultural output, I stayed 3 years in South America. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)
I don't travel much by air.
air travel
I [will] travel there by air. (Key English Test; A2; French)
I went outside to get some fresh air.
There are lots of different kinds of animals, lakes, fresh air and trees. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
He kicked the ball high in the air.
It was an old painting. In it, a man was holding his axe up in the air and was ready to hit a tree. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
The radio station is on air from 6.00 a.m.
It is on air at 8.30 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Chinese)
He has an air of authority.
The service is excellent and the atmosphere is quite nice, with an air of elegance. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
It was an unpleasant argument, but at least it cleared the air.
I rushed into the room [to] cheer them up and clear the air, although I knew it was too late. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)
He was on the path ahead of me and then vanished into thin air.
Sitting on a couch and squeezed between my elderly aunts, I sincerely wished I could vanish into thin air. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)
Having Eve around has been a breath of fresh air.
The final suggestion is focused on building a leisure centre. Should this be everything the Town Council has promised, it will bring a breath of fresh air. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
I wish my car had air conditioning.
The rooms are big and there['s] cable TV and air conditioning. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
military/commercial aircraft
They have all [the] Swedish aircraft that have ever be[en] buil[t]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
an air force pilot
During the day you can visit all of our museums or schools or even the air force base, which is open from 9.00 until 18.00. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
What airline did you fly?
She explained the situation to the authorities and because there was no flight back to London, the airline had no choice but to pay [for] her stay. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
an international airport
Gatwick Airport
an airport terminal/runway
The lake is not far from the airport. (Key English Test; A2; Hungarian)
a burglar/car/fire/smoke alarm
to set off an alarm
It turned out that the fire alarm had gone off and they had to evacuate the building. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
The alarm went off at 5.30 and she got up immediately.
Suddenly the alarm started to ring and I woke up to go to school. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
There's no need for alarm - it is completely safe.
Fortunately, her soothing voice damped down any sense of alarm. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
Her parents raised the alarm when she failed to return home.
A local doctor was the first to raise the alarm about this latest virus.
For them, raising the alarm because of five percent unemployment is an example of so-called 'loony-left thinking'. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)
I don't want to alarm you but he really should be here by now.
What alarmed us the most was the daring use of speculation by the author. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
My alarm clock went off at 5.00.
I've set the alarm clock for 7.30.
He gave me an alarm clock so I won't be late [for] school any more. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
alarming news
Crime has been increasing at an alarming rate.
Moreover, the alarming frequency of heart attacks in Poland [has] made people stop eating too much fat. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)
He tried, albeit without success.
If and when homework, household chores and social duties had been dealt with, we were free to pursue our own designs, albeit usually hampered by a younger child tagging along. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
They've just make/recorded a new album.
Jovanotti has a new album out.
I got a CD-player and a new album [by] U2 and a new book by Jeanette Winterson. (Key English Test; A2; Polish)
We looked through his photo albums together.
He gave me a photo album. (Key English Test; A2; Ukrainian)
Most wines contain between 10% and 15% alcohol.
an alcohol-free lager
The party was excellent. We danced, ate, drank alcohol and... (Key English Test; A2; Czech)
alcoholic drinks
I'm only 15 years old and not allowed to drink alcoholic drinks. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
She lived with her alcoholic father.
Numerous examples of divorced couples, alcoholic parents, orphans, [and] children without principles, should stay in our minds. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
He became an alcoholic when his wife left him.
The quality of the orchestra was poor - it only consisted of amateurs - and the conductor was drunk - he was an alcoholic. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
A young dog should be alert and playful.
Teachers need to be alert to sudden changes in students' behaviour.
A little bit of tension is alright - I guess it keeps you alert while driving. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
Six hours later she still wasn't home so they alerted the police.
Karl Marx alerted us all to the fact that work can cause alienation, and that repetitive tasks, or tasks which do not involve a great deal of interaction with other human beings, can make us feel estranged. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)
a bomb alert
Don't forget to take care of your personal belongings - it won't cause a bomb alert like at Victoria but may get lost! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)
The children all look very alike.
First of all, Jem and Joss Merlyn look alike physically. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
We think alike.
My father treated us all alike.
Friends and family alike were shocked by the news of her death.
It was indeed a great treat for old and young alike. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)
He must be ninety if he's still alive.
It was a bad fall - she's lucky to be alive.
I was very happy that my father was still alive. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
She said she'd seen him last week and he was alive and kicking.
Despite rumours to the contrary, feminism is alive and well.
He was a farmer who had been working in the fields for more than sixty years, but was still alive and kicking. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)
The bar was alive with the sound of laughter.
The city comes alive at night.
Normally you would pass by without noticing it, but once a year Roskilde comes alive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)
Local people are fighting to keep the language alive.
Thirdly, it keeps the village alive, since many people from other villages come to celebrate with them, and our national heritage (traditional songs, dances, costumes) is kept alive too. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
I've seen all of his films.
All of us had left by midnight.
She's got four children, all under the age of five.
"Which of his books did you like best?" "I loved them all."
I hope you are all well. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Turkish)
I've been studying all day.
It's rained all week.
I've been waiting all afternoon for him to call.
I spent all day [at the] beach. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)
I've spent all my money.
Have you drunk all the juice?
By morning, all the snow had gone.
I have left my purse at your home. I have all my money in it. (Key English Test; A2; Assamese)
They had all sorts of jewellery for sale.
We saw all sorts of animals in the park.
I like all sorts of music but I prefer urban music! (Key English Test; A2; French)
All the best, then - it was nice to meet you!
Please wish him all the best for his new job.
I want to wish you all the best! (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)
I wish you'd stop criticizing me all the time.
He laugh[s] all the time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
All I remember is waking up in hospital.
All you can do is hope he'll get better.
Actually, I lost my job last week. All I can do is buy a computer and get [on] the internet to find [another] job. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
Can I help at all?
He hasn't changed at all.
The sun was shining and there were no clouds at all, so we could see the light blue sky. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
Above all, I'd like to thank my family.
He is known above all for his film roles.
She is a very nice person and above all, she is really cheerful. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
You can't expect to be perfect - after all, it was only your first lesson.
I stopped talking with my friends, but not [for long] - after all, we are friends. Anyway, I'm planning nice things for the next April 1st. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
I hope all is well with Jack.
I hope all's well. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
Some of the children came, so there were 15 of us in all.
Secondly, even though most people like[d] [the] group RADIANT, they [only] played for 35 minutes in all. (First Certificate in English; B2; )
All of a sudden, he came bursting in through the door.
All of a sudden, a weird creature popped into his dream. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
We had to start all over again.
After that I went back to my home in Ribeirao Preto to begin my routine all over again. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
He told us about his school and all that.
We decided to stay in bed, with it being a holiday and all that.
I really enjoy shopping for clothes, but not only for clothes, also for things like earrings and all that! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)
Helen couldn't come to the party after all.
Cars still enter the city so there will be pollution after all. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
The show was a great success, all things considered.
All things considered, it seems like "Kavanagh Catering Services" would be most suitable for the students. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)
Our neighbours are up till all hours every night, playing loud music.
This causes traffic jams at all hours of the day. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)
For all her qualifications, she's useless at the job.
For all of his desire to be strong, Okonkwo is haunted [by] fear. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
We saw people there of all shapes and sizes.
Personal Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
The cake was all eaten last night.
You're all wet!
Tell me all about your holiday.
I'm going to tell you all about it. (Key English Test; A2; )
He's travelled all over the world.
The people in the class are from all over the world. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
It was 3 all at half time.
I knew all along that it was a mistake.
In the future the key word for fashion will be comfort as this is basically what everyone has been wanting all along. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)
All in all, it was a great holiday.
All in all, nobody cares about air pollution and the environment in general. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
There were dirty dishes all over the place.
I am thinking of dog-dirt on the pavements, cans all over the place, [and] a lot of disgusting paintings on the walls in the public toilets, the underground and so on. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
All at once he stood up and walked out of the room.
All at once, everything started to work again. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)
It's all very well for her to say everything's fine, she doesn't have to live here.
That's all very well for most of the people but according to my desires [i]t's not enough. I envisage a more sophisticated flat. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
We were all set to go when the phone rang.
So, there you go. I'm all set! (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
The journey was all the more dangerous because of the bad weather.
He had to overcome great obstacles in his professional and private lives, which makes his achievements all the more remarkable. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
The film was all but over by the time we arrived.
He could all but hear their stomachs rumble. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
allegations of corruption
Several of her patients have made allegations of professional misconduct against her.
He denied allegations that he had cheated.
Contrary to Mrs Jones' allegation, the exam results of our college are first-class and, moreover, there is an extremely varied social programme organised. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
The teacher is alleged to have hit a student.
He alleges that Bates attacked him.
Advocates of perpetual economic growth allege that the world in which we live is a better place compared to what it was a long time ago. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
an alleged attack
Besides, as far as the alleged "downpour of rain" is concerned, there was, in reality, only a small April shower which lasted not more than 10 minutes. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)
That's where he allegedly killed his wife.
[When] he was at his peak, he allegedly [got] involved in drugs and heroin. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)
Egbert extended his control over Cornwall, defeating an alliance between the Vikings and the Britons at Hingston Down in 838.
Arthur died and both the Spanish Hapsburgs and the Tudors wanted to continue their alliance. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)
the allied powers
During the Second World War, he joined the US Navy and was then sent on a mission to Brazil with the aim of patrolling the coasts to avoid a German bombing [of] allied ships. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)
The government has promised to allocate extra money for health care.
More police time should be allocated to crime prevention.
We also think that the gym is under-[us]ed because of the lack of equipment, thus we would ask for some funding to be allocated to the purchase of more equipment. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Russian)
They have had their allocation of fuel.
It is approximately equal [to] the US in government allocations to child support, but it is still behind Germany (0.25% vs. 2%). (International English Language Testing System; C2; Romanian)
the allocation of funds/resources
However, the latter countries do differ in their allocation of money to services, with the US spending 0.3 per cent of the GDP and Spain spending only 0.1 per cent. (International English Language Testing System; C2; German)
You're not allowed to talk during the exam.
Pets aren't allowed in this hotel.
The referee decided to allow the goal.
I have very strict teachers and they won't allow me to enter the classroom if I'm late. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Georgian)
Allow three hours for the whole journey.
Please allow more free time in the afternoon for shopping and change the free evening which is on Day 1 in your High Life Programme to another evening. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)
The extra money will allow me to upgrade my computer.
These activities allow people to forget about their problems, to enjoy themselves and also to communicate with others. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)
They have allowed the problem to get worse.
A unanimous effort has to be made in order to improve the situation in education instead of allowing it to deteriorate. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
a clothing allowance
She spends most of her allowance quickly and is then without money for the rest of the month. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)
They made allowances for the fact that he was ill.
I would say Mr Stevens is a victim of his sense of duty, which makes him think of marriage as a traitor's act, but I don't know to what extent we should make allowances for his strong convictions. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)
Did the interview go all right?
Did he do all right in his exams?
Did you get home all right last night?
Tomorrow I have [the] day off, so everything is all right! (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)
"Harry's just slipped on the ice." "Oh dear! Is he all right?"
She was very ill for a while but she's all right now.
Hi Jo How are you? I hope you are all right. (Key English Test; A2; Arabic)
"Thanks for getting the tickets." "That's all right."
"I'm sorry, I forgot all about your party." "That's all right."
That's all right. Don't worry about [it]. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)
Is it all right if I put some music on?
It's all right to have your friends round so long as you check with me first.
Is it all right with you if I leave the window open?
I [asked] him if it was all right if I stayed in his house and Mike answered: "Of course". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
"What did you think of the film?" "It was all right. Nothing special."
We arrived by ship and the trip was all right except my friend Tim was ill. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Croatian)
"How about going out for dinner?" "All right."
"Can we leave at six?" "All right."
All right, tomorrow you get my jacket and wait for me at the bus stop. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)
He is generally considered to be the Prime Minister's closest political ally.
The participants are under pressure and they have to find allies and make decisions. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
During World War One, Turkey and Germany were allies.
So the allies didn't exclude the Germanies from the world community, including organizations like NATO, the Warsaw Pact or the UN. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
I almost missed the bus.
She's almost thirty.
It was almost six o'clock when he left.
He's almost always late.
Almost all the passengers on the ferry were French.
The boat sank almost immediately it hit the rock.
Did you know that almost the whole class came to my party? (Key English Test; A2; Thai)
He likes being alone in the house.
She decided to climb the mountain alone.
Do you like living alone?
She doesn't want to go alone. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
Leave him alone, he's tired.
"Leave me alone, you monster," I said in panic. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
You couldn't trust her to look after your dog, let alone your child.
We are surrounded by amazing pieces of technology which we do not fully understand, let alone use to their full capacity. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Romanian)
Last year alone the company made a million dollars.
You alone know how you feel.
The decision was hers and hers alone. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)
a romantic walk along the beach/river
Last night, we walked along the Thames. (Key English Test; A2; French)
a row of houses along the river
Cars were parked all along the road.
To my surprise, there was a charming beach along the cycle route. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
Somewhere along this road there's a garage.
She told me [that] along the road there are several places to visit, like a castle which is open [to the] public. (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)
He gave a talk along the lines of the one he gave in Oxford.
Imagine one is encouraged by friends and institutions for their 'different' artistic or other activities, even if their works are not along the lines of 'acceptable' norms and tradition. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)
We were just walking along, chatting.
Why don't you take him along with you when you go?
I'll bring some food along and we can have a picnic.
My boyfriend came along with me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
I knew all along that it was a mistake.
In the future the key word for fashion will be comfort as this is basically what everyone has been wanting all along. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)
California along with Florida is probably the most popular American holiday destination.
I speak foreign languages (English, French and Italian) along with Greek. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
A car pulled up alongside ours.
The skyline [is] filled with huge chimneys displacing tons of gases into the air; millions of vehicles [are] moving on a highway alongside a dead river, where life flourished a few decades ago. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)
She enjoyed working alongside such famous actors.
Also he worked alongside me at another travel agency for 6 months. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Urdu)
He read her letter aloud to the rest of the family.
I laughed aloud at some of his comments.
I was just thinking aloud.
Thinking aloud is an old habit of mine. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
the Cyrillic alphabet
The first evening, we learnt how to spell the alphabet. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Norwegian)
an alphabetical list
The names are published in alphabetical order.
She looked again at the strange words and then she understood. Each letter ha[d] been replaced by the next one in the alphabetical order. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
I asked him to come to the exhibition but he'd already seen it.
The concert had already begun by the time we arrived.
I've already told him.
Juliana, I am going to start to paint my bedroom tomorrow. I have already bought the paint. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
Are you buying Christmas cards already? It's only September!
I've only eaten one course and I'm already full.
Since I have already reserved a room for myself, I am now sitting [o]n the balcony, watching the beautiful views of the beach and tall pine trees. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)
Did the interview go alright?
Did he do alright in his exams?
Did you get home alright last night?
It's good to know you are doing alright [at] school. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
"Harry's just slipped on the ice." "Oh dear! Is he alright?"
She was very ill for a while but she's alright now.
Dear Robbie, I hope you're alright. (Key English Test; A2; Tamil)
"Thanks for getting the tickets." "That's alright."
"I'm sorry, I forgot all about your party." "That's alright."
Well I am angry with you because you did not come to my party but that's alright - after all, you are my friend. (Key English Test; A2; Gujarati)
Is it alright if I put some music on?
It's alright to have your friends round so long as you check with me first.
Is it alright with you if I leave early today?
I want to see the film on Saturday if that's alright [with] you? (Key English Test; A2; Tagalog)
"What did you think of the film?" "It was alright. Nothing special."
Did your exam go alright?
I hope the weather will be alright. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Slovak)
"How about going swimming?" "Alright."
"Would you look after the children?" "Yes, alright."
She's a photographer and also writes books.
I'm cold, and I'm also hungry and tired.
I also have a dog and I like to go for a walk with [him]. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)
We've had to alter some of our plans.
Giving up our car has altered our lifestyle a lot.
To go to the show, we need to alter the programme. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)
We've made a few alterations to the kitchen.
I hope that my alterations don't give you too much trouble, but I really think that these changes are necessary for full satisfaction among our members. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)
I work alternate Saturdays.
I had to go to a travel agency on alternate weekends in order to translate some programmes into English. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)
She alternates between cheerfulness and deep despair.
Xanadu Express promises to serve us food from all over the world and to alternate [the] menu. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)
It's a low-fat alternative to butter.
I'm afraid I have no alternative but to ask you to leave.
Another alternative is to go up the mountain by chairlifts or funicular-railway. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)
We can make alternative arrangements if necessary.
[The new direct coach service] is an alternative way [of getting to Lampton]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
an alternative lifestyle
I wonder if you've ever heard of "alternative music"? (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)
We could go to the Indian restaurant, or alternatively, we could try that new Italian place.
Alternatively, I suggest that you should invite a famous writer. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
He's coming to see us this evening, although I don't know exactly when.
He's rather shy, although he's not as bad as he used to be.
I liked the food although my friends didn't like it. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
She walked home by herself, although she knew that it was dangerous.
There were no taxis on the street so, although it was raining, I started walking in the rain. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
There were twenty people there altogether.
That'll be £52.50 altogether, please.
They cost 1700 baht altogether. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Thai)
She wrote less and less often, and eventually she stopped altogether.
I'm not altogether sure about the idea.
I don't altogether agree with this fact. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
Altogether, I'd say the party was a great success.
Altogether, I believe that the most cruel creature on earth is the human being. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
Cover the fish with aluminium foil and cook over a low heat.
We take all our aluminium cans for recycling.
[In the future,] jewellery will be made of metals which [occur] naturally and [which are] cheap now but will be extremely expensive 100 years from now, such as aluminium and zinc. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)
I always walk to work.
I always tr[y] to do [my] best, bec[a]use I want to be a good student. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)
We've always lived here.
The best present was a mobile phone. I've always wanted it!!! (Key English Test; A2; Russian)
I'll always remember you.
That was the best weekend [of] my life. I'll always remember it. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Georgian)
You can always stay with us if you miss your train.
Watching them painting is better than seeing their art in any museum, and you can always do some sightseeing through our historical ruins, our mountains or villages. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
He's always losing his keys.
I am always trying to convince my friend Maria of these dangers. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
We're open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
The first election results are expected around 1 a.m.
I go to college [from] 9.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Panjabi)
an amateur photographer
Finally I would like to mention that I feel very confident in front of cameras, since I am an amateur actor. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
This tennis tournament is open to both amateurs and professionals.
What I want to explain is that if an amateur sees a professional swimmer winning while wearing our equipment, he is surely going to think that our products helped him succeed, so the amateur is going to buy our equipment too. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
I won't be giving them any more work - they're a bunch of amateurs.
I admit that I was an amateur, [which] is why I did not try to do any special "tricks" to impress all those who were watching me. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
She was amazed at how calm she felt after the accident.
I was absolutely amazed when I heard the news.
I was amazed to hear that Chris had won first prize.
I'm amazed (that) she didn't complain.
Dear David Beckham, How are you? I was amazed to find your letter in my mail box. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Gujarati)
She stared in amazement.
To my amazement, he ate the whole lot.
Then, to her amazement, she saw him with another girl. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
This wine is really amazing.
What an amazing meal!
I've bought an amazing mobile phone. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)
It's amazing to think that the managing director is only 23.
It's amazing that no one else has applied for the job.
The amazing thing is that it was kept secret for so long.
Dear Richard, It's amazing you didn't forget my birthday. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
The food was amazingly good.
Amazingly enough, no one else has applied for the job.
Amazingly, he didn't come back until midnight. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Japanese)
Britain's ambassador in Moscow has refused to comment.
She's a former ambassador to the United States.
On the first floor [is] the "star'' of the museum: a splendid grand piano built in 1893, which was offered by the Queen to the French ambassador in 1895. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
Legal documents must be free of ambiguity.
Lastly, there is the ambiguity of her final decision. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)
an ambiguous statement
It is hard to choose the right option as the advice given [often] seems ambiguous. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Czech)
His ambition is to run his own business.
He has already achieved his main ambition in life - to become wealthy.
Learning English is one of my ambition[s]. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Farsi)
My sister always had more ambition than I did.
Love, hate, ambition and fear [of] losing are the main subjects for Orson Well[e]s and Tim Burton, the directors [of these two films]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)
an ambitious young lawyer
He's very ambitious for his children.
I chose Omar because I find him very talented and ambitious. (First Certificate in English; B2; Slovene)
This is our most ambitious project so far.
She has some ambitious plans for her business.
If we a[c]complish these ambitious plans, we can even run for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
I called for an ambulance.
an ambulance driver
She called for an ambulance which came at once. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
The contract has now been amended.
The text could be amended. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
to make an amendment to the human rights law
In view of the need to clarify all these errors and wrong information, I would urge you to print another report apologising and providing readers with the right figures and possible amendments. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)
Security was increased amid fears of further terrorist attacks.
They are involved so much with their occupation that they will respond to an emergency call even when they are amid sweet dreams or having a joyful time with their love[d] ones. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Urdu)
a village set amid rolling hills
So we are mere fading stars [i]n a huge sky, unsubjected to the elapse of time and instead of following the ancient saying "carpe diem", we get lost amid other stars. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Romanian)
Discuss it among yourselves for a few minutes.
Relax - you're among friends.
There were some good drawings among the rubbish in the pile.
Among my presents, my favourite one is the computer that my parents gave to me. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)
I saw a few familiar faces among the crowd.
Rescue teams searched among the ruins for survivors.
If you love nature, you can eat under trees and among flowers. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
It's worth visiting the museum while you're here. There's an exhibition about Darwin and a good collection of paintings, among other things.
To go by tram or bus is a waste of time and travel[l]ing by car is - among other things - a waste of money. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
He is among the top five tennis players in the country.
It was among the worst zoos I have ever seen. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
She divided the cake among the children.
Although Brazil is the eighth biggest economy in the world and one of the richest countries regarding natural resources, that wealth is not shared equally among the population. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)
There is a need to raise skill levels both amongst those in work and those seeking work.
He was no longer a man amongst others but a man with a free soul... (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
They didn't deliver the right amount of sand.
Small amounts of land were used for keeping animals.
I didn't expect the bill to come to this amount.
You wouldn't believe the amount of trouble I've had with this car.
You'll also be able to go out to pubs or night clubs, and you'll spend a very small amount of money. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Lithuanian)
She's had ample time to get the work done.
There will be three coffee machines on each floor which should provide ample coffee for everyone. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
The video clips on that website always amuse me.
I think it amuses him to see people make fools of themselves.
"The Blind Owl" - his masterpiece - is a surrealistic novella which has amused critics and ordinary readers for years. (First Certificate in English; B2; Farsi)
I bought a book of crosswords to amuse myself while I was on the train.
Another idea is to call a well-known band to amuse all the young people. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
an amused smile
She was very amused by/at your comments.
When the taxi arrived, he was so amused about the news tha[t] an old woman took it. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
How do you keep an 8-year-old boy amused?
I could keep them amused with my funny stories. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
She looked at him with great amusement.
Carl came last in the race, much to my amusement.
Each ma[de] the other one laugh. We had great fun. [It was] a day with so much amusement, with my best friend John. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
I play the piano, but just for my own amusement.
In particular, computer games are a kind of amusement, for them and for everyone. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
an amusing story/person/situation
Our teacher is really amusing, [he] makes people laugh all the time. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Chinese)
an easy question
an interesting story
an orange
an honour
She is an au pair in England. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)
It's often said that life is analogous to a journey.
Raising the price of petroleum will be analogous to providing hurdles for better communication and thus the progress. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Urdu)
She draws an analogy between life's events and a game of chance.
The analogy bears striking similarities to the relationship of dependency between humans and their construct, the machines. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swiss German)
Researchers analysed the purchases of 6300 households.
Water samples taken from streams were analysed for contamination by chemicals.
He told me how we can analyse movies. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)
Chemical analysis revealed a high content of copper.
I was interested in Clare's analysis of the situation.
I would not do my school projects without using a computer, because I have to do some statistical analysis. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)
a financial/political/systems analyst
As you know I got promotion as a project analyst recently. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
analytical skills
an analytical mind
Moreover, employers nowadays are seeking the team-working, problem-solving and analytical skills [needed] for their company. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Burmese)
My ancestors came from Ireland.
We are living in a technologically advanced world where we are surrounded by all sorts of devices, which would seem fantastic to our ancestors. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)
We dropped anchor in a quiet bay and swam.
Meanwhile, the captain had set the anchor. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)
She was my anchor when things were difficult for me.
Yet she had still been fond of his picture, he was her anchor. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)
Every night we used to anchor [i]n different bays to spend the night. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Turkish)
We anchored ourselves to the rocks with a rope.
It was stronger, much more intense than text or video footage could ever be, for this unmoving image, having been anchored in space and time, solidified its content so as to have an almost physical impact on the viewer. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)
ancient Greece/Rome/Egypt
ancient monuments/ruins
People have lived in this valley since ancient times.
I would recommend you to visit Rome, because you shouldn't miss [seeing] the huge monuments, the ancient Roman ruins and the Vatican. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
Ann and Jim
knives and forks
We kissed and hugged each other.
Tidy up your room. And don't forget to make your bed!
I have got [a] nice bed, [a] mirror, [a] sofa and a table. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)
I got dressed and had my breakfast.
I get up early [in the] morning and I have breakfast. [T]hen I go to college. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Somali)
It cost a hundred and twenty pounds.
Two and three equals five.
It's about two and a half hours. (Key English Test; A2; Greek)
Try and eat something.
I asked him to go and find my glasses.
Wait and see what happens.
I hope [to] go and see Disneyland. (Key English Test; A2; French)
She plays a lot of tennis and squash and so on.
I like watching television, playing [on] the computer, reading book[s] and so on. (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)
She spends hours and hours on the telephone.
The sound grew louder and louder.
We laughed and laughed.
The situation became harder and harder. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)
According to the Bible, an angel told Mary that she would have God's son, Jesus.
I like to wear a top with a picture of an angel that my mother bought for me as my birthday present. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Malay)
I think he feels a lot of anger towards his father who treated him very badly as a child.
The people showed no surprise or anger at their treatment.
Trisha, who had invited us there, looked like she was about to explode with anger or burst into tears. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)
an angle of 90 degrees
The interior angles of a square are right angles.
Carriers are to be requested to stick to the regulations which set the approach and takeoff angles at no less than 45 degrees. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)
He wore his hat at an angle.
The boat settled into the mud at a 35 degree angle.
After purchasing the G5X-1 food processor from your shop last month I discovered, upon connecting it to the mains socket and switching it on, that I needed to tilt the unit at an angle for it to work. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Others)
This is the same building photographed from different angles.
It is possible to see all the paintings from different angles. You can also zoom in and out. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)
Try looking at the problem from another angle.
To be a child is to see the world from a different angle. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)
"Don't do that!" she shouted angrily.
Demonstrators protested angrily following the jury's verdict.
The Prime Minister reacted angrily to claims that he had lied to the House of Commons.
"How dare she do that [to] me?" I thought, angrily. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)
He's really angry at/with me for upsetting Sophie.
I don't understand what he's angry about.
They feel angry that their complaints were ignored.
I got really angry with her.
It made me really angry.
Dear Ally, I'm so sorry you couldn't come to my birth[d]ay party, but don't worry, I'm not angry with you. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)
wild/domestic animals
She's a real animal lover.
I like flowers and baby animals. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Slovak)
Are humans the only animals to use language?
I think the human is [an] animal that want[s] to [do] amusing things. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)
He makes animated films.
It's a funny animated film about a superhero family. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)
an animated conversation
They watched as their fellow travellers appeared to have an animated discussion with the driver of the car. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)
a course in computer animation
It's a comedy animation about penguins. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)
I fell over and sprained/twisted my ankle.
I have broken my ankle and I need to stay in bed during the day. (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)
We always celebrate our wedding anniversary with dinner in an expensive restaurant.
Tomorrow is the fiftieth anniversary of the revolution.
She and her husband are touring Europe for a second honeymoon, [on the] 10th anniversary of their marriage. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Japanese)
The Prime Minister has just announced that public spending will be increased next year.
The company has announced plans to open six new stores.
After dinner, they announced the winner of the competition.
[The] TV has just announced a bus-drivers strike for tomorrow morning. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)
The President made an unexpected announcement this morning.
I heard about this club in [a] radio announcement. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
Tim really annoyed me in the meeting this morning.
I'm sorry - is my cough annoying you?
It annoys me that she just expects us to help.
It really annoys me when people expect me to tip as well as pay a service charge in a restaurant.
My bed makes a loud noise when I lie down on it. It annoys me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Japanese)
He kept losing his keys, much to the annoyance of his wife.
This caused a lot of annoyance, so I suggest next year you make some kind of arrangement [for] booking the places [o]n the computer room in advance. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Dutch)
I was so annoyed with him for turning up late.
He was annoyed at the way she tried to take over the whole meeting.
My parents were rather annoyed (that) I hadn't told them about the accident.
She was annoyed to discover that her husband had taken her car keys.
I was a bit annoyed when I [found out], but it's all right. (Key English Test; A2; Gujarati)
It's really annoying when a train is late and there's no explanation.
He's got a really annoying laugh.
Do you like going shopping with your mom? They are sometimes annoying, aren't they? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
an annual event/visit/holiday
annual income/salary
I never miss the annual sale at the department store near my place. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Thai)
Your starting salary is £28,000 per year and will be reviewed annually.
Dear Mr Benson, I am writing with regard to your letter, in which you asked me to give you some pieces of advice for the special events which take place in the College annually. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)
an anonymous phone call/letter
The winner has asked to remain anonymous.
Because the internet does provide the possibility of staying anonymous, it is very hard to find the people wh[o] use it for illegal or criminal actions. (International English Language Testing System; C2; German)
I'm going to have another piece of cake.
"Would you get me a bar of chocolate from the kitchen?" "Another one?"
For another £30, you can buy the model with remote control.
Just think, in another three months it'll be summer again.
I need [it] because I will travel and I don't have another bag. (Key English Test; A2; Portuguese)
She's finished with that boyfriend and found herself another (one).
Do you want to exchange this toaster for another (one) or do you want your money back?
I don't need it because I'm going to buy another. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)
How can they reach an agreement if they won't talk to one another?
We know one another from Poland. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Polish)
Most of us have made a similar mistake at one time or another.
Haven't we all at one time or another come home from a holiday feeling healthy and strong with a smile on our face thinking, this is what life is about. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)
I asked him if he was going but I didn't hear his answer.
Please give me your answer by next week.
Please, give me [an] answer. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)
Did you get the answer to Question 6?
I got eight correct answers and two wrong ones in last week's exam.
We had to fill [in] our question[naire]s and discuss the answers in our class. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)
I've just rung him but there was no answer.
I called her, but there was no answer. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)
It's a difficult situation and I don't know what the answer is.
So what's the answer to the problem?
There's no easy answer to the problem.
Should wild animals be kept in cages, and denied their freedom so that we can have the pleasure of watching them [in] zoos? Well, there's no simple answer to that question. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)
You haven't answered my question.
I wrote asking whether he'd be coming to the party but he hasn't answered yet.
She answered that she wouldn't be able to come before nine o'clock.
My teacher give[s] m[e] questions and I have to answer. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Pashto)
I couldn't answer the last three questions.
That was to be my first interview, and I had never before answered a test of personality so I felt insecure. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)
Could someone answer the phone?
Someone's at the door - would you answer it, please?
I phone you, but you don't answer! (Key English Test; A2; Catalan)
There were ants crawling all over the ground.
I [have] know[n] Larry since I was five years old and he couldn't hurt an ant, I am sure about it.