10-Book10+Oral+Training+in+Fluency+Vocabulary+ (Part+II) Unlocked

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Kev Nair
Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary – Part II
Prof. Kev Nair was born in Kerala, South India, in 1949.

He’s an eminent scholar of international repute. He’s a first class
LL.B. and a first class LL.M. And he was ranked first in university
in both the LL. B. and LL. M. exams.
• “Nair was the first person in the world to give shape to the
area of study now known as ‘English fluency development’
and to systematize it into a distinct teachable subject... So he
is better known as the father of fluency development.”
– General Knowledge Today.
• “He had been researching since 1971, and the results... led
him to new discoveries... ”
– THE HINDU.
• “Prof. Kev Nair is regarded the world over as the father
of fluency lexicography... Fluency lexicography came into
existence as a separate branch of dictionary writing with
the publication of Prof. Nair’s Dictionary of Active Fluency
Combinations in 1986.”
– Competition Success Review.
• “A renowned English language lexicographer”
– The New Sunday Express.
• “One of the world’s most respected English language
scholars...Perhaps more innovative in method than Roget and
more modern in approach than Fowler, Prof. Kev Nair is... one
of the foremost Indian scholars who wield great influence
on the thinking of the English-educated people around the
world.”
– General Knowledge Today.
• “A towering English language expert”
– Competition Success Review.
• “Prof. Kev Nair... has... reached out to thousands – judicial
officers, professionals, top executives, scholars – who need
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that comfort and ease in speech with his specialised fluency

techniques.”
– The New Indian Express.
Prof. Nair is a lawyer by profession. He lives with his wife and
children in Kochi, Kerala, an enchanting place on the earth.
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Fluent English Dictionaries1 by Kev Nair
• A Dictionary of Active Fluency Combinations.

• A Dictionary of Fluency Word Clusters.
• The Complete Fluency Words.
• A Dictionary of Essential Fluency Phrases.
• Core Fluency Thesaurus.
• Comprehensive Adjectival Fluency Dictionary.
• Narrative Fluency Dictionary.
• Thesaurus of Phrasal Verbs.
• Thesaurus of Descriptive English.
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Note: The Fluent English Dictionaries do not form part of Fluentzy: The
English Fluency Encyclopedia. They’re separate publications – meant for those
who want to specialize in fluency-oriented vocabulary. For details, visit www.
fluencybookz.com.
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Books by Kev Nair making up

Fluentzy: The English Fluency Encyclopedia
• B1: Idea units & Fluency.

• B2: Speech Generation & Flow Production.
• B3: Teaching your Tongue & Speech Rhythm.
• B4: Key Speech-initiators & Speech-unit Patterns.
• S1/B13 & S2/B14: Fluency in Functional English (Vols. 1 & 2).
• S3/B15: Fluency in Telephone English & Sectoral English.
• B5: How to Deal with Hesitation.
• B6: Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary (Vol.1).
• B7: Packing of Information.
• B8: Impromptu Speech-flow Techniques.
• S4/B16: Fluency Building & Mouth Gymnastics.
• S5/B17: Fluency in speaking about people.
• B9: Fluency in Asking Questions.
• B11: Fluency & Moment-to-Moment Speech-production.
• S6/B18 & S8/B20: Fluency in Topicwise English (Vols. 1 & 2).
• S7/B19: Fluency & Pronunciation.
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B10
Oral Training in
Fluency Vocabulary
Part-2
“Oral Training in fluency vocabulary comes in three
volumes. They concentrate on training you thoroughly
in techniques of vocabulary-manipulation during
spontaneous speech production.”
– The New Sunday Express.
Fifth Edition
Prof. Kev Nair
TM
TM
Adult Faculties Council
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For Uma
oral training in fluency vocabulary (Part - ii).

Copyright © Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair 1982, 1989, 1996, 2000, 2007.
First published 1982.
4th edition 2000 (12 impressions).
5th edition 2007. Reprinted 2008.
Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair has asserted his right to be identified
as the author of this book in accordance with the Copyright Act, 1957.
All rights reserved worldwide. No part of this book shall be copied or
reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or
manner whatever, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior permission, in writing, of the
publisher, except in the case of brief quotations or as expressly permitted
by law.
All quotations from this book shall credit the author, Prof. KevNair.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade
or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form
of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, and without a
similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on any acquirer
or the subsequent purchaser.
Any violation of these terms and conditions will invite civil and criminal
proceedings and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Published in India by Mrs. Uma V. Nair, Adult Faculties Council,
DP Lane, Elamakkara PO, Kochi-682 026, Kerala.
Printed in India by Ayodhya Printers Ltd., Elamakkara PO,
Kochi-682 026, Kerala.
Adult Faculties Council’s websites:
www.fluentzy.com; www.fluencybookz.com.
Phone: (91)(0484) 2538449, 2408361.
Fax: (91)(0484) 2408361.
E-mail: info@fluentzy.com.
Price: Rs.175.00
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Contents
Chapter 1: Reply Expressions, 11
Prompt-response practice, 11
Chapter 2: Subsidiary word groups, 23

Manner word groups, 23
Chapter 3: Complementation of verbs, 31

Prepositional phrases, 31
The lexical bond, 32
Free combinations of verbs and prepositions, 33
Prepositional verbs are not phrasal verbs, 34
Frequently-used prepositional phrases, 36
Chapter 4: Generative Structures: Last instalment, 44

GS No. 106 to GS No. 135
Fluency and General Structures, 56
Chapter 5: Phrasal verbs, 57

Gg to Mm
Chapter 6: “Adjective + Noun” word groups, 67

Chapter 7: Fixed & semi-fixed expressions – Part I, 77
Chapter 8: Fixed & semi-fixed expressions – Part 2, 88
Chapter 9: It-Clusters, 100
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Preface to the 5th edition
Here’s the latest edition of this book.

I have now added some new material – extremely valuable –
covering the topics “Fixed and semi-fixed Expressions” and “It-
Clusters”.
If you have any comments and suggestions, please do write to
me care of the publishers.
KEV Nair
Kochi, 2007.
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Abbreviations
fml formal
infml informal
sb somebody
sth something
sw somewhere
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Chapter 1
Reply Expressions
Have you noticed one thing from your own experience? Have
you noticed that the most difficult part in giving a reply is to start
the reply? When somebody asks you a question, do you get the
feeling that you have a lump in your throat? A tight feeling in
your throat, preventing the reply from coming out? Often, the
reply just doesn’t start coming out. Most non-fluent people have
this problem.
To overcome this problem, this is what you must do:
You see, there are certain prefabricated-sort-of response-
initiator word groups — word groups that would help you start
your reply. Sometimes, these expressions alone would be enough
for a complete reply. At other times, these expressions would help
you to avoid a lump getting formed in your throat, and to start
your reply. You have to get into the habit of starting your replies
with an expression of this kind.
Once you get started, your general training would come to
your help — the training you get through the other Books in this
series. So the thing you should do now is to get to know closely
the frequently-occurring types of response-initiator word groups.
You’ll find these expressions against the letter ‘Y’ under the
following heading (‘Prompt-response practice’). Pay particular
attention to them.
Prompt-response practice
You’ll find below a series of prompts and responses. Most of the
prompts are questions made up of the “question-initiator word
groups” you saw in Book 9.
Repeat each prompt (‘X’) and each response (‘Y’) several
times — ALOUD.
12 Rep ly Expressions
• X: Will they be angry with me? ~ Y: I think so, yes. • X:

Have they left the office? ~ Y: No, I don’t think so. • X: Won’t he
be busy now? ~ Y: Yes, I think so. • X: What does it cost? ~ Y:
Let’s find out. • X: Will she come here today? ~ Y: Yes, she will. •
X: When does she go to bed everyday? ~ Y: Quite early. • X: How
does it concern you? ~ Y: It doesn’t. • X: Aren’t you the daughter
of our Principal? ~ Y: Yes, I am. • X: Did he bring the books? ~
Y: Yes, he did. • X: Has she managed to get a camera? ~ Y: Yes,
she has. • X: What were they telling you? ~ Y: Nothing. Nothing
important anyway. • X: Should we be punctual? ~ Y: You had
better. • X: Can you come a little early? ~ Y: I’m sorry, I can’t. •
X: Why did they leave so early? ~ Y: I have no idea. • X: How
far will this train go? ~ Y: As far as Hyderabad. • X: Hasn’t he
been away on a tour? ~ Y: Yes, he has. • X: Why can’t he come
here more often? ~ Y: I’m afraid I don’t know. • X: What did you
do that for? ~ Y: Just to scare the children. • X: Who did I talk
to yesterday? ~ Y: To me. • X: Can they be a little more strict
with the children? ~ Y: I’ll ask them. • X: Why did David borrow
money? ~ Y: I don’t know. Please tell me. • X: What is the name
of the baby? ~ Y: We’ll have to ask someone. • X: Wasn’t she
a little rude to him? ~ Y: Yes, she was. • X: Would you like to
have a cup of tea? ~ Y: No, thank you. • X: Can they come here
right over? ~ Y: No, they can’t. • X: What can it be used for? ~
Y: For washing clothes. • X: What did you have for breakfast? ~
Y: Nothing much. • X: Will they be asking for the payment? ~ Y:
No, they won’t. • X: What was he doing there? ~ Y: Eating food.
• X: When do they have breakfast everyday? ~ Y: You’ll have to
ask them. • X: Should he be experienced in your line? ~ Y: Yes,
he should. • X: What vegetable do we get most protein from? ~
Y: I don’t quite know. • X: Have you a match to light a cigarette?
~ Y: No, I haven’t. • X: Were they waiting for long? ~ Y: Yes,
they were. • X: What are you doing for your headache? ~ Y:
I’m taking tablets. • X: Has Simon been sleeping long? ~ Y: Yes,
he has. • X: How much should I pay for these fruits? ~ Y: Ten
rupees altogether. • X: Which one do you prefer — the red one
Rep ly Expressions 13
or the yellow one? ~ Y: Neither. • X: Who’s that man standing

there? ~ Y: I’m not sure who he is. • X: Do you know what the
punishment for late-coming is? ~ Y: I really wonder what. • X:
How often does he go for films? ~ Y: Not very often. • X: What
is the best way to the zoo? ~ Y: I’m out of this place myself. • X:
Are your friends going home this weekend? ~ Y: No, They aren’t.
• X: Is there a restaurant anywhere near here? ~ Y: There’s one
a kilometre to the south. • X: What road is the hotel on? ~ Y:
I don’t know what road. • X: Did it take him long to get back?
~ Y: No, not very long. • X: Weren’t you supposed to send a
report? ~ Y: Sorry, I didn’t know that. • X: Why did you have to
leave so early? ~ Y: Because I had some private work to do. • X:
What size shoes does he wear? ~ Y: I’m afraid I don’t know. • X:
Haven’t you heard what happened? ~ Y: No, what did happen?
• X: What should they have done to escape punishment? ~ Y:
Ask someone else. • X: What has he been complaining to you
about? ~ Y: About the way those boxes were unloaded from the
trucks. • X: Does he have to put in a written complaint? ~ Y: No,
he doesn’t. • X: What sort of a trick did he play? ~ Y: A nasty
trick. • X: How long is the journey from here to Chicago? ~ Y:
Just about ten hours. • X: Does John usually carry your bags? ~
Y: No, he doesn’t. • X: How much are these oranges? ~ Y: Ten
rupees a dozen.
X: Did you have trouble finding this address? ~ Y: Just a
little. • X: Why didn’t she marry him? ~ Y: No one can explain.
• X: Which one are you going to select? ~ Y: I can’t decide. • X:
What do I have to do to help him? ~ Y: I really can’t say. • X:
Who did he meet there? ~ Y: I’m sorry I didn’t hear you. • X:
Are there any samples left? ~ Y: No, no more samples. • X: Will
there be any deduction? ~ Y: Sorry, there won’t be. • X: Which
one did they like best? ~ Y: I can’t tell. • X: Isn’t he showing off
too much lately? ~ Y: I think so, too. • X: Have you ever seen a
better film? ~ Y: It’s difficult to say. • X: Why weren’t you getting
her the things she wanted? ~ Y: You’d like to know, wouldn’t
you? • X: Does he get up early? ~ Y: Yes, he does. • X: Couldn’t
he be doing this just to fool you? ~ Y: Yes, he could. • X: Weren’t

you well yesterday? ~ Y: No, I wasn’t. • X: Which will you give
me — the one in the right hand or the one in the left hand? ~
Y: The one in the left hand. • X: Should I be more strict with the
children? ~ Y: Yes, you should. • X: Has John come back from
the office? ~ Y: I hope so. • X: Why should she get upset over
such a minor thing? ~ Y: I wonder why. • X: How much did you
pay for the bag? ~ Y: I don’t remember. • X: Were father and
mother here yesterday? ~ Y: Yes, they were. • X: Are all the staff
in the office against you? ~ Y: No, only a few of them. • X: What
time do you get up in the morning? ~ Y: Sometimes quite early,
and sometimes quite late. • X: Do you want to come with me?
~ Y: No, thank you. • X: Could they be planning to strike work
tomorrow? ~ Y: I’m afraid they could be. • X: What did she pick
up from there? ~ Y: We know what. • X: What do you plan to do
during the summer holidays? ~ Y: I haven’t decided yet. • X: Do
we have time for coffee before the film begins? ~ Y: I’m afraid
not. • X: What will it look like if nobody goes for the party? ~ Y:
He’ll think everyone has ganged up against him.
• X: Have your father and mother been away long? ~ Y:
Not very long. • X: Where will they stay if they come? ~ Y: With
you; where else? • X: How did he do in the last examination?
~ Y: Quite well. • X: Where have they been all these days? ~ Y:
They alone know where. • X: Do Mary and Minu have raincoats?
~ Y: Who knows! • X: Did you like the film? ~ Y: No, I didn’t.
• X: How soon will the rains come? ~ Y: In a month or two. •
X: Who did they laugh at? ~ Y: I don’t know who. • X: Why
wasn’t anyone friendly with him? ~ Y: Because he was rude. •
X: Can I show you a trick? ~ Y: What trick? • X: Should the man
be asked to go away? ~ Y: You decide. • X: What should it cost
according to you? ~ Y: Far less. • X: Haven’t you been going there
frequently? ~ Y: Yes, I have. • X: Which one of these is the best?
~ Y: The one lying on the top. • X: Can you tell me how I can
get to this address? ~ Y: Ask someone else, please. • X: Who is
the officer-in-charge here? ~ Y: The one who is sitting there. • X:
Didn’t I warn you not to fight with him? ~ Y: You did. • X: How
can I start this engine? ~ Y: Press this button. • X: Do you often
come here? ~ Y: No, only seldom. • X: Are short people taken in
the army? ~ Y: I don’t quite know. • X: Will Mary and you be at
the party today? ~ Y: Can’t say. • X: Where do you get vegetables
from? ~ Y: From the market. • X: How large is your bedroom? ~
Y: Not very large. • X: Should she be where others would see her
or behind the curtain? ~ Y: Behind the curtain. • X: How much
will it cost to have this shoe mended? ~ Y: Fifty rupees. • X:
What did he do when the plane landed? ~ Y: I wasn’t there. • X:
Don’t you care for mutton chops? ~ Y: No, I don’t. • X: How long
ago did his grandfather die? ~ Y: I don’t know exactly.
• X: How old are you? ~ Y: Twenty years. • X: Who is this
little boy with you? ~ Y: My nephew. • X: Where has Priya been
studying all these years? ~ Y: Somewhere outside. • X: Have you
and your friends taken exercise today? ~ Y: Yes, we have. • X:
Do you have to take a lot of exercise to keep fit? ~ Y: Yes, they
say so. • X: How far is Calcutta from here? ~ Y: Very far. • X:
How often are there trains to Calcutta? ~ Y: Everyday, there’s a
train. • X: Can I show you some magic? ~ Y: That’d be fine. • X:
Isn’t it wonderful to have such good friends? ~ Y: Really it is. •
X: How will you get to the station from here? ~ Y: I’ll get a taxi,
I guess. • X: Where are you staying tonight? ~ Y: In a hotel. •
X: Have you ever been to this place before now? ~ Y: No, this is
the first time. • X: Are you a salesman? ~ Y: No. • X: Could you
spare some money for a week? ~ Y: I’m indeed sorry. • X: Do you
want anything else? ~ Y: No. These are about all, I guess. • X:
What did he want? ~ Y: You know it, don’t you? • X: Have you
got a few minutes to spare? ~ Y: Certainly, please come in. • X:
Are you going to the cinema? ~ Y: No. Not really. • X: Who will
be the Home Secretary next? ~ Y: Who knows!. • X: Has Dad
ever scolded him? ~ Y: No. That’s the trouble. • X: Do you like
being scolded? ~ Y: No, of course not. • X: Did she have to give
him a beating? ~ Y: No. He told the truth when he got a good
scolding.
X: Did he have to pay for the seat? ~ Y: It doesn’t seem so.

• X: Did Gita have to take a plane to reach there early? ~ Y: It
looks like it. • X: How many students are there in your school?
~ Y: I’m not sure just how many. • X: Hasn’t he repaid the loan?
~ Y: He probably has. • X: What places have you visited so far?
~ Y: Just a few. • X: Did your brother bring you any present? ~
Y: Yes, he did. • X: How much did you draw from the bank? ~
Y: You’d like to know, wouldn’t you? • X: Do you prefer tea with
sugar or without? ~ Y: With sugar, and plenty of it. • X: Are you
sure today is Thursday? ~ Y: Well, the calendar says so. • X:
How old is your father? ~ Y: Not very old. • X: Did you have a
nice time at the party? ~ Y: Yes, I had a wonderful time. • X: Do
you often go to restaurants? ~ Y: Not often, but on occasion. •
X: When should she serve coffee? ~ Y: A little later. • X: Did it
take him long to come back from the shop? ~ Y: Yes it did. I was
wondering what kept him so long. • X: Why weren’t you angry
with him? ~ Y: Because it’d do no good. • X: Can you tell me all
these things in French? ~ Y: I’ll try to. • X: What time does he
leave for the office? ~ Y: By about eight. • X: Have you ever been
to the department store? ~ Y: Yes, why? • X: Did the workers
strike work today? ~ Y: No. The dispute was settled yesterday.
• X: What is wrong with this report? ~ Y: Everything. Take a
look at it. • X: Doesn’t Mary come here any more? ~ Y: No, she
doesn’t. • X: Would you like to go for a film? ~ Y: That’d be fine.
• X: How was the film? ~ Y: Not very good. • X: Do you think
we’ll be late for the film? ~ Y: No, there’s plenty of time. • X:
Does he always find fault with everything you do? ~ Y: Yes, he
does. • X: Hadn’t we better stay away from that area? ~ Y: Yes,
we had. It’s quite unsafe. • X: Who did she go to the park with?
~ Y: With a friend of hers. • X: What are they supposed to do
when a customer comes in? ~ Y: Give him service. • X: How long
ago did he borrow the money from you? ~ Y: Five or six months
ago. • X: Are you having a headache? ~ Y: Yes, I am. • X: What
hotel is the best hotel here? ~ Y: That’s difficult to say. • X: What
school is nearer to her house? ~ Y: I don’t remember its name.
• X: What experience do you have in keeping accounts? ~

Y: I do not have much experience. • X: What different people
have you talked with? ~ Y: People from different walks of life.
• X: What manner should the reception be arranged in? ~ Y:
In the best possible manner. • X: Do you find that your work
is easy? ~ Y: Not quite. • X: What different materials are these
things made out of? ~ Y: We can’t tell you that. • X: Do you feel
that life is difficult in a city? ~ Y: No. • X: Is it more expensive
to send this parcel registered mail? ~ Y: Yes, it’s. • X: What date
is the marriage on? ~ Y: I am not quite sure. • X: What place
has he taken the car to? ~ Y: To a distant place. • X: What other
work besides cooking does she do? ~ Y: Washing. • X: What
famous places are there in this city? ~ Y: I’m afraid you’d have
to ask someone else. • X: What material is this cloth made of?
~ Y: Nylon, I think. • X: Who did you get the news from? ~ Y:
What news? • X: Isn’t she a talkative girl? ~ Y: Yes, she is. •
X: What happened when it started raining? ~ Y: The game was
put off. • X: What things did your father bring this time? ~ Y: A
lot of things. • X: How far is your house from here? ~ Y: About
a kilometre and a half. • X: Do you know anybody here? ~ Y:
No, I’m new to this place. • X: Does he ever shout at you? ~ Y:
No. Never. • X: Does it ever snow here? ~ Y: No. • X: Do they
ever charge you too much for minor repairs? ~ Y: I can’t say.
• X: Who are the partners in your business? ~ Y: Ours is not a
partnership business. • X: What are you going to do to cut down
your expenses? ~ Y: I haven’t decided yet. • X: What questions
did they ask you at the interview? ~ Y: Very many questions. •
X: What place have you been getting your supplies from? ~ Y:
That is difficult to say. • X: What interest do the banks charge for
personal loans? ~ Y: It varies. • X: What different colours does
this cloth come in? ~ Y: Blue and green. • X: Is it very painful
to shave with an old blade? ~ Y: Yes, it is. • X: What salary do
you get? ~ Y: Not much to speak of. • X: Is it less expensive to
stitch clothes in this shop? ~ Y: Yes, it is. • X: Do most of them
smoke? ~ Y: Yes, most of them do. • X: What different places
have you visited so far? ~ Y: Only the beach and the museum. •
X: What other places do you have relations here? ~ Y: In a few
more places.
• X: What purpose does the piston serve in a scooter? ~ Y:
Who knows all these things! • X: What different occasions do you
put new clothes on? ~ Y: On several occasions. • X: What type
of work was he doing there? ~ Y: Whatever he would be asked
to do. • X: What brand of tea do you use? ~ Y: Who cares for
the brand and all! • X: What else besides medicines is needed
to get well? ~ Y: Long rest. • X: Do a number of people come
here everyday? ~ Y: Yes, a lot of people do. • X: What fruits are
there in that shop? ~ Y: Several kinds. • X: What other kinds of
vegetables do you have? ~ Y: These are the only kinds. • X: What
year will he be going to college? ~ Y: There’s plenty of time for
that. • X: What number did you dial? ~ Y: Why do you want to
know all these things? • X: What questions did the prosecutor ask
you? ~ Y: Only the ones I had expected. • X: What is meant by
“soporific”? ~ Y: My God! That is beyond me. • X: What colour
shirt did he choose? ~ Y: Light blue. • X: Does it cost very much
to travel first class? ~ Y: Yes, it certainly does. • X: What different
types of machines are there here? ~ Y: Many different types. •
X: Has he finished his studies for the day? ~ Y: Yes, he has. • X:
Will she be late today? ~ Y: Yes, she will. • X: Can she unlock the
door? ~ Y: No, she can’t. • X: I’m going for a film ~ Y: I am, too.
• X: Should he repair the radio himself? ~ Y: No, he shouldn’t. •
X: Was he right in paying back the money? ~ Y: Not quite. • X:
Can he lift that heavy box? ~ Y: Yes, he can.
• X: Will Dad be bringing some sweets? ~ Y: I hope so. •
X: Is he a musician? ~ Y: No, he isn’t. • X: Will he be speaking
on for a long time? ~ Y: I hope not. • X: Where should he look
for the key? ~ Y: He knows where. • X: Must he take all these
medicines? ~ Y: Yes, he must. • X: They’ve got a Dobermann.
~ Y: We have, too. • X: How are you? ~ Y: Fine, thanks. • X:
Are you a student in this college? ~ Y: Yes, I am. • X: Will he
take long to come? ~ Y: Yes, he will. • X: We’re going for a film
tomorrow. ~ Y: So are they. • X: How long has he been gone? ~

Y: Not very long. • X: Is he a stuck-up person? ~ Y: No, he isn’t.
• X: I have no time to play with him. ~ Y: Neither have I. • X:
Did he get up early today? ~ Y: No, he didn’t. • X: Are they very
rich? ~ Y: No, they aren’t. • X: Do we have to make the payment
right now? ~ Y: No, we don’t. • X: I am from Boston. ~ Y: So am
I. • X: Do you care very much for me? ~ Y: Of course, I do. • X:
Will he be bringing presents? ~ Y: I am afraid, not. • X: Did she
let you take her umbrella? ~ Y: Yes, she did. • X: Do you mind if
I use your pen for a few minutes? ~ Y: Not at all. • X: We went
to the beach yesterday. ~ Y: We did, too. • X: How many children
does your boss have? ~ Y: I have no idea. • X: We have a dog at
home. ~ Y: So have we. • X: I can climb to the top of any tree.
~ Y: We can, too. • X: Did you want to pull down the fence? ~
Y: Not really. • X: Are these fruits ripe enough to eat? ~ Y: No,
they aren’t. • X: We didn’t listen to the radio yesterday. ~ Y: We
didn’t either.
• X: Can you loosen this nut please? ~ Y: I’ll try to. • X:
Has he done the repairs properly? ~ Y: Yes, very well. • X: I
won’t be here tomorrow. ~ Y: Neither will John. • X: Does he
have to ask your permission to go out? ~ Y: No, he doesn’t. •
X: I don’t believe the things he said. ~ Y: I don’t, either. • X:
Has he answered the questions correctly? ~ Y: Yes, he has. •
X: Were there many people at the cinema? ~ Y: Not very many.
• X: Does she care very much for him? ~ Y: Yes, she does. • X:
You shouldn’t fight with him any more. ~ Y: Neither should he.
• X: Do you know Spanish very well? ~ Y: Not very well. • X:
Would she mind if I pick these flowers? ~ Y: Yes, she would. • X:
I didn’t enjoy the game at all. ~ Y: Neither did I. • X: How will
she make tea? ~ Y: She knows how. • X: Do you know how to
speak French? ~ Y: Only a little. • X: Does this car run on diesel?
~ Y: Yes, it does. • X: I haven’t put in an application for the
ration card so far. ~ Y: Neither has she. • X: Does he earn much
money? ~ Y: Not much. • X: Will she cause problems? ~ Y: No,
she won’t. • X: I like dark colour clothes very much ~ Y: So does
Mary. • X: Has he a bank account? ~ Y: Of course, he has. • X:

Have they got a property in Bangalore? ~ Y: Yes, they have. • X:
We’re going home. ~ Y: So are they. • X: Do you often listen to
the radio? ~ Y: No, only seldom. • X: Has he gone to bed? ~ Y:
No, he hasn’t. • X: I have a lot of work to do. ~ Y: So has he. • X:
Are you from Barbados? ~ Y: Yes, we are. • X: Should she answer
all the questions? ~ Y: Of course, she should. • X: Do you know
what they have been telling about you? ~ Y: We know what. • X:
Have they returned the umbrella? ~ Y: No, they haven’t. • X: Can
we get home before it’s dark? ~ Y: I am afraid not. • X: Does he
have to draw money from the bank? ~ Y: Yes he does.
• X: Will he be long in coming? ~ Y: I think so, yes. • X:
Hadn’t you better keep from going to that place so often? ~ Y:
Why? • X: Where has he kept the keys? ~ Y: I don’t know where.
• X: Will he be able to find the place without much difficulty? ~
Y: Possibly, but I doubt it. • X: There’s a pen lying on the floor. Is
it yours? ~ Y: Yes, it looks like mine. • X: Would he be finishing
the work this week? ~ Y: No, I’m afraid he wouldn’t. • X: Do I
have to brush my teeth? ~ Y: Yes, everybody has to. • X: Has
your father made much money? ~ Y: I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.
• X: Hadn’t you better unlock the door and get inside? ~ Y: Yes,
I had better. • X: Why has he put up a shed in the compound?
~ Y: I wonder why. • X: How is your mother? ~ Y: She’s well,
thanks. • X: Why doesn’t he get married? ~ Y: Because he doesn’t
plan to. • X: How many trees have been cut down? ~ Y: I don’t
quite know how many. • X: How much does he pay that cleaning
woman? ~ Y: Not much. • X: Have you ever played a computer
game? ~ Y: No, I never have. • X: Why doesn’t he like a place
like this? ~ Y: No one can explain. • X: Which colour shirt do you
prefer — yellow or orange? ~ Y: I’m not particular. • X: Has he
done the lessons very well? ~ Y: No, I don’t think so. • X: Does
he recognize me? ~ Y: No, he doesn’t seem to. • X: Will you be
going home this month-end? ~ Y: I haven’t decided yet. • X:
Does he have to get permission to go out of the office? ~ Y: No,
he doesn’t have to. • X: Which one of these pens do you want to
choose? ~ Y: I can’t decide. • X: How many days will he be on

leave? ~ Y: I’m not sure just how many.
X: You should have answered the phone as soon as it started
ringing. ~ Y: Maybe you’re right. • X: Will he be coming to the
party? ~ Y: He will, but his wife won’t. • X: Have they loaded up
the lorry? ~ Y: Let’s find out. • X: What time is it, please? ~ Y:
Ask someone else, please. • X: You must find a way of persuading
him. ~ Y: I wonder how I can. • X: Does he know that she hasn’t
paid the bill? ~ Y: He probably does. • X: Why did you plan to
put up a car porch in the middle of the house, and not on one
side? ~ Y: I’d like to have it that way. • X: Have the police found
out the truth about how the money has disappeared? ~ Y: I really
can’t say. • X: Have they been able to find a solution? ~ Y: It
doesn’t seem so. • X: Do you always go to work by car? ~ Y: Not
always, but on occasion. • X: Why have you stopped your work
so early today? ~ Y: So I could go early. • X: Do you want to get
anything else today? ~ Y: No, nothing else. Thank you. • X: Has
he combed his hair? ~ Y: He has, but I haven’t. • X: Splash a
little water on the walls before scrubbing them. ~ Y: I beg your
pardon? • X: This is a one-way street — you mustn’t take your
car this way. ~ Y: Sorry, I didn’t know that. • X: Do you know
why he didn’t want to go out today? ~ Y: No, I don’t. • X: Do
you know why he didn’t come today? ~ Y: I don’t know. Please
tell me. • X: Should we put up a board in front of our shop? ~ Y:
Yes, I think we should. • X: What were they talking in whispers
when we came in? ~ Y: I really wonder what. • X: Have they
booked tickets for the journey? ~ Y: They probably have. • X:
Haven’t you heard? John has got married to Mary. ~ Y: Yes, but
it’s hard to believe. • X: How long do we have to wait? ~ Y: I
wonder how long. • X: Does he have a brother in England? ~
Y: No. Not that I know of. • X: Why didn’t you look at her when
she waved her hand? ~ Y: Because I didn’t want to. • X: Can you
spell “English”? ~ Y: I can, but my brother can’t. • X: Why don’t
we go for a film today? ~ Y: That’s a good idea. • X: Why don’t
you take out a few shares in this company? ~ Y: I have to think it
over. • X: Will he be able to make the speech without faltering?

~ Y: That’s something I am very sure of. • X: Couldn’t you push
him out of the room and bolt up the door? ~ Y: Yes, we certainly
could, but we didn’t want to. • X: How are you today? ~ Y:
Just the same as always. • X: Why does he always talk rudely to
everyone? ~ Y: I don’t know why. • X: Why did those people go
underground? ~ Y: To escape punishment, of course.
***
S ubsidiary word groups 23
Chapter 2
Subsidiary word groups

In Book 6, we saw two kinds of subsidiary word groups. Let’s
now go through a collection of another kind of subsidiary word
groups. We’ll call them manner word groups.
Manner word groups

One of the most important functions of a language is to describe
“how” things are done and “how” things happen. In English, this
work is done most often by certain adverbs. We can call these
adverbs ‘manner words’. It’s very important to train your organs
of speech in using the frequent ones among them. So I’m going to
give you a collection of word groups containing the frequently-
occurring manner words.
In these word groups, you’ll find the manner words printed in
italics. Pay particular attention to each of them — and to the way
each of them is used. Pick up each word group and utter it ALOUD
several times. Remember this: There isn’t much use in learning
the meanings alone of individual words — in isolation. So pay
attention to the way the manner words work in the company of
other words. And keep uttering the groups of words ALOUD —
several times.
Here we go for the word groups:
• We met accidentally. • It happened accidentally. • She
killed him accidentally. • Their engineer has drawn the plan
accurately. • They actively discouraged us from going ahead with
the project. • He was actively involved in social work. • He spoke
angrily. • They looked at each other anxiously. • They grow
mushrooms artificially. • She was thinking of something else,
and she answered automatically. • When the oil level is low, this
24 S ubsidiary word groups
light comes on automatically. • He made some kind of a gesture

awkwardly.
• You behaved badly yesterday. • He was badly in need of her
help. • She wanted him so badly. • The street was badly lit. • You
came out of the whole business rather badly. • Things have not
gone too badly. • They had done badly on the deal. • I need the
money badly. • The party was badly organized. • Because of all
that, we thought badly of them. • He did badly in the interview.
• She writes badly. • This news will reflect badly on them. • She
dresses beautifully. • The news came as a terrible blow to her,
and she cried bitterly. • They carried him bodily out of the hall.
• He boldly went inside. • She introduced herself boldly. • He
bravely faced the interrogation. • She bravely faced the attackers.
• Our soldiers fought bravely. • The necklace shone brightly. •
The sun was shining brightly. • The room was brightly lit. • He
did everything brightly. • She plays the violin brilliantly. • He
handled the problem brilliantly. • Everyday, he walks briskly for
an hour.
• He stood there calmly. • He calmly picked up the snake and
threw it away. • She took the news calmly. • He drives carefully.
• He noted down the details carefully. • Write carefully. • He
threw them out carelessly. • Never give your replies carelessly. •
He mentioned it casually and without much interest. • She was
in the kitchen, and she was dressed casually. • He drove very
cautiously. • They’ll do the painting cheaply for you. • I bought
this cheaply at a sale. • She talked to us cheerfully. • He attends
to all his work cheerfully. • I heard you quite clearly. • She was
clearly worried about it. • You must label the bottles clearly. • I
haven’t thought about it clearly. • He tricked me into it cleverly.
• She solved the problem very cleverly. • These two ideas are
closely related. • He did the work very clumsily. • He spoke to me
coldly. • We’re collectively responsible for what happened today. •
Because of all those noises, I couldn’t sleep comfortably. • Do you
think new products like these are going to succeed commercially?
• He has changed his opinion completely. • She was a bit nervous,
but she tried to act confidently. • Her work is consistently good. •

He wrote to us continually about it. • That hotel is conveniently
situated — just a short drive from the air port. • He faced all that
coolly and collectedly. • He had correctly predicted my future.
• You should note down the figures correctly. • He replied to
their questions very courteously. • You said all those things very
cruelly. • He was watching them curiously. • She asked me about
it curiously.
• He’s not a safe driver — he drives dangerously. • He looked
deeply into her eyes. • I love her deeply. • He did that deliberately
to annoy him. • He walked in slowly and deliberately. • We’ll have
to deal with this situation delicately — or there will be trouble.
• Somebody was calling desperately for help. • All this made me
feel differently. • From there, they went directly to the temple. •
The door opened directly onto the street. • I still remember all
that very distinctly. • When he got his new job, his life changed
dramatically. • They waited eagerly for the doctor.
• You can carry it easily in a bag. • They did the work easily.
• You can get it easily in the market. • We can use our raw
materials still more economically. • He knows how to deal with
difficult people effectively. • He does his job very efficiently. • They
should organize themselves more efficiently. • The committee
was evenly divided on the issue. • They divided the property
equally between them. • The iron bars were equally spaced. •
He looked very tired, and he spoke very faintly. • He divided
the money fairly among them. • He treated his employees fairly.
• He faithfully followed the doctor’s instructions. • Both the
servants served our family faithfully. • It was a strong wind, and
it was blowing fiercely. • The situation is finely balanced, and
things can go one way or the other. • He refused the offer firmly
but politely. • He speaks fluently. • He was laughing somewhat
foolishly. • You acted a little foolishly. • Don’t spend your money
foolishly. • She hasn’t made a complaint formally. • He’ll give you
his opinion frankly. • He spends money freely. • He mixes freely
with everyone. • Inside the car, I couldn’t move my arms and legs
freely. • He’ll talk to you freely and easily. • I didn’t understand it

fully. • Describe everything fully. • She hasn’t fully recovered. •
He isn’t fully trained yet. • You must answer the questions fully.
• He was behaving a bit funnily. • They’re working furiously to
achieve the sales target.
• I tapped on the door very gently. • He gently lifted the
baby. • The road curves gently to the right. • She gladly took up
the work. • They gladly helped us. • He gladly paid the money.
• The dancers moved across the stage gracefully. • Our party has
been defeated in this election. Let’s accept this fact gracefully. •
They accepted the money gratefully.
• He happily offered her his chair. • They sat there chatting
happily together. • They were laughing and chatting happily
together. • Don’t make decisions like these hastily. • That prison
is heavily guarded. • Their team was heavily defeated. • I couldn’t
do anything to help them — I could only look on helplessly. • I
honestly think he’s innocent. • He completed the task honourably.
• She thought I’d agree, and looked at me hopefully. • He denied
the allegation hotly. • She had to complete the report rather
hurriedly.
• They were arrested illegally. • They were all waiting
impatiently. • He can live quite independently of the others. • You
were indirectly encouraging them. • It’s impossible to deal with
each of these questions individually. • He asked these questions
quite innocently. • He was lying, and she instinctively felt it. •
She didn’t hurt him intentionally. • He listened intently to the
speech. • He was watching her intently.
• They made this proposal jointly.
• They received us kindly.
• They were arguing loudly. • I haven’t seen him lately. •
These are foreign goods, and he can’t have got them legally. • He
argued quite logically. • Ask them not to talk so loudly. • The dog
was barking loudly. • I saw her looking at the kid very lovingly.
• She has been looking after him marvellously. • You

shouldn’t apply these rules mechanically. • He does these things
meticulously and by paying great attention to detail. • I heard her
coughing miserably.
• Calmness comes naturally to him. • He behaved naturally
and in a relaxed way. • This situation arose naturally from lack of
planning. • Write neatly, will you? • I didn’t want to trouble you
needlessly. • He looked worried and frightened, and he laughed
nervously. • I could manage nicely without her help. • This will
do nicely for my purpose. • He’s doing very nicely for himself in
business. • He nobly gave up his share.
• He behaved rather oddly when he saw me. • The company
will be officially announcing the news tomorrow. • He spoke
about his experiences openly and sincerely.
• He admitted his guilt painfully. • The hill was steep, and
they climbed it painfully. • I had compiled the list painfully. •
She waited patiently for her turn. • For the first time in a week, I
slept peacefully last night. • I knew the route perfectly well. • This
dress suits you perfectly. • I know her personally. • You should
look into this complaint personally. • I’ll bring it to you personally.
• He didn’t refer to you personally. • He explained it to me quite
plainly. • I could hear it quite plainly. • The experience had
plainly shaken him. • I was pleasantly surprised. • She thanked
him politely. • He politely explained his difficulties to me. • He
practically pushed them out of there. • I knew practically nobody
there. • The seminar was practically based. • I wanted to speak
to him privately. • Do you want him to advice you professionally,
or personally? • He sent it back promptly on Monday. • He carries
out all our instructions promptly. • I haven’t slept properly for the
past few days. • They haven’t done the job properly. • He proudly
described all his accomplishments. • She smiled proudly. • They
insulted him publicly. • He purposely came late.
• He died quickly after that. • He finished it quickly. • Things
don’t move quickly here. • Those boys have grown quickly. •
She ran quickly to the bus stop. • He listened to the complaints

quietly. • He always speaks quietly. • He was quietly controlling
his anger. • He described everything very quietly. • Everyone was
worried, but he sat there, quietly reading a book. • He resigned
quietly, and left the place.
• The price of petrol is rising rapidly. • His condition rapidly
worsened. • He answered all the questions readily. • The fence-
posts were regularly spaced. • We get this magazine regularly.
• He refused the offer, but he did it a bit reluctantly. • Don’t
interpret these rules too rigidly. • He shook me roughly, as though
he wanted to hurt me. • They rudely ignored all his advice. •
That experience rudely shattered my faith in them. • He speaks
rudely to everyone.
• She spoke of her loss sadly. • You cannot act safely on what
he says. • He has kept it safely somewhere. • They reached there
safely. • They delivered the fridge safely. • He locked the room
safely. • The work wasn’t progressing satisfactorily. • They have
settled the dispute satisfactorily. • Many of these findings have
been confirmed scientifically. • The police have been secretly
watching their activities. • Make sure the rope is securely fastened.
• He was acting selfishly. • He’s not using his time sensibly. • He
acted sensibly. • Remove each of them separately. • Each of them
prepared their report separately. • You must try for it seriously. •
You have to deal with the problem seriously. • He’s seriously ill.
• He was behaving very seriously and solemnly. • He looked at
me severely. • The car was severely damaged. • They punished
him severely. • Those people were shamefully treated. • Prices
have gone down sharply. • It was a sharply pointed knife. • He
turned his head sharply towards me. • He worded the complaint
sharply. • My views on this are sharply different from theirs.
• She smiled shyly at him. • Their new air-conditioner works
silently. • She explained it very simply. • He told me everything
quite sincerely. • I’m sincerely thrilled. • I sincerely believed it. •
I love him very sincerely. • Some of these birds sing very sweetly.
• I know him slightly. • You must warm up the soup slightly. •
She cooled down the soup slightly. • He slowly began to realize

his mistake. • I was walking very slowly. • His words flowed on
smoothly. • He talks very softly. • I touched her softly. • That
building is very solidly built. • He slept soundly last night. • They
defeated our team soundly. • They beat him soundly. • They
came specially for this purpose. • She cooked it specially for me.
• He specifically asked for ‘War and Peace’. • What specifically did
she say? • They do have their differences from time to time, but
in general, they get on splendidly. • He looked at me steadily for
some time. • His troubles increased steadily. • She spoke steadily
and in a controlled way. • The prices have been rising steeply. •
After the exercise, he has been walking stiffly. • He smiled stiffly.
• He behaved stiffly, and not in a friendly way. • She behaved
strangely yesterday. • She was strangely calm. • You must advise
him strongly against it. • They strongly influence him in all that
he does. • They have constructed the building very strongly. •
He argued strongly for it. • I felt very strongly about the way
he behaved. • He kept nodding stupidly. • He refused the offer
stupidly. • He spoke stupidly. • He achieved his aim successfully. •
His voice and manner changed suddenly. • She cooks superbly. •
You’ve acted superbly in that film. • He makes decisions swiftly. •
They reached the spot swiftly. • They attacked him, and he struck
back swiftly. • You should approach this problem systematically
and with great care.
• He has furnished his house tastefully. • He patted her
hand tenderly. • Trees grow thickly in that forest. • That’s a
thinly populated area. • The doctor examined her thoroughly.
• He studied the report thoroughly. • I saw her sitting there
thoughtfully. • He hugged me tightly. • We’re tightly bound to
one another. • They stretched the rope tightly. • He had on a
tightly fitting shirt. • He ties his shoelaces very tightly. • He
controls his office very tightly. • He seems truly worried. • Does
she love him truly? • We don’t know what he truly feels. • They
alone truly encourage us. • The judge told him to answer all the
questions truthfully.
• Don’t look at me so unhappily. • We need these urgently.

• I remember what happened very vaguely. • He defended
his position very hotly and vigorously. • He pushed us violently to
one side. • I don’t think they paid the money voluntarily.
• They greeted us warmly. • He saw me and smiled warmly.
• She spoke to me warmly. • You protested very weakly. • She
moved from there very weakly. • You defended yourself weakly.
• She spoke very weakly, and so I couldn’t hear clearly. • He has
travelled widely in Europe. • He was lying wilfully to them. • He
disobeyed you willfully. • He agreed to do it willingly. • She wisely
refused the offer. • He wisely decided to keep out of it. • They
were wonderfully decent to her. • He’s doing wonderfully well. •
She danced wonderfully. • That film is wonderfully funny. • He
believed wrongly that there was a written order. • Everything had
been wrongly arranged. • They prosecuted him wrongly.
***
Compl ementation of verbs 31
Chapter 3
Complementation of verbs
Complementation by prepositional phrases
As you know, prepositions are words like ‘on’, ‘as’, ‘at’, ‘from’,
etc. and are always followed by a prepositional complement. Yes,
always. The prepositional complement is usually a noun phrase
or a pronoun, and sometimes, a noun-like word group (typically,
a wh-clause or an –ing clause). They express a relation between
the prepositional complement and another entity.
Book 7 gave you a list of all the common prepositions.
In a way, prepositions are the most troublesome words in the
English language. We’ve already had some practice in using word
groups in which these troublesome words occur. (For example,
see the Placing and Timing Word groups in Book 6). Let’s now
have some more training in using them.
Prepositional phrases
There are certain verbs (= action words) that are always or
typically followed by certain specific prepositions. These verbs are
always or typically used with prepositions, because these verbs
need the prepositional phrases introduced by these prepositions
to complete their meanings.
These verbs and the prepositions that follow them regularly
occur together (when you use the verbs to express certain possible
meanings). And these verbs and prepositions are often so closely
related semantically or syntactically (or semantically as well as
syntactically) that the combinations normally behave like single
lexical units. Such a lexical unit [verb + preposition (introducing
a meaning completer)] is called a prepositional verb.
32 Compl ementation of verbs
Eg: account for, believe in, call for, decide on, listen to, play at, etc.
There are two types of prepositional verbs:
• Intransitive prepositional verbs
• Transitive prepositional verbs
You don’t need to learn these theoretical aspects in detail.
What is important is to pick up the skill of using prepositional
phrases fluently. And that’s what we’re going to do. But a general
understanding of these aspects would be useful. So let me first
give you an idea about the two types of prepositional phrases and
some related points.
You see, there are some intransitive verbs that are always or
typically followed by a prepositional phrase. When a combination
of an intransitive verb and a preposition that follows it behaves
as a single unit, that combination is an intransitive prepositional
verb.
Eg: • go through an experience. • looked at the picture. • came across
a problem.
In intransitive prepositional verbs, the preposition occurs
between the verb and the prepositional complement.
Now, there are some transitive verbs that are always or
typically used with a prepositional phrase (that follows it). When
a combination of a transitive verb and a preposition that follows
it behaves as a single unit, that combination is a transitive
prepositional verb.
Eg: • blamed him for the mix-up. • prevented him from speaking. •
referred him to a specialist.
In transitive prepositional verbs, the verb is followed by two
prepositional complements (= noun, pronoun, etc.), and the
preposition normally occurs between the two complements.
The lexical bond

You see, the lexical bond between a verb and the preposition that
follows it varies in strength from verb to verb.
As far as certain verbs are concerned, they must normally

be followed by a prepositional phrase introduced by a particular
preposition, because their meaning won’t be complete (in a given
sense) without the presence of a prepositional phrase introduced
by that particular preposition. Here, the lexical bond between the
verb and the preposition is the strongest.
Eg: • This belongs to her. • They longed for the holidays. • Don’t bet
on the outcome.
There are certain other verbs that must also normally be
used with a prepositional phrase, but the prepositional phrase
can be introduced by either of two prepositions (to express the
same meaning):
Eg: • contributed money to/towards charity. • profited by/from the
new government policy. • competed with/against each other.
Then there are certain other verbs that are typically or usually
used with a prepositional phrase, but the prepositional phrase
can be introduced by a number of prepositions. In general, these
verbs are verbs of movement and position:
Eg: • He came from London. • She’s gone to Mexico. • They live in
Nigeria. • He was standing at the gate.
But as far as certain other verbs are concerned, they can
be followed by a prepositional phrase, but this is not essential,
because their meaning would be complete even without the
presence of the preposition.
Eg: • fought (against) the enemy. • climbed (up) the mountain. •
entered (for) the competition.
Then there are certain prepositions that must be followed
by one preposition in one sense, and by another preposition in
another sense.
Eg: • agreed with the idea. • agreed on the terms of the contract. •
ended in failure. • ended with the heroine’s death.
Free combinations of verbs & prepositions

So far, we’ve been speaking about ‘verb + preposition’
combinations that behave, to some extent, as a single verb —

semantically and/or syntactically.
This doesn’t mean that whenever a preposition occurs after
a verb, the ‘verb + preposition’ combination behaves as a single
unit. No. In fact, verbs often combine freely with prepositions,
and in these free combinations, the verbs and the preposition
do not behave as a single verb. These free combinations happen
when the prepositional phrase you use along with a verb is purely
optional (grammatically), and not essential for completing the
meaning of the verb.
Here are some examples of free combinations of verbs and
prepositions:
Free intransitive combinations:
• came from Delhi. • went to London. • happened for the
first time. • wait for me. • driving at top speed.
Free transitive combinations:
• brought the box into the hall. • received a letter from
him. • cut the cake with a knife. • met her in the hallway. •
took something from there.
Prepositional verbs are not phrasal verbs

As you must have noticed, prepositional verbs and phrasal verbs
look alike. And most people often confuse prepositional verbs
with phrasal verbs. But you know, the difference is not very
important. And so, some dictionaries even list prepositional verbs
and phrasal verbs together under the common head ‘phrasal
verbs’.
So from the point of view of fluency development, there’s
no harm even if you happen to confuse the two. All you need
to know is this: Combinations of verbs with particles like down,
by, in, on, over, up, etc. often behave like single verbs. And you
must have a good command of the frequently-used ones among
them (whether they’re prepositional verbs or phrasal verbs). You
needn’t learn to identify phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs

separately. It’s not essential.
But the fact remains that the two are different, and if you’re
aware of the nature of the difference, it’d be easier for you to
avoid a certain amount of syntactic confusion.
You know, the difference is quite clear-cut. Essentially, a
phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and an adverb, while a
prepositional verb is a combination of a verb and a preposition.
For example, take this word group:
She went up the stairs.
Here, went up is a prepositional verb, because ‘the stairs’ can
only occur after ‘up’, and not before. Thus, we can never say ‘went
the stairs up’. You’ll always have to say ‘went up the stairs’.
But let’s now take another word group:
She gave up that idea
Here, gave up is a phrasal verb, because ‘that idea’ can occur
after ‘up’ as well as before ‘up’. Thus, we can say ‘gave that idea
up’ or ‘gave up that idea’.
The difference is this: In ‘She went up the stairs’, up works
as a preposition, and ‘the stairs’ is the complement of that
preposition (and not the object of went up). But in ‘She gave up
that idea’, up works as an adverb, and ‘that idea’ is the object of
gave up (and not a prepositional complement). You see, ‘up the
stairs’ is a prepositional phrase, but ‘up that idea’ is not.
Here are some more examples:
Prepositional phrases:
complain of chest pains (not: complain chest pains of)
hinted at major changes (not: hinted major changes at)
invest in company shares (not: invest company shares in)
opt for the blue one (not: opt the blue one for)
rely on their support (not: rely their support on)
suffering from the flu (not: suffering the flu from)

sympathized with her (not: sympathized her with)
Phrasal verbs:
brought about some changes (or brought some changes
about)
carried out the project (or carried the project out)
drag out the talks (or drag the talks out)
explained away the error (or explained the error away)
filled out the form (or filled the form out)
pointed out the mistakes (or pointed the mistakes out)
turned off the light (or turned the light off )
Frequently-used prepositional phrases

I’m now going to give you a collection of the most frequently-
occurring (and the most useful) prepositional phrases. This
collection would help you associate in your mind some of the
most useful verbs and the prepositions that usually follow them.
You’ll find these prepositional phrases used in self-contained
clausal idea units. And you’ll find the verb and the preposition in
each prepositional phrase in italics.
Utter each word group ALOUD several times. Let your organs
of speech get thoroughly acquainted with the combinations of
the verbs and prepositions. Here we go:
• He accepts problems like these as part of the day-to-day
life. • The suspect could not account for his fingerprints on the
glass. • They accused him of theft. • Everybody acknowledges
her as an expert in this subject. • The transport strike added
to our difficulties. • She found it difficult to adjust to the new
environment. • He admitted to the forgery. • They advanced
some money to him. • Let’s agree on a date. • They agreed to my
suggestion. • I can’t agree with that argument. • They agreed with
each other. • They advanced some money to him. • He aimed at
the target and shot. • They aimed the remarks at us. • He always
aims for excellence. • When you work out the cost, you should
allow for wastage. • The profits amount to a million or so. • The
government has appealed for donations to the famine relief fund.
• They appealed to everybody for help. • Have you applied for
that job? • They appointed him (as) general manager. • They are
arguing about the expenses. • Don’t argue with your boss. • They
argued with each other. • Have you arranged a place for him to
stay? • When did they arrive at the airport? • They’ve asked for
some more time. • Could I ask a favour of you? • She doesn’t like
him associating with those people. • There was only a nurse to
attend to the injured. • The judge awarded damages to them.
• Many women find it difficult to balance family life and
career with each other. • These needs won’t balance with one
another. • Do you believe in God? • This chair belongs in that
room. • These books belong on that shelf. • These things don’t
belong to me. • Don’t bet on the result. • They blamed me for the
delay. • Can you book a ticket for me? • He wanted to borrow
some money from them. • Don’t bother about them – you carry
on with your work. • She branded him as a hypocrite. • They
branded him as work-shy. • He forgot to bring a present for her.
• This business brings a lot of income to him. • The cat brushed
against her leg. • He offered to build a house for them for Rs. 10
lakhs. • He was burning with anger. • She burst into tears. • He’s
gone to buy a new dress for her.
• He called for her and took her in his car. • I called on
them on my way from work. • The news came as a shock to
us. • There’s a nurse to care for their grandmother. • The bank
refused to cash a cheque for them. • Doctors certified the cause
of death as heart attack or something. • She then changed into
her evening dress and got ready to go for the party. • The colour
changed to green for a few seconds. • She characterized him as
crazy. • They charged him with murder. • They chased (after)
the purse snatcher. • The nurse came to check (on) the patients.
• He chose her as his secretary. • These colours clash with one
another. • These two groups are always clashing with each other.
• He classed them as advanced learners. • He climbed on(to) the

roof. • She climbed (up) the stairs. • These two events coincide
with each other. • Their interests coincide with one another. •
Business and pleasure don’t combine with each other too well.
• These factors combined with one another, and the result was
terrible. • I don’t want to comment on that issue. • They don’t
communicate with each other. • Most of them communicate
with one another by e-mail. • They compared her words with
those of Tolstoy’s. • They compete with one another to perform
better. • She had to compete (against) the national champion in
the race. • They had to compete (with) five other companies for
the contract. • They competed with/against each other to get the
contract. • They complained of/about police brutality. • He found
it difficult to concentrate on his work. • How can you condemn
them as spies? • He condemned the product as substandard. •
His beliefs conflict with hers. • Most of these ideas conflict with
one another. • They congratulated him on his achievement. •
We consider him as an authority. • His farm consists of 14 acres.
• They never consult with one another about anything. • They
consulted with each other before taking the decision. • What he
says and what he does contrast with each other. • His behavior
contrasts sharply with hers. • This is the first time I’ve contributed
to charity. • The judge convicted them of robbery. • They could
not convince the judge of their innocence. • Can you cook lunch
for them? • They refused to co-operate with the police. • Don’t
count on them to support you. • He was a learner driver, and he
crashed into a lamp post. • He crossed (over) the river. • She cut
a few slices for me.
• You should deal one more card to him. • He has no
experience of dealing with angry customers. • She decided on a
blue dress for the wedding. • She defines friendship as love. • We
shouldn’t deny good education to anyone. • You can depend on
him. • Everything depends on the circumstances. • She described
him as a nice person. • She described their action as unfair. •
They asked him to design a building for them. • Don’t let these
differences of opinion develop into a long and bitter quarrel. • The

doctor has diagnosed the illness as pneumonia. • It was a serious
accident, and he died from his injuries. • He died of pneumonia.
• The committee members disagree with one another. • She
disagreed with the suggestion. • You have to learn to distinguish
(between) facts and opinions. • He dived into the river. • The
book is divided into 4 sections. • She often dreams of being a
great novelist. • I dreamt about/of a beautiful bird.
• They elected him as president. • The argument ended in
tears. • The notice ends with a sort of warning. • She has entered
(for) the competition. • They’ve entered into a new agreement
with their suppliers. • They envied her for her success. • It’s
not easy to establish the allegations as false. • He has himself
established as a leading lawyer. • They excused him for arriving
late. • Can you explain the rules to us?
• Many insects feed on flowers. • She sat there feeding
breadcrumbs to birds. • Go and fetch a doctor for her. • He fights
with his wife over small matters. • They’ve been trying to find a
house for their new boss. • She has fixed an appointment for her
boss. • They forgave him for insulting them. • He forwarded the
report to the Head Office. • Our soldiers sprang into action and
fought against the enemy forces.
• They gave him some money as a reward. • Can you get a
copy for me? • Get into the car. • I saw her getting out of the taxi.
• And then she got on(to) the bus/train/plane. • Get on(to) the
bike/horse/motorbike. • You should give another chance to him.
• Their bank granted a loan to them. • He was just a small-time
actor, but he’s now grown into a superstar and a celebrity. • It’s
impossible to guarantee jobs for everyone.
• The postman handed a letter to her. • I haven’t heard from
him for about three months now. • I’ve heard of a person who
is an expert at this sort of jobs. • She hesitated to accept the
present. • He was hinting at a possibility like that. • They were
hoping for lenience.
• The police have identified the hijacker as a notorious

terrorist. • They keep on improving on their achievements. •
They haven’t informed us about/of their plans yet. • They insist
on a very high standard. • He insisted on going with them. •
You should insure against accidental injury. • She intended the
remark as a joke. • Can I interest you in our washing powder? •
These phone calls interfere with my work. • They interpret what
happened as a defeat. • Let me introduce you to my business
partner. • I don’t plan to invest in property.
• He jumped (over) the wall.
• Don’t eat them all. Keep a few for him.
• They labelled him as a crook and liar. • They labelled him
as corrupt. • You’ll laugh about all this one day. • Don’t laugh at
them. • Spending money like this can lead to financial difficulties.
• He leapt (over) the fence. • How did you learn of/about what
happened there? • He refused to lease the building (out) to them.
• You should leave her to make up her own mind. • He’s decided
to leave all his money to charity. • Why don’t you leave a note for
him? • She didn’t want to lend the book to him. • I enjoy listening
to music. • Listen to him/what he’s saying. • It’s very difficult to
live on such a small income. • He never loans money to anybody.
• She longed for a letter from him. • We need somebody to look
after the kids. • Look at this picture. • They look on him as a
model teacher. • The children longed for the Christmas holidays.
• They looked for her purse everywhere, but couldn’t find it.
• I just mailed a letter to her. • Can you make coffee for
them? • Butter is made from milk. • His new film has made him
into a celebrity. • These bags are made of leather. • He made a toy
car out of wood. • They mistook him for our boss. • Oil and water
don’t mix with each other. • That’s a unique colour. Did anybody
mix it for you? • People here don’t like mixing with one another.
• They named the baby as Rupa.
• He objected to the new proposal. • They’ve offered a job to
him. • Dr. John has to operate on two patients today. • He opted

for a teaching career. • He ordered lunch for everybody. • We owe
some more money to them.
• Have you paid for the takeaway/takeout (= a meal that
you buy at a restaurant, but eaten somewhere else)? • They
haven’t paid the repair charges to them. • He painted a picture
for me. • Please pass this paper to him. • They’ll make you pay
for your rudeness. • Pay attention to the teacher. • I wanted to
pick a few flowers for her. • You should try and persuade her of
your serious intentions. • We’re planning for about 100 guests.
• I hadn’t planned on buying a car so soon. • We may have to
play (against) that team. • The children were playing at being
robbers. • Can you play that CD for me? • He played a catchy
tune to me on his violin. • They plotted against the President.
• He posed as a police officer and cheated us. • Don’t forget to
post the letter to her. • Pour the coffee for everybody, will you? •
Let’s pray for rain. • He’s prepared a report for the boss. • They
pretended to like him. • Nothing prevents you from resigning. •
They must have profited by/from these sales. • They’ve promised
to help us. • They protected us from every danger. • He works
hard and provides for his family. • If you steal money, they’ll
punish you for it.
• Our team has qualified for the finals. • She quarrelled with
him about the money. • He and his wife are always quarrelling
with each other. • He quoted a few instances to me.
• I ran into (= met) an old friend at the supermarket today.
• They rate him as their most valuable employee. • The workers
reacted against the management’s decision. • I read about it in
today’s paper. • She read a story to the children. • We regard him
as a fine teacher. • They don’t recognize the situation as serious.
• Refer to a dictionary, and find out its meaning. • He referred to
them as his friends. • We regard him as an expert. • Many people
regard their activities as anti-social. • Don’t rely on their advice.
• He reminds me of my uncle. • They’ve agreed to rent the house
to them. • We must repay the loan to them without any more

delay. • Ask him to reserve two seats for them. • All this is going
to result in trouble. • They robbed her of all her money. • His
ambition was to rule (over) the earth.
• She sang a song to us. • Don’t forget to save some food
for them. • He’s been trying to secure a job for himself. • Don’t
worry – I’ll see about that. • They see us as their competitors. •
They see all this as unjust. • I have to send this package to her. •
He separated from them and went into another building. • The
judge sentenced him to life imprisonment. • She served coffee
to them. • The sofa serves as a bed too. • He’s set a difficult
task for them. • When he gets angry, he shouts at everybody.
• She shouted to me to do something from across the road. •
Please show the report to him. • They sat on the grass. • She
was happy to see me, and she smiled at me. • He sold the old
furniture to them. • Could I speak to/with you for a moment?
• He spoke to me about his financial difficulties. • A scientist
spoke to us on agriculture. • Can you spare some time for me? •
Most of his problem spring from drink. • They struggled with each
other for the gun. • She struggled against/with this disease for a
year before she died. • Don’t subject yourself to ridicule. • He’s
suffering from pneumonia. • He suggested a mechanic to me. •
The teacher has supplied the students with a list of books. • The
police suspected him of murder.
• He took what you said as an insult. • I took her for your
sister. • Can you take this letter to their place? • She teaches
mathematics to them. • We’ll have to talk (with them and find
a solution). • I saw him talking (to a girl in blue). • You should
tell the truth to her. • They thanked her for the help. • Could
you think of another way of handling the situation? • Have you
thought about trying your luck in another job? • I was thinking
about my childhood days. • I’m thinking of leaving this job. • I
think of him as my friend. • Throw it to me. • I took his mother
for his sister. • He took what she said as an insult. • She tried to
translate the poem into French. • They treated him as a VIP. • He

decided to treat his friends to ice-cream. • He tripped over a stool
and fell. • The car in front turned into the next street. • The road
turns to the right there.
• You can use that box as a stool.
• Industrialists view the latest development as important. •
He viewed the criticism as a personal attack.
• She was waiting for the bus. • Didn’t they warn you of/
about the dangers? • He’s been trying to win support for the new
proposal. • I only wish for some peace and quiet. • They asked
him to write a computer program for them. • You should write to
us now and then. • She wrote a letter to him.
***
44 Generative Struct ures: Last instal ment
Chapter 4
Generative Structures:
Last instalment
There are some more Generative Structures that you have to
have practice with — before we go over to other topics. (For the
first instalment of GSs, see Book 2. For the second instalment,
see Book 6.)
These are all important structures. Pick up each word-
group and utter it several times ALOUD. Make it a point to give
full attention to the patterns of the structures. I’m sure you
are familiar with all these patterns, but how about your organs
of speech? You have to get them to be familiar with these
structures, too. That’s why you must take up this practice with
all seriousness.
Let me stress one thing: Our aim is to gain the skill of
generating English speech spontaneously, without prior planning
and preparation. And GSs make up the bedrock of that skill. Make
sure that the bedrock is as firm and solid as possible. Don’t leave
it shaky, because that’s what you have to stand upon and speak.
So let’s take up the remaining GSs at once:
GS No. 106
• [I] [could have been] [the one they had in mind]. • [We]
[could have been] [the people they were talking about].
• [You] [could have been] [the person they were after]. •
[He] [could have been] [an impostor]. • [She] [could have
been] [his wife]. • [It] [could have been] [a mistake]. •
[They] [could have been] [his employees].
Note: GS Nos. 106 to 109 indicate ‘possibility’ while talking about the
past.
Generative S tru ctures: Last insta l ment 45
GS No. 107
• [I] [could have been] [mistaken about it]. • [We] [could
have been] [frank with them]. • [You] [could have been]
[honest with us]. • [He] [could have been] [patient with
them]. • [She] [could have been] [a little more polite to
them]. • [It] [could have been] [wrong]. • [They] [could
have been] [right].
GS No. 108
• [I] [could have been] [there]. • [We] [could have been]
[here]. • [You] [could have been] [outside]. • [He] [could
have been] [inside]. • [She] [could have been] [away]. •
[It] [could have been] [downstairs]. • [They] [could have
been] [upstairs].
GS No. 109
• [I] [could have been] [in one of the rooms upstairs then].
• [We] [could have been] [in politics, too]. • [You] [could
have been] [in a hurry]. • [He] [could have been] [in
uniform]. • [She] [could have been] [out of town]. • [It]
[could have been] [in the box itself]. • [They] [could have
been] [at the party].
GS No. 110
• [I] [used to be] [a close friend of his]. • [We] [used to
be] [their neighbours]. • [You] [used to be] [a nuisance].
• [He] [used to be] [a regular visitor here]. • [She] [used
to be] [their favourite]. • [It] [used to be] [the general
practice there]. • [They] [used to be] [a proud lot].
GS No. 111
• [I] [used to be] [very cautious about these things]. •
[We] [used to be] [punctual]. • [You] [used to be] [mean
46 Generative Str uct ures: Last insta l ment
to them]. • [He] [used to be] [nasty to us]. • [She] [used

to be] [very arrogant]. • [It] [used to be] [thin]. • [They]
[used to be] [good-humoured and friendly].
GS No. 112
• [I] [used to be] [there quite often]. • [We] [used to
be] [away on all holidays]. • [You] [used to be] [here at
weekends]. • [He] [used to be] [out most of the time]. •
[She] [used to be] [downstairs most of the time]. • [It]
[used to be] [outside all the time]. • [They] [used to be]
[abroad at month-ends].
GS No. 113
• [I] [used to be] [at the street-corner on most evenings].
• [We] [used to be] [in the floor below during those days].
• [You] [used to be] [in business then]. • [He] [used to be]
[in his room most of the time]. • [She] [used to be] [in a
temper most of the days]. • [It] [used to be] [in her purse].
• [They] [used to be] [in politics].
GS No. 114
• [I] [had better] [ring him up at once]. • [I] [had better
not] [keep them waiting]. • [We] [had better] [ask for
his permission]. • [We] [had better not] [mix this powder
with water]. • [You] [had better] [consult a lawyer]. •
[You] [had better not] [change places with him]. • [He]
[had better] [hurry]. • [He] [had better not] [take the first
turning]. • [She] [had better] [keep quiet about it]. • [She]
[had better not] [put everything together]. • [It] [had
better] [be good]. • [It] [had better not] [leak]. • [They]
[had better] [be quiet]. • [They] [had better not] [order
replacements now].
Note: This structure is used to give advice or to tell somebody (including
oneself) what to do or to warn or threaten somebody.
GS No. 115
• [I] [am to] [meet him at twelve]. • [We] [are to] [make
the reservation]. • [You] [are to] [ask him the same
question]. • [He] [is to] [put all this in a box]. • [She] [is
to] [put the money in the Bank]. • [They] [are to] [leave
a message]. • [I] [was to] [force them to come]. • [We]
[were to] [go there after lunch]. • [You] [were to] [return
in a few minutes]. • [He] [was to] [take the machine to
pieces]. • [She] [was to] [get rid of this rubbish]. • [They]
[were to] [catch the 12.20 train].
Note: This structure implies some kind of an arrangement.
GS No. 116
• [I] [was to have] [got a confirmation]. • [We] [were to
have] [put up a barrier]. • [You] [were to have] [stood in
the middle]. • [He] [was to have] [taken a few pictures].
• [She] [was to have] [taken that bus]. • [They] [were to
have] [booked a return ticket for me].
GS No. 117
• [Let me] [do it this way]. • [Let us] [take it easy]. • [Let
us not] [allow it here]. • [Let him] [ask for their views].
• [Let him not] [think that way]. • [Let her] [push that
button]. • [Let her not] [fool you]. • [Let it] [cool your
mouth]. • [Let it not] [burn your finger]. • [Let them]
[decide about the holiday]. • [Let them not] [go away].
Note: “Let us” is shortened to “Let’s” in non-formal speech — when you’re
making a suggestion that involves both you and the hearer. The
shortened form “Let’s” is also used while responding to a suggestion or
giving an instruction. But if what you’re saying involves only you, and
not the hearer, don’t shorten “Let us” to “Let’s”.
GS No. 118
• [Now I] [am able to] [run faster]. • [I] [am not able to]
[remember it]. • [We] [are able to] [knock it down within

an hour]. • [We] [are not able to] [pay for it]. • [He] [is
able to] [lift it easily]. • [She] [is not able to] [open it].
• [You] [are able to] [stand on your head, aren’t you?].
• [You] [are not able to] [understand all this, are you?].
• [They] [are able to] [speak English]. • [They] [are not
able to] [find time to do it]. • [I] [was able to] [give some
information]. • [I] [was not able to] [satisfy the boss]. •
[We] [were able to] [make it fit a little more tightly]. •
[We] [were not able to] [swallow it whole]. • [You] [were
able to] [tell the difference, weren’t you?]. • [You] [were
not able to] [explain your reasons]. • [He] [was able to]
[make a short speech in French]. • [He] [was not able to]
[point out the mistake]. • [She] [was able to] [clear the
pathway]. • [She] [was not able to] [solve the puzzle in
no time]. • [They] [were able to] [sort out the problem
quickly]. • [They] [were not able to] [cope with the
situation].
Note: Here the stress is on the speaker’s capacity or ability to do things.
In place of ‘am able to’, ‘is able to’ and ‘are able to’, you can also use
‘can’. But in place of ‘was able to’ and ‘were able to’, you must not use
‘could’ (except when you are quoting others). The word ‘could’ can
be used to mean ‘had the power to’, but not to express past achieve-
ments (through ability or capacity). You can use ‘could’ also to express
‘conditional past’, ‘possibility in the past’ and ‘permission in the past’.
But you can only use ‘could’ to express capacity or ability in indirect
speech (that is, when you quote others). What you actually do then is
to use ‘could’ as a past tense of ‘can’. As far as ‘can’ is concerned, you
can use it not only to express capacity or ability, but also to express
permission.
GS No. 119
• [I] [have been able to] [close the deal at last]. • [I]
[haven’t been able to] [catch up with the class-work]. •
[We] [have been able to] [persuade them]. • [We] [haven’t
been able to] [see the back of it]. • [You] [have been able
to] [convince them, haven’t you?] • [You] [haven’t been
able to] [describe your house]. • [He] [has been able to]
[get it done]. • [He] [hasn’t been able to] [get near it]. •
[She] [has been able to] [get hold of all the information she
needs]. • [She] [hasn’t been able to] [do the job properly].
• [They] [have been able to] [contact him at last]. • [They]
[haven’t been able to] [come over for the party]. • [I] [had
been able to] [have a look at it]. • [I] [hadn’t been able to]
[say anything]. • [We] [had been able to] [keep the whole
thing a secret]. • [We] [hadn’t been able to] [put the things
away]. • [You] [had been able to] [cancel the order in
time, hadn’t you?]. • [You] [hadn’t been able to] [get that
bandage off]. • [They] [had been able to] [hand him over
to the police]. • [They] [hadn’t been able to] [trace the
missing child by then].
GS No. 120
• [I’ll] [be able to] [come]. • [I] [won’t be able to] [attend
the meeting]. • [We’ll] [be able to] [win the match]. •
[We] [won’t be able to] [find out these details from there].
• [You] [will be able to] [cope with it, I’m sure]. • [You]
[won’t be able to] [organize it]. • [He] [will be able to]
[find his way]. • [He] [won’t be able to] [have a try]. •
[She] [will be able to] [handle the situation without any
difficulty]. • [She] [won’t be able to] [invite most of them
this time]. • [They] [will be able to] [work out a solution
themselves]. • [They] [won’t be able to] [leave early today].
GS No. 121
• [He might] [have been able to] [keep the promise]. • [He
might] [not have been able to] [watch the speed-limit]. •
[They might] [have been able to] [stop by the hospital]. •
[They might] [not have been able to] [complete the job in
time]. • [They might] [have been able to] [help her]. • [He
might] [not have-been able to] [repair it]. • [They might]
[have been able to] [put him up for the night]. • [He]
[might not have been able to] [book a flight]. • [She] [might
not have been able to] [stop the car quickly]. • [They]
[might have been able to] [borrow enough money]. • [He
might] [not have been able to] [operate the TV].
Note: This structure indicates ‘possibility’ while talking about the past. You
can also use ‘may’ in place of ‘might’.
GS No. 122
• [He] [must have been able to] [reach an agreement with
them]. • [She] [mustn’t have been able to] [prove them
wrong]. • [He] [must have been able to] [get their support].
• [She] [mustn’t have been able to] [justify her action]. •
[He] [must have been able to] [get their permission]. • [He]
[mustn’t have been able to] [notice anyone]. • [He] [must
have been able to] [pass that note to her]. • [ He] [mustn’t
have been able to] [warn her]. • [She] [must have been able
to] [escape from there]. • [She] [mustn’t have been able to]
[think of an alternative plan]. • [They] [must have been
able to] [settle the dispute]. • [They] [mustn’t have been
able to] [guess her age].
Note: This structure indicates that the speaker believes that something is
the case — or that something is likely or logical.
GS No. 123
• [I] [ought to be able to] [make it a success]. • [We]
[ought to be able to] [make our views known]. • [He]
[ought to be able to] [improve his work by then]. • [You]
[ought to be able to] [persuade her]. • [She] [ought to be
able to] [do us a favour]. • [They] [ought to be able to] [co-
operate with one another].
Note: This structure indicates that, according to the speaker, the current
situation is not desirable — or that something desirable is expected to
happen. It also indicates what, according to the speaker, is the desired
or expected state.
GS No. 124
• I would like to know what you think about it. • We’d love
to hear her sing. • I wouldn’t like to get myself dirty. • I
would hate to see her sad. • I wouldn’t like to make dancing
my career. • I would prefer to let the matter rest here. • I
wouldn’t like to get my tooth filled. • I would like to meet
him.
• I would like a coffee. • I would like some cake/some
information.
• I wouldn’t expect you to pay, of course. • I would hate you
to think that I am against the proposal.
• I would be happy to vote him our representative. • I would
be delighted to welcome them. • I would be glad to help.
Note: These are polite ways of expressing one’s inclinations, disinclina-
tions, etc. Thus “I would like to sit there” means “I want to sit there”.
But “I want to sit there” is a little abrupt, and a little too assertive.
GS No. 125
• I would think that he’s not going to support this plan. •
I would suppose that they hate this idea. • I would imagine
that he’ll accept our offer. • I would feel that this is your last
chance.
Note: These are polite ways of expressing one’s opinions or feelings with-
out sounding too definite or certain.
GS No. 126
• [I] [am going to] [throw it away]. • [I] [am not going
to] [mention my qualifications]. • [We] [are going to] [let
this happen]. • [We] [are not going to] [ask anyone else].
• [You] [are going to] [accept this offer,] (aren’t you)? •
[You] [are not going to] [wait for his reply,] (are you?). •
[He] [is going to] [report against you]. • [He] [is not going
to] [answer your questions]. • [She] [is going to] [give him
another chance]. • [She] [is not going to] [agree to it]. •
[They] [are going to] [check it later]. • [They] [are not

going to] [go to the meeting].
Note: This structure helps you say that you or somebody else intends to do
something in the future.
GS No. 127
• He is going to pass his exams this time. • She is not going
to get that job. • You are going to face this challenge one
day. • You are going to have a wonderful time. • He’s going
to forget. • We’re going to have an answer by tomorrow.
Note: GSs Nos. 127 to 131 help you say that something is certain or ex-
pected to happen in the future.
GS No. 128
• He’s going to be our next CEO. • She’s not going to be
a tremendous success or anything. • You’re going to be a
great musician. • They are going to be real nuisances.
GS No. 129
• He’s going to be very helpful to us. • She’s not going to be
co-operative. • They’re going to be nasty to us.
GS No. 130
• He’s going to be there tomorrow. • She’s going to be away
for some time. • They are not going to be here on that day.
GS No. 131
• He’s going to be inside that room for a while. • She’s
going to be out of town for a week.
GS No. 132
• There is a book on the table. • There is no better idea.
• There are some people to see you. • There are no
restaurants by the station. • There was an awful lot of

money with him. • There was no fun in that game. • There
were two windows in that room. • There were no pictures
of their family. • There is a little left, but not much. • There
isn’t much free time for them. • There are three large tables.
• There are several weeks to go. • There was nobody who
spoke French. • There was no time for all that. • There were
crowds of people at the gate. • There were several things to
do.
• There will be enough time for that. • There won’t be much
free time. • There would be many people at the meeting. •
There wouldn’t be many such cases.
• There can be no arguing about it. • There can’t be any
doubt about it. • There could be something wrong with this.
• There couldn’t be much fun in that.
• There may be good reasons for it. • There may not be
any more attempts now. • There might be a tendency to
exaggerate it. • There might not be any question about that.
• There must be somewhere for us to sleep. • There mustn’t
be any trouble of this kind next time.
• There ought to be no occasion for complaints. • There
oughtn’t to be any difficulty making a phone call.
• There has been plenty of opportunity to do it. • There
have been proposals to build the bridge even earlier. • There
hadn’t been any time for it.
• There can’t have been any hurry to start it. • There could
have been a fault on the line. • There couldn’t have been any
urgency to finish it.
• There may have been every reason to suspect him. • There
may not have been anywhere for him to go. • There might
have been a great deal of anxiety. • There might not have
been any necessity to do it.
• There must have been enough temptation. • There mustn’t
have been any need for it.

• There ought to have been some cause. • There oughtn’t to
have been any such unpleasantness.
• There seems nowhere for us to sit down. • There seems to
be some misunderstanding. • There appears to be no excuse
for the delay. • There remains one more chance.
• There is going to be a good programme today. • There
are going to be examinations and tests. • There’s going to be
trouble if she complains about it.
G.S. No. 133

• It is a pity to spend money so carelessly. • It is a shame to
live in such a house as this. • It is a delight to get to know
them. • It is a relief to get away from here.
• It will be a strain for you to speak for such a long time.
• It will be a luxury for them to wear suits. • It will be a
nuisance to get phone calls like this. • It will be a treat to go
to their party. • It will be a scandal to let others know of it.
• It can be a pleasure for her to be in their company. • It
can be an abuse to send the office car for a private purpose
like this. • It can be a bore to watch it for a long time. • It
can be a disgrace to lose that match. • It can be a comfort to
be with your friends.
• It may be a consolation for her to know it. • It may be an
inspiration for all to hear of it. • It may be a shock to learn
the truth. • It may be an offence to park the car there.
• It must be an insult to take it back. • It must be an honour
for them to receive you. • It must be a blessing to get out of
this stuffy room. • It must be a joy for him to help you with
this.
GS No. 134
• It shocks me to listen to him saying things like these. • It
doesn’t frighten them to think about her future. • It excited

us to go fishing. • It didn’t inspire them to read that book.
• It will hurt me to watch them beating him. • It won’t
surprise him to hear her talk like that. • It may terrify them
to go against your wish. • It might not disappoint them to
find him gone.
• It has bored him to watch the film. • It hasn’t annoyed
them to find us doing it.
• It will have disgusted him to hear the news. • It couldn’t
have delighted them to question his honesty. • It may
have tired her to walk so far. • It may not have bothered
her to leave the work half-finished. • It must have pleased
everybody to welcome them.
• It has been worrying to wait for the result. • Don’t tell
me it hasn’t been distressing to sit up all night like that. • It
hadn’t been flattering to face that audience.
• It would have been horrifying to walk twenty miles. • It
wouldn’t have been satisfying to listen to his explanation.
• It could have been amusing to sing at school. • It
couldn’t have been tempting to try that again. • It may
have been astonishing to watch her climb. • It may have
been interesting to practise everyday. • It must have been
sickening to watch the operation.
GS No. 135
• It is nice to be with you like this. • It isn’t difficult to
swim far into the sea. • It’s good to see you again so soon,
Prasad.
• It will be useless to make another attempt. • It won’t be
normal for a dog to eat grass. • It can be ridiculous to ask
for more now. • It can’t be too wide for her to swim across.
• It may be necessary for us to do it. • It may not be easy
to teach them English. • It must be foolish to refuse it. • It
must be sensible to accept it. • It ought to be helpful to dress

decently. • It ought to be impossible for them to break it
open.
• It has been childish to cry before them. • It hasn’t been
reasonable to keep them out.
• It can’t have been easy to complete that job in such a
short time. • It could have been too early to say anything
about the patient’s condition. • It may have been a little
embarrassing for him to ask her for a loan. • It must have
been too late to do anything by then.
Fluency and General Structures

By now, you’ve seen all the fundamental clause structures in
spoken English. Pay particular attention to them and carry out
intensive oral practice with them.
Utter the GS word groups repeatedly — ALOUD. As many
times as you can. This kind of repetition will go a long way in
fixing their patterns in your mind — and in getting your organs
of speech to stop fighting shy of them. That is why you should
give great importance to the oral practice with word groups.
***
Phrasal verbs 57
Chapter 5
Phrasal verbs
In an earlier Book in this series, I told you how important phrasal
verbs are for fluency development. And I made one thing clear:
If you want to achieve a high level of fluency in spoken English,
you must have a good command of the frequently-occurring ones
among phrasal verbs. And you’ve already had practice with a
good percentage of them.
Here’s the second instalment of practice material for practice
with phrasal verbs. Just as you’ve done with all other word groups
given for practice, utter each of the word groups in this collection
also several times — ALOUD.
Here we go:
Gg
• He can’t get about much. His leg has been in plaster for
about a month, you know (= move, walk or go from place to
place). • News got about that the Chairman was thinking of
resigning (= spread, circulated).
• Women find it difficult to get ahead in politics. (= advance;
progress). • She got the wet clothes off. (= took them off).
• It’s/Time’s getting on. Let’s start. (= It’s getting late). • I’m
getting on (in years). I’m turning 65 this September, you know.
(= growing old). • The bus/train stopped, and she got on. (= got
into/onto it). • He got on his bike and rode off down the road. •
Get your shirt/dress/coat/gloves on. (= put it on). • I got on to
him in the evening and gave him the information he wanted. •
If you keep coming to work late like this, the boss is sure to get
on to you. (= find it out). • Let’s now get on to another topic.
(= begin discussing it). • We got talking, and somehow got on to
children. (= began talking about the topic of... ). • Get on with
58 Phrasal verbs
it — we haven’t got all day. (= hurry up).

• He’s getting along well at school, I believe. (= making
progress). • How did she get on at the interview? (= perform).
• Stop talking, and get on with the work. (= continue doing). •
He’s thinking of leaving the job, because he can’t get on with the
new boss. (= is not able to have a good relationship with). • I
can’t get on/along without a washing machine. There’s so much
washing to do every day. (= cope/manage).
• I wonder how he gets through so much work in a day. (=
manages to do). • I got through the novel last night. (= managed
to read). • She couldn’t get through the exam/test. (= pass
it). • I think our message hasn’t got through yet. (= reached
the destination). • Can you get this packet through to him by
tomorrow morning? (= see that it reaches him). • (infml) By
the look on his face, I knew I hadn’t got through to him. (= made
him understand/believe what I meant). • I can’t seem to get (it)
through to him that this plan is impracticable and is not going to
work. (= make him understand/believe...). • I can’t get through.
His line is engaged. (= make contact by telephone).
• Mom, I want to get up early tomorrow. Will you wake me?
(= leave my bed). • When the boss came in, all the staff got
up. (= stood up). • She’s got herself up beautifully. (= made
herself beautiful, especially by dressing well). • He got himself
up as a beggar/a king for the fancy dress competition. (= dressed
himself as... ). • I have to get up two more lessons. (= study... ).
• (infml) They’re getting up a protest against the bus-fare hike.
(= organizing). • I don’t know what she’s going to get up to now.
(= do... ; be busy with).
• You see that counter? That’s where you must give your
building plan in. (= hand it over to somebody having the
authority to receive it). • I gave in to him. After all, he is my
elder brother. (= yielded). • What’s that black thing? It’s giving
off a foul smell (= producing). • These rotten oranges are giving
off a bad smell. • My patience gave out and I asked him to stop
Phrasal verbs 59
lecturing me. (= became used up). • They’re giving out a notice

or something. (= distributing). • They didn’t give out the news
until this afternoon. (= announce).
• I can’t solve this puzzle/problem — I give up. (= stop trying
to solve it). • Don’t expect them to give up without a fight. (=
stop trying to win/achieve their aim). • So far, I’ve been trying
to please him, but now I’ve given it up (= stopped doing it). •
They gave up their car, and it has changed their life-style. • He’s
decided to give up his job. (= stop having it; resign). • (infml) I
don’t think his work will ever improve — I given up on him. (=
stopped believing that he’ll be successful). • I’ve given up smoking/
drinking altogether, you know. (= stopped). • The hijacker gave
himself up (to the police). (= stopped resisting and surrendered
himself to). • She’s given up that boyfriend of hers. (= stopped
being friendly with). • The terrorist gave up his accomplices
when the police used force. (= stopped protecting their secrets
and told the police where they were hiding). • I waited for you
for about an hour and then gave you up/gave up on you. (= took
it that you wouldn’t come). • The doctors had given up on me/
given me up, but I survived. (= took it that I wouldn’t get well).
• When did you give up politics/communism? (= stop believing
in). • I don’t think he’s completely given up hope yet. (= stopped
having it). • (infml) He’s given up the Communist Party. (= left).
• Don’t give up that right/claim. (= abandoned...). • They’ve
decided to go ahead with the plan.
• We’ve decided to go ahead with the project. (= continue
carrying out...). • The exhibition went ahead as planned. (= took
place).
• The gun accidentally went off when he cleaned it, and killed
his dog. • The meeting went off without a hitch. (= proceeded
). • The alarm-clock went off, and he woke up with a start. (=
made a ringing noise). • Slowly, the pain started going off. (=
becoming less strong). • When did the electricity go off? (=
become unavailable). • This milk has gone off — it smells funny.
60 Phrasal verbs
(= gone bad, become unfit to drink). • When did you buy this
meat? It has gone off. (= gone bad, become unfit to eat). • The
milk has gone off — don’t use it. • He has gone off his girl friend.
(= lost his liking for). • We’re going right off the subject.
• As time goes on, things are bound to improve. • The fire
went on for about an hour before it was brought under control.
(= continued to happen/take place). • Do you want this system/
practice/these customs/rules to go on? (= continue to exist). •
Go on, ask him about it. • The police would have arrested him by
now if they had anything to go on. (= any grounds, information,
etc. to base their action on). • As the day went on, it became clear
that they had no intention of calling off the strike immediately.
(= passed). • “When he saw that, he started shouting at us. And
then, do you know what happened?” ~ “What happened? Go
on”. (= continue talking). • You go on to Maria’s place. I’ll go
back to my hotel and check out of there and come and join you. •
(infml) Don’t go on at me like this. This is too much. [= criticize
me repeatedly or complain about me (to others) repeatedly]. •
All his salary goes on that girl. (= is spent on). • Half of his
pension goes on drinks. • Let’s now go on to the next topic. (=
go from here to). • He showed us the pictures and went on to
explain the techniques used in painting them. • Don’t mind me.
Go on with what you’re doing. (= continue).
• He grew up in Lucknow. (= became an adult). • Our
city/town grew up originally as a business centre. (= started to
exist and develop). • (infml) Oh, grow up and stop quarrelling/
fighting, you two! (= stop behaving in a silly/childish way).
Hh
• The judge handed down a stiff sentence on the main accused
(= passed a sentence on a person found guilty of a crime). •
These jewels are valuable family heirlooms, and my grandfather
handed them down to my father. [= gave it to my father before
he (grandfather) died]. • These are traditions handed down to
Phrasal verbs 61
us over several generations. (= passed or transmitted from one

generation to a later generation).
• Has he handed in his report yet? (= submitted). • Ask him
to hand in the tools before he leaves. (= surrender, after use).
• He was the chairman of the company, and he handed over
to his daughter when he was past 70. (= gave control of the
company or responsibility for running it). • They handed over the
thief to the police. (= deliver him). • I handed over the office keys
to my assistant. (= gave). • Hand these sandwiches/biscuits/
cups round, will you? • I saw him hanging about at the gate. (=
waiting there doing nothing in particular).
• He helped me into/out of my coat. (= helped me put it on/
take it off).
• (infml) Oh, what a party it was! Now let’s help (mom)
out with the washing up. (= help her do it, because it would be
difficult for her to do it herself). • I wanted some money urgently,
and he was the only person who was willing to help (me) out. (=
help me by giving me money). • They gave us some money and
helped us out of a difficult situation.
• She held back and didn’t tell him about it then. (= she
hesitated to tell this to him because of fear, unwillingness or
caution). • Why did you hold back this information from the
police? (= not give; refuse to give; delay giving). • She could no
longer hold back her tears.
• The meeting has been held over until the next weekend.
(= postponed).
• The tent is held up by/with poles and ropes. • She held
up her hand to attract the speaker’s attention. (= raised it). • I
was held up by the traffic. (= delayed). • The traffic was held up
by the accident. • Their workers have been on strike for a week
now, and this has held up our production (= halted, delayed).
• I’m sorry I held you up. You see, my car broke down on the
way. (= made you wait). • His car was held up on his way to the
62 Phrasal verbs
airport, and he was attacked. • Some masked men held them up

on their way and took all their money. (= stopped and robbed
them). • I think this was the gang that held up a bank last month.
(= robbed it by the threat of violence). • When I saw the bus, I
held up my hand, but it didn’t stop.
• I know they’ve suffered a heavy loss this time. But
they’re trying to hush it up (= prevent it from becoming public
knowledge).
Ii
• These are not serious difficulties. We can sit together and
iron them out. (= remove them by discussion and compromise).
Kk
• Don’t keep the news back from them. (= decide not to
tell). • Keep on until you reach the traffic lights; then turn left.
(= continue going).
• (infml) Don’t keep on at them about the job — they’ll finish
it on time. (= Don’t tell them/ask them about it again and again
and annoy them). • (infml) He kept (on) at me to help him get
the job. (= continued pestering me). • He kept (on) asking me
questions.
• The rain kept up for the whole day. (= continued without
changing). • Their courage kept up throughout the crisis. (=
remained at a high level; did not become smaller, lower or
weaker). • We couldn’t afford to keep up such a big house, and
so we decided to sell it and move to a smaller one. [= keep it
(neat, clean and in good repair) by spending money and energy;
maintain it]. • (infml) The pain kept me up past midnight. (=
prevented me from going to bed). • I wanted to keep his spirits
up. (= maintain; prevent the spirits from becoming weaker). •
You’re doing well. Keep up your efforts. (= maintain). • If you
don’t keep up the rent, they’ll throw you out. (= continue paying
it in time). • Dad was walking so fast that I really had to run to
Phrasal verbs 63
keep up with him. I was only a kid then, you know. (= to move
at the same speed as). • It’s five years since I retired. But I still
keep up with some of my friends in the office. (= keep in touch
with them through visits, phone calls, letters, etc.). • If you want
to be successful in this field, you must keep up with the latest
developments. (= keep yourself informed about). • The cost of
living is going up day by day, but our salaries aren’t keeping up
with it. (= rising at the same rate).
• The chicken curry they served him at the restaurant was
too spicy, and he kicked up a fuss/row about it. (= he complained
strongly to show that he was annoyed or dissatisfied).
Ll
• We can’t last out without food/water for very long. (= go
on living; remain active).
• He laid his book/pen down and got up to answer the
door. • The Government has laid down new guidelines on health
and safety in the workplace. (= officially announced them as
a principle, rule, etc.). • They laid on a bodyguard for him (=
supplied). • Tomorrow’s our wedding anniversary, and we’re
planning to lay on a dinner party. (= organize). • (infml) He laid
out all his savings on the holiday (= spent) • (infml) He laid out
the street-plan/the map on the table. (= spread).
• I feel rather let down by their indifference. • (infml)
She hoped that he would support her, but he let her down. (=
disappointed her, failed her). • This dress looks too short for you.
Why don’t you let it down a bit. (= lengthen it…).
• We let off a lot of fireworks for Diwali. (= explode). • Was
that policeman crazy or something? Otherwise, why did he let
off the gun at the crowd? (= fire…). • He has a bad cold, and so
she let him off cleaning the windows. (= allow him not to do it).
• (infml) The magistrate took a lenient view, and let him off. (=
released him and did not punish him).
• (infml) Don’t let on about our plans. (= reveal/disclose).
64 Phrasal verbs
• Come on, let me out. Why have you locked me in? (= allow
me to go from this place). • (infml) My sister said she would go
to the railway station and pick up my mother-in-law; that let me
out. (= released me from an unpleasant obligation). • This dress
has become too tight — it’ll have to be let out round the waist. (=
make it wider/looser). • We’ve let out the first floor of our house
as a flat. (= made it available for people to rent). • We’ve let out
the top floor of our house to them.
• (infml) He kept on working, and didn’t let up for an
instant.(= relax making an effort). • The rain hasn’t let up yet.(=
slackened). • Don’t be so strict/severe with your children — you
should let up on them. (= be less strict/severe with them).
• Don’t forget to lock up after you. (= lock very securely
when you leave).
• Look ahead 10 or 15 years. How do you think will this
place look like then?
• (infml) The doctor looked him over. (= examined him
carefully). • They sent a surveyor to look over the house (=
survey, inspect)
• Before hiring an advertising agency, you should look them
up extensively. • (infml) When I come to Dallas, I’ll look you
up. (= find your house and visit you). • Did you look him up
thoroughly before you hired him? • Go to the library and look up
the June issue of the magazine. • Can you look her phone number
up in the telephone book? • (infml) The weather is looking up
(= getting better, improving). • I didn’t know the word — so I
looked it up in a dictionary (= searched for it, tried to find its
meaning, pronunciation, etc.). • He’s a man of absolute integrity,
and we all look up to him.(= admire or respect him).
Mm
• I could see a figure in the distance, but I couldn’t make out
who it was. • (infml) How’s he making out in his new profession?
Phrasal verbs 65
(= progressing/prospering). • I could just make out his face in

the street light. • He makes out that they were with him on that
day. (= claim, maintain). • There was somebody sitting on the
floor, a little away from me. But I couldn’t make them out. It was
quite dark in there, you know. (= manage to see). • I couldn’t
make out what you were saying. (= manage to hear). • I can just
make out those big letters on the top. (= manage to read). • He
makes himself out to be an expert. (= claims, maintains). • She
made out a cheque for Rs.50/- (= wrote and completed it). • We
can make a frock out of this cloth.
• They shook hands and made up. (= ended their quarrel). •
She’s not a good typist. But there’s something that makes up for
that. She’s quite good-looking. (= compensates for; outweighs;
she uses it as a suitable alternative for...). • Is there any way I
can make up for the damage I’ve caused? (= compensate for/
repay for). • (infml) He’s trying to make up to the boss. (= make
himself, pleasant to the boss in order to get something done or
win favours). • They’re bringing him here from the hospital.
You’ll have to make up a bed for him at once. (= prepare a
bed). • She had made up a few sandwiches for us before we
started. (= prepared them for our journey/outing). • They make
up medicines from the buds, leaves and other parts of herbs
and plants. (= prepare medicines by mixing these ingredients
together). • How are you going to make up such a huge loss?
(= replace, make good). • They’re asking Rs.5000/- for it. I
need Rs.1500/- to make up the money. (= to make the money
complete). • I’m sorry you’ll have to be on night duty today, but
I’ll make it up to you. (= do something or give something to you
to compensate you for what you suffer or miss).
• (infml) I missed out on the seminar. I was away on tour,
you know. (= I couldn’t attend it, and so lost a chance to benefit
from it). • You missed out on all the fun. You should have come a
bit early. • Did you go through the list? I think we’ve missed out a
few of the items from it (= failed or forgotten to include).
66 Phrasal verbs
• Don’t mix up my papers/books. I’ve just put them in order.

• Don’t mix up the candidates (= put them in the wrong order
or mix them together, so that it’s difficult to know who’s who). •
She’s always mixing me up with my sister (= confuses; is unable
to tell me from my brother).
***
“Adjective + N oun” word groups 67
Chapter 6
“Adjective + Noun” word groups

This is the second instalment of the collection of “adjective +
noun” combinations.
You saw the first instalment in Book 6.
From the time you did your practice with the first instalment
of these combinations, you must have noticed one thing: These
combinations not only help you to get a real mastery of the high-
end spoken English vocabulary, but also to do that quickly.
And you must have noticed that they help you a lot in
putting spoken English to extensive use — especially, in serious
conversations.
Utter each of the word groups several times — ALOUD.
Here we go:
F
• a fabulous meal. • a factual account (of what happened). •
faded jeans. • a faint click. • a faint pencil line. • a faint sound.
• a fainthearted attack. • a fair deal. • a fair excuse. • fair hair.
• a fair hearing. • fair weather. • a fair-haired boy. • a fairy tale.
• a faithful friend. • fake fur. • a fake Swiss watch. • a false
beard. • a false name. • a false statement. • a familiar face. • a
family photo. • a family reunion. • a family tradition. • a famous
magician. • the most famous museum. • a famous novelist. • a
famous song. • a famous brand of jeans. • a famous doctor. •
a famous person. • a famous show-jumper. • a famous singer.
• a famous battle. • a fancy restaurant. • a fantastic dancer.
• a fantastic hit. • a fantastic match. • a fantastic player. • a
fantastic present. • fantastic trainers. • a farfetched excuse. • a
fascinating show. • a fashionable club. • a fashionable new disco.
• a fashionable dress. • a fashionable haircut. • fashionable
68 “Adjective + N oun” word groups
ideas. • a fashionable jacket. • a fashionable boutique. • a fast

pace. • a fast train. • a fast car. • fast colours. • a fast-growing
economy. • a fat guy. • a fat book. • a fat cat. • a fat man. • a fat
body. • a fatal disease. • fatty meat. • a faultless performance.
• faulty brakes. • faulty wiring. • your favourite crisps. • your
favourite ice cream. • her favourite brand (of soap). • a feathery
cloud. • feathery hair. • a feeble argument. • a feeble cry. • feeble
excuses. • a feeble kick. • a feeble miaow. • a feeble protest. •
a ferocious dog. • a ferocious tiger. • a ferocious wolf. • a fierce
female. • fierce hatred. • a fierce lion. • a fierce opponent. • a
fierce gale. • a fiery temperament. • fighting tactics. • a filthy
face. • filthy socks. • a filthy sports shirt. • the final chapter. •
the final day (of term). • financial help. • a fine day. • a fine
morning. • a fine view. • a fire alarm. • a fire bell. • a firm
friend. • a firm handshake. • firm ice cream. • a firm promise.
• a firm surface. • (in) the first year. • a first-class artist. • a
first-class scientist. • a first-rate goalkeeper. • first-rate results.
• a fishing line. • a fishing port. • a fishing rod. • a fit athlete.
• a fit person. • a fitted carpet. • a fixed appointment. • a fixed
time. • a flag pole. • a flashing light. • a flat country. • a flat
field. • a flat garden. • a flat landscape. • a flat road. • a flat
tyre. • a flawless diamond. • flaxen hair. • a flea bite. • a flimsy
dress. • a floor rag. • a flourishing trade. • a flower stem. • a
flowery perfume. • a flu virus. • a fluffy rug. • fluffy toys. •
a foolish woman. • a football ground. • a football pitch. • a
football referee. • the football results. • a football stadium. •
(his) cricket stuff. • a football team. • a forced smile. • a forceful
character. • a foreign car. • a foreign land. • foreign matter/
articles. • foreign travellers. • a foreign country. • the foremost
company. • a forest fire. • forged money. • a fortunate day. •
a foul deed. • a foul smell. • a fractured arm. • a fragile vase.
• a frank answer. • frank opinions. • a frantic rush. • freezing
cold. • a freezing night. • frequent visitor. • fresh drinks. • fresh
lettuce leaves. • a fresh page. • fresh plans (for the conference).
• fresh grapes. • fresh water. • the fresh air. • (give somebody)
a friendly pinch. • a friendly expression. • a friendly class. • a

friendly dog. • a friendly girl. • a friendly shopkeeper. • a friendly
smile. • a friendly teacher. • a friendly welcome. • a friendly
chat. • a frightened child. • a frightening sight. • a frightening
experience. • a frightening scream. • a frightening sound. • a
frightening thought. • a frightful accident. • a fruitless search.
• a fruity flavour. • a full stomach. • a full hour’s work. • the
full price. • a funny guy. • a funny incident. • a funny sight. • a
funny situation. • a funny smell. • a funny comment. • a funny
feeling. • a funny film. • a funny noise.
G
• a gallant warrior. • the gang leader. • a garden plant. • a
garden pond. • a garden shed. • garden tools. • garden twine. •
general knowledge. • a generous person. • a generous uncle. • a
gentle boy. • a gentle child. • a gentle girl. • gentle rain. • genuine
designer jeans. • genuine fur. • a genuine offer of help. • genuine
sadness. • a ghastly dream. • a ghostly sight. • a ghostly voice. •
a gifted singer. • a gigantic ship. • a gigantic spaceship. • glaring
mistakes. • gleaming car. • a gloomy building. • a gloomy look.
• a gloomy place. • glossy curls. • glossy hair. • a gold mine.
• golden sands. • golden curls. • a golden-haired retriever. • a
goldfish pond. • good behaviour. • (in) good condition. • a good
cookery book. • a good friend. • a good job. • a good place. •
a good light (for reading). • a good thing to know. • (having) a
good time. • good weather. • a good humour. • a good idea. • a
good job. • (making) good progress. • good marks (for maths).
• a good opportunity. • a good physique. • a good position. • a
good quality cloth. • a good reputation. • (in) very good shape.
• good soil. • (have) good standing (in the neighbourhood). •
a good suggestion. • a good supply (of food/drinks). • a good
system (of working). • (in) a good temper. • a good try. • (a car)
in good condition. • (pets in) good condition. • a good deed.
• a good education. • good eyesight. • good advice. • good
behaviour. • (with) a good character. • a good-looking boy. • a
good-looking man. • a good-looking woman. • a good-natured

child. • good-quality shoes. • a goods truck. • a good-tempered
pony. • a gorgeous costume. • a gorgeous dress. • a government
position. • a gradual improvement (in somebody’s health). • a
grand building. • a grape pip. • a grassy hillside. • a grassy space.
• a grassy field. • a greasy hamburger. • a greasy handle. • great
artists. • a great band. • a great building. • a great day out. •
great destruction. • a great idea. • a great monster. • a great
picnic spot. • a great shop. • a great show. • a great supporter. •
a great time. • a great view. • a great idea. • a great liking (for
ice cream). • a great relief. • a great victory. • the greatest actor.
• a greedy pig. • green grass. • grey hair. • a grimy face. • grimy
hands. • grimy walls. • a grown boy. • grubby face. • a grubby
little boy. • a gruesome picture. • a grumpy mood. • a guided
tour. • a guilty conscience. • gummy sweets. • a gutsy kid.
H
• hairy arms. • a handsome actor. • handsome boys. • a
handsome man. • a lean, handsome man. • handwritten notes. •
a handy shop. • a handy supermarket. • a happy class. • a happy
event. • a happy face. • a happy place. • a happy smile. • a
happy ending. • a hard ball. • a hard biscuit. • a hard book cover.
• hard chairs. • a hard question. • a hard sum. • hard sums.
• a hard woman. • hard work. • a hard worker. • (sentenced
to) hard labour. • a hard stare. • a hard-hearted stepmother. •
hardy plants. • a harmless animal. • a harsh judgment. • a harsh
punishment. • a hasty good-bye. • a healthy baby. • a healthy
dog. • a healthy meal. • a healthy person. • a heartbreaking
story. • a heartbroken girl. • heartfelt gratitude. • heart-stopping
danger. • a hearty stew. • a heated argument. • a heated pool.
• a heavy cold. • heavy mud. • a heavy sack. • a heavy smoker.
• heavy traffic. • a heavy build. • heavy rain. • a heavy sigh.
• a heavy sofa. • a heavy tread (outside the door). • a heavy
weight (to carry). • a helpful book. • a helpful girl. • helpful
instructions. • a helpful nurse. • a helpful hint. • a helpful
suggestion. • helpful tips. • a heroic escape. • heroic exploits.

• a hidden entrance. • a hideous building. • a high building. •
a high fever. • a high mountain. • a high note. • a high tower. •
high wages. • a high jump. • a high rank. • a high ridge. • a high
standard of fitness. • a high temperature. • a high tower. • a
high-class resort. • (at) the highest level. • the highest pinnacle.
• a high-rise block of flats. • a high-rise building. • a high-risk
sport. • a high-speed train. • a hilarious programme. • a hilly
landscape. • a hilly place. • a hilly area. • a historic castle. •
historical costume. • a hockey pitch. • holiday snaps. • a hollow
ball. • a homicidal maniac. • an honest statement. • an honest
wish. • an honourable fight. • a hopeless mess. • a horizontal
position. • a horrible dream. • a horrible girl. • a horrible noise.
• horrible people. • a horrible thing (to do). • horrid people. •
horrifying news. • a horrifying story. • a horror film. • a horse-
drawn carriage. • a hospitable man. • a hot new band. • a hot
curry. • a hot meal. • hot water. • hotel guests. • household tools
. • a housetrained cat. • a huge grin. • a huge man. • a huge
school. • a huge factory. • a hulking great monster. • the human
race. • the human soul. • basic human qualities. • a humid day.
• a humorous show. • a humorous speech. • a hurried wave. •
a hushed silence.
I
• iced lemonade. • an icy day. • an icy path. • icy water.
• an icy blast. • an ideal picnic spot. • an ideal shape. • an
ideal solution. • ideal weather (for a picnic). • an identical pen.
• identical scores. • identical twins. • an idiotic reason. • an
idiotic thing (to say). • an idle person. • an ignorant person. •
illegal activities. • an illegal immigrant. • ill-fitting plug. • some
ill-fitting shoes. • an imaginative drama. • an immature bird. •
an immediate answer. • an immediate reply. • an immoral way
(to behave). • an impartial judge. • an impertinent question. •
impolite language. • an important book. • an important building.
• an important letter. • an important moment. • the most
important thing. • an important person. • the most important

question. • the most important scientists. • the most important
thing (to remember). • an important woman. • imported fruit.
• an impossible task. • an impressive player. • an improbable
reason. • an improved formula. • inconsiderate behaviour. • an
inconsiderate remark. • incorrect facts. • increased prices. • an
incredible story. • an incredible piece of news. • an incredible feat.
• indelible ink. • an independent country. • an independent state.
• indigestion pills. • indistinct writing. • an individual prize. • an
indoor pastime. • an infant school. • their infant son. • inflexible
leather boots. • inflexible school rules. • an influential politician.
• an inland sea. • innovative ideas. • innovative software. • an
inquisitive boy. • an insane woman. • insignificant people. • an
insolent child. • insolent remarks. • an inspiring teacher. • (take)
an instant dislike (to somebody). • an instantaneous reaction. •
instinctive behaviour. • an intelligent girl. • an intelligent person.
• an intelligent remark. • an intelligent reply. • an intelligent
woman. • an intelligent lad. • intense love. • an interesting
mind. • an interesting person. • an interesting speech. • an
interesting job. • an interesting period (of history). • interesting
pictures. • an interesting display. • an international gathering.
• an invaluable piece of advice. • an inventive comedy. • an
iron spike. • irresistible prices. • irresponsible behaviour. • an
isolated cottage. • an itchy sweater.
J
• a jazz group. • a jolly time. • a jumbled heap of clothes. •
junior school. • a just decision. • a juvenile court.
K
• a keen footballer. • keen hearing. • a keen mind. • key
facts. • key points. • a kind boy. • a kind lad. • a kind man. • a
kind person. • kind teachers. • a kind nature. • a kind person. •
a kindly uncle. • a kitchen stool. • kitchen utensils.
L
• a lamp post. • a language scholar. • a laptop computer. •
a large box. • a large dog. • a large sandwich. • a large size. • a
large orchestra. • a large organization. • a large portion of pie.
• a large quantity (of white paper). • a large expanse of sand. •
a large canopy. • the last day. • the last minutes (of the film). •
(make) a lasting impression. • (her) late husband. • the latest
fashions. • the latest hit. • the latest trend. • the latest craze.
• the latest fashion. • a law-abiding family. • a lazy afternoon.
• a lazy person. • a lazy smile. • (spend) a lazy summer. • a
leading athlete. • a leading band. • a leading player. • a leading
scientist. • a leading sportsman. • a lean body. • a lean dog. • a
lean, handsome man. • (haven’t) the least idea. • the legitimate
owner. • lemon rind. • lemon squash. • a lemony tang. • lemony
fragrance. • a level field. • a level garden. • a level playing field.
• his life savings. • life-and-death decisions. • a life-threatening
accident. • a light hallway. • a light breeze. • a light classroom.
• light green. • light weapons. • a light doze. • a light-hearted
mood. • a lightweight suitcase. • a lined face. • a litter bin. •
a little boy. • a little dog. • a little girl. • a little noise. • a little
snooze. • a little toddler. • a (dear) little puppy. • a little drink
(of milk). • a little child. • a live hedgehog. • a live broadcast. •
a lively discussion. • a lively expression. • a lively imagination. •
lively songs. • a lively personality. • a living creature. • a loaded
basket. • the local library. • the local pub. • a lofty mountain. •
a lonely farm. • a lonely man. • a long illness. • a long ladder.
• a long lane. • a long pointer. • a long queue. • a long stick.
• a long struggle. • a long trek. • a long conversation. • a long
corridor. • a long burrow. • a loose belt. • a loose tooth. • a
loose-fitting dress. • a lottery ticket. • a loud groan. • a loud
snore. • a loud voice. • a loud noise. • a loud roar (of the lion). •
a loud scream. • loud screaming. • a loud shout. • a loud shriek.
• a loud tap (on the desk). • a loud tap (at/on the door). • a loud
cry. • lousy food. • lousy marks (in her exam). • a lovely house.
• a lovely city. • a lovely dad. • a lovely day. • a lovely idea. • a
lovely little girl. • a lovely party. • a lovely time. • a loving kiss. •

loving feelings. • a low level. • a low ceiling. • low cost. • a low
roof. • low humour. • a low rumble. • a low voice. • a low moan.
• a low score (in the game). • a low couch. • the lower lip. • the
lowest marks (in the class). • the lowest number (of people). • a
loyal follower. • lucky charms. • lukewarm water. • a luxurious
house. • a luxury car.
M
• a mad woman. • a magic show. • (some) magic tricks.
• magic words. • a magic spell. • a magnificent house. • a
magnificent performance. • the main office. • the main point.
• the main reason (for resigning). • a main road. • a majestic
ceremony. • major roadworks. • a malicious girl. • a malicious
lie. • a malicious thing (to say). • a malignant growth. • a mangy
dog. • man-made cloth. • a man-made material. • a market stall.
• a market town. • a married couple. • a married man. • married
life. • a marvellous day. • a marvellous story. • a marvellous time.
• a marvellous view. • a mass murderer. • a massive amount (of
work). • matching colours. • a matching bracelet. • a maths
problem. • a mean boy. • a mean girl. • a mean look. • mean
rainfall. • a mean trick. • a mean witch. • a mean woman. • a
meaningless answer. • medium size. • melancholy music. • a
memorable occasion. • a merciless act. • a mere child. • messy
hands. • a messy house. • a messy table. • messy writing. • a
metal shaving. • a metal cylinder. • middle-sized socks. • a mighty
emperor. • a mighty warrior. • a mild day. • a miniature house. •
a miniature pony. • a miniature poodle. • the minimum age (for
voting). • the minimum temperature. • a minute amount. • a
minute kitten. • miscellaneous books. • a mischievous kitten. • a
mischievous trick. • a miserable term (at school). • a miserly old
man. • mixed sweets. • a model kit. • modern cars. • a modern
house. • a modern town. • modern contemporary music. • moist
air. • moist skin. • a momentary smile. • moneyed people. • a
monthly visit. • a moonless night. • a moth-eaten coat. • a moth-
eaten jacket. • the motor trade. • mouldy biscuits. • mouldy

cheese. • muddy boots. • a muddy puddle. • muddy footprints. •
a murder mystery. • a murky pond. • a muscular chest. • mushy
peas. • a music shop. • a music teacher. • a music exam. • a
musical instrument. • musical talent. • a mysterious noise. • a
mysterious stranger. • a mystery story.
N
• a naked baby. • a naked child. • a narrow lane. • narrow
shoes. • a narrow passage. • a narrow path. • a narrow alleyway. •
a narrow bandage. • a nasty knock (on the head). • a nasty mood.
• a nasty girl. • a nasty person. • nasty remarks. • nasty smells.
• nasty weather. • national dress. • the natural environment.
• natural fears. • natural honey. • natural materials. • natural
woodland. • a nature film. • naughty behaviour. • a naughty
trick. • a nearby school. • a neat bedroom. • a neat cupboard. •
a neat haircut. • necessary information. • neighbouring villages.
• a nervous mother. • a nettle rash. • her new hairstyle. • new
buds. • a new fashion. • new games. • new ideas. • a new jacket.
• new pens. • a new idea. • a new post. • a new raincoat. • a
new recipe. • a new settee. • a new type of (soft drink). • a
new type (of car). • a new version of a computer game. • a new
video. • a new word. • a new dance. • a new drug. • an excellent
new video. • a new brand (of peanut butter). • a newborn baby.
• a news story. • a newspaper report. • the next country. • a nice
home. • a nice lad. • nice neighbours. • a nice holiday. • a nice
neighbour. • a nice person. • (have) a nice time. • a nice old
house. • nice weather. • a nice spot. • a nice view of the sea. • a
nice colour. • a nice face. • a nice chap. • a nice-looking boy. •
a nice-looking girl. • a nice-looking meal. • her nicest dress. • a
night watchman. • a nippy evening. • noble ancestors. • a noble
deed. • a noble family. • a noiseless machine. • a noisy family.
• noisy neighbours. • a noisy party. • a nonsensical rhyme. •
a nonsensical book. • nonstop banging from the building site.
• a nonstop bus. • a normal meal. • normal reactions. • a
normal Sunday. • my normal voice. • normal weather. • a nosy

neighbour. • a noted scientist. • a noticeable stain. • a notorious
murderer. • the nuclear plant.
***
F ixed and S emi -fixed E xpressions – Part 1 77
Chapter 7
Fixed and Semi-fixed

Expressions – Part 1
There are certain fixed and semi-fixed expressions in English, and
they come up quite frequently in everyday speech. You must pick
up the knack of using these expressions easily and effortlessly in
speech. You must. This knack will add to your fluency quickly
and with telling effect.
The practice you’re going to do in this Book will help you
achieve this knack.
Here is an exhaustive collection of frequently-occurring fixed
and semi-fixed expressions. Practise saying these word groups
aloud. Once you get familiar with these word groups, and once
your organs of speech get used to handling them, your hesitation-
management skill and on-the spot-speech composition skill will
improve dramatically.
Here we go:
Group 1
about a half; about sb’s person;
above a threshold; above all else; above average; above
ground; above street level; above target; above the law; above
zero;
across the border; across the street; across the way;
after a moment’s thought; after a while; after careful
consideration (of sth); after school; after serious consideration
(of sth); after you (with the salad etc.);
against (my) better judgement; against (my) principles;
against all (the) odds; against sb’s principles; against sb’s will;
against the law; against the regulations; against the rules; against
78 F ixed and S emi -fixed E xpressions – Part 1
the run of play;

ahead of plan; ahead of sb’s/sth’s time; ahead of schedule;
ahead of time;
along a path; along sth’s length; along the lines of sth; along
the road; along the street;
around a bend; around here/there; around the middle (of
sth);
as (the) occasion demands; as a general rule; as a mark of
respect; as a precaution; as a result (of sth); as a reward; as a
token of your gratitude; as a whole;
at (the) last count; at 15-minute intervals; at a discount; at a
few hours’ notice; at a future date; at a gallop; at a hotel; at a later
date; at a leisurely/brisk pace; at a level; at a loss; at a meeting;
at a moment’s notice; at a party; at a concert; at a price; at a
profit; at the rate of …; at a signal; at a snail’s pace; at a stretch;
at a temperature; at a time; at a trickle; at a/one gulp; at a/some
future date; at all cost(s); at all hours; at an alarming rate; at
an earlier date; at an early age; at anchor; at any cost; at arm’s
length; at auction; at birth; at board level; at close of play; at close
quarters/range; at college; at cross purposes; at dawn; at death’s
door; at diploma level; at every (available) opportunity; at every
turn; at first sight; at fixed intervals; at fortnightly intervals; at
four; at frequent intervals; at full capacity; at full gallop; at full
stretch; at full throttle; at great personal sacrifice; at half throttle;
at home; at hourly intervals; at its height; at its most extreme; at
least a half; at leisure; at liberty; at lightning speed; at lunch; at
lunchtime; at moments of crisis; at monthly intervals; at night;
at no extra charge; at no extra cost; at one extreme; at one go; at
one/the other end of the spectrum; at peace; at peace with the
world; at peace with oneself; at periodic intervals; at pistol point;
at play; at present; at regular intervals; at rest; at sb’s discretion;
at sb’s own pace; at sb’s side; at sb’s suggestion; at sb’s time of
life; at sb’s whim; at school; at sea; at short notice; at speed; at
sunrise; at sunset; at sth’s fullest extent; at sth’s greatest extent;
at the appointed time; at street level; at that/this time; at the age

of 20 etc.; at the allotted time; at the back; at the back of your
mind; at the beginning/start of sth; at the bottom (of sth); at the
bottom/foot of the page; at the close of business; at the close of
trading; at the core of sth; at the corner; at the crack of dawn; at
the cutting edge of sth; at the design stage; at the doctor’s; at the
dentist’s; at the earliest; at the earliest (possible) opportunity; at
the end of sth; at the end of the day; at the merest whiff of sth;
at the faintest whiff of sth; at the first (possible) opportunity;
at the first hint of sth; at the first whiff of sth; at the flick of a
switch; at the forefront (of sth); at the forefront of your mind;
at the front (of sth); at the frontier; at the hairdresser’s; at the
head/top of the page; at the height of sb/sth’s fame; at the height
of the storm; at the height of sb’s popularity; at the height of
your powers; at the latest count; at the least provocation; at the
slightest provocation; at the peak of sb’s popularity; at the peak
of your powers; at the opposite extreme; at the moment; at the
optician’s; at the other end; at the other extreme; at the outset; at
the present time; at the push of a button; at the press of a button;
at the rear; at the scene; at the side of the road; at the side of
sth; at the slightest opportunity; at the slightest pretext; at the
start of the play; at the tender age of five etc.; at the time; at the
time of doing sth; at the time of writing; at the time you do sth;
at the top of (your) voice; at the top of sth; at the top of the/your
agenda; at the top of your profession; at the top of your game; at
the touch of a button; at the very least; at the very most; at the
wheel; at the zenith of your powers; at this stage; at this time of
day; at this time of night; at this/my end; at this/that point; at
this/that point in time; at times of crisis; at weekly intervals; at
what price?; at work; at your age; at your earliest convenience;
at your own pace; at your own risk; at your/its peak.
Group 2
before now; before school; before then; before your very
eyes;
behind enemy lines; behind the scenes; behind the wheel;

belong to a club; belong to a group;
below a threshold; below average; below deck/s; below
ground; below par; below standard; below street level; below
strength; below target; below the poverty line; below zero;
beneath the surface; beneath your feet;
beside yourself with anger/excitement/rage etc.;
between a third and a half; between two extremes;
beyond (a) reasonable doubt; beyond (all) expectations;
beyond (sb’s) comprehension; beyond a shadow of (a) doubt;
beyond all belief; beyond all reasons; beyond endurance; beyond
reach; beyond repair; beyond sb’s control; beyond sb’s wildest
dreams; beyond the bounds of possibility; beyond the bounds of
good sense; beyond the call of duty; beyond the grave; beyond
the limit; beyond the reach of sb/sth; beyond the scope of sb/
sth; beyond the wit of man; beyond your means; beyond your
power;
by (kind) permission of sb; by (slow) degrees; by a curious
paradox; by a process of elimination; by accident or design; by all
accounts; by all appearances; by any standard; by appointment;
by arrangement; by birth; by boat; by car/bus; by chance; by
cheque; by coincidence; by common consent; by consensus; by
day; by descent; by fair means or foul; by fax; by force; by force
of circumstance; by God’s grace; by implication; by its (very)
nature; by law; by machine; by mail; by marriage; by modern
standards; by moonlight; by mutual agreement; by nature/birth;
by night; by no means; by no stretch of the imagination; by now;
by order of sb; by phone/fax; by plane; by popular request; by
post; by prior arrangement; by profession/name; by radio; by
return (of post); by satellite; by sb’s leave; by sb’s own account;
by sb’s own admission; by sb’s side; by sb’s/sth’s standards; by
sea; by some freak of fate etc.; by statute; by telephone; by the
end of sth; by the largest of margins; by the narrowest etc. of
margins; by the light of a bulb; by the light of sth; by the look(s)
of him etc.; by the side of the road; by the time (that)…; by then;
by train/air; by tube; by water; by way of explanation; by way
of illustration.
Group 3
down a path; down below; down here; down river; down the
front; down the middle; down the road; down the stairs; down
the street; down to the last detail.
Group 4
for (absolutely) ages; for (all) practical purposes; for a bit;
for a dare; for a lark; for a minute; for a month; for a reason;
for a while; for a whole host of reasons; for all its faults; for all
occasions; for all sb’s faults; for all sb’s talk; for all the talk of sth;
for an hour; for any length of time; for business or pleasure; for
ever and ever; for every occasion; for export; for free; for his/
her own ends; for hours (on end); for lack of sth; for life; for
lunch; for material gain; for financial gain; for miles; for miles
around; for months; for no apparent reason; for now; for obvious
reasons; for personal gain; for personal reasons; for pity’s sake;
for political ends; for commercial etc. ends; for profit; for reasons
best known to yourself; for reference purposes; for safety reasons;
for sb’s (own) good; for sb’s benefit; for sb’s consideration; for
sb’s convenience; for sb’s own sake; for sb’s sake; for security
reasons; for services rendered; for short; for show; for some
strange reason; for some unknown reason; for sth’s sake; for
sure; for tax/taxation purposes; for the benefit of mankind; for
the duration of sth; for the express purpose of sth; for the good
of sb/sth; for the nth time; for the sake of clarity; for the sake of
convenience; for the sake of simplicity; for the sake of sth; for the
simple reason that…; for the time being; for the use of sb; for use
as sth; for whatever reason; for years; for your own safety;
from (deep) within; from a different/the same mould; from
a financial perspective; from a historical perspective; from a
legal/political standpoint; from a political point of view; from
a purely economical viewpoint; from a religious point of view;

from a scientific point of view; from afar; from all angles; from
all quarters; from all/both directions; from among them; from an
early age; from an economic standpoint; from an international
perspective; from beginning to end; from beginning to/until the
bitter end; from behind; from beneath; from birth; from ceiling to
floor; from dawn till dusk; from dawn to dusk; from elsewhere;
from far and wide; from floor to ceiling; from generation to
generation; from head to foot/toe; from here; from humble/
modest beginnings; from inside; from left to right; from morning
till night; from now on; from one extreme to the other; from one
generation to the next; from out of town; from outside; from
past/previous experience; from peak to trough; from personal/
bitter experience; from right to left; from somewhere among
the trees; from sb’s standpoint; from small beginnings; from
start to finish; from the age of 20 etc.; from the outset; from the
perspective of sb/sth; from the point of view of sth; from the
standpoint of sth; from the very beginning; from the waist down/
up; from then/that day on; from there; from this/that quarter;
from time immemorial; from top to bottom; from top to toe; from
under the bed etc.;
Group 5
in (a) good/bad humour; in (a) timely manner/fashion; in
(all) the confusion; in (all) your life; in (all/good) conscience;
in (an) equal degree; in (close) liaison with sb; in (good etc.)
form; in (mock) surrender; in (the) aggregate; in (the) spring;
in (your) shirtsleeves; in a bad/foul mood; in a bad/foul temper;
in a big way; in a bit; in a blur; in a calm/harsh etc. voice; in
a choir; in a circle; in a crash; in a critical condition; in a dead
faint; in a different vein; in a different mould; in a the same
mould; in a dilemma (over sth); in a dreadful state; in a dream;
in a favourable light; in a fix; in a flap; in a fog; in a frenzy
of excitement; in a frenzy of rage; in a frenzy of violence; in a
good mood; in a holiday mood; in a good temper; in a haphazard
fashion; in a haphazard manner/way; in a party mood; in a

hotel; in a more serious vein; in a lighter vein; in a line; in a loud
voice; in a modified form; in a moment of anger; in a moment of
despair; in a month’s time; in a muddle; in a predicament; in a
profession; in a queue; in a relaxed mood; in a critical condition;
in a confident mood; in a ring; in a rut; in the same vein; in a
sense; in a serious condition; in a serious vein; in a shambles;
in a similar vein; in a single gulp; in a northerly/southerly etc.
direction; in a spirit of goodwill; in a state of flux; in a state
of panic; in a state of shock; in a state of war; in a tangle; in a
terrible mood; in a terrible temper; in a timely manner; in a very
real sense; in a way; in a whirl; in a whisper/in whispers; in a
world of your own; in a/some small way;
in abundance; in accordance with (the) regulations; in
accordance with guidelines; in actual fact; in ages; in agony;
in all directions; in all her/his glory; in all its manifestations;
in all its/their glory; in all likelihood; in all probability; in all
respects; in all senses of the word; in all seriousness; in all things;
in all weathers; in alliance with sb; in alphabetical order; in
amazement; in an awful/terrible state; in an effort to do sth;
in an emergency; in an emotional state; in an hour/an hour’s
time; in an ideal/a perfect world; in an instant; in an orderly
fashion/way; in anger; in answer to a summons; in any shape
or form; in appalling conditions; in appreciation (of sth); in
ascending order; in astonishment; in awe; in bad condition; in
bad faith; in bad form; in bad taste; in battle; in bewilderment;
in black; in blossom; in bold; in bold type; in both directions; in
brackets; in breach of a duty; in bud; in capitals; in captivity; in
care; in case of emergency/emergencies; in cash; in celebration
of sth; in chains; in chalk; in oils/oil paints; in change; in chaos;
in character; in childbirth; in chorus; in chronological order; in
numerical order; in church; in cipher; in circulation; in class; in
close touch (with sb); in close proximity; in close pursuit; in hot
pursuit; in close contact (with sb); in closed session; in close-up;
in code; in cold blood; in colour; in combat; in combination (with
sb/sth); in comfort; in command; in command of your emotions

; in command of yourself; in common usage; in communication;
in conference; in consultation with sb; in context; in contrast to
sb; in court; in danger; in danger of (doing) sth; in darkness;
in deadly earnest; in decline; in delight; in denial; in depth; in
despair; in desperation; in diameter; in difficulty; in dire need;
in dire straits; in direct conflict with sb; in direct contradiction to
sth; in direct ratio to sth; in disapproval; in disbelief; in disgrace;
in disguise; in disgust; in disorder; in dispute over sth; in dispute
with sb; in distress; in double figures; in draft form; in drag;
in droves; in due course; in duration; in each other’s arms; in
English/Hindi etc.; in equal measure; in equilibrium; in every
direction; in every sense of the word; in every way; in every/
this respect; in exceptional cases; in exceptional circumstances;
in exchange for sth; in exile; in existence; in expectation of sth;
in extent; in fascination; in fear; in fear for/of your life; in five
days’ time; in flames; in flight; in floods of tears; in flux; in focus;
in formation; in frustration; in full bloom; in full blossom; in full
leaf; in full operation; in full possession of sth; in full sail; in full
sight of sb; in full view (of sth);
in gear; in general terms; in glowing terms; in good condition;
in good faith; in good form; in good hands; in good health; in
good order; in good repair; in good standing with sb; in good
taste; in good time; in good spirits; in high spirits; in grave danger
(of sth happening); in graph form; in grave danger (of sth); in
greater detail; in harmony; in heaps; in height; in high relief; in
high spirits; in horror; in hospital; in hot pursuit; in ink/pencil; in
instalments; in intensive care; in its own way; in jail; in kit form;
in large/some measure; in later life; in layman’s terms; in length;
in limbo; in line with expectations; in line with inflation; in liquid
form; in living memory; in love (with sb); in many respects; in low
relief; in some respects; in marked contrast (to sth); in mid-air;
in midfield; in midweek; in minute detail; in misery; in moments
of crisis; in months; in more detail; in more ways than one; in
motion; in my humble opinion; in nature; in need of help; in need
of repair; in next to no time; in no circumstances; in no fit state;

in no small measure; in no time at all; in no uncertain manner;
in no uncertain terms; in normal circumstances; in obscurity; in
one go; in one gulp; in one sense; in opposition to sth; in orbit;
in order; in order of importance; in order of precedence; in order
of preference; in order of frequency; in order of priority; in order
of seniority; in order to do sth; in order to prevent sth; in other
words. in panic; in paperback; in parentheses; in Parliament; in
part exchange; in partnership with sb/sth; in parts; in peace; in
peak condition; in percentage terms; in peril; in perspective; in
plain sight; in plentiful supply; in plenty of time; in point of fact;
in poor health; in poor repair; in poor taste; in port; in poverty;
in powder form; in prayer; in preparation for sth; in prison; in
pristine condition; in procession.
in proportion; in proportion to/with sth; in prose; in
prospect; in protest; in purdah; in pursuit (of sb/sth); in pursuit
of (our) objectives; in quantity/quantities; in quarantine; in
quick succession; in rags; in range (of sth); in rapid succession;
in real life; in rebellion; in recent decades; in recent memory;
in recent years/months; in recognition of/for sth; in record
time; in recorded history; in reply (to sth); in reprisal (for sth);
in response to sth; in retaliation (for sth); in revenge (for sth);
in reverse order; in revolt; in rhyme; in ribbons; in rotation; in
round figures; in round numbers; in ruins; in safe hands; in sb’s
(infinite) wisdom; in sb’s absence; in sb’s arms; in sb’s custody;
in sb’s estimation; in sb’s excitement; in sb’s experience; in
sb’s grasp; in sb’s haste to do sth; in sb’s hour of need; in sb’s
judgment; in sb’s lap; in sb’s line; in sb’s mind; in sb’s nature; in
sb’s own way; in sb’s spare time; in sb’s view; in sb’s voice; in sb’s
will; in sb’s/sth’s direction; in school; in scope; in search of sth;
in seclusion; in self-defence; in sequence; in settlement (of sth);
in shadow; in shape; in sharp contrast to sth; in shock; in silence;
in single file; in size; in slow motion; in so many words; in some
quarters; in space; in spite of assurances; in spite of the fact that
…; in sport; in stark contrast (to sth); in stock; in straight sets;
in strength; in strict confidence; in striking contrast (to sth); in

submission; in summary form; in summer; in tablet form; in
tears; in temptation’s way; in ten minutes’ etc. time; in terminal
decline; in terrible condition(s); in terror; in that case; in that
connection; in that regard;
in the absence of sth; in the afternoon; in the air; in the back;
in the back of your mind; in the beauty stakes; in the beginning;
in the best traditions of sth; in the best possible taste; in the
worst possible taste; in the broadest sense; in the centre; in the
comfort of your own home; in the context of sth; in the corner;
in the dark; in the dead of night; in the depths of a recession; in
the direction of sb/sth; in the distant past; in the distant future;
in the doldrums; in the early days; in the evening(s); in the face
of evidence; in the face of the enemy; in the fifties/seventies; in
the final analysis; in the first instance; in the fitness stakes; in the
fold; in the forefront (of sth); in the forefront of your mind; in
the front (of sth); in the front line; in the fullness of time; in the
future; in the genes; in the global scheme of things; in the grand
scheme of things; in the greater scheme of things; in the grip
of an obsession; in the hands of the receiver; in the heat of the
moment; in the hills; in the immediate future; in the knowledge
that …; in the last analysis; in the lead; in the light of evidence;
in the limelight; in the long term; in the low 20s/30s etc.; in
the mail; in the majority of cases; in the margin; in the medium
term; in the middle (of sth); in the mirror; in the moonlight; in
the national interest; in the nature of sth; in the near future;
in the next decade; in the normal course of events; in the
normal way; in the not-too-distant future; in the open air; in the
opposite direction; in the ordinary course of events; in the overall
scheme of things; in the past/last decade; in your pockets; in the
popularity stakes; in the presence of royalty; in the press; in the
privacy of your (own) home; in the public interest; in the rain;
in the range; in the recesses of your mind; in the right spirit; in
the right/wrong order; in the same breath; in the same vein; in
the shade; in the shadow of sth; in the short term; in the shower;
in the sky; in the space of 3 hours etc.; in the spotlight; in the

streets; in strict confidence; in the strictest confidence; in the
sun; in the teeth of evidence; in the town centre; in the true sense
of the word; in the twenties; in the twilight of your life; in the
twilight of your career; in the unlikely event; in the usual way; in
the wake of a crisis; in the wash; in the whole world; in the wild;
in the winter; in the wrong spirit;
in therapy; in this day and age; in three weeks’ time; in time
to (the) music; in time(s) of war; in times of crisis; in times of
drought; in times of recession; in times of scarcity; in times of
trouble; in tone; in transit; in translation; in tribute to sb/sth; in
triumph; in two years’ time; in two/three dimensions; in urgent
need of sth; in varying degrees; in vast amounts; in vast numbers;
in view; in violation of sth; in vogue; in waves; in weight; in wet
conditions; in width; in windy conditions; in winter; in wonder;
in words of one syllable; in years of scarcity; in your (right)
senses; in your capacity as sth; in your early teens; in your late
teens; in your head; in your mid teens; in your mind’s eye; in
your own (good) time; in your own self-interest; in your own
way; in your own words; in your teens; in your twenties etc.; in
your underwear;
into full operation; into place; into sb’s arms; into submission;
into the middle (of sth); into the sea; into the street;
like children; like everyone else; like a kid; like brothers; like
it when…; like new; like old times; like a real soldier; like sisters;
like so; like the wind.
***
88 F ixed and S emi -fixed expressions – Part 2
Chapter 8
Fixed and Semi-fixed

expressions – Part 2
I gave you the first instalment of Fixed and Semi-fixed Expressions
in chapter 7. Here is the next instalment. Do oral practice with
these word groups exactly in the same way as you did with the
word groups in chapter 7.
Here we go:
Group 1
of (great) distinction; of (great/real) value; of (some) repute; of
a high/low standard; of a high/the highest order; of a nervous
disposition; of all ages; of all persuasions; of all the cheek!; of
all time; of any kind; of central importance; of childbearing
age; of considerable standing; of critical importance; of crucial
importance; of different ages; of different persuasions; of doubtful
authenticity; of equal length; of equal quality; of equal size; of
equal value; of great concern; of great importance; of great
repute; of great standing; of great subtlety; of high caste; of high
standing; of international repute; of its type; of little importance;
of little value; of long standing; of low birth; of low caste; of
major concern; of no importance; of no value; of noble birth; of
noble descent/blood; of paramount importance; of recent date;
of relevance to sth; of sb’s acquaintance; of sb’s very own; of
school age; of some kind; of some sort; of some subtlety; of that
sort; of the first magnitude; of this sort; of this type; of unequal
length; of your own; of your own free will;
on (an) impulse; on (good) form; on (your etc.) honeymoon;
on (the) grounds of misconduct; on (the) grounds of nationality;
on (the) grounds of race; on (the) return of sth; on (the) telly;
on (your) guard over; on (your) hands and knees; on a balance
F ixed and S emi -fixed expressions – Part 2 89
of probabilities; on a bed of lettuce/strawberries/rhubarb; on a

bed of rice; on a brighter/happier note; on a case-by-case basis;
on a collision course; on a commission basis; on a daily basis;
on a farm; on a firm footing; on a flight; on a freelance basis;
on a full stomach; on a grand scale; on a (real) high; on a hill;
on a humorous note; on a large scale; on a lead; on a list; on
a massive scale; on a month’s notice; on a monthly basis; on a
negative note; on a percentage basis; on a plane; on a positive
note; on a regular basis; on a scale of 1 to 10; on a secure footing;
on a small scale; on a sound footing; on a strong footing; on a
technicality; on a temporary basis; on a trial basis; on a visit;
on a voluntary basis; on a war footing; on a week’s notice; on a
whim; on a world scale; on aggregate; on amicable terms; on an
ad hoc basis; on an annual basis; on an earlier occasion; on an
equal footing (with sb); on an expedition; on an interim basis;
on assignment; on attachment to an organization; on assignment
to an organization; on bended knee; on benefit; on board; on
board a plane; on board a ship; on board a train; on budget; on
business; on close acquaintance; on closer acquaintance; on closer
examination; on completion of sth; on computer; on course; on
court; on credit; on deck; on Earth; on easy terms; on either side
of sth; on equal terms; on exhibition; on familiar terms; on file;
on film; on financial grounds; on first acquaintance; on Fridays;
on friendly terms; on good terms; on grounds of sex; on guard
duty; on high incomes; on impact; on leave; on legal grounds; on
location; on low incomes; on medical grounds; on medication;
on Friday evening/s; on numerous occasions; on occasion; on
one occasion; on open sale; on order; on pain of punishment;
on parole; on past performance; on past records; on patrol; on
payment of sth; on principle; on production of sth; on receipt (of
sth); on reflection; on remand; on safety grounds; on sb’s advice;
on sb’s arrival; on sb’s books; on sb’s lap; on sb’s mother’s side;
on sb’s father’s side; on sb’s return (from/to sth); on sb’s right; on
sb’s side; on sentry duty; on site; on speaking terms; on special
offer; on stage; on Sundays etc.; on tape; on target; on the advice
of sb; on the assumption that …; on the back; on the basis of sth;

on the basis that …; on the beat; on the black market; on the
border; on the brink of (doing) sth; on the brink of chaos; on the
brink of hysteria; on the brink of ruin; on the coast; on the corner;
on the credit/debit side; on the critical list; on the curriculum;
on the decline; on the edge of extinction; on the end of a string;
on the end of sth; on the field; on the first/second floor; on the
fringe(s); on the front; on the front line; on the frontier; on the
ground/top floor; on the high seas; on the home front; on the
hour; on the Internet; on the journey home; on the left (of sb/
sth); on the news; on the nod; on the occasion of sth; on the off
chance; on the outskirts of town; on the periphery of sth; on the
phone; on the plus/minus side; on the point of extinction; on the
point of hysteria; on the poverty line; on the premises; on the
pretext of doing sth; on the radio; on the right (of a road etc.);
on the right/wrong track; on the rise; on the road to recovery; on
the road to success; on the same footing (as sth); on the scene;
on the short list; on the side of the road; on the slightest pretext;
on the statute book; on the streets; on the stroke of midnight; on
the surface; on the syllabus; on the trail of sb; on the tube; on
the verge of disaster; on the verge of extinction; on the verge of
hysteria; on the verge of ruin; on the verge of tears; on the way
home (from sth); on the world stage; on the wrong track; on the/
its way to (doing) sth; on this occasion; on top (of sth); on top
of things; on tour; on track to do sth; on trial (for sth); on TV; on
vacation; on watch; on weak ground; on wheels; on your left; on
your own initiative; on your toes; on your travels;
out here; out loud; out of a job; out of all proportion; out of
bed; out of bounds (to sb); out of character; out of consideration
for sb; out of curiosity; out of focus; out of gear; out of habit; out
of harm’s way; out of mischief; out of necessity; out of order; out
of perspective; out of proportion (to/with sth); out of range (of
sth); out of reach; out of sb’s grasp; out of sb’s hands; out of sb’s
league; out of sb’s/sth’s sight; out of sequence; out of spite; out
of stock; out of temptation’s way; out of the goodness of your
heart; out of the limelight; out of shape; out of the spotlight; out
of touch with the reality/realities of sth; out of trouble; out of
danger; out of your own pocket; out there;
outside sb’s control; outside sb’s jurisdiction; outside the
bounds of sth; outside the scope of sb/sth;
over budget; over here/there; over the border; over the
intercom; over the Internet; over the next decade; over the page;
over the past/last decade; over the phone; over the telephone.
Group 2
to a certain extent; to some extent; to a great extent; to a fault;
to a limited extent; to a considerable extent; to a large degree;
to a lesser extent; to a significant extent; to a small/large extent;
to a/some degree; to absurd lengths; to all appearances; to avoid
confusion; to be absolutely honest; to be decided; to be fair; to
be honest (with you); to be perfectly honest; to be quite honest;
to coin a phrase; to collapse in the face of sth; to confuse things/
matters; to cut a long story short; to declare a state of emergency;
to follow; to good advantage; to his/her astonishment; to judge
by/from sth; to little effect; to make matters worse; to match;
not to mention the fact that...; to my mind; to my way of
thinking; to no effect; to put it another way; to put it bluntly; to
sb’s advantage; to sb’s annoyance; to sb’s consternation; to sb’s
delight; to sb’s disappointment; to sb’s dismay; to sb’s horror;
to sb’s joy; to sb’s knowledge; to sb’s relief; to sb’s right; to sb’s
shame; to sb’s side; to sb’s surprise; to sb’s way of thinking; to
sb’s/sth’s best advantage; to show a certain reluctance to do sth;
to show some reluctance to do sth; to suit every pocket; to the
best of your ability; to the best of your knowledge; to the best
of your recollection; to the brink of chaos; to the dismay of sb;
to the left; to the naked/unaided eye; to the nth degree; to the
optician’s; to the point; to the point of being …; to the same
extent; to the tune of Rs.5000 etc.; to varying degrees; to your
astonishment; to your full potential.
Group 3
under (a) statute; under (sb’s) supervision; under a cloud of
suspicion; under a contract; under a government; under a
microscope; under a programme; under age; under an obligation
to do sth; under an obligation to sb; under arrest; under budget;
under compulsion; under consideration; under construction;
under cover of darkness; under cultivation; under different/
happier etc. circumstances; under difficult/appalling conditions;
under duress; under examination; under guarantee; under
guidelines; under heavy guard; under interrogation; under law;
under new ownership; under no circumstances; under normal
circumstances; under observation; under one/the same roof;
under par; under pressure (from sb); under repair; under review;
under sb’s arm; under sb’s leadership; under sb’s spell; under
scrutiny; under anaesthetic; under sedation; under siege; under
strain; under strength; under stress; under surveillance; under
the circumstances; under the direction of sb; under the doctor;
under the illusion that…; under the influence (of alcohol/drink);
under the pretext of doing sth; under the spotlight; under the
terms of a contract etc.; under there; under warranty; under your
feet;
up a path; up ahead; up for auction; up here; up the river;
up the road; up the stairs; up the valley; up there; up to now; up
to the required standard; up to the expected standard; up until/
till now.
Group 4
with (all) due respect (to sb); with (good/a good) grace; with
a little imagination; with a minimum of inconvenience; with a
straight face; with a stroke of the pen; with age; with alarming
regularity; with all haste; with an effort; with an ill grace; with
authority; with bad/a bad grace; with bated breath; with care;
with caution; with certainty; with chips; with confidence; with
contempt; with delight; with monotonous regularity; with great
ceremony; with depressing regularity; with disapproval; with

due ceremony; with each/every step; with ease; with equal
vigour; with every day that passes; with every passing day; with
every passing hour; with fascination; with frustration; with full
military honours; with fury; with gay abandon; with increasing
regularity; with deep regret; with reckless abandon; with good
cause; with great regret; with great regularity; with ice-cream;
with immediate effect; with increasing frequency; with intent (to
do sth); with interest; with lightning speed; with no thought for
sth; with pride; with reason/not without reason; with relish; with
satisfaction; with sb’s blessing; with sb’s consent; with spots; with
style; with the aid of sth; with the aim of doing sth; with the best
of intentions; with the compliment of the house/management;
with the express purpose of sth; with the help of sb; with the
hood down/up; with the idea of doing sth; with the intention
of doing sth; with the knowledge that…; with the minimum of
delay; with the minimum of disruption; with the minimum of
effort/risk; with the minimum of fuss; with the object of doing
sth; with the result that…; with the wisdom of hindsight; with
varying degrees of concern; with varying degrees of enthusiasm;
with varying degrees of success; with your bare hands; with your
dignity intact; with your own eyes; with your pride intact;
within (easy) reach; within (your) rights; within a framework;
within arm’s reach; within bounds; within budget; within
commuting distance; within driving distance (of…); within easy
reach (of sth); within shouting distance; within hailing distance;
within minutes; within range (of sth); within reach of sth; within
reason; within sb’s grasp; within sb’s jurisdiction; within sight of
sth; within sight/earshot; within sniffing distance; within striking
distance; within touching distance; within strolling distance;
within the bounds of possibility; within the bounds of sth; within
the law; within the next decade; within the past/last decade;
within the reach of sb/sth; within the scope of sb/sth; within the
space of 10 hours etc.; within travelling/distance; within walking
distance; within your means; without (any) obligation;
without anger; without a backward glance/look; without

bitterness; without enthusiasm; without a hitch; without a
shadow of (a) doubt; without a shred of evidence; without an
argument; without any difficulty etc. at all; without ceasing;
without delay; without good cause; without incident; without
just cause; without knocking; without him/her/them knowing
anything about sth; without let or hindrance; without mishap;
without a moment’s hesitation; without much enthusiasm;
without parallel; without pausing; without precedent; without
protest; without reservation; without reserve; without respite;
without sb’s consent; without sleep; without warning.
Spoken word groups for oral practice

In the word groups given below, you’ll find fixed expressions
given in italics. The word-groups will show you how to use the
fixed expressions.
At first, ignore the word-groups and pay attention only to
the fixed expressions. Ask yourself whether you can use them in
speech. And then, whether you can use them or not, go through
the word-groups completely.
Utter each word group ALOUD several times — each word-
group, including the fixed expression in it. Get your organs of
speech to become comfortable with the word-groups — including
the fixed expressions.
Here we go:
Group 1
• He’s absolutely honest and above suspicion. • Occasionally, I do
get up by five — but not as a rule. • At a glance, he could see it
was not the real thing. • At a guess, there were 200 people at the
meeting. • He didn’t know what to do — he was at a loose end.
• It was all so sudden that I couldn’t say anything — I was at a
loss. • You can sell the car at a profit. • I can’t do more than one
thing at a time. • There’s no alternative — you have to finish it

by tomorrow at all costs. • I met her at breakfast, not at lunch. •
I’m never at ease in his presence — he makes me uncomfortable.
• He seemed to be very soft at first sight — but soon we found
that he was very tough. • There was a big stone lying at hand,
and she hit him with it. • Here she is at last — what a long time
she has been! • Why didn’t you go? At least, you could have sent
a telegram. • He didn’t look carefully — he just picked up one
at random. • Is he doing well at school? • You’ll have to get this
done somehow — our reputation is at stake. • It must reach here
by the 30th at the latest. • Greece and Turkey were at war then.
• Those things must have happened before my time. • Read
the newspaper everyday — or you’ll be behind the times. • I met
him quite by accident. • Why do you doubt? I’ll be there by all
means. • He discovered what was happening by chance. • When
you say the same thing over and over again, you learn to say it
by heart. • She is related to them by marriage. • I picked it up
by mistake — I thought it was mine. • There are fifty of them,
and he knows everyone of them by name. • I don’t know them by
name, but I know them by sight. • All these developments took
me by surprise, and I was at a loss.
• Today, we’ll have something else for a change. • I have not
decided when to go back — I’ll be here for a while. • I hadn’t seen
him for ages — today, I met him by chance. • He’ll not be coming
back — he has left the place for good. • I’m not doing this for
anything — I’m doing this for love. • Don’t be so obstinate — you
must do it for my sake. • You’ll have to pay for it — you can’t have
it for nothing. • I wish he treated us all to lunch for once. • We
call it ‘fridge’ for short — actually, it’s full name is ‘refrigerator’.
• I don’t know for sure — but at a guess, he must have paid not
less than 2000 rupees. • They’ve lost everything they had — now
they’ll have to start from scratch. • He comes here asking for this
and that from time to time. • He and his wife were walking hand
in hand. • You don’t have to worry — your children can play
here in (complete) safety. • I don’t agree with you completely,
but in a way you are right. • You don’t have to pay anything in
advance. • There’s no difference of opinion now — they’re all in
agreement. • All your jokes are in bad taste — stop making them.
• You speak to him — he is in charge. • Who’s in command here
—you or your wife? • No wonder you like her — you two have
got much in common. • Don’t quote me — she told it to me in
confidence. • You can go ahead with it — we’re all in favour. •
Fire broke out half an hour back — everything is in flames now.
• Her place has become so colourful — all the plants and trees
are in flower. • I was a bit late, and when I reached there, the
celebrations were in full swing. • That’s a very good school — he’s
in good hands. • We got there in good time, and there was plenty
of time left. • That’s 100 feet in height. • There’s a reception in
his honour — he has been elected. • Why are they all wearing
black? Are they in mourning? • Don’t stand in my light — I can’t
see to read. • What would you have done if you had been in my
shoes? • Get everything ready — they’ll get here in no time at all.
• Don’t leave the books lying scattered like this — keep them all
in order. • He has sprained his elbow — he is in pain. • It’s no use
writing — explain it to them in person. • It’s all very well for us to
say — but will it work in practice? • I agree in principle, but I’m
not sure whether it’ll work in practice. • I’ll do it for you — but
what do I get in return? • They sacked him, and he is now doing
all these in revenge. • There aren’t any oranges now — they are
not in season. • I had nothing against him, but I had to hit him
in self-defence. • It’s not entirely bad — it’s good in some respects.
• How much of this do you have in stock? • This week is not
going to be pleasant — there’s plenty of trouble in store. • It was
all right in the beginning, but it became boring in the end. • You
should’ve told me everything — instead, you kept me in the dark.
• I had to search for a long time — but I found it in the end. •
There may not be any immediate benefit — but it will bring you
profits in the long run.
Group 2
• I can’t get started — I’m not in the mood. • He has been in the
news for sometime now. • He likes swimming in the nude — with
absolutely nothing on. • About this, you are not in the right —
you are certainly wrong. • I have the same problem — we’re in
the same boat. • Go and play outside — you are always getting
in the way. • He warned me in time. • I was afraid the bus would
be late — but we got there in time. • I don’t know his address —
we’re not in touch. • I know that song, but I can’t sing in tune. •
She hasn’t decided yet — she’s in two minds. • The students were
in uniform. • Iron box? Sorry we can’t spare it now — it’s in use.
• All our efforts are in vain — they’ve cancelled the programme.
• He must be at least 50 kgs in weight. • The road in front is at
least 30 feet in width. • We’ve got permission in writing. • You
must put an end to all this — it’s in your own interest.
• All these books are of great value — no wonder they are
very costly. • I don’t want it — it’s of no use. • He is a bit off
colour — maybe, he has a headache or something. • I don’t know
what happened — I was off duty then. • I’ll have to look it up — I
can’t tell you off hand. • I told her everything — I wanted to get
it off my chest. • That’s impossible — you must be off your head. •
She’s on a diet since last month — she has lost five kilos already.
• She has gone on a journey to Dubai. • I met him in Bombay — I
was there on a visit. • We are here on business — not on holiday.
• He is a bit on edge — maybe, he is worried about the interview.
• Those sheds were on fire — that’s why we saw the fire engines
going. • I didn’t get the bus — I came on foot. • Let us go on
foot — the scooter is out of order. • He missed several balls — he
wasn’t on form, I think. • Who said we had quarrelled? We’re on
good terms. • He got a VCR on hire for a few days. • He’s very
thoughtful — there’s something on his mind, I believe. • They
kept on announcing the results (every hour) on the hour. • Was
he on duty on that day or was he on leave? • It’s not mine — I’ve
got it on loan. • This (book) is not mine — it’s on loan from a
friend. • I can’t come — my assistant will be there on my behalf.

• Your intentions may be good, but I am against the scheme,
and I object to it on principle. • She didn’t do it on purpose — it
happened by accident. • I was about to send in my resignation —
but on second thoughts, I decided not to. • There has been some
delay — the employees were on strike. • Don’t worry — we’ve
got whatever he said on tape. • Incidents like this are on the
increase nowadays. • We heard it on the radio. • He asked for an
advance of 5000 rupees, and I gave it to him on the spot. • Most
of the trains arrive on time. • I saw it on TV. • Try the keys one by
one — one of them will fit. • He came running — he was out of
breath. • His feelings got out of control. • He is still unconscious,
but he is out of danger. • They have lost once again — they are
out of luck. • Our washing machine has been out of order for two
days now. • Most of them were strangers, and I didn’t know their
language — I felt out of place, and wanted to get away. • He has
not been selected — he has been out of practice for sometime
now. • He is now out of reach of the police — he is in Brazil. • He
was out of sight, and I couldn’t see him. • I was a bit taken aback
— the news came out of the blue. • You won’t get it back — that’s
out of the question. • He has been out of work since July last — he
has had an accident.
• To my knowledge, nothing of that sort has happened.
• We can’t admit him — he’s under age. • They haven’t
rejected your application — it’s still under consideration. • Don’t
give them a free hand in everything — keep them under control.
• My car is under repair, can I have yours for a day? • I couldn’t
hear them — they were talking under their breath. • The labour
problem has been solved — work is now under way.
• It’s a loan — I’ll have to repay it with interest. • They’ll only
be happy — they’ll welcome you with open arms. • He talked for
three hours without a break. • They are very particular about
all this, and I must supply it by day after tomorrow without fail.
• They tried it, but without success. • We must go there without
warning — then we’ll get a true picture. • He repeated the

passage word for word.
***
100 ‘ I t ’ -clusters
Chapter 9
‘It’-clusters
Here’s a collection of word groups initiated by the word (pronoun)
It.
Generally speaking, the word It refers to things, animals,
facts, ideas and situations (that are being talked about now or
that the speaker and the hearer already know about). This word
(It) is used even to refer to human beings – to identify a person
or to say who somebody is. You can use It to speak about a baby,
especially when its sex is not known or is not relevant. You can
also use It to refer to time, distance, the weather, the day/date,
the light, the temperature etc.
All the word groups you’ll find below are those that begin
with It. It is important that you have a good command of these
word groups. A good command of It-initiated word groups like
these – that is very important for achieving the skill of on-the-
spot speech composition.
Get a lot of practice saying these word groups aloud. Get
your organs of speech to become familiar with using them.
Here we go:
Group1
It depends. • It happens. • It’s doubtful. • It’s easy. • It’s expensive.
• It’s freezing!. • It’s fun. • It’s mine. • It’s nothing. • It’s pouring.
• It’s raining. • It’s self-service. • It’s sleeting. • It’s sore. • It’s
stuck. • It’s sunny. • It bends easily. • It can happen. • It’s a boy. •
It’s a girl. • It cannot explode. • It concerns them. • It costs extra.
• It doesn’t exist. • It doesn’t matter. • It fell apart. • It happens
gradually. • It is complete. • It is dangerous. • It is difficult. • It
is dry. • It is full. • It is injured. • It is itching. • It is raining. • It
is sinking. • It is smooth. • It is true. • It is unexpected. • It isn’t
‘ I t ’ -clusters 101
here. • It looks genuine. • It makes sense. • It moves about. • It

rains buckets. • It seems real. • It seems that… • It showed. •
It was bliss. • It was sweltering. • It was terrible. • It went well.
• It’s 12 o’clock. • It’s a deal!. • It’s a nuisance. • It’s a pain. •
It’s a rip-off!. • It’s five o’clock. • It’s Friday today. • It’s Friday
tomorrow. • It’s getting dark. • It’s getting on. • It’s my turn!. •
It’s no good. • It’s no use. • It’s raining still. • It’s six o’clock. •
It’s sleeting outside. • It’s the postman. • It’s your neighbour. •
It’s too bad. • It’s worth it. • It’s your deal. • It’s your fault. • It’s
(only) me/him/her/us/them. • It’s John.
It’s your move. • It’s your serve. • It’s your turn. • It affects
me deeply. • It all seems fine. • It can be seen. • It will end
soon. • It can be understood. • It can’t be helped. • It cannot
move away. • It completely covers them. • It cost them dear. •
It costs about 10. • It doesn’t add up. • It doesn’t make sense.
• It feels like spring. • It was his idea. • It was a Sunday. • It
forms a curve. • It has been heated. • It is definitely true. • It
is extremely useful. • It is gradually destroyed. • It is greatly
reduced. • It is not essential. • It is not successful. • It is not true.
• It is partly supported. • It is reflecting light. • It is spread out. •
It is then supported. • It is very difficult. • It’s their anniversary.
• It is your responsibility. • It just might work. • It lifted their
spirits. • It looks like rain. • It makes no difference. • It rained
all day. • It rains less here. • It ruined our holiday. • It served my
turn. • It serves you right. • It snowed all day. • It stays in place.
• It is cold!. • It was a strain. • It was a tie. • It was all right. • It
was his fault. • It was pure torture. • It was raining hard. • It was
raining heavily. • It was revealed that… • It weighs one pound.
• It will be noticed. • It’ll be a push. • It’s all right. • It’s a basic
model. • It’s a big building. • It’s a criminal offence. • It’s a damn
nuisance!. • It’s a difficult job. • It’s a long way. • It’s a lovely
day. • It’s a nice day. • It’s a positive scandal!. • It’s a real drag.
• It’s a real dump!. • It’s a responsible job. • It’s a shame that…
• It’s still raining. • It’s all the rage. • It’s an English expression.
• It’s baking in here. • It’s boiling in here. • It’s hot and close in
here (There isn’t enough fresh air). • It’s no use complaining/

shouting. • It’s considerably colder today. • It’s easy to criticize.
• It’s a wonderful place. • It’s going to rain.
It’s half past ten. • It’s hard to say. • It’s just 2 o’clock. •
It’s just your imagination. • It’s made of wood. • It’s no good
complaining. • It’s not my concern. • It’s not the same. • It’s
a private matter. • It’s possible though unlikely. • It’s time for
lunch. • It’s two metres square. • It’s up to you. • It’s useless
asking her!. • It’s within walking distance. • It’s quite warm
inside. • It’s worth a try. • It’s your shot now. • It’ll be foolish
to do it. • It’s a shade tree. • It adds up to 100. • It becomes a
fine powder. • It becomes brown and crisp. • It becomes easier
to swallow. • It becomes that other thing. • It belongs in that
category. • It calls up painful memories. • It’s very wet outside. •
It can be identified later. • It can be used later. • It can look after
itself. • It can then be seen. • It cannot move very far. • It could
be argued that... • It covers a larger area. • It does not seem real.
• It has little practical effect. • It has no useful results. • It has
the right qualities. • It is attractive and elegant. • It is bound to
be. • It is difficult to see. • It is in short supply. • It is in your
interest(s). • It is interesting and complex. • It is light and fresh.
• It is likely to rain. • It is lively and exciting. • It is new and
exciting. • It is no longer straight. • It is not as good. • It is of no
consequence. • It is ready for use. • It is smooth and rich. • It is
suitable for publishing. • It is unpleasantly warm indoors. • It is
widely known that… • It is wrong to steal. • It just doesn’t add
up. • It lands behind your opponent. • It may be partly true. • It
may be useful to... • It may well be that... • It might be an idea.
• It moves through the air.
Group 2
It fits her like a glove. • It pays to be honest. • It produces the
right notes. • It rained for days together. • It remains to be seen.
• It resulted in a draw. • It sailed over our heads. • It’s just a
question of time. • It shows a later time. • It shows an earlier

time. • It takes a long time. • It travels at an angle. • It was a
good laugh. • It was a great thrill. • It was a peculiar business.
• It was very windy/sunny yesterday. • It was a real nightmare.
• It was a sad occasion. • It was about this high. • It was quite a
shock. • It was quite an occasion. • It was the ultimate adventure.
• It was wet all week. • It will be needed later. • It will come
out right. • It would be nice if... • It’s a completely new design.
• It’s his birthday tomorrow. • It’s a pleasure helping you. • It’s a
very bad line. • It’s around six o’ clock... • It’s at your own risk. •
It’s been a busy day. • It’s five minutes to six. • It’s for your own
good. • It’s going to be difficult.
It’s just round the corner. • It’s nice and quiet here. • It’s nice
to see you. • It’s none of my business. • It’s on the left-hand side.
• It’s on the right-hand side. • It’s only natural you’re upset. • It’s
out of the question. • It’s pretty much the same. • It’s the thought
that counts. • It’s time to turn in. • It’s very high in fat. • It’s good
to see you. • It bodes well for the future. • It came out of the blue.
• It can be referred to later. • It can develop a special flavour. •
It can use a different fuel. • It chanced that they arrived last. • It
costs more than 100 pounds. • It doesn’t matter what you do. •
It feels cool in the shade. • It turned out that... • It forms part of
the course. • It is difficult to see clearly. • It is easily available to
you. • It is false rather than genuine. • It is in a higher position.
• It is in good enough condition. • It is our resolution to proceed.
• It is ready to be used. • It is ready to sleep in. • It is the same as
theirs. • It is the will of God. • It is very active and energetic. • It
is your turn to play. • It lasts for a long time. • It looks odd to my
eye. • It made a world of difference. • It matters a lot to me. • It
may well be that… • It might be worth your while (to do sth). •
It must be somewhere near here. • It should no longer influence
you. • It so happened that she died. • It stays curly for several
months. • It suddenly occurred to me that… • It supports what
you are saying. • It was another girl – not Jane. • It was certain
to happen sometime. • It was even worse than that. • It was
getting along towards sunset. • It was raining when we arrived.

• It was work that exhausted him. • It wouldn’t hurt (you) to say
sorry. • It’s a long way to London. • It’s about a metre in length.
• It’s best to forget unhappy times. • It’s her nature to be kind. •
It’s impossible for me to continue. • It’s like when we were kids.
• It’s no good talking to them.
It’s no use worrying about it. • It’s normal practice in our
school. • It’s said they are very rich. • It’s cheaper to go by car. •
It’s ten minutes’ walk from here. • It’s the same price as before.
• It’s time for us to go. • It’s your move (in the game). • It all
adds up to a disaster. • It is in the nature of man. • It is in their
interest to go. • It is likely that he will go. • It is likely to lead
to success. • It is morally right to do it. • It is the right thing to
do. • It is then passed on to you. • It is too unpleasant to talk
about. • It is unlikely that he will win. • It is well that this has
happened. • It looks dirty and badly cared for. • It might be
useful in the future. • It moves around in a circular direction. •
It promises to be a good game. • It promises to be a hot day. • It
says here that she was killed. • It should be possible to achieve it.
• It should not be allowed to continue. • It solves a problem that
you had. • It turned out that he was right. • It turned out to be a
mistake. • It was a nice thought – thank you. • It was a surprise
when she left. • It was clear that he was guilty. • It was like him
to be generous. • It will have an effect on people. • It will keep
working efficiently. • It will work in a particular way. • It works
out at ten pounds each. • It would be well to leave early. • It’s a
matter of life and death. • It’s a tough job managing the firm. •
It’s high time you cleaned the car. • It’s just like him to be rude.
• It’s natural for a bird to fly. • It’s not my job to do this. • It’s on
the tip of my tongue. • It’s only a matter of time. • It’s the third
turning on the left. • It’s time to wind up the meeting. • It can be
paid into his bank account. • It can be taken on to your plane. •
It goes in the direction that you want. • It is at the centre of sth
else. • It is convenient for them to do so. • It is his job to open
the mail. • It is his responsibility to get us there. • It is in the
shape of a ball. • It is time to do it. • It is time for a change. • It

is the shortest route to his place. • It pained her to tell him to go.
• It pleases me to see them so happy. • It takes an hour to get to
Delhi. • It was a struggle – but we got through. • It was a treat
to see her again. • It was tough that he had to lose. • It will all
be out in the open. • It will cost in the order 1000 pounds. • It
would be a mistake to do it. • It would make good material for a
novel. • It’s a crime to waste money like that. • It’s criminal not
to use your talents fully. • It’s less than a mile to the station. • It’s
my belief that... • It becomes as good as it can possibly be. • It
costs a hundred dollars.
That’s it. Bye for now.
***

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1

Prof. Kev Nair was born in Kerala, South India, in 1949.

that comfort and ease in speech with his specialised fluency

Fluent English Dictionaries1 by Kev Nair

• A Dictionary of Active Fluency Combinations.

Books by Kev Nair making up

• B1: Idea units & Fluency.

Prof. Kev Nair

oral training in fluency vocabulary (Part - ii).

Chapter 2: Subsidiary word groups, 23

Chapter 3: Complementation of verbs, 31

Chapter 4: Generative Structures: Last instalment, 44

Chapter 5: Phrasal verbs, 57

Chapter 6: “Adjective + Noun” word groups, 67

Preface to the 5th edition

Here’s the latest edition of this book.

• X: Will they be angry with me? ~ Y: I think so, yes. • X:

or the yellow one? ~ Y: Neither. • X: Who’s that man standing

he be doing this just to fool you? ~ Y: Yes, he could. • X: Weren’t

X: Did he have to pay for the seat? ~ Y: It doesn’t seem so.

• X: What experience do you have in keeping accounts? ~

tomorrow. ~ Y: So are they. • X: How long has he been gone? ~

Mary. • X: Has he a bank account? ~ Y: Of course, he has. • X:

choose? ~ Y: I can’t decide. • X: How many days will he be on

over. • X: Will he be able to make the speech without faltering?

Subsidiary word groups

Manner word groups

light comes on automatically. • He made some kind of a gesture

but she tried to act confidently. • Her work is consistently good. •

freely. • He’ll talk to you freely and easily. • I didn’t understand it

• She has been looking after him marvellously. • You

She ran quickly to the bus stop. • He listened to the complaints

She cooled down the soup slightly. • He slowly began to realize

• Don’t look at me so unhappily. • We need these urgently.

The lexical bond

As far as certain verbs are concerned, they must normally

Free combinations of verbs & prepositions

combinations that behave, to some extent, as a single verb —

Prepositional verbs are not phrasal verbs

needn’t learn to identify phrasal verbs and prepositional verbs

suffering from the flu (not: suffering the flu from)

Frequently-used prepositional phrases

• He classed them as advanced learners. • He climbed on(to) the

differences of opinion develop into a long and bitter quarrel. • The

• The police have identified the hijacker as a notorious

him. • Dr. John has to operate on two patients today. • He opted

to them. • We must repay the loan to them without any more

translate the poem into French. • They treated him as a VIP. • He

to them]. • [He] [used to be] [nasty to us]. • [She] [used

[remember it]. • [We] [are able to] [knock it down within

[They] [are going to] [check it later]. • [They] [are not

restaurants by the station. • There was an awful lot of

have been any need for it.

G.S. No. 133

doesn’t frighten them to think about her future. • It excited

must be sensible to accept it. • It ought to be helpful to dress

Fluency and General Structures

it — we haven’t got all day. (= hurry up).

lecturing me. (= became used up). • They’re giving out a notice

us over several generations. (= passed or transmitted from one

airport, and he was attacked. • Some masked men held them up

(= progressing/prospering). • I could just make out his face in

• Don’t mix up my papers/books. I’ve just put them in order.