A. Idiomatic
expressions
These are phrases that are naturally used by native speakers.
1. a means to an end
He doesn't like the work but he sees it as a means to an end. (¡Ñ a
mean)
2. in high/low spirits
We started our journey in high spirits. (¡Ñ in high/low spirit)
3. in the dark
You've kept us totally in the dark about what happened that night.
(¡Ñ in dark)
4. on condition that
Betty will go to the party on condition that she is invited. (¡Ñ in
condition)
5. put on airs
I hate the way she puts on airs. (¡Ñ on air)
6. to the best of one's
knowledge
To the best of my knowledge the new project will be starting in May.
(¡Ñ According to)
7. in detail
She talked in detail about future plans for the school. (¡Ñ detailly)
8. in a friendly way
Sam spoke to the new classmate in a friendly way. (¡Ñ friendly)
9. nothing but
They've shown us nothing but kindness. (nothing but ¡V only)
10. there's no use doing
sth
She realized there was no use arguing with him. (¡Ñ to argue)
B. 'ed' Adjectives
Some adjectives are formed by adding 'ed' to a verb or a noun.
1. advanced
Advanced technology is used in the production process.
2. married
They got married one month ago.
3. shocked
We were deeply shocked to hear of his sudden death.
4. frightened
The little girl looked very frightened.
5. excited
I was so excited that I couldn't sleep.
6. be used to doing sth
I'm not used to eating so much at lunchtime.
7. middle-aged
Mr. Chan is a middle-aged man.
8. middle-sized
She lives in a middle-sized house.
9. long-sleeved
He likes to wear a long-sleeved shirt.
10. old-fashioned
They have very old-fashioned ideas about raising children.
C. Confused pairs
1. all, all of
all (followed by an uncountable or plural noun)
All children deserve encouragement.
All of (followed by
an article or a personal pronoun)
I want to hear all the detail.
I want to invite all of you.
2. as follows, the following
They have the same meaning but are used differently.
The opening hours are as follows: ¡K
The following are the opening hours: ¡K
3. as, like
" like" is a preposition ¡V it is used before a noun or a
pronoun.
He looks like his father. (¡Ñ as)
" as" is a conjunction ¡V it is used before a clause.
Sandy is good at sports, as her mother used to be. (¡Ñ like)
4. because, because of
"because" is a conjunction ¡V it is used to link two clasues.
The game was cancelled because it snowed all night. (¡Ñ because of)
"because of" is a preposition ¡V it is used before a noun
or a pronoun.
The game was cancelled because of the snow. (¡Ñ because)
5. close, closely
They lay close together on the beach.
"close" is used as an adverb in the example; it means 'not
far away'.
I sat and watched everyone very closely.
These two subjects are closely linked.
"closely" is an adverb; it means 'carefully' or 'very similar
to something'.
6. due to, owing to
"due to" is always used after the "verb-to-be" (am,
is, are, was, were)
The company¡¦s financial losses were due to poor management.
"owing to" is used to introduce a clause.
Owing to the rising cost of fuel, more people are using public transport.
7. so ¡K that, such a ¡K
that ¡K
An adverb clause of result can be formed by using either "so +
adj + that" or "such a + adj + noun + that".
John was so lazy that he failed all his exams.
John was such a lazy student that he failed all his exams.
8. used to, be used to
"used to" is a verb followed by an infinitive.
I used to swim in the river.
"be used to" ¡V "used" is an adjective followed
by a preposition "to"; it means "accustomed to".
I am used to reading books at night.
9. even, even if
"even" is an adverb.
Even the younger children enjoyed the concert.
"even if" is used as a conjunction.
Bob's going to have problems finding a job even if he gets his A levels.
10. good, well
"good" is an adjective and comes before a noun.
Andy is a good tennis play.
"well" is an adverb and is placed next to the adjective or
adverb it qualifies or at the end of a sentence.
Andy plays tennis well.
D.
Common mistakes
1. The war ended over 10 years before. ¡Ñ
The war ended over 10 years ago.
"Ago" follows a word or expression referring to a period of
time.
2. She spent ^ whole day
writing. ¡Ñ
She spent the whole day writing.
"Whole" must be preceded by an article, possessive, etc.,
when it is used before a singular noun.
3. We spent a pleasant day
in ^ country. ¡Ñ
We spent a pleasant day in the country.
"The country" means any area outside towns and cities.
4. Each of the answers are
worth 20 points. ¡Ñ
Each of the answers is worth 20 points.
When "each" is used before a plural subject, or used alone
as the subject, the verb is singular.
5. I enjoyed ^ very much
during the trip to America. ¡Ñ
I enjoyed myself very much during the trip to America.
"Enjoy" is a transitive verb and there must be an object after
it.
6. The boy is four-feet
high. ¡Ñ
The boy is four-foot high.
A singular form is used in a compound adjective.
7. You have better take
an umbrella. ¡Ñ
You had better take an umbrella.
"Had better" means "should".
8. This is the house ^ which
I was born. ¡Ñ
This is the house in which I was born.
"In which" means "where".
9. I look forward to see
you. ¡Ñ
I look forward to seeing you.
A gerund is used after preposition "to".
10. I wonder ^ they¡¦ll
get married. ¡Ñ
I wonder if they¡¦ll get married.
The conjunction "if" is used to join two clauses together.
Ouiz
Notes & Exercises |