It 1. (pron.

) The neuter pronoun of the third person, corresponding to the masculine pronoun he and the feminine she, and having the same plural (they, their or theirs, them). 2. (pron.) As a substance for any noun of the neuter gender; as, here is the book, take it home. 3. (pron.) As a demonstrative, especially at the beginning of a sentence, pointing to that which is about to be stated, named, or mentioned, or referring to that which apparent or well known; as, I saw it was John. 4. (pron.) As an indefinite nominative for a impersonal verb; as, it snows; it rains. 5. (pron.) As a substitute for such general terms as, the state of affairs, the condition of things, and the like; as, how is it with the sick man? 6. (pron.) As an indefinite object after some intransitive verbs, or after a substantive used humorously as a verb; as, to foot it (i. e., to walk).

up to now/until now Until now, doctors have been able to do very little to treat this disease. Please try to be more careful from now on (=starting from now).

of course 1 used to show that other people probably already know what you are saying is true, or expect to hear it: Well, she won, of course. You should of course keep copies of all your correspondence. Of course there will be some difficult times ahead. 2 spoken also course informal used to emphasize that you are saying 'yes' when someone asks your permission to do something: 'Can I ring you back in a minute?' 'Yes, of course.' 'Is it OK if I have another cup of coffee?' 'Course, help yourself.' 3 spoken also course informal used to emphasize that what you are saying to someone is true or correct: 'Do you really believe her?' 'Of course I do!' 'I hope this idea of yours works.' 'Course it'll work.' 4 spoken used to show that you accept or agree with what someone has just said: 'Don't get angry. She's only thirteen.' 'Of course.' 'The correct answer is 83.' 'Oh, yes, of course.' 5 of course not/course not spoken used to emphasize that you are saying 'no' to something: 'Have you been reading my e-mail?' 'Of course not!' 'Do you mind if I bring a friend?' 'No, of course not.'

it [used as subject or object] 1 used to refer to a thing, animal, situation, idea etc that has already been mentioned or is already known about: 'Where's your office?' 'It's on the third floor.' I love the spring - it's a wonderful time of the year. There were people crying, buildings on fire. It was terrible! Don't blame me. It wasn't my idea. This little beast is a lemur and it lives in Madagascar. 2 used to refer to the situation that someone is in now, or what is happening now: I can't stand it any longer. I'm resigning. How's it going, Bob? I haven't seen you for ages.

And the worst of it is the car isn't even paid for yet. Stop it, you two. You're just being silly. 3 used as the subject or object of a verb when the real subject or object is later in the sentence: It worries me the way he keeps changing his mind. What's it like being a sailor? Apparently it's cheaper to fly than to go by train. It's a pity you couldn't come. It seems that we are not welcome here. I found it hard to concentrate. 4 used as the subject of a sentence when you are talking about the weather, the time, a distance etc: Is it still raining? It was 4 o'clock and the mail still hadn't come. It's my birthday today. It's over 200 miles from London to Manchester. It gets dark very early in the winter. It's three years since I last saw her. 5 used with the verb 'be' to emphasize that you are talking about one particular thing, person, group etc and not any other: It's Lawrence you should be talking to. It was malaria that killed him. It was in New Zealand that Elizabeth first met Mr Cronje. 6 used to refer to a baby when you do not know what sex the baby is: What will you call it if it's a boy? 7 a) used to say who a person is: 'Who's that over there?' 'It's Robert Morley.' b) spoken used to say who is speaking, especially on the telephone: Hello, it's Frank here. It's all right, it's only me. 8 informal used to refer to sex: Have you done it with him yet? 9 if it wasn't/weren't for somebody/something also if it hadn't been for somebody/something used to say who or what prevents or prevented something from happening: We would have arrived much earlier if it hadn't been for the snow. 10 informal a particular ability or quality that is needed in order to do something: In a job like advertising, you've either got it or you haven't! 11 this is it spoken used to say that something you expected to happen is actually going to happen: This is it, boys, the moment we've been waiting for. 12 that's it

spoken a) used to say that something is completely finished or that a situation cannot be changed: That's it then. There's nothing more we can do. b) used to tell someone that they are doing something correctly: Slowly...slowly. Yeah, that's it. c) also that does it used when you are angry about a situation and you do not want it to continue: That's it. I'm leaving. 13 think you're it informal to think you are more important than you are: Just because he got a higher mark he really thinks he's it.

expect [transitive] 1
THINK SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN

to think that something will happen because it seems likely or has been planned expect to do something I expect to be back within a week. The company expects to complete work in April. expect somebody/something to do something Emergency repairs were expected to take three weeks. I didn't expect him to stay so long. expect (that) There's the doorbell - I expect it'll be my mother. He will be hard to beat. I fully expect (=am completely sure about)that and I'm ready. 'Who are you?' he murmured, only half expecting (=thinking it was possible, but not likely) her to answer. He didn't get his expected pay rise. as expected (=in the way that was planned or thought likely to happen) As expected, the whole family was shocked by the news. something is (only) to be expected (=used to say that you are not surprised by something, especially something unpleasant) A little nervousness is only to be expected when you are starting a new job. 2
DEMAND

to demand that someone does something because it is a duty or seems reasonable expect something from somebody The officer expects complete obedience from his troops. expect somebody to do something I can't expect her to be on time if I'm late myself. expect a lot of somebody/expect too much of somebody (=think someone can do more than may be possible) The school expects a lot of its students.

3
THINK SOMEBODY/SOMETHING WILL ARRIVE

to believe that someone or something is going to arrive: We're expecting Alison home any minute now. Snow is expected by the weekend. an expected crowd of 80,000 people ! Expect or wait for? see usage note WAIT1 4NK to think that you will find that someone or something has a particular quality or does a particular thing: I expected her to be taller than me, not shorter. 5 be expecting (a baby) if a woman is expecting, she is going to have a baby 6 what can/do you expect? spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something unpleasant or disappointing: He was late, but what do you expect? 7 how do/can you expect ...? spoken used to say that it is unreasonable to think that something will happen or be true: If I can't help her, how can you expect to? 8 I expect British English spoken used to introduce or agree with a statement that you think is probably true: I expect you're right. 'Do you think they're going to attack?' ' I expect so.' WORD CHOICE: wait, expect, look forward to, awaitWait means to stay somewhere or not do something until something comes, happens etc I'm waiting to hear from Dan before I arrange my trip.Expect means to believe that something will come, happen etc The police are expecting (NOT waiting) trouble.Look forward to means to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen I'm looking forward to getting his letter.!! Wait is never followed directly by a noun. You must say wait for She was waiting for a bus (NOT waiting a bus).In formal English, you can use await, which is followed directly by a noun We are awaiting your instructions. See also WAIT

seem [linking verb, not in progressive] 1 to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality: Ann didn't seem very sure. It seems a foolish decision now. seem to do something The rainbow seemed to end on the hillside. seem important/right/strange etc to somebody Doesn't that seem weird to you? it seems to somebody (that) It seems to me you don't have much choice. it seems (that) It seemed that Freeman had killed the man, and dumped the body in the lake. it seems likely/unlikely/reasonable/clear (that) It seems likely that he will miss Ireland's next match.

seem like Teri seemed like a nice girl. Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time. We waited for what seemed like hours. seem as if/as though/like It seemed as if the end of the world had come. It seems like you're catching a cold, Taylor. 'So Bill's leaving her?' ' So it seems (=it appears to be true).' 2 can't/couldn't seem to do something used to say that you have tried to do something but cannot do it: I just can't seem to relax. 3 used to make what you are saying less strong or certain, and more polite seem to do something I seem to have lost my car keys. it seems (that)/it would seem (that) It would seem that someone left the building unlocked. WORD CHOICE: seem, appear, look, soundSeem and appear have the same meaning but appear is more formal They seem upset. This appears to be a good solution.You use look to say how someone or something seems to you when you look at them Maureen looked tired. That book looks good.You use sound to say how someone or something seems to you when you hear or read about them, or hear them She sounds a lovely person. The party sounded great. He sounded tired.GRAMMARSeem can be followed by an adjective or an adjective and noun She seemed happy. He seems a nice man.Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive His story seems to be true. You seem to think it's my fault.!! Seem can be followed by as if or as though but not just by as It seems a small thing (NOT it seems as a small thing), but it's very important. It seemed as if he wanted us to leave (NOT it seemed as he wanted ...). bet past tense and past participle bet, present participle betting 1 [intransitive and transitive] to risk money on the result of a race, game, competition, or other future event [ gamble]: How much do you want to bet? bet (somebody) that He bet me 10 that I wouldn't do it. bet (something) on something She bet all her money on a horse that came last. bet against I wouldn't bet against him winning the championship this year. 2 I bet , I'll bet spoken a) used to say that you are fairly sure that something is true, something is happening etc, although you cannot prove this: Bet you wish you'd arrived earlier. I bet you she won't come. b) used to show that you understand or can imagine the situation that someone has just told you about: 'God, I was so angry.' 'I bet you were.' 'It makes things much easier.' 'Yeah, I'll bet it does.' c) used to show that you do not believe what someone has just told you: 'I'm definitely going to give up smoking this time.' 'Yeah, I bet!' 3 you bet! spoken used to emphasize that you agree with someone or are keen to do what they suggest:

'Going to the party on Saturday?' ' You bet!' 4 you (can) bet your life/your bottom dollar spoken used when you are sure that you know what someone will do or what will happen: You can bet your bottom dollar he won't be back. 5 (do you) want to bet?/wanna bet? spoken used to say that you think something that someone has just said is not true or not likely to happen: 'I'm sure Tom'll be here soon.' 'Wanna bet?' 6 don't bet on it , I wouldn't bet on it spoken used to say that you do not think something is likely to happen: He said he'd finish by tomorrow, but I wouldn't bet on it.

please 1 [intransitive,transitive not in progressive] to make someone happy or satisfied: a business that wants to please its customers She did everything she could to please him. Most children are eager to please. be hard/easy/impossible etc to please She's hard to please. Everything has to be perfect. 2 [intransitive not in progressive] used in some phrases to show that someone can do or have what they want: She does what she pleases. however/whatever etc you please You can spend the money however you please. With the Explorer pass, you can get on and off the bus as you please. 3 please yourself spoken used when telling someone to do whatever they like, even though really you think they are making the wrong choice: 'I don't think I'll go.' 'Okay, please yourself.' 4 if you please old-fashioned a) formal used to politely ask someone to do something: Close the door, if you please. b) British English used to show that you are surprised, angry, or annoyed about something: He asked me, in my own house if you please, to leave the room! 5 bold/calm/cool etc as you please British English spoken veryBOLD, calm etc, in a way that is surprising: He just walked in and sat down, as bold as you please. 6 please God used to express a very strong hope or wish: Everything will be all right, please God.