KEY WORD TRASFORMATIONS

PASSIVE OD (becomes subject) and Subject (becomes OD)

Examples:

Many delegates stole pens from the conference room (WERE)

A lot of pens were stolen from the conference room by delegates.

We will install your anti-virus programme for free (AT)

The anti-virus programme will be installed at no extra/additional charge. (FOR FREE=AT NO EXTRA
CHARGE)

We know that lack of sleep significantly affects your health (HAVE)

Lack of sleep is known to have a significant effect on your health.

None of the phones were left when we got to the shop (TIME)

By the time we got to the shop, all the phones had been sold.

The school´s management are investigating allegations of teacher brutality (INTO)

Allegations of teacher brutality are being looked into by the school´s management

For me, his skill at negotiator was most impressive (HOW)

I was most impressed by how skilled/skilful- impressed to see how skilled/skilful negotiator he was.

They say that a visitor to the national art gallery damaged an 18 th-century painting (ALLEGED)

A visitor to the national art gallery is alleged to have damaged an 18th-century painting

Following some complaints by local residents, the government withdrew its proposal to build a new
runway at the airport (LIGHT)

The government´s proposal to build a new runway at the airport was withdrawn in light of some
complaints by local residents

BY THE TIME When

None of the phones were left when we got to the shop (TIME)

By the time we got to the shop, all the phones had been sold.

NO SOONER
INVERSION ONLY + HAVE/HAD+SUBJECT+VERB
RARELY

Examples:

Immediately after Bess arrived home, the phone rang (SOONER)

No sooner had Bess arrived home than the phone rang.

If that passing woman hadn´t arrived, we would have been completely lost (FOR)

Had it not been for that passing woman, we would have got completely lost.
The town´s population surrendered as soon as the enemy arrived (THAN)

No sooner had the enemy arrived than the town´s population surrendered.

I didn´t know it was Carl until he took off his hat

Only when he took off his hat did I recognise Carl

He would never have guessed that at the age of 17 he would be playing for his country (LITTLE)

Little did he know/realise that at the age of 17 he would be playing for his country

CONDICIONALS

- FIRST CONDITIONAL

Examples:

The union claims its members will only return to work if the company agrees to a meeting (NOT)

The union claims its members will not return to work unless the company agrees to a meeting

Unless the weather improves, they will have to stop the tennis match (MEAN)

If the weather doesn´t get better it will mean stopping the tennis match

You won´t get the job as manager if you don´t spend time improving your communication skills
(WORK)

You won´t be promoted to manager unless you work at/on your communication skills

- SECOND CONDITIONAL

Examples:

Government measures of this type would be of huge benefit to us (HUGELY)

It would be hugely beneficial to us if the government took measures of this type.

If his expensive divorce hadn´t happened, Bill would still be a rich man (FOR)

If it had not been for his divorce, Bill would still be a rich man.

Do you think you could help me to fill in this application form? (WONDERING)

I was wondering if you could give me a hand filling in this application form

- THIRD CONDITIONAL

Examples:

They were exhausted because they had been playing tennis

If they had not been playing tennis, they should not have been exhausted

Without the help that Joe gave me, I don´t think I´d have finished the course (BEEN)

If it had not been for Joe´s help, I don´t think I ´d have finished the course
 - AS LONG AS= while/if

Examples:

Until they fire me as a manager here, I´ll run the company my way (LONG)

As long as I´m the boss, I´ll run the company my way

As long as you explain the process clearly at the conference, your boss will be pleased (GIVE)

If you give a clear explanation of the process at the conference, your boss will be pleased

IN CASE = IT´S POSSIBLE

Examples:

It´s possible that the shops will sell all their bottled water so we should buy all we need now (CASE)

We should buy all the bottled water be need now in case the shops run out of it.

WOULD (“ía”)

Examples:

In the past, letters took ages to reach their overseas destination (WOULD)

In the past, it would take ages before letters reached their overseas destination.

FEWER - AT LEAST – BETTER - SECOND TO NONE

Examples:

The camera has broken at least three times (FEWER)

The camera has broken on no fewer than three occasions.

He is better than everyone else at creating believable characters (SECOND)

He is second to none when it comes to creating believable characters.

FURTHER AWAY FROM SOMEWHERE = Nowhere nearby somewhere

The hotel was further away from the beach than was claimed in the brochure (NOWHERE)

The hotel was nowhere nearby the beach as they´d claimed in the brochure

MAKE THE MOST OF SOMETHING BY

Examples:

He attended every event possible to take the advantage of the conference (MOST)

He made the most of the conference by attending every event possible.

PHRASAL VERBS

- Turn
o Turn down  make some sound less loudly
Examples:

Does your ringtone have to be quite so loud? (TURN)

I wish you would turn down your ringtone slightly. (NOT could turn down)

o Turn out to be  discover

Examples:

When we got to the resort we discovered that it was better than we expected (TURNED)

When we got to the resort it turned out to be better than we expected

- Look
o Look into  investigate

Examples:

When I complained formally, they said they would investigate the matter further (AGREED)

When I made a formal complaint they agreed to look into the matter further.

The school´s management are investigating allegations of teacher brutality (INTO)

Allegations of teacher brutality are being looked into by the school´s management

o Look up to someone  Admire

Examples:

I find it hard to explain what it is I admire about him (WHY)

I find it hard to explain the reason why I look up to him

o Look down on think you are better than everyone

Examples:

I don´t like the way Sue thinks she´s more important than everyone else (STOP)

I wish she would stop looking down on everyone else

- Clean
o Clean up

Examples:

They made us clean up the mess (MADE)

We were made to clean up the mess

- Give
o Give up

Examples:

He tried very hard to give up junk food (EFFORT)

He made a great/bid effort to give up junk food

- Take
o Take off
Examples:

I didn´t know it was Carl until he took off his hat (WHEN)

Only when he took off his hat did I recognise Carl

o Take up learn

Examples:

It is a good idea to learn Chinese to improve your future job prospects (TAKING)

Taking up Chinese is a good way to enhance your work opportunities.

- Come
o Come over “pasarse”

“Why don´t you come over for dinner at the weekend?” he asked her (SUGGESTED)

He suggested her to come over for dinner at the weekend

- Go
o Go on  continue

Examples:

We wanted to continue our mountain trek but the weather was too bad (LIKE)

We would like to have gone on with our mountain trek but the weather was too bad

- Buy
o Buy out  be under new management

Examples:

Apparently, the restaurant in town has been bought out by someone else (UNDER)

I hear the restaurant in town is under new management

- Cry
o Cry out  break down in tears

Examples:

Sarah cried her eyes out immediately she was told she´d failed her driving test (BROKE)

Sarah broke down in tears as soon as she heard she´d failed her driving test

- Work
o Work out  realise

Examples:

When I realised what had happened, I became quite afraid (OVERCOME)

I was overcome with fear when I worked out what had occurred.

o Work up  get

Jack got really hungry while he was training in the gym (APPETITE)

Jack worked up a big appetite during his training session in the gym.
 - Get:
o Get up  Wake up

Examples:

In order to be fit, get up early and take some exercise

Try getting up earlier and taking some exercise to be fit

- Hand:
o Hand in  “entregar”

Examples:

Immediately after Emi quit her job, she booked a package tour around Europe (HAD)

As soon as she had handed in her notice Emi booked a package tour around Europe

- Pull
o Pull down  demolish

Examples:

They are demolishing the old bus station and replacing it with a new one (PULLED)

The old bus station is being pulled down and replaced with a new one

- Write
o Write off “declarar siniestro”

Examples:

The car was damaged beyond repair in the crash by one of John´s friends (WROTE)

One of John´s friends wrote the car off in the crash

- Close:
o Close down  declare bankrupt

Examples:

Failure to pay a large tax bill resulted in Jane having to close down her company (DECLARED)

Jane was declared bankrupt after falling to pay a large tax bill

- Cut
o Cut down reduce

Examples:

Cutting down on their spending is the first thing that comes into my head

The first thing that springs to mind is that they should cut down on their spending

- Put
o Put off  postpone

Examples:

NASA have decided to postpone sending the rocket into space (LAUNCHING)

NASA have decided that they will have to put off launching the rocket into space

- Break
 o Break into  a burglar come into

Examples:

It´s possible that the thieves entered the building by forcing a window at the back (BROKEN)

The thieves may have broken into the building through a window at the back

I´m sure a burglar came into our house while we were sleeping and stole the jewellery then (BROKEN)

Someone must have broken into the house while we were sleeping and stolen de jewellery then.

- Die
o Die out  extinguish

Examples:

If we don´t act now, it´s possible there will be no more tigers left within a few years (OTHERWISE)

We need to act now otherwise tigers may/might die out within a few years.

- Fall
o Fall for believe

Examples:

How did you ever believe a story that was so ridiculous! (FELL)

I can´t believe that you fell for such a ridiculous story!

REPORTED OR INDIRECT SPEECH

- ACCUSED + SOMEONE + OF + -ING

Examples:

The union leader said the crisis was caused by the banks (ACCUSED)

The union leader accused the banks of causing the crisis.

- ASKED+SOMEONE+IF…

Examples:

“Have you been on holiday recently, Jane?” asked Tony

Tony asked Jane if she had been on holiday recently

- OBJECTED + TO + OBJECT + ING/ OBJECTED TO=STRONGLY OPPOSED TO

Examples:

Paul was strongly opposed to the use of his photograph for publicity purposes (OBJECTED)

Paul strongly objected to his photograph being used for publicity purposes.

The boss wouldn´t object to you going early today (OBJECTION)

The boss would not have any objection to you going early today
 - INSISTED ON + ING = DEMANDED TO = ASK FOR + ING

Examples:

One expectant mother I know demanded to have her baby at home rather than in hospital (ON)

One expectant mother I know insisted on giving birth to her baby at home rather than in hospital.

James would only speak to the head of department alone (ON)

James insisted on speaking to the head of department alone.

- ASKED FOR

Examples:

We demanded to see the hotel manager to take our complaint (SEEING)

We asked for seeing the hotel manager to make our complaint

- SUGGESTED + SUBJECT + SHOULD… = ADVISED + SUBJECT + TO…

Examples:

Lina advised me to go to a private hospital for my eye operation (HAVE)

Lina suggested I should have the operation on my eye in a private hospital

“Why don´t you come over for dinner at the weekend?” he asked her (SUGGESTED)

He suggested her to come over for dinner at the weekend

- BE ALLEGED TO

Examples:

They say that a visitor to the national art gallery damaged an 18 th-century painting (ALLEGED)

A visitor to the national art gallery is alleged to have damaged an 18th-century painting

- RECEIVED A WARNING ABOUT = MUST WARN YOU

Examples:

“I must warn you how dangerous it is to cycle at night without any lights” said the police officer to
Max (DANGERS)

Max received a warning about concerning/regarding the dangers at night without any lights from the
police officer

COMPLAINED (verb)  COMPLAINT (noun)

Examples:

When I complained formally, they said they would investigate the matter further (AGREED)

When I made a formal complaint they agreed to look into the matter further.
GERUND – INFINITIVE

- GERUND:
o To be worth merecer la pena

Examples:

Don´t bother to read that book (WORTH)

It is not worth reading that book

Don´t waste your time asking Bryan to come with us (WORTH)

It´s not worth asking Bryan to come with us

o There is no point (in)…

Examples:

There´s no point (in) asking Lynda to help as she´s really busy (WASTE)

It´s a waste of time asking Lynda to help as she´s really busy

o To be a waste of time

Examples:

There´s no point (in) asking Lynda to help as she´s really busy (WASTE)

It´s a waste of time asking Lynda to help as she´s really busy

o It´s no use…

o Appreciate be very grateful

Examples:

I´m very grateful to you for coming at such short notice (APPRECIATE)

I really appreciate you coming at such short notice

o Can´t/couldn´t help find impossible not to…

Examples:

I found it impossible not to laugh when he said that (HELP)

I could not help laughing when he said that

o Can´t/couldn´t stand make me feel quite uncomfortable

Examples:

It really makes me feel quite uncomfortable to be in a room where everybody is shouting

I can´t stand being in a room where everybody is shouting

o Have/had difficulty  find difficult to…

Examples:
I find it difficult to remember names (DIFFICULTY)

I have difficulty remembering names

o Object/ed to someone

She didn´t like the fact that he had been treated so badly (BEING)

She objected to him being treated so badly

Do you mind if I come over to see you later? (OBJECTION)

Do you have any objection about me coming over to see you later?

Do you mind if I watch you while you paint? (OBJECTION)

Do you have any objection to my watching you while you paint?

o Be interested in have an interest in

I want to go to university this year (INTERESTED)

I am interested in going to university this year

Brian was really interested in North American history in his school days (INTEREST)

Brian had a real interest in North American history in his school days.

o Would you mind…  do you think you could…

Do you think you could give me a hand to move the sofa? (MIND)

Would you mind giving me a hand to move the sofa?

o Try is like an experiment (“try opening the window and see if you are better)

Examples:

In order to be fit, get up early and take some exercise

Try getting up earlier and taking some exercise to be fit

o In comparison with/to

Examples:

I´m disappointed with the Fisher´s new album when I compare it to their previous one (COMPARISON)

I think the Fisher´s new album is disappointing in comparison to/with their previous one

- INFINITIVE
o Have/d a tendency to… he will often….

Examples:

She will often panic if there is a problem (TENDENCY)

She has a tendency to panic if there is a problem

o Refusal to… rejection

Examples:

I was surprised when he said he wouldn´t work overtime (REFUSAL)

His refusal to work overtime surprised me

o Don´t bother to… no merece la pena

Examples:

It is not worth reading that book (BOTHER)

Do not bother to read that book

o Would like to…

Examples:

Shall I carry your bag for you? (LIKE)

Would you like me to carry your bag for you?

We wanted to continue our mountain trek but the weather was too bad (LIKE)

We would like to have gone on with our mountain trek but the weather was too bad

I want to inform you that I was not satisfied with the standard of service in your hotel (EXPRESS)

I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the standard of service in your hotel

o Make/made a great/big effort to…=try/ied very hard to…

Examples:

He tried very hard to give up junk food (EFFORT)

He made a great/bid effort to give up junk food

o Find/found impossible not to…

Examples:

I could not help laughing when he said that (IMPOSSIBLE)

I found it impossible not to laugh when he said that

o had better + infinitive without to= should

Examples:

If you don´t leave now, you´ll miss the bus (BETTER)

You had better leave now, if you don´t want to miss the bus

“You´d better get a bike as using public transport is quite complicated”, he said

I was advised by him to get a bike as using public transport was quite complicated.

o Find/found difficult to…

Examples:

I have difficulty remembering names (DIFFICULT)

I find it difficult to remember names

o Be made to…

Examples:

They made us clean up the mess (MADE)

We were made to clean up the mess

o Hesitate no dudes en

Examples:

Feel free to telephone if you have any further problems (CALL)

Do not hesitate to call us/to give us a call/to call if you have any further problems

He saw the litter on the ground and picked it up and put it in the bin immediately (HESITATION)

He grabbed the rubbish off the ground and threw it in the bin without hesitation (NOT WITHOUT
HESITATION IN THE BIN) 1. C.C.L /C.C.T 2. C.C.M/C.C.C

If you need any help, you can always call me (HESITATE)

If you need any help, do not hesitate to call me

o Try make an effort (“I tried to open the window but I couldn´t)

MODALS IN THE PAST

- MIGHT/MAY HAVE

Examples:

Perhaps John heard the story from Pippa (HAVE)

Pippa might have told John the story

It´s possible that the thieves entered the building by forcing a window at the back (BROKEN)

The thieves may have broken into the building through a window at the back

- CAN HAVE

Examples:

It´s not possible that you saw Mary last night, she was with us! (HAVE)

You cannot have seen Mary last night, she was with us!

- MUST HAVE

Examples:

I´m sure it was Ana I saw in town as I recognised her coat (MUST)

It must have been Ana I saw in town as I recognised her coat

I´m sure we went the wrong way at the last junction (TAKEN)

We must have taken the wrong way at the last junction

I suppose he was in the garden, mowing the lawn when he hurt himself

He must have hurt himself in the garden when he was mowing the lawn

- WOULD HAVE

Examples:

I wanted to stay in last night but my flatmate insisted we go out (SOONER)

I would sooner have stayed in last night but my flatmate insisted we go out

- SHOULD HAVE = to be wrong of someone to…

Examples:

I know that it was wrong of me to shout in front of the customers (RAISED)

I know that I should not have raised my voice in front of the customers

- OUGHT TO HAVE

Examples:

I wish I hadn´t let Max borrow my money because none of his investments has shown a profit (NEVER)

I ought never to have lent my money to Max because none of his investments has shown a profit.

(OUGHT NEVER TO=OUGHT NOT TO)

AS SOON AS

Examples:

Immediately after Emi quit her job, she booked a package tour around Europe (HAD)

As soon as she had handed in her notice Emi booked a package tour around Europe

IN SPITE OF= Although/ Even though/ Despite

Examples:

Although the weather was terrible we had a good time (SPITE)

We had a good time in spite of the terrible weather

Although some organisations try very hard to protect some species, they are not always successful

In spite of the fact some organisations try very hard to protect some species, they are not always
successful

Ana got the job even though she didn´t have much experience in public relations (SPITE)

Ana got the job in spite of her lack of experience in public relations

The beach was very fun even though it was too cold (FACT)
Despite the fact that it was too cold, the beach was fun

Even though Diego didn´t know any French at all, he managed to communicate with the Parisian taxi
driver (SINGLE)

Despite not knowing/speaking a single word of French, Diego managed to communicate with the
Parisian taxi driver.

OTHERWISE = IF NOT… IT´S POSSIBLE

Examples:

If we don´t act now, it´s possible there will be no more tigers left within a few years (OTHERWISE)

We need to act now otherwise tigers may/might die out within a few years.

TOO/ SO

TOO+ADJECTIVE+TO / SO+ADJECTIVE+THAT

Examples:

I was too tired to go to the party (THAT)

I was so tired that I couldn´t go to the party

COMPARISON (AS…….AS)

Examples:

The school I studied at last year was better than this one (GOOD)

This school was not as good as my last one

NEGATIVE NOUN (NO + NOUN)

Examples:

Being rude is inexcusable (EXCUSE)

There is no excuse to be rude

It´s impossible to predict how long it will take to do this job (TELLING)

There is no way/no chance of telling how long this job will take

I really don´t mind whether Jill chooses to come on holiday with us or not (DIFFERENCE)

It really makes no difference to me whether Jill chooses to come on holiday with us or not

NO MATTER HOW = I don´t care how…

Examples:

I don´t care how clever he is, he can make mistakes like everyone else

No matter how clever he is, he can make mistakes like everyone else

SINCE  FOR

Examples:
I haven´t driven an automatic car for several years (LAST)

It´s several years since I last drove an automatic car

WARNING – WARNED

Examples:

This is your third warning from me (NO FOR ME) this week about being late for work (NOT)

This is the third time this week I have warned you not to be late for work

USED TO

Examples:

I always hated pasta when I was a child but now I cook it regularly (USE)

I did not use to like pasta when I was I child but now I cook it regularly

RATHER = prefer

Didn´t you want me to tell the staff about your resignation? (RATHER)

Would you rather I hadn´t let the staff about your resignation?

IDIOMS

- MAKE ALL MY PAINS = Make an effort

Examples:

After I emigrated, I made an effort not to lose contact with my old school friends (PAINS)

After I emigrated, I took all my pains to keep in touch with my old school friends

- GET ON SOMEONE NERVES = Irritate someone

Examples:

His constant moaning tends to irritate people (GET)

He has a tendency to get on people´s nerves with his constant moaning

- BE TAKEN BY SURPRISE = Don´t expect something

Examples:

I wasn´t expecting my colleagues to organise a farewell party on my last day at the company (TAKEN)

I was taken by surprise when my colleagues organised a farewell party on my last day

- IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT = It´s improbable to happen but if it happens…

Examples:

It´s no likely to happen but if you´re not satisfied with the product we´ll refund your money (EVENT)

In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the product your money will be refunded

- THERE IS A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN + ING

Examples:
It´s one thing to think theres a demand for your product and another to actually make a sale (WORLD)

There´s a world of difference between thinking there´s a demand for your product and actually making a
sale

- LOSE TEMPER FOR  get angry

Examples:

John has a habit of getting angry when there isn´t a good reason for it (TEMPER)

John will often lose his temper for no particular reason. (NOT have a bad temper)

- COMPLETELY LOSE TRACK OF THE TIME

Examples:

I´m so sorry, I didn´t realise it was so late (TRACK)

Sorry, I completely lost track of the time

- LED SOMEONE BELIEVE  Leave someone with the impression

Examples:

You led me to believe the job was mine if I wanted it (IMPRESSION)

I was left with the impression that the job was mine if I wanted it

- MAKE UP SOMEONE MIND ABOUT SOMETHING Decide what to do

Examples:

When you do decide what you want to do please let us know (MIND)

When you make up your mind about what you want to do please let us know.

- FIGHT FOR SOMETHING  To try and gain something

Examples:

The reason Simon had to go to court was to try and gain the legal right to keep his children (FIGHT)

Simon had to go to court to fight for custody of his children

- BEAT SOMEONE HANDS DOWN  They are so far behind so they will not win

Examples:

There was no question that the Rangers were going to win the final as the Rovers were so far behind
(HANDS)

It was obvious that the Rangers were going to beat the Rovers hands down in the final

- SOMEONE DO NOT MIND = MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONE

Examples:

I don´t mind whether we stay in or go out this evening, but John wants to go to the cinema
(DIFFERENCE)

It doesn´t make any difference to me whether we stay in or go out this evening, but John wants to go to
the cinema.
RELATIVE CLAUSES

- WHOSE = de quien

Examples:

He couldn´t return the jacket to its owner because he had no idea who it belonged to (WHOSE)

He would have returned the jacket to its owner if he had known whose it was

THINK YOURSELF LUCKY

Examples:

You could have been seriously injured not wearing a seat belt (THINK)

You should think yourself lucky you were not seriously injured not wearing a seat belt

CONVENIENCE = when it is possible (“convenga”)

Examples:

Would you give us your answer as soon as possible (CONVENIENCE)

Pleas respond at your earliest convenience

PLACE THE BLAME ON = say the problems are fault of

Examples:

The Government recently said our problems are the fault of the worldwide economic slowdown
(PLACED)

The Government have placed the blame on the worldwide economic slowdown for our problems

SUPERLATIVE AND COMPARATIVE

Examples:

When it comes to population, Beijings is much bigger than Aucklands (POPULATED)

Beijing is much more populated than Auckland.

TAKE SOMETHING INTO CONSIDERATION Think about something

Examples:

The manager should think about experience when hiring new staff (CONSIDERATION)

The manager should take experience into consideration when hiring new staff.

There were a lot of things that we had to think about before we could accept their offer (OBLIGED)

There were several things that we were obliged to take into consideration before we could accept their
offer
TO BE (ADJECIVE) AT (SOMETHING)

Examples:

The anti-smoking advertisement does not stop people from smoking (INEFFECTIVE)

The anti-smoking advertisement is ineffective at stopping people from smoking.

GAINED KNOWLEDGE LEARN

Examples:

She has learnt a substantial amount from her university course (GAINED)

She has gained a substantial amount of knowledge from her university course.

BE OVERCOME WITH FEAR Become afraid

Examples:

When I realised what had happened, I became quite afraid (OVERCOME)

I was overcome with fear when I worked out what had occurred.

LITTLE (UNCOUNTABLE)/ FEW (COUNTABLE)

Examples:

Not many people buy that particular product these days (DEMAND)

There is little demand for that particular product these days.

… FAR LESS THAN = DOES NOT … NEARLY AS/SO MUCH

Examples:

My brother now earns far less than he did when he was younger (NEARLY)

My brother does not earn nearly as/so much now as he did when he was younger

QUITE AS MUCH AS / SLIGHTLY LESS THAN

Examples:

It hasn´t rained quite as much this year as in the previous years (SLIGHTLY)

This year, it has rained slightly less than it did in previous years

RESIGNATION/RESIGNING TO RESIGN

Examples:

Nobody expected Natalia to resign (CAME)

Natalia´s resignation/resigning decision came as a surprise/shock to everyone.

WHATSOEVER In advance

Examples:

The area was completely devoid of vegetation (WHATSOEVER)

There was no vegetation whatsoever growing in the area.

THE HEIGHT OF The most successful

Examples:

When he was at his most successful, the President had enormous influence (HEIGHT)

At the height of his success, the President had enormous influence.

IT´S TIME

Examples:

I think the government should stop pulling buildings down

In my opinion it´s time the government stopped pulling down old buildings.

IT SEEMS THAT Someone seem to

It seems that she has lost her way

She seems to have lost her way

AS SOMEONE IS… BEING…

Examples:

As she is an engineer, she has a great deal of experience with machines

Being an engineer, she has a great deal of experience with machines

BE ONLY WHEN = UNTIL

Examples:

I didn’t stop worrying about the wild animals until we were safe inside camp (ONLY)

It was only when we reached the safety of camp that I stopped worrying about the wild animals

After arriving at the airport, we realized that our passports were still at home (UNTIL)

It was not until we arrived/had arrived at the airport that we realized our passports were still at home

EVER

Examples:

Steve´s one topic of conversation is the time he spent as a pilot (EVER)

The time he spent as a pilot is all Steve ever talks about

WAS LOOKING = WAS HAVING A LOOK

Examples:

I first noticed the backpacker while I was looking at some brochures (LOOK)

It was while I was having a look at some brochures that I first noticed the backpacker

HEATED ARGUMENT = ARGUE FIERCELY

Examples:

They began calmly discussing football but soon started arguing fiercely about politics (HEATED)

What began as a calm discussion about football soon developed into a heated argument about politics
DO EVERYTHING/WHATEVER/ALL IT TAKES IN ORDER TO… = TAKE EVERY POSSIBLE MEASSURE

Examples:

We can assure our customers that we will take every possible measure to maintain the quality of the
products on our shelves (TAKES)

We can assure our customers that we will do everything/whatever/all it takes in order to maintain the
quality of the products on our shelves

IN LIGHT OF SOME COMPLAINTS = FOLLOWING SOME COMPLAINTS

Examples:

Following some complaints by local residents, the government withdrew its proposal to build a new
runway at the airport (LIGHT)

The government´s proposal to build a new runway at the airport was withdrawn in light of some
complaints by local residents

REACHED AN ALL-TIME HIGH = THE HIGHEST IT HAS EVER BEEN

Examples:

The number of students now at university has reached an all-time high, apparently (THE)

The number of students now at university is the highest it has ever been, apparently

BE STILL FROWNED UPON = THERE IS A STIGMA ATTACHED TO= hay un tabú

Examples:

Living together before getting married is still frowned upon by some, even in this day and age
(ATTACHED)

Even nowadays there is still a stigma attached to living together before marriage

BE NECK AND NECK = HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE

Examples:

The latest polls indicate that Labour and Conservative have an equal chance of winning the election
(NECK)

The latest polls indicate that Labour are neck and neck with/are running neck and neck with the
Conservatives

SPRING TO MIND = COME INTO MI HEAD

Examples:

Cutting down on their spending is the first thing that comes into my head

The first thing that springs to mind is that they should cut down on their spending

HAVE TO = BE OBLIGED TO

Examples:

There were a lot of things that we had to think about before we could accept their offer (OBLIGED)

There were several things that we were obliged to take into consideration before we could accept their
offer
IMPROVE = GET BETTER

Examples:

Unless the weather improves, they will have to stop the tennis match (MEAN)

If the weather doesn´t get better it will mean stopping the tennis match

KEEP SOMETHING IN PERFECT ORDER = ENSURE SOMETHING WORKS PERFECTLY

Examples:

Firefighters need to ensure their equipment works perfectly as their lives depend on it (ORDER)

Firefighters need to keep their equipment in perfect order as their lives depend on it.

LESS ABOUT… AND MORE ABOUT… = NOT SO MUCH… AS…

Examples:

The key to a good speech is less about what you say and more about how you say it (WHAT)

The key to a good speech lies not so much in what you say as how you say it.

VERB+WHEN YOUR ARE HUNGRY = VERB+ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Examples:

Climbing when you are hungry is a bad idea (EMPTY)

Climbing on an empty stomach is not recommended.

NEARLY AS GOOD AS THE WINNER = CLOSE SECOND TO THE WINNER

Examples:

Eric´s meal was nearly as good as the one the winner made (CLOSE)

Eric´s meal came a close second to the winning dish.

ALOW SOMEONE TO BE INDEPENDENT = GIVE SOMEONE A GREAT DEAL OF INDEPENDENCE

Examples:

This new role allows me to be very independent, unlike my previous one (CONTRAST)

This new role gives me a great deal of independence in contrast to my previous one.

BE NOWHERE AS…AS…

Examples:

The menu suggested that the meal was very spicy, but it wasn´t (NOWHERE)

The meal was nowhere as spicy as the menu suggested.

PAY IN ADVANCE = PAY BEFORE YOU RECEIVE SOMETHING

Examples:

We would like you to pay for the delivery of this special order before you receive it (IF)

We would appreciate if you paid in advance for the delivery of this special order.

SLIM CHANCES = LITTLE LIKELYHOOD

Examples:

It is now 24 hours since Mr William´s boat sank and people think there is little likelihood he will
survive (CHANCES)

It is now 24 hours since Mr William´s boat sank and his chances f surviving are thought/ seem/ appeared
to be slim.

REGRET = WISH

Examples:

I regret not having the feeling of achieving anything after reaching the summit but I was too
exhausted (SENSE)

I wish I had felt a sense of achievement after reaching the summit but I was too exhausted.

WORDFORMATION

- INVADE INVASION

Examples:

When I caught my boyfriend reading my email, I felt he had invaded my privacy (AN)

When I caught my boyfriend reading my emails, I regarded it as an invasion of my privacy.