Fluency

FLUENCY

(1)unless – used to say that sth can only happen or be true in a particular situation.
eg : He hasn’t got any hobbies – unless you call watching TV a hobby.
(ii)Most dogs will not attack unless provoked.
(2)even - used to emphasize sth unexpected or surprising.
eg : It was cold there even in summer (= so it must have been very cold in winter).
(ii) Even a child can understand it (= so adults certainly can).
(iii) She didn’t even call to say she wasn’t coming.
- used when you are comparing things, to make the comparison stronger
eg : You know even less about it than I do.
(ii) She’s even more intelligent than her sister.
(3) ever - used in negative sentences and questions, or sentences with if to mean ‘at any time’.
eg : Nothing ever happens here.
(ii) Don’t you ever get tired?
(iii) I’ll never ever do that again!
- used for emphasis when you are comparing things.
eg :It was raining harder than ever.
(ii) It’s my best ever score.
as ever - in the same way as always
eg: As ever, I was the last to find out.
(4)likely – probable or expected.
eg : Tickets are likely to be expensive.
(ii) Do remind me because I'm likely to forget.
(5) unlikely - not likey to happen;not probable.
eg : It's pretty unlikely (that) they'll turn up now - it's nearly ten o'clock
(ii) The project seemed unlikely to succeed.
(6)since – from a time in the past until a later past time, or until now.
eg : I haven’t eaten since breakfast.
(ii)He started working for the company when he left school, and has been there ever since (= and is still there).
(iii) She had been worrying ever since the letter arrived.
(iv)I've long since (= long ago) forgotten any Latin I ever learned.
(v) The original building has long since (= long before now) been demolished.
since - because; as.
eg : Since we've got a few minutes to wait for the train, let's have a cup of coffee.
(ii) We thought that, since we were in the area, we’d stop by and see them.
ever since ( … ) - continuously since the time mentioned.
eg : He’s had a car ever since he was 18.
(ii) I was bitten by a dog once and I’ve been afraid of them ever since.
(7) then - (at) that time (in the past or in the future)
eg : Give it to me next week - I won't have time to read it before/until then.
(ii)I'll phone you tomorrow - I should have the details by then.
(iii) Things were very different back then.
(iv) I saw them at Christmas but haven’t heard a thing since then.
(v) There’s a room free in Bob’s house next week but you can stay with us until then.
(vi) Call again next week. They should have reached a decision by then.
(vii) Just then (= at that moment) there was a knock at the door.
(8)while - a period of time
eg : They chatted for a while.
(ii) I’ll be back in a little while (= a short time).
(iii) I haven’t seen him for quite a while (= a fairly long time).
(iv) They walked back together, talking all the while (= all the time).
(9) rather than - instead of sb/sth.
eg : I think I’ll have a cold drink rather than coffee.
(ii) Why didn’t you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own?
(10)moreover - used to introduce some new information that adds to or supports what you have said previously .
SYN: in addition
eg :A talented artist, he was, moreover, a writer of some note.
(ii) The whole report is badly written. Moreover, it's inaccurate.
(11)either - used after negative phrases to state that a feeling or situation is similar to one already mentioned.
eg : Pete can’t go and I can’t either.
- used to add extra information to a statement.
eg : I know a good Italian restaurant. It’s not far from here, either.
(12)possibly - used to say that sth might exist, happen or be true, but you are not certain
SYN : perhaps
eg : It was possibly their worst performance ever.
- used to emphasize that you are surprised, annoyed, etc. about sth
eg : You can’t possibly mean that!
- used to ask sb politely to do sth.
eg : Could you possibly open that window?
-used with negatives, especially ‘can’t’ and ‘couldn’t’, to say strongly that you cannot do sth or that sth cannot or could not happen or be done.
eg : I can’t possibly tell you that!
(ii) You can’t possibly carry all those bags.
(13) after all - despite what has been said or expected.
eg : So you made it after all!
- used when you are explaining sth, or giving a reason.
eg : He should have paid. He suggested it, after all.
after all - used to add information that shows that what you have just said is true.
eg : I do like her - after all, she is my sister.
(14) however - used to introduce a statement that contrasts with sth that has just been said.
eg: He was feeling bad. He went to work, however, and tried to concentrate.
(ii) We thought the figures were correct. However, we have now discovered some errors.
(iii) This is one possible solution to the problem. However, there are others.
(iv)There may, however, be other reasons that we don't know about.
(15) other than – except.
eg: I don’t know any French people other than you.
(16)often - many times
SYN : frequently
eg : I see her quite often.
(ii) I often see him in the garden.
(17) a few - a small number of people, things or places; some.
eg : I recognized a few of the other people.
(ii) I’ve seen most of his movies. Only a few are as good as his first one.
(iii) Could you give me a few more details?
the few - used with a plural verb to mean ‘a small group of people’.
eg : Real power belongs to the few.
(ii) She was one of the chosen few (= the small group with special rights).
few - used with plural nouns and a plural verb to mean ‘not many’.
eg : Few people understand the difference.
(ii) Very few students learn Latin now.
(18) a little - a small amount of something.
eg : This sauce needs a little salt.
(ii)With a little training she could do very well.
(iii) Can I give you a little advice?
(19) hardly - almost no; almost not; almost none.
eg : There’s hardly any tea left.
(ii) She hardly ever calls me (= almost never).
hardly ever
eg : She hardly ever (= almost never) goes out.
rarely - not very often.
eg: She is rarely seen in public nowadays
(ii) We rarely see each other now.
(iii) I rarely have time to read a newspaper.
(20)here - used when you are giving or showing sth to sb.
eg :Here’s the money I promised you.
(ii) Here comes the bus.
(iii) I can’t find my keys. Oh, here they are.
(iv) Here we are (= we’ve arrived).
there - used to attract sb’s attention to a particular person, thing or fact.
eg : There’s the statue I was telling you about.
(ii) That woman there is the boss’s wife.
(iii) There goes the last bus (= we’ve just missed it).
(iv) There goes the phone (= it’s ringing).
(21)As - used to describe sb/sth appearing to be sb/sth else
eg :They were all dressed as clowns.
(ii) The bomb was disguised as a package.
- used to say that sth happens in the same way
eg : As always, he said little.
(ii) The ‘h’ in honest is silent, as in ‘hour’.
- in the way in which.
eg : They did as I had asked.
(ii) Leave the papers as they are.
(iii) She lost it, just as I said she would.
- used to make a comment or to add information about what you have just said.
eg : As you know, Julia is leaving soon.
(ii) She’s very tall, as is her mother.
(22) in spite of sth - if you say that sb did sth in spite of a fact, you mean it is surprising that that fact did not prevent them from doing it.
SYN : despite
eg : In spite of his age, he still leads an active life.
(ii) They went swimming in spite of all the danger signs.
(iii) English became the official language for business in spite of the fact that the population was largely Chinese.
(23) no / any longer - used to say that sth which was possible or true before, is not now.
eg : I can’t wait any longer.
(ii) He no longer lives here.
(24)so far - until now; up to this point.
eg : What do you think of the show so far?
(ii) Detectives are so far at a loss to explain the reason for his death.
(25) as / so long as - only if
eg : We’ll go as long as the weather is good.
- since; to the extent that
eg : So long as there is a demand for these drugs, the financial incentive for drug dealers will be there.
(26) sooner or later - at some time in the future, even if you are not sure exactly when.
eg : Sooner or later you will have to make a decision.
(27) kind of - slightly; in some ways
eg : That made me feel kind of stupid.
a kind of - used to show that sth you are saying is not exact.
eg : I had a kind of feeling this might happen.
(28) a sort of sth - used for describing sth in a not very exact way.
eg : I had a sort of feeling that he wouldn’t come.
(ii) They’re a sort of greenish-blue colour.
sort of - to some extent but in a way that you cannot easily describe.
eg : She sort of pretends that she doesn’t really care.
(29) as late as
eg : As late as (= as recently as) the 1950s, tuberculosis was still a fatal illness.
(30)no more , any more - often used at the end of negative sentences and at the end of questions, to mean ‘any longer’.
eg : I will torment you no more (= no longer).
(ii) She doesn’t live here any more.
(iii) Why doesn’t he speak to me any more?
(iv) Now she won’t have to go out to work any more.
(31) even if / though - despite the fact or belief that; no matter whether.
eg :I’ll get there, even if I have to walk.
(ii) I like her, even though she can be annoying at times.
(32) )as if – in a way that suggests sth.
eg : He behaved as if nothing had happened.
(ii) She looked as if she'd had some bad news.
(iii) They stared at me as if I was crazy.
(33)by now - (at) the present time.
eg : He’ll be home by now.
(34)as well - in addition to sb/sth; too.
eg : Are they coming as well?
(ii) Invite Emlyn - and Simon as well.
(35) in particular - especially or particularly.
eg : He loves science fiction in particular.
- special or specific
eg : Peter was lying on the sofa doing nothing in particular.
(ii) Is there anything in particular you’d like for dinner?
(36) Maybe – perhaps
eg :Maybe we should wait until the rain stops.
(37) in a way | in one way | in some ways - to some extent; not completely.
eg : In a way it was one of our biggest mistakes.
(38) at times – sometimes.
eg : He can be really bad-tempered at times.
(ii) You can be really annoying at times, you know.
(39)lately - recently; in the recent past.
eg: Have you seen her lately?
(ii) I haven't been feeling so well lately.
(iii) Have you been doing anything interesting lately?
(40) either way / one way or the other - used to say that it does not matter which one of two possibilities happens, is chosen or is true.
eg: Was it his fault or not? Either way, an explanation is due.
(ii) We could meet today or tomorrow—I don’t mind one way or the other.

(41) neither - used to show that a negative statement is also true of sb/sth else.
eg: ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Me neither.’
(42) as always - as usually happens or is expected.
SYN : as usual
eg : As always, Polly was late for school.
(43) yet another / more | yet again - used to emphasize an increase in number or amount or the number of times sth happens.
eg: snow, snow and yet more snow .
(ii) yet another diet book .
(iii) Prices were cut yet again (= once more, after many other times).
(iv) Rachel bought yet another pair of shoes to add to her collection.
(44) you name it - used to say there are many things to choose from
eg: Gin, vodka, whisky, beer - you name it, I've got it.
(ii) I've tried every diet going - you name it, I've tried it.
(iii) Chairs, tables, cabinets—you name it, she makes it (= she makes anything you can imagine).
(45) none other than - used to emphasize who or what sb/sth is, when this is surprising.
eg : Her first customer was none other than Mrs Blair.
(46)apart from - except for
eg : I’ve finished apart from the last question.
- in addition to; as well as.
eg : Apart from their house in London, they also have a villa in Spain.
(ii) It was a difficult time. Apart from everything else, we had financial problems.
(iii) You’ve got to help. Apart from anything else you’re my brother.
(47) no sense in
eg : There’s no sense in (= it is not sensible) worrying about it now.
(ii) There's no sense in waiting (= It is not practical to wait) - the next train isn't for two hours.
(48) the last word (in sth) - the most recent, fashionable, advanced, etc. thing.
eg : These apartments are the last word in luxury.
(49) make use of sth/sb - to use sth/sb, especially in order to get an advantage.
eg : We could make better use of our resources.
(ii) We might as well make use of the hotel's facilities.
(50) all the way - during the whole journey / period of time.
eg : She didn’t speak a word to me all the way back home.
- completely; as much as it takes to achieve what you want.
eg : I’m fighting him all the way.
(ii) You can feel that the audience is with her all the way.
(51) in no time - so soon or so quickly that it is surprising.
eg : The kids will be leaving home in no time.
(ii) The children ate their dinner in no time.
(52) to be exact
eg : She’s in her mid-thirties—thirty-six to be exact.
(ii) "I still owe you £7, don't I?" "Actually, it's £7.30 to be exact."
(53) pick up where we left off - to start again; to continue.
eg : Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday.
(54) so do I
eg : ‘I love peaches.’ ‘So do I.
- also
eg : ‘I prefer the first version.’ ‘So do we.’
(55) have yet to - If you have yet to do something, you have not done it.
eg :We have yet to decide what action to take (= We have not decided what action to take).
(ii) They have yet to make a decision.
(56) most of all - to the greatest degree.
eg : It was what she wanted most of all.
(57) at first glance - when you first look at or think about sth, often rather quickly.
eg : At first glance the problem seemed easy.
(58) sth sucks - used to say that sth is very bad.
eg : Their new CD sucks.
sth rocks - used to say that sth is very good.
eg : Her new movie rocks!
(59) matter (to sb) - to be important or have an important effect on sb/sth.
eg : It doesn’t matter to me what you do.
(ii) ‘What did you say?’ ‘Oh, it doesn’t matter’ (= it is not important enough to repeat).’
(iii) ‘I’m afraid I forgot that book again.’ ‘It doesn’t matter (= it is not important enough to worry about).’
(60) I don’t care (= I will not be upset) if I never see him again!
- used to ask sb politely to do sth
Would you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes?
(61)cost a fortune
eg : Good food need not cost a fortune (= cost a lot of money)
(ii) This dress cost a (small) fortune.
(62) have sb/sth in mind (for sth) - to be thinking of sb/sth, especially for a particular job, etc.
eg: Watching TV all evening wasn’t exactly what I had in mind!
(ii) Did you have anything in mind for Helen's present?
(63) make sure (of sth / that … ) - to do sth in order to be certain that sth else happens.
eg: Make sure (that) no one finds out about this.
(ii) They scored another goal and made sure of victory.
(iii) Our staff will do their best to make sure you enjoy your visit.
(64) rumour has it - people are saying.
eg : Rumour has it (that) you're going to be the next managing director. Is it true?
(65) of late - recently
We haven't spoken of late.
(66) get sth straight - to make a situation clear; to make sure that you or sb else understands the situation.
eg: Let’s get this straight—you really had no idea where he was?
(ii) Let's get this straight - you're travelling to Frankfurt on Monday and Brussels on Tuesday, is that correct?
(67) (all) by yourself - alone or without help from anyone else.
eg: I'm amazed you managed to move those boxes all by yourself.
(68) not know where/which way to turn - to not know what to do or who to ask for help.
eg: When both her parents died, she didn't know which way to turn.
(69) not that I know of - used when answering a question to mean that, judging from the information you have, the answer is no.
eg: "Is she especially unhappy at school?" "Not that I know of."
(70) so-called - used to show that you do not think that the word or phrase that is being used to describe sb/sth is appropriate.
eg: the opinion of a so-called ‘expert’
(ii) How have these so-called improvements helped the local community?
(iii) It was one of his so-called friends who supplied him with the drugs that killed him.
- used to introduce the word that people usually use to describe sth.
eg: artists from the so-called ‘School of London’
- used to introduce a new word or phrase which is not yet known by many people
eg: It isn't yet clear how destructive this so-called 'super virus' is.
(71) any minute/moment/second/time now - very soon.
eg: Our guests will be arriving any moment now and the house is still a mess.
(72) (every) now and then/again - sometimes, but not very often
eg : We meet up for lunch now and then, but not as often as we used to.
(73) be nothing short of... - used to emphasize a bad situation, quality or type of behaviour.
eg: The party was nothing short of a disaster.
(ii) His behaviour was nothing short of rude.
(74) have no parallel - If something has no parallel or is without parallel, there is nothing similar to it or of the same high quality as it.
eg: These beautiful African churches have no parallel in Europe.
(ii) This tradition has no parallel in our culture.
(75) with (all due) respect - used to express polite disagreement in a formal situation
eg: With all due respect, Minister, I cannot agree with your last statement.
(76) all of a sudden - quickly and unexpectedly.
eg : All of a sudden someone grabbed me around the neck.
(77) quite a few - a fairly large number.
eg : I’ve been there quite a few times.
(78) and all - also; included; in addition.
eg : She jumped into the river, clothes and all (= with her clothes on).
- as well; too.
eg : ‘I’m freezing.’ ‘Yeah, me and all.’
(79) all along - all the time; from the beginning.
eg : I realized it was in my pocket all along.
(80) or so - about
eg : It’ll cost $100 or so.
(81) to go - remaining; still left.
eg : I only have one exam to go.
(82) as yet - until now or until a particular time in the past.
eg : an as yet unpublished report
(ii) As yet little was known of the causes of the disease.
(iii) We haven't needed extra staff as yet, but may do in the future.
(iv)No ambulances had as yet managed to get across the river.
(83) all over again - If you do something all over again, you start again from the beginning.
eg: It's already taken me two hours - I don't want to have to do it all over again.
(ii) He did the work so badly that I had to do it all over again myself.
(84) even so - despite what has just been said.
eg: I had a terrible headache, but even so I went to the concert.
(ii)An immediate interest cut might give a small boost to the economy. Even so, any recovery is likely to be very slow.
(85) not so much sth as sth - If you say that something is not so much one thing as something else, you mean it is more the second thing.
eg: They're not so much lovers as friends.
(ii) I don't feel angry so much as sad.
(86) at long last - after a long time
SYN : finally
eg: At long last his prayers had been answered.
(87) not take long - to act or happen over a short period of time.
eg: I'm just going to the shops - I won't take long.
(88) better still / even better - used to say that a particular choice would be more satisfactory.
eg: Why don't you give her a call or, better still, go and see her?
(89) much/still less - used to make a negative statement stronger.
eg: At the age of fourteen I had never even been on a train, much less an aircraft.
(90) the other day - a few days ago
eg: Didn't I see you in the post office the other day?
(91) these days - used to talk about the present time, in comparison with the past
eg: Vegetarianism is very popular these days.
(92) Need I say more? - said after a statement when you expect that someone can guess the result of what you have just said.
eg: Tom was doing the cooking - need I say more?
(93) what's more - used to add something surprising or interesting to what you have just said.
eg: The decorations were absolutely beautiful and what's more, the children had made them themselves.
(94) a list as long as your arm - a very long list.
eg: I've got a list as long as my arm of the things we need to do before we go on holiday.
(ii) There’s a list of repairs as long as your arm.
(95) how long is a piece of string? - used to say that there is no definite answer to a question.
eg: ‘How long will it take?’ ‘How long’s a piece of string?’
(96) how long have you got? - used to say that sth is going to take a long time to explain.
eg: What do I think about it? How long have you got?
(97) go back a long way - (of two or more people) to have known each other for a long time.
eg:We go back a long way, he and I.
(98) far from sth - certainly not something.
eg: The situation is far from clear.
(99) every bit as - equally as.
eg: Opponents of the war are considered every bit as patriotic as supporters.
(100) a bit of a … - used when talking about unpleasant or negative things or ideas, to
mean ‘rather a … ’
eg: We may have a bit of a problem on our hands.
(ii) The rail strike is a bit of a pain.