Oral Fluency Vocabulary Training - Part 1 by Kev Nair

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Kev Nair
Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary – Part I
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.
• B10: Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary (Vol.2).
• B11: Fluency & Moment-to-Moment Speech-production.
• B12: Oral Training in Fluency Vocabulary (Vol.3).
• S6/B18 & S8/B20: Fluency in Topicwise English (Vols. 1 & 2).
• S7/B19: Fluency & Pronunciation.
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B6
Oral Training in
Fluency Vocabulary
Part-1
“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
Adult Faculties Council
TM
6
For Uma
oral training in fluency vocabulary - part - i
Copyright © Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair 1982, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2008.
First published 1982.
4th edition 2000 (12 impressions).
5th edition 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: [email protected].
Price: Rs.175.00
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Contents
Chapter 1: Training in ‘General Structures’, 11
The way speech gets produced, 11
Frame-work for speech-production, 12
Shape of speech units, 13
Fluency tools, 13
Repeated exposure, 14
The most important consideration in vocabulary choice, 14
About words you should master, 15
Objective-based vocabulary-development, 16
The test for word-selection, 17
General structures, 17
GS No. 24 to GS No. 105
Chapter 2: Subsidiary word groups, 41
Place-relating word groups, 42
Time-relating word groups, 48
Chapter 3: Frequently-used monosyllabic words, 54
Words of the greatest general service, 59
Practice with major word groups, 60
Action word groups, 61
Naming word groups, 68
Chapter 4: Phrasal verbs, 76
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs, 78
Position of the object in transitive phrasal verbs, 78
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Concentrate on examples, 80
Marginal phrasal verbs, 80
Phrasal-prepositional verbs, 81
Prepositional verbs, 82
Phrasal verbs in use — for practice, 82
Aa to Ff
Chapter 5: ‘Adjective + Noun’ combinations, 94
Chapter 6: Word groups in questions, 103
Chapter 7: Word groups in questions, 113
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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 topic “Word groups in questions”.
If you have any comments and suggestions, please do write to
me care of the publishers.
KEV Nair
Kochi, 2008.
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Abbreviations
fml
formal
infml
informal
sb
somebody
sth
something
sw
somewhere
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Chapter 1
Training in ‘General Structures’
We saw the first instalment of GSs in Book 2. Let’s now go through
the second instalment.
Some of you may now be thinking like this: ‘Oh, these are
all elementary sentences. Why should I learn them at all?’. If you
have any such thought, give it up. The aim of the practice with GSs
is not to improve your understanding of the meanings of words
or word groups. The aim of the practice is to help you get your
organs of speech used to working in a special way — the way the
English language wants them to work. You must be clear in your
mind about this aim. That’s why I explained the reasons behind
our drills early on. (Here, read through what I have said about
GSs in Book 2). Of course, the drills give you another benefit on
the side: They put you in the midst of ‘everyday vocabulary’ —
word groups that help you carry on conversations of all kinds.
But that’s only a side benefit. The main aim of the drills with GSs
is this: To get the patterns of the structures fixed in your mind,
so that it becomes second nature to you to use those patterns to
build speech.
The way speech gets produced
Here’s something you should firmly understand:
You know, human beings have a tendency — the tendency
to imitate things. You have that tendency; everybody has that
tendency.
The word ‘imitate’ only roughly expresses the idea. There’s
no exact word for that tendency. But you can easily get an idea
of what that tendency is: That tendency is to make things by
copying. To make new things that are similar to the things that
are already known — by using the known things as models.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
For example, if you hear a song with a special tune, you
have a tendency to make up other songs with the same tune —
using other words. If you notice that most others are wearing
a particular kind of dress, you have a tendency to get a similar
dress for you. If you’re faced with a tough situation and you have
to take a decision, your tendency is to find out whether others
have faced similar situations in the past, and if so, what decisions
they have taken.
All these are examples of the same thing — our mental
slant. We always imitate. Sometimes consciously; sometimes
unconsciously. Show me something. I am sure to imitate it —
consciously or unconsciously. And here comes the importance of
the GSs. I’m putting you in the middle of those GSs. You’re sure
to imitate them — consciously or unconsciously. And what is the
result of this imitation? Production of new idea units, of course!
That is, new idea units that are similar to the GS word groups.
Frame-work for speech-production
Now we can look at everything from another angle. Suppose
you want to make up a song. Your work will be easier if you
have another song to copy. Suppose you want to make a dress.
Your work will be easier, if you have another dress as a ‘pattern’.
Suppose you want to take a decision on some issues. Your work
will be easier, if you have another decision on a similar issue as
a guide.
So this is the point: It’ll be easier for you to do anything, if
you can have another thing as a reference or pattern or guide or
frame-work.
Of course, when you make anything with reference to a
pattern or guide or frame-work, you’re free to make changes here
and there. But the point is this: The pattern or guide or framework will make it easy for you to make new things. This is so
about making new idea units, too. GSs are nothing but patterns
or guides or frame works. That’s why they’re called ‘structures’.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
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Think about the structure of a tall building. It’s just a frame-work
or skeleton. You have to fill it up with bricks and other materials
to make the building. In the same way, a GS is only a frame-work
or a skeleton. You can fill it up with words and word groups to
make an idea unit.
Shape of speech units
You see, the word groups given under GS No. 1, GS No. 2, GS No.
3, etc. are only examples of GSs — and not GSs themselves. GSs
are the ‘shapes’ of those examples.
For example, look at the examples under GS No. 1. They all
have a common shape, don’t they? That ‘shape’ is GS No. 1. It’s
that ‘shape’ that must get ‘imprinted’ on your mind.
Fluency tools
Think about children. Take the case of a boy or girl aged 10 or
12. Their vocabulary in their mother-tongue isn’t large. They
know how to use just about 2000 words or so in their mothertongue. That’s all. But still, aren’t they able to speak fluently in
their mother-tongue?
You see, they’ve learnt to fit those few words in different
ways into the basic syntactic structures of their language —
unconsciously. They’ve unconsciously picked up the ‘feel’ about
the various structures by listening to other people and from
reading — and through actively using them in real life situations.
They’ve also learnt how to fill those structures with the words
and word groups they know.
These structures and the limited vocabulary they’ve mastered
are the core of their language skill. These core structures help
them expand their fluency, because whenever they learn a
new word or word group, they can easily fit them into those
structures, and make newer and newer idea units. For example,
a boy or girl of 10 or 12 has been exposed only to a very limited
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
quantity of their mother-tongue. Yet, with that limited quantity,
they’re able to produce an unlimited quantity of idea units. The
key to this mystery is this: They have mastery over the core
structures, and these core structures help them process, bend,
twist and manipulate the limited quantity of the language they
know in a number of different ways. They can fit the words and
word groups they know into the basic structures appropriately
— to suit their communicative convenience. In short, the core
structures help them juggle with and manipulate the words they
know. The core structures are their fluency tools.
Repeated exposure
It’s true that children know only a very few words. Yes, they’re
exposed only to a limited quantity of language. But there’s one
thing. They come across this limited quantity not just a few times,
but a lot of times. They come across and use the few words that
they know in a large number of contexts and situations. And
they’re exposed to the limited quantity of the language they
know quite frequently, too.
So this is the point: The more frequently you come across the
same thing, the more you will become acquainted with it. That’s
why it’s useless to spend your time trying to learn a lot of ‘newer’
and ‘newer’ words. Instead, you should be paying more and more
attention to the words you already know.
The most important consideration in
vocabulary choice
Why do you speak at all? What is the reason why you speak to
someone? Because you want to be nice and friendly to them — or
because you want to communicate something to them. Isn’t that
so? But will you be successful in your efforts if the addressees do
not understand the words you use? If they don’t understand your
words, is there any point in your speaking to them? Of course
not.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
15
So isn’t one thing plain? Your speech must be ‘understandable’
to your addressees. And how can you make sure that what you
say would be ‘understandable’ to your addressees? The most
important thing you should do is this: Use only those words that
the addressees can understand. That is, the words you use must
be known to the addressees. But this brings up a difficulty. Is it
practically possible to find out how many words each of your
addressees know?
So the only solution to this problem is this: There are certain
fundamental, everyday, words. These are words that every
speaker normally uses and every hearer normally understands.
Use only those words while you’re speaking. Then you can be
sure that your addressees would understand those words, too.
About words you should master
Now what are these fundamental, everyday, words? You see,
they’re the core-words I told you about in Book 2.
Here let me tell you one thing: There’s no use in making up
a list of the core-words and learning their meanings alone. For
example, the word ‘beautiful’ means ‘nice to look at’. You certainly
should have a clear understanding of this meaning in your mind.
But you needn’t learn to explain this meaning in words. What
you need to learn is to ‘use’ the word ‘beautiful’. That is, you need
to fit this word into the various structures that are possible. This
means that you must have a command of these structures.
You’ll come across the most essential ones among the core
words several times in the various Books in this series. They’ve
been spread out throughout the several Books in this series in
such a way that they stick in your mind unconsciously. Here you
should note two things:
1) I am not talking about limiting the vocabulary range
to an artificial number (say, 2000 words), because
occasionally, you’ll have to go beyond this range —
depending on the nature of the topic you’re speaking about.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
And may have to use several ‘special words’, too. These
special words are not part of the core words. I have already
told you about these special words in Book 2. Now go back
to Book 2 and find out what these special words are.
2) Nobody can be precise and say that there are only 2000
core words, or 1999 core words or 2001 core words. All we
can say is this: There are about 2000 words that can meet
more than 75% of everybody’s vocabulary needs in speech.
And if you have a complete mastery of about 3500 most
frequently-used words, vocabulary difficulty won’t stop you
from being fluent. When you want to speak about a wide
variety of subjects, especially in educated circles, you may
have to use a higher vocabulary range. But even then, if
you have a good command of about 4700 words, you won’t
have any vocabulary-related difficulty.
Objective-based vocabulary-development
So the crux of all I have been saying is this: There’s no use in
hunting after ‘newer’ and ‘newer’ words — as far as fluency
building is concerned. That is not worth the effort.
Remember this: I am speaking about production vocabulary,
that too, speech-production vocabulary, and not about recognition
vocabulary. That is, I’m speaking about the vocabulary you need
to have mastery of in order to produce speech — and not about
the vocabulary that you need to have acquaintance with in order
you understand written things while reading. Mind you, our aim
is ‘fluency development’. For fluency development, your attention
should be on words you and others are likely to actively use in
order to produce speech. (In fact, this is true not only of fluency
in spoken English, but also of fluency in plain written English —
plain, straight-forward, modern English).
I’ve already pointed out in Book 2 that your ‘reading’
vocabulary would always be far higher than your ‘spoken’ and
‘written’ vocabulary. But even if you come across a few words
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
17
that you do not know while reading, there’s no point in rushing
to learn their meanings and usage. Normally, the context in which
those words occur will give you an idea of the whole passage.
If you’re a college graduate or above, and if you’ve done
your studies through the medium of English in college, and if you
(with your educational background) have not come across those
words so far, the chances are that those words are not words in
general use. So even if you spend time mastering them now, you
won’t be able to use them.
The test for word-selection
Here we come to the test for word-study: If you’re SURE that
a new vocabulary item you come across in reading is one that
you’ll be able to use in speech and everyday writing, then spend
time learning it. Otherwise, skip it.
And how will you judge whether you will be able to use
vocabulary item in speech or everyday writing? Just think a
little and decide whether your hearers or readers will be able
to understand you if you use it. If you’re SURE that they will,
go ahead and learn it. Otherwise, skip it. (Remember this: You
did not understand it yourself. That’s why it was new to you.
So the chances are, your hearers or readers won’t understand it
either — if you use it). Here we’re back to where we began. What
are the words and word groups that your hearers (and readers)
are SURE to understand? The core-words, of course! And not all
kinds of infrequent, complicated, official and technical words
and word groups. If there’s any doubt in your mind whether to
learn a particular vocabulary item, don’t learn it. The rule is:
‘When in doubt, throw it out’.
Let’s now take up the second instalment of GSs:
General structures
Practise the following GS word groups in the same way as you’ve
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
done in Book 2.
GS No. 24
• I [will be] sending the parcel in a day or two. • I [won’t
be] mending the fuse till you return. • We [will be] settling
the accounts within a week. • We [won’t be] blaming you
for it. • You [will be] answering his letter tomorrow, won’t
you? • You [won’t be] buying your shoes today, will you?
• He [will be] signing the agreement one of these days. •
He [won’t be] letting his house next year. • She [will be]
thinking differently this time tomorrow. • She [won’t be]
opening the letters till she gets well. • It [will be] growing
big in a few weeks. • It [won’t be] working as smoothly as
this for ever. • They [won’t be] taking his threats seriously
until he acts.
Note: Repeat the drill by substituting “would” for “will”, and “wouldn’t”
for “won’t”.
GS No. 25
• He [can’t be] looking after the baby now. • They [can’t
be] demanding compensation for such a minor injury. •
They [can’t be] leaving home in an hour. • She [can’t be]
taking part in the competition. • It [can’t be] happening
like that. • He [can’t be] doing their accounts this year.
Note: You can use this structure to express doubt or surprise.
GS No. 26
• They [may be] doing it just to upset you. • I [may not be]
going for my holidays this year. • You [may not be] lying
to me (but…). • I [may be] making a fuss about nothing.
• He [may not be] telling the truth. • It [may be] lying
outside somewhere. • It [may not be] happening now. •
They [may not be] looking for you.
Note: You can use this structure to express ‘possibility’ or ‘likelihood’.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
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Note: Repeat the drill by substituting “might” for “may”, and “might not”
for “may not”.
GS No. 27
• I [must be] leaving now. • I [must be] getting back to
work now.
Note: This structure helps you express your intention to do something. In
this structure, you can also use ‘ought to’ in place of ‘must’.
GS No. 28
• He [must be] meeting her secretly. • You [must be]
finding it difficult to deal with those people.
Note 1: This structure helps you suggest a probability or to say that something is likely or logical.
Note 2: You can also substitute ‘ought to be’ or ‘should be’ for ‘must be’.
GS No. 29
• We [oughtn’t to be] complaining about it now. • You
[oughtn’t to be] quarrelling now. • They [ought to be]
painting their house before the rains come. • You [oughtn’t
to be] losing your temper at the meeting. • We [ought to
be] getting back now.
Note: You can use this structure to suggest that it’s a good idea to do or
not to do something — or to give advice or opinion.
Note: Repeat the drill by substituting “should be” for “ought to be”, and
“shouldn’t be” for “oughtn’t to be”.
GS No. 30
• I [have been] bathing the baby. • I [haven’t been] waiting
for anybody. • We [have been] standing in this queue
until half an hour back. • We [haven’t been] quarrelling.
• You [have been] making a noise, haven’t you? • He
[has been] reading the instructions all day. • He [hasn’t
been] carrying the box. • It [has been] lying buried there.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
• It [hasn’t been] boiling for some time now. • They
[have been] practising the violin till now. • They [haven’t
been] changing the tyre. • I [had been] showing her a
photograph (before you come). • I [hadn’t been] drinking
black-coffee then. • We [had been] standing round the
table (when the bell rang). • We [hadn’t been] going over
the report promptly. • You [had been] cutting down the
trees (till they asked you to stop).
GS No. 31
• I [will have been] working in this office for two years by
next week. • We [will have been] playing for two hours by
then. • You [will have been] looking for her for an hour by
then. • He [will have been] living here for six years by this
month end. • She [will have been] wearing that dress for a
week by tomorrow. • It [will have been] boiling for half an
hour by then. • They [will have been] doing this job for a
month by tomorrow.
GS No. 32
• I [can’t have been] dreaming about it. • We [can’t have
been] lying awake. • You [can’t have been] lecturing for
three hours without break. • She [can’t have been] putting
the car away then.
Note: This structure helps you say that you’re sure something is not true.
GS No. 33
• I [may have been] brushing my coat then. • She [may
have been] pouring out the tea then. • He [may not have
been] looking that way. • You [may have been] accusing
him of dishonesty. • You [may not have been] helping him
with this work. • He [may have been] having a bath. • He
[may not have been] behaving well. • She [may have been]
travelling by car. • She [may not have been] speaking
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
21
loudly. • It (= The salt) [may have been] dissolving little
by little.
Note: This structure helps you express possibility.
GS No. 34
• We [mustn’t have been] keeping it a strict secret. • It
[mustn’t have been] working smoothly. • They [must have
been] visiting their ancestral home there. • He [must have
been] working extra hours to finish that.
Note: You can use this structure to say that something is likely or logical
or probable — because of the available evidence.
GS No. 35
• I [ought to have been] staying in bed. • I [oughtn’t to
have been] pushing it out of the way. • We [ought to have
been] keeping a look-out on the right. • We [oughtn’t to
have been] going straight on. • You [ought to have been]
doing your lessons then. • You [oughtn’t to have been]
fixing the pipes yourself. • He [oughtn’t to have been]
blaming the workers. • She [oughtn’t to have been] storing
the boxes there. • They [oughtn’t to have been] setting off
so early.
Note 1: You can also use “should have been” in place of “ought to have
been”, and “shouldn’t have been” in place of “oughtn’t to have been”.
Note 2: This structure helps you suggest that something was the right
thing for somebody to do, but that they didn’t do it.
GS No. 36
• I [will be] the villain in both the dramas. • I [won’t be]
the hero in the play they’re putting on. • We [will be] the
winners this year. • We [won’t be] the champions this time.
• He [will be] the Treasurer (for two years). • She [won’t
be] the right person for the job. • He [will be] a nuisance. •
He [won’t be] the right candidate. • She [will be] a failure
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
in her personal life. • She [won’t be] our representative
next year. • It [will be] your last chance. • It [won’t be] an
easy job. • They [will be] our competitors. • They [won’t
be] MPs any longer.
Note: GS No.s 36 to 39 help you state what is going to happen or what is
probably true or what is generally true or possible.
GS No. 37
• I [will be] nice to them. • I [won’t be] angry. • We [will
be] ready by then. • We [won’t be] wrong. • You [will be]
safe there. • You [won’t be] interested in it. • He [will be]
surprised. • He [won’t be] free tomorrow. • She [will be]
ready. • She [won’t be] quiet about it. • It [will be] dry
by then. • It [won’t be] fresh. • They [will be] satisfied. •
They [won’t be] silent about it.
GS No. 38
• I [will be] out (and not at home). • I [won’t be] there. •
We [will be] somewhere else. • We [won’t be] around. •
You [will be] away (will you?). • You [won’t be] upstairs
(will you?). • He [will be] there now. • He [won’t be] here.
• She [will be] downstairs. • She [won’t be] in. • It [won’t
be] off. • They [will be] abroad then. • They [won’t be]
home now.
GS No. 39
• I [will be] at the gate. • I [won’t be] at home. • We [will
be] across the street. • We [won’t be] inside the tent. • You
[will be] between them. • You [won’t be] against this, will
you? • He [will be] with us by then. • He [won’t be] for all
this. • She [will be] on duty tomorrow. • She [won’t be] on
their side. • It [will be] for his son. • It [won’t be] before
Monday. • They [will be] in trouble. • They [won’t be] in
control then.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
23
GS No. 40
• You [can be] frank with her. • We [can’t] be more
generous than this. • She [can be] lenient with them if
she wants to. • I [can’t be] firm with them. • He [can’t be]
tough with them.
Note: You can use this structure to say that you or somebody else is (or is
not) free to or is (or is not) allowed to do something.
GS No. 41
• You [can be] an imposter (for all we know). • They [can
be] policemen (but I’m not sure).
Note: You can use this structure to express possibility or doubt.
GS No. 42
• I (can be) a tough person (if I want to). • I [can’t be] an
artist any longer. • We [can be] a nuisance (if we want to).
• We [can’t be] prompter than this.
Note: This structure helps you express ability or opportunity.
GS No. 43
• You [can’t be] the person who met me. • He [can’t be]
her father. • It [can’t be] the packet they lost. • They [can’t
be] musicians. • She [can’t be] as insincere as that. • He
[can’t be] as helpless as all that. • It [can’t be] correct.
• They [can’t be] happy there. • They [can’t be] serious
about it. • We [can’t be] the ones they have in mind.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case
— or to express doubt or surprise.
GS No. 44
• I [can be] nasty (if I want to). • We [can be] more
generous, can’t we? • She [can be] very helpful to us if she
wants to. • It (= A job like this) [can be] boring. • He [can
be] cruel sometimes.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
Note: This structure helps you say what somebody or something is like in
some circumstances.
GS No. 45
• He [can’t be] abroad now. • She [can’t be] downstairs. •
It [can’t be] here. • They [can’t be] there now.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case
— or to express doubt or surprise.
GS No. 46
• I [can’t be] of any help to them. • We [can’t be] back to
work till then.
Note: This structure helps you express ability or opportunity.
GS No. 47
• You [can’t be] at the mercy of those people. • She [can’t
be] behind all this. • She [can’t be] in any trouble. • It
[can’t be] against the law. • They [can’t be] from England.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is certainly not the case
— or to express doubt or surprise.
GS No. 48
• She [may be] a spy. • She [may not be] a beginner.
• It [may be] his ambition. • It [may not be] the only
consequence. • They [may be] partners. • They [may not
be] members there.
Note: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely,
but you can’t be certain — or to say that something is true in some
circumstances. In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may
be’, and ‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.
GS No. 49
• I [may be] a fool (, but…). • I [may not be] the best
salesman (, but…). • We [may be] relatives (, but…). •
We [may not be] strangers (, but...). • You [may be] his
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
25
classmate (, but…). • You [may not be] an expert (, but…).
• He [may be] the Manager (, but…). • He [may not be]
the best among them (, but…).
Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, etc. that is in contrast with
it.
GS No. 50
• She [may be] clever at this kind of work. • She [may
not be] hopeful of getting it. • It [may be] too thin. • It
[may not be] strong enough. • They [may be] disappointed
about it.
Note 1: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely,
but you can’t be certain — or to say that something is true in some
circumstances.
Note 2: In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may be’, and
‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.
GS No. 51
• I [may be] greedy for power (but…). • I [may not be]
excited about it (but…). • We [may be] inexperienced
(but…). • We [may not be] as brave as you (but…). •
You [may be] bigger than him (but…). • You [may not
be] astonished to hear it (but…). • He [may be] penniless
(but…). • He [may not be] unkind to them (but…). • They
[may not be] upset about it (but…).
Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, etc. that is in contrast with
it.
GS No. 52
• She [may be] outside (playing with the children). • She
[may not be] away. • It [may be] on. • It [may not be]
off. • They [may be] upstairs now. • They [may not be]
downstairs now.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
Note: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely,
but you can’t be certain — or to say that something is true in some
circumstances.
Note: In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may be’ and
‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.
GS No. 53
• I [may not be] downstairs now (, but…). • You [may be]
inside (, but…). • He [may be] abroad (, but…). • She
[may not be] around (, but…).
Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, etc. that is in contrast with
it.
GS No. 54
• He [may be] inside the house. • He [may not be] from
the same village. • She [may be] away from there. • She
[may not be] on duty. • It [may be] beyond their control.
• They [may be] on leave today. • They [may not be] on
holiday.
Note 1: This structure helps you to say that something is possible or likely,
but you can’t be certain — or to say that something is true in some
circumstances.
Note 2: In this structure, you can substitute ‘might be’ for ‘may be’, and
‘might not be’ for ‘may not be’.
GS No. 55
• I [may be] at fault (, but…). • I [may not be] on the list
now
(, but…). • We [may be] under no obligation to
do it (, but…). • We [may not be] against the scheme (,
but…). • You [may be] on his side (, but…). • You [may
not be] in charge of the office (, but…).
Note: This structure helps you admit the truth of a situation before introducing a more important point, argument, etc. that is in contrast with
it.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
27
GS No. 56
• I [mustn’t be] a burden to anyone. • We [must be] the
winners next year. • We [mustn’t be] a bother to them. •
He [mustn’t be] the Treasurer (any longer). • It [mustn’t
be] our responsibility. • They [mustn’t be] the mediators.
Note: This structure helps you say that it’s very important or necessary for
something not to happen.
GS No. 57
• I [must be] the one they were talking about. • You [must
be] Mary’s friend. • You [mustn’t be] a trouble to them.
• He [must be] a trouble-maker. • She [must be] the one
who did it. • She [mustn’t be] his P.A. (from now on). • It
[must be] her idea. • They [must be] a smart lot.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the
case or logical or probable — because of the available evidence.
GS No. 58
• I [must be] bolder. • I [mustn’t be] soft towards them. •
We [must be] well-behaved. • We [mustn’t be] nervous. •
You [must be] kind to them. • You [mustn’t be] so cruel. •
He [must be] busy these days. • He [mustn’t be] so untidy.
• She [mustn’t be] careless about it. • It [mustn’t be]
obvious. • They [mustn’t be] anxious about it.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very important or
necessary (sometimes because of a rule or law).
GS No. 59
• She [must be] devoted to him. • It [must be] useless. •
They [must be] very energetic.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the
case or logical or probable — because of the available evidence.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
GS No. 60
• I [must be] outside now. • I [mustn’t be] downstairs
now. • We [mustn’t be] there all the time. • You [must
be] inside. • You [mustn’t be] outside. • He [mustn’t be]
here. • She [mustn’t be] away. • It [mustn’t be] off. • They
[mustn’t be] downstairs.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very important or
necessary (sometimes because of a rule or law).
GS No. 61
• He [must be] in. • She [must be] around. • It [must be]
on. • They [must be] upstairs.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the
case or logical or probable — because of the available evidence.
GS No. 62
• I [must be] on my guard. • I [mustn’t be] at the end. •
We [must be] outside the station. • We [mustn’t be] on
the platform. • You [mustn’t be] out of the building. • She
[must be] by the side of that building. • She [mustn’t be] in
a foul temper like this all the time. • It [mustn’t be] in the
middle. • They [mustn’t be] out of hearing.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very important or
necessary (sometimes because of a rule or law).
GS No. 63
• He [must be] out of his mind. • She [must be] in love
with him. • He [mustn’t be] in the wrong. • It [must be]
out of kindness for him. • They [must be] out of breath.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is very likely to be the
case or logical or probable — because of the available evidence.
GS No. 64
• I [ought to be] an example to them. • I [oughtn’t to be]
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
29
a miser like this. • We [ought to be] a source of strength
to them. • We [oughtn’t to be] the ones to do this dirty
work. • You [oughtn’t to be] the one to suffer for it. • He
[oughtn’t to be] a half-hearted person. • She [oughtn’t
to be] such a bore like this. • They [oughtn’t to be] such
taskmasters.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do
— or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And
so you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.
GS No. 65
• You [ought to be] the first person to do it. • It [oughtn’t
to be] a run-of-the-mill kind of show. • It [ought to be] the
last warning.
Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen or what you
would like to happen.
GS No. 66
• She [ought to be] the leader of the group. • He [ought to
be] a great comfort to those people. • They [ought to be]
real professionals at their jobs.
Note: This structure helps you say what is probably the case.
GS No. 67
• I [ought to be] certain about it. • I [oughtn’t to be]
furious at them. • We [ought to be] efficient at jobs like
these. • We [oughtn’t to be] eager for results. • You
[oughtn’t to be] unfaithful to your friends. • He [oughtn’t
to be] impatient with children. • She [ought to be]
gentle with them. • She [oughtn’t to be] ashamed of her
background. • It [ought to be] sufficient for them. • It
[oughtn’t to be] identical with this one. • They [ought to
be] keen on their work. • They [oughtn’t to be] so slow at
their work.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do
or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so
you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.
GS No. 68
• They [ought to be] answerable to the people who elect
them. • He [ought to be] liable for this damage. • They
ought to be responsible for this mess.
Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen — or what
you would like to happen.
GS No. 69
• He [ought to be] angry — I haven’t replied to any of his
letters. • It (= That dress) [ought to be] expensive.
Note: This structure helps you say what is probably the case.
GS No. 70
• I [ought to be] there. • I [oughtn’t to be] here. • We
[ought to be] inside. • We [oughtn’t to be] outside. • You
[ought to be] in. • You [oughtn’t to be] out. • He [ought to
be] upstairs. • He [oughtn’t to be] away. • She [ought to
be] upstairs. • She [oughtn’t to be] downstairs. • It [ought
to be] on. • It [oughtn’t to be] off. • They [ought to be]
away. • They [oughtn’t to be] together.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do
or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so
you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.
GS No. 71
• I [ought to be] near them. • I [oughtn’t to be] at the
back. • We [oughtn’t to be] at the bottom of the list. •
You [ought to be] in bed. • You [oughtn’t to be] in control
of the situation. • He [ought to be] in his room. • He
[oughtn’t to be] in the wrong place. • It [ought to be] in his
hand. • It [oughtn’t to be] in the first row. • They [ought to
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
31
be] in front of the others. • They [oughtn’t to be] in charge
of it.
Note: This structure helps you say that something is the right thing to do
or that it’s advisable, desirable or necessary to do something. And so
you can use this structure to give or ask for advice or opinion.
GS No. 72
• We [ought to be] in a stronger position by then. • They
[ought to be] for this proposal.
Note: This structure helps you say what you expect to happen — or what
you would like to happen.
GS No. 73
• He [ought to be] at the airport by now. • She [oughtn’t
to be] on the guest list — or she would have been here by
now.
Note 1: This structure helps you say what is probably the case.
Note 2: Repeat the word groups under GS No. 63 to GS No. 73 by substituting “should be” for “ought to be” and “shouldn’t be” for “oughtn’t
to be”.
GS No. 74
• I [have been] a nuisance, haven’t I? • I [haven’t been]
the favourite of my boss at any time. • We [have been] the
butt of their jokes. • We [haven’t been] their customers for
sometime now. • You [have been] a mild-mannered person
(so far). • You [haven’t been] a hard-hearted person. •
He [has been] a person with firm views (so far). • He
[hasn’t been] a rival for the leadership. • She [has been]
one of their supporters. • She [hasn’t been] a threat to
their position. • It [has been] a shady area so far, but now
they’re planning to cut down the trees. • It [hasn’t been]
a thorough-going analysis. • They [have been] the cause
of all this. • They [haven’t been] our employees since last
January.
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GS No. 75
• I [have been] uneasy about the situation. • I [haven’t
been] lucky in all this so far. • We [have been] indifferent
to their views. • We [haven’t been] generous with them. •
You [have been] concerned about her, haven’t you? • You
[haven’t been] patient with him. • He [has been] ignorant
of all this. • He [hasn’t been] conscious of the smell. • She
[has been] envious of everyone else. • She [hasn’t been]
quick at typing. • It [has been] extremely useful to me. • It
[hasn’t been] repaired in a long time. • They [have been]
kind to us.
GS No. 76
• I [have been] away. • I [haven’t been] there. • We [have
been] everywhere. • We [haven’t been] there. • You [have
been] inside. • You [haven’t been] outside. • He [has been]
away. • He [hasn’t been] out. • She [has been] downstairs.
• She [hasn’t been] upstairs. • It [has been] on. • It [hasn’t
been] off. • They [have been] here. • They [haven’t been]
there.
GS No. 77
• I [have been] under a wrong impression. • I [haven’t
been] in your way. • We [have been] behind the tree. • We
[haven’t been] at the meeting. • You [have been] at the
mercy of the bank, haven’t you? • You [haven’t been] at
your best. • He [has been] in the army. • He [hasn’t been]
at the order of anyone. • She [has been] in bad health. •
She [hasn’t been] in town. • It [has been] out of order (so
far). • It [hasn’t been] against the law. • They [have been]
by his side (all day). • They [haven’t been] at war with us
then.
Note: Repeat the word groups at GS No. 73 to GS No. 77 by substituting
“had” for “have” and “has”.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
33
GS No. 78
• I [can’t have been] the one they were looking for. • We
[can’t have been] the people they were talking about. •
You [can’t have been] the person I saw yesterday. • He
[can’t have been] John’s brother. • She [can’t have been]
your sister. • It [can’t have been] Harris. • They [can’t have
been] the same people.
Note: GS Nos. 78 to 80 help you say that you’re certain something is not
true.
GS No. 79
• I [can’t have been] right about it. • We [can’t have been]
wrong about him. • You [can’t have been] surprised at
her behaviour. • He [can’t have been] sorry about her. •
She [can’t have been] proud of him. • It [can’t have been]
different from that. • They [can’t have been] annoyed with
you.
GS No. 80
• I [can’t have been] there. • We [can’t have been] here.
• You [can’t have been] outside. • He [can’t have been]
inside. • She [can’t have been] away. • It [can’t have been]
upstairs. • They [can’t have been] downstairs.
GS No. 81
• I [can’t have been] at work then. • We [can’t have been]
at dinner at that time. • You [can’t have been] by yourself.
• He [can’t have been] in his right mind. • She [can’t have
been] in good health. • It [can’t have been] to the right. •
They [can’t have been] from London.
Note: Repeat the word groups under GS No. 77 to GS No. 80 by substituting “couldn’t” for “can’t”.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
GS No. 82
• I [may have been] the person they asked for. • I [may not
have been] the person he wanted. • We [may have been]
the target of their criticism. • We [may not have been] an
automatic choice. • You [may have been] a lazy person
(, but...). • You [may not have been] a fully-qualified
professional then. • He [may have been] the inspiration
for this work. • He [may not have been] a member of
their party (, but...). • She [may have been] a timid girl (,
but...). • She [may not have been] the one he was after.
• It [may have been] an out-of-the-way-place. • It [may
not have been] an ideal place (, but…). • They [may have
been] experts at jobs of this kind.
Note: GS Nos. 82 to 85 help you give a possible explanation for something
or to accept the possibility that something was true.
GS No. 83
• I [may have been] rude to them (, but…). • I [may not
have been] fit for that job (but…). • We [may have been]
a little careless. • We [may not have been] worthy of it.
• You [may have been] useful to him. • You [may not
have been] aware of this (, but...). • He [may have been]
doubtful about them. • He [may not have been] very eager
for a chance. • She [may have been] guilty (, but...). • She
[may not have been] interested in chess. • It [may have
been] inconsistent with his earlier version. • It [may not
have been] suitable for their purpose. • They [may have
been] impressed with you.
GS No. 84
• I [may have been] in. • I [may not have been] out. • We
[may have been] inside. • We [may not have been] there.
• You [may have been] outside. • You [may not have been]
here. • He [may have been] upstairs. • He [may not have
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
35
been] away. • She [may have been] downstairs. • She
[may not have been] in. • It [may have been] somewhere.
• It [may not have been] upstairs. • They [may have been]
together. • They [may not have been] away.
GS No. 85
• I [may have been] out of town. • I [may not have been]
in a good temper. • We [may have been] at her side. • We
[may not have been] of any help to them. • You [may have
been] at the office. • You [may not have been] in a hurry
then. • He [may have been] against the proposal. • He
[may not have been] in difficulties then. • She [may have
been] at the window. • It [may have been] in his bedroom.
• It [may not have been] at the bottom. • They [may have
been] out of patience. • They [may not have been] at the
hotel.
Note: Repeat the word groups under GS No. 82 to GS No. 85 by substituting “might” for “may”, and “might not” for “may not”.
GS No. 86
• I [must have been] a fool to think that it would be easy.
• We [must have been] a sight to see then. • You [must
have been] his secretary. • He [must have been] a pompous
idiot. • She [must have been] a school teacher. • She
[must have been] the first person in the line. • It [must
have been] a life of pleasure. • They [must have been] a
privileged group.
Note: GS Nos. 86 to 89 help you say that something is very likely to be the
case or logical or probable — because of the available evidence.
GS No. 87
• You [must have been] crazy about her. • They [must
have been] too lenient with him. • She [must have been]
rude to them. • You [must have been] hopeless at it. • You
[must have been] angry at her conduct. • He [must have
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
been] fascinated with them. • He [must have been] absent
from there. • She [must have been] interested in it. • She
[must have been] pleased with them. • It [must have been]
harmful to them. • It [must have been] contrary to what
she said. • They [must have been] disgusted with her. •
They [must have been] fortunate in these things.
GS No. 88
• I [must have been] upstairs. • I [must have been] away.
• We [must have been] out. • We [must have been] in. •
You [must have been] downstairs. • You [must have been]
away. • He [must have been] here. • He [must have been]
upstairs. • She [must have been] inside. • She [must have
been] out. • It [must have been] in. • It [must have been]
here. • They [must have been] there. • They [must have
been] away.
GS No. 89
• I [must have been] in a bad temper. • I [must have been]
under his influence then. • We [must have been] in the
garden. • We [must have been] under their spell. • You
[must have been] at Mr. Sharma’s. • You [must have been]
out of town then. • He [must have been] at the door. • She
[must have been] at school. • She [must have been] in high
spirits. • It [must have been] at the front. • It [must have
been] at the top. • They [must have been] at the meeting.
GS No. 90
• We [needn’t have been] their guests. • You [needn’t have
been] their candidate (this time). • It [needn’t have been]
such an elaborate ceremony. • They [needn’t have been]
the mediators.
Note: You can use GS Nos. 90 to 93 to say that it was not necessary or
useful for somebody to have done something, although they did do it.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
37
GS No. 91
• I [needn’t have been] so tough with them. • We [needn’t
have been] mad with them. • You [needn’t have been]
worried about her. • He [needn’t have been] furious with
them. • She [needn’t have been] anxious about us. • It
[needn’t have been] similar to those. • They [needn’t have
been] so emotional about it.
GS No. 92
• I [needn’t have been] there. • We [needn’t have been]
outside. • You [needn’t have been] upstairs. • He [ needn’t
have been] inside. • She [needn’t have been] downstairs.
• It [needn’t have been] there. • They [needn’t have been]
here.
GS No. 93
• I [needn’t have been] at the airport (to meet them). •
We [needn’t have been] at that party. • You [needn’t have
been] with them. • She [needn’t have been] in that dress.
• He [needn’t have been] in that room then. • It [needn’t
have been] in the middle. • They [needn’t have been] in
the queue at that time.
GS No. 94
• I [ought to have been] the one to suffer for it. • You
[ought to have been] the one to make the suggestion. • She
[oughtn’t to have been] such a spendthrift. • It [ought to
have been] a free show. • It [oughtn’t to have been] such
a costly affair. • They [ought to have been] actors. • They
[oughtn’t to have been] such an irresponsible lot.
Note: GS Nos. 94 to 97 help you say that something was the right thing to
happen in the past, but that it didn’t actually happen. They also help
you say that something was not the right thing to happen in the past,
but that it did happen.
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Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
GS No. 95
• I [ought to have been] certain about that man. • I
[oughtn’t to have been] mad with her. • We [oughtn’t
to have been] intent on it. • You [ought to have been]
independent of those people. • You [oughtn’t to have
been] ahead of them. • He [oughtn’t to have been] jealous
of those people. • It [ought to have been] clear to them.
• They [ought to have been] considerate to him. • They
[oughtn’t to have been] thoughtless like this.
GS No. 96
• I [ought to have been] away. • I [oughtn’t to have been]
out. • We [ought to have been] in.
GS No. 97
• You [ought to have been] on the committee. • You
[oughtn’t to have been] in their group. • I [oughtn’t to
have been] in favour of it. • We [ought to have been] in
business. • We [oughtn’t to have been] in such a situation.
• He [oughtn’t to have been] in his pyjamas. • It [oughtn’t
to have been] in that form. • He [ought to have been] in a
better dress. • They [ought to have been] against the trend.
• They [oughtn’t to have been] in such a strange place.
GS No. 98
• It [ought to have been] a nice party. • It (= The
campaign) [ought to have been] a huge success.
Note: GS Nos. 98 to 101 help you say that you expect something to have
already happened.
GS No. 99
• The weather [ought to have been] quite pleasant there
today. • The things he said [ought to have been] tactless.
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
39
GS No. 100
• He [oughtn’t to have been] out. • She [ought to have
been] upstairs.
GS No. 101
• He [ought to have been] in the race. • She [ought to
have been] on a diet.
GS No. 102
• I [ought to have been] the one to decide it. • We [ought
to have been] their distributors. • We [oughtn’t to have
been] their rivals. • You [ought to have been] the one
responsible for this job. • He [ought to have been] your
partner in this business. • He [oughtn’t to have been] your
room-mate. • She [ought to have been] your wife.
Note: GS Nos. 102 to 105 help you say that you expected something to
happen or to be the case, but that it didn’t happen and was not the
case.
GS No. 103
• We [ought to have been] skilful at this kind of job. • He
[ought to have been] good at shorthand by this time. • It
[ought to have been] evident to them.
GS No. 104
• You [ought to have been] upstairs. • They [oughtn’t to
have been] in. • You [oughtn’t to have been] there. • He
[ought to have been] here. • She [oughtn’t to have been]
downstairs. • It [ought to have been] there. • It [oughtn’t
to have been] here. • They [ought to have been] away.
GS No. 105
• You [ought to have been] on his side in this. • It [ought
to have been] in the collection.
40
Training in ‘ Genera l Struct ures ’
Note 1: There are some more General Structures we have to take a look
at. We’ll do that in a later Book in this series.
Note 2: Repeat the word groups under GS No. 94 to GS No. 105 by substituting “should have been” for “ought to have been”, and “shouldn’t
have been” for “oughtn’t to have been”.
***
S ubsidiary word groups
41
Chapter 2
Subsidiary word groups
In general, we can say one thing: Whenever anybody speaks,
whatever they say is concerned only with two things:
(i) what people and things do; and
(ii) what happens to them.
This is true of everybody.
There are certain types of word groups that help us say
who the people involved in a situation are, and what the things
involved in a situation are. We’ve already seen them. They’re the
word groups we’ve called naming word groups. Then there are
certain types of word groups that help us say what these people
and things do and what happens to them. We’ve already seen
them. They’re the word groups we’ve called action word groups.
These two types of word groups are the major word groups.
Remember that we’ve already had some training with these two
types of word groups.
And one thing must be clear to you by now: If you want to
speak fluent English, you’ll have to have a good mastery of both
the types of major word groups — action word groups as well as
naming word groups. But remember one thing: A good mastery
of action word groups and naming word groups is certainly
essential. But that mastery alone is not sufficient. Mind you, if
you want to speak fluently about what people and things do and
about what happens to them, you must also become skilled at
doing two things:
• You must become skilled at relating what people and
things do as well as what happens to them to the concepts
of place (location), movement, direction, distance,
destination and target.
• You must be skilled at relating what people and things
42
Subsidiary word groups
do and what happens to them to the concepts of time,
duration and frequency.
We’ll call the word groups that give you the first skill placerelating word groups, and the word groups that give you the
second skill time-relating word groups. These are two of the
subsidiary word groups that you must have a good command of.
(There are other subsidiary word groups as well. We’ll take them
up later).
In this Book, you’re going to get a collection of place-relating
word groups and time-relating word groups. Get your organs of
speech to become used to them, to become flexible with them.
Pick up each word group, and utter it ALOUD — several
times.
Place-relating word groups
Here we go:
• stood in front of the door. • lay among the piles of books. •
going to a shop. • drove away. • standing at the street corner. •
climbed up a hill. • sent them out. • walking to and fro across the
lawn. • got out of Madras. • came round that building. • arrived
at the station. • went down the hill. • went beyond that. • was
below the blue book. • shouted into the phone. • came round the
corner. • left for the village. • stayed at school. • went towards
the building. • was off the table. • lived above us. • lived above
the restaurant. • gave it to me across the table. • lived under us.
• lived in the floor below. • came from the room above. • stood
to one side of it. • walked to the boat. • stood a little way off. •
threw it at the bus. • waited at the gate. • jumped off the table.
• stayed at home. • was behind Sita. • lives on a farm. • taught
it to his children. • was at the meeting. • locked the door from
inside. • got near it. • standing under a tree. • stopped at the
shop. • was at school. • sat in the back. • crawled in under the
barbed wire. • walked away from the stadium. • jumped over
S ubsidiary word groups
43
the wall. • got it past that building. • went to school. • knocked
at the door. • fell off the ladder. • stepped out into the garden.
• sat on the sofa. • drove between the two posts. • wrote it at
the back of the book. • learnt it from books. • waited on the
platform. • shouted at her. • rubbed it against the box. • took it
out of the room. • parked the car round the corner. • told him in
front of his wife. • pointed to the right number. • came towards
me. • dived into the pond. • came from above. • followed him
at a distance. • disappeared around a corner. • fell within the
circle.
• went out by the back door. • was in his hand. • drove
away from there. • was at a distance from them. • took it out of
the bag. • held it under the tap. • stood nearer the door. • stood
nearest the door. • was at his table. • pointed at the packet. •
went up into the sky. • shook his fists at me. • put money in the
bank. • drew money out of the bank. • turned off the mud road.
• rose up towards the sky. • got up to the top. • sat across from
me. • was above the ground. • heard a sound from it. • sat in
front of the TV set. • stepped into the car. • went for a walk. •
put up the sign at the beginning of the road. • went to his house.
• happening behind that door. • cut off the edges all round. •
met him at the party. • looked along the corridor. • came onto
the platform. • pasted a slip over the top of the corrections. •
was out. • stood with his back to the wall. • kept her head above
the water. • sat down in the middle of the third row. • got down
from the top. • is on the other side of it. • went into hospital. •
drove out of the town. • stopped it at regular intervals along the
road. • got onto the bus. • was waving his arms about. • was
under the water. • stood under the umbrella. • got out of bed.
• looked me up and down. • looked me in the eye. • looked me
in the face. • could hear you from a long way off. • stood at a
distance. • turned it over on its side. • stepped onto the ladder.
• lived outside of the city. • was among his papers. • stopped
the car at the end of the road. • took it off the bus. • place it
on top of that. • got as far as Bhopal. • got on the bus. • to see
44
Subsidiary word groups
them out. • put those things to one side. • sat at the table. • lay
in the middle of the road. • is below the top-most part. • came
out of the shop. • took it off the bus. • dropped it in front of my
eyes. • arrived on the platform. • wandered across the village.
• is five miles to the west. • set out for California. • got in the
car. • parked the car outside the shop. • helped me up from the
ground. • sat at the near end of the hall. • put it in the bank. •
saw him in the street. • was above his knees. • placed it behind
the partition. • was not on the list. • went along the M.G. Road.
• drove by that place. • invited us inside. • turned left before
the junction. • was at a distance from it. • stood at the front of
it. • went for a swim. • was midway between the two places. •
tucked it under his arm. • sat in the front of the bus. • sat in the
back of the bus. • pasted it on the front of the bus. • pasted it on
the back of the bus. • rushed out of the building. • place it on top
of my table. • stood at the front door. • stood at the back door.
• lay on the road in front of the bus. • came off the platform. •
pressed it against the wall. • left for Nagpur. • was off the road.
• saw him at the village. • stood in front of me. • sat near the
bundle. • arrived in the big city. • rolled down the road. • started
out for Delhi. • is beyond the cross-roads. • are scattered around
the State.
• pushed it in from the outside. • wipe it inside with a cloth.
• was miles away. • lost on my way there. • went down the drain.
• was under the bed. • lay in the way to the kitchen. • flowed to
the sea. • took it off the hook. • waited outside the bus. • travelled
over long distances. • dropped out of the sky. • dropped it on the
floor. • was on the table. • stood there leaning against the lamp
post. • disgraced him in front of others. • kicked the ball to me.
• stopped after a mile. • drove into the town. • stood at the side
of the door. • threw her arms around him. • shot at the head. •
stopped at the gate. • looked behind. • throw it at him. • throw
it to me. • passed by that door. • stood by his bed. • came down
from Delhi. • spread it on the side of the road. • stood at the side
of the road. • got away from there. • swam in the sea. • invited
S ubsidiary word groups
45
her out. • went through that door. • lived within the city limits. •
was at the end of the corridor. • got across the river. • passed him
on the way. • jumped off the edge. • added it below the last line.
• is only a short distance from there. • stood opposite each other.
• stood behind the chair. • went into the room. • drew a picture
across the wall. • flowed into the bucket. • jumped onto a road.
• sat next to me. • pushed him to one side. • met at their house.
• stayed in the village. • aimed at the window. • went across the
street. • left for Lucknow. • were sitting behind him. • hung over
the table. • fell to the ground.
• stopped by my window. • sat in the chair. • looked away
from them. • came through that gate. • went beyond that point.
• is out in the Gulf somewhere. • jumped in the water. • sat
opposite me. • stood close by me. • arranged them in two rows.
• went home. • were on the road. • sat by the door. • sat beside
the door. • concealed it below the mattress. • stood near the
window. • held it over a fire. • walking among the trees. •
stretched it across the street. • travelled across France. • looked
out of the door. • came here at the beginning of the year. • turned
left after the tall building. • escaped from prison. • looked at her
from behind. • sprayed paint over me. • went into the park. •
happened at this place. • pour it into a vessel. • is three hours
from there. • take it down from the rack. • standing under the
name-board. • swam away from the shore. • grinned at me. •
kissed her on the mouth. • ran towards the other end. • leaned
out of the window. • went through the lawn. • signed in front
of a witness. • pushed it under the cot. • am at that office. •
running towards me. • pointed at some people. • hid it behind
the bushes. • fumbled in the pocket. • turned away from us.
• stood there looking out of the window. • took me through a
passage. • called from below. • flowed from there. • was far
below us on the slope. • sat near to her. • stayed out of the water.
• put them all along the path. • placed it across the hole. • sat
on the bag. • lay at the bottom of the steps. • went through a
tunnel. • is beyond the temple. • worked behind the counter. •
46
Subsidiary word groups
looked over the wall. • got at the building.
• happened at the conference. • got into bed. • from places
as far away as Silchar. • rolled down the slope. • carried it under
his coat. • spread throughout the village. • saw her on my way
out. • threw it on his face. • loaded onto the lorry. • placed the
bike against a tree. • is in front. • stared at the pictures. • turned
towards them. • wore it outside the trousers. • was in bed. •
turned his head away. • stood in front of the car. • came out of
jail. • drove through your town. • went inside the tent. • placed
it on the line. • stood in a line. • rescued him from the sea. • was
further down the slope. • looked at the books. • stayed at home.
• went across the bridge. • got out of the water. • put it by that.
• put it beside that. • lay on every side. • run ahead of the rest.
• was walking behind her husband. • talked over the hedge. •
is a few furlongs before the bus stop. • fell into a pit. • stood as
far from it as possible. • was at the bottom of the hill. • carried
it up the stairs. • went in the same direction. • climbed onto a
rock. • went out onto the road. • just got out of bed. • hung on
the ceiling. • went out of the garden. • walking along the road. •
stayed off work. • went to bed. • sitting in front. • hiding behind
that box. • is beyond our boundary. • pointed towards the bag.
• got into the building by the kitchen door. • found it
among her clothes. • was away from him. • stood on the road.
• behind the car. • several miles out of town. • walked through
the darkness. • went as far as the second corner. • was a mile
below the surface of the sea. • crashed into a tree. • turned into
the mud road. • went across the compound. • lifted it onto the
seat. • walked in front. • went past the shop. • lived beyond that
village. • went behind the shed. • wrote it down on a piece of
paper. • jumped at the opportunity. • is at the hotel. • was inside
the car. • sat as far from him as possible. • was some feet below
the top. • was between them. • (He) is up in the office room.
• went about the town. • placed it on the chair. • took place at
his house. • lay on the floor. • pointed to the east. • turned the
bottle upside down. • is across the river. • walked beside him.
S ubsidiary word groups
47
• was away from the village. • was in the middle of the lawn. •
crossed to the other side. • threw it at me. • looked towards the
door. • went as far as that line. • happened outside the building.
• put his arm around her. • turned into a side street. • painted on
top of the writings . • smiled at her. • was out of town. • was in
the middle. • was in the middle of the line. • took it into the car.
• walked along the path. • saw it from the terrace. • is outside
the city. • bumped into her. • pulled me onto my feet. • hanging
above their heads. • put the vessel over the stove. • looked up
and down the corridor. • sat down behind the curtain. • hanging
on the hook.
• left the room by the side door. • had my lunch in a
restaurant. • put it outside. • stood at the far end of the room.
• lay between the two boxes. • spread it under the table. • was
a long way from there. • hanging upside down. • was four or
five steps below her. • pulled him nearer to me. • sat among
the monkeys. • lived by the river. • walked past their shop. •
is across the street. • put it on the table. • put it in the table. •
is in front of me. • stayed in bed. • was below his waist. • was
over there. • is just behind the Town Hall. • is just around the
corner. • sat at a table. • took me along the corridor. • stay as far
away from there as possible. • is in the river. • was out looking
for you. • pacing up and down the room. • went 25 feet below
the water. • went towards that lamp post. • is going that way. •
drove past us. • gone to the office. • is at an angle to the road.
• dived into the water. • fought on our side. • was at the office.
• walked down the stone steps. • is north of Bombay. • screwed
it onto the door. • standing in the middle of the hall. • is west of
Cairo. • gone to school. • threw it at the bus. • lay on his back.
• drove to the beach. • did it outside office hours. • was in the
bath. • called them into our office. • were away from it. • threw
it at the tree. • slammed it down onto the table. • fumbling at the
door. • felt it throughout my body. • worked very far. • wore the
shirt inside out. • was below the throat. • came near. • pointed
to the snake. • rose up to that mark. • is within a short distance
48
Subsidiary word groups
of the bus stop. • was at the bank. • had some money in the
bank. • was leaning across the table. • pointed the gun at him. •
stopped in front of the shop. • put him behind bars. • sat round
the table.
Time-relating word groups
Here is a collection of time-relating word groups. Practise uttering
these word groups exactly as you’ve done with place-relating
word groups just now.
Here we go:
• stopped it at once. • was just going to bring it. • left at
11.15. • returned it before 4. • happens sometimes. • wrote to
me during last month. • planned for January 1st. • been doing
this on and off for years. • has just sold her car. • happened over
a long period of time. • started earning in his teens. • returned it
last Saturday. • going to happen shortly. • didn’t come until after
the rain. • haven’t heard of it in recent years. • spoke for two
hours. • didn’t like it at the start. • waited for you all weekend.
• thought of it some time later. • remained silent throughout the
journey. • may still ask you. • can’t marry her off until she is 18.
• employed an old man in his sixties. • stayed there during the
holidays. • have often thought about this. • met five years ago.
• arrived on Monday. • been practising for the last month. • felt
doubtful all at once. • lasted for two hours. • will reach there by 4.
• doesn’t know it as yet. • been like this from last Sunday. • slept
right through the night. • happened on a Saturday morning. •
came with a man in his middle forties. • was ill the day before.
• met him soon after that. • arrived at 3 O’clock. • worked
until six. • watched TV till 9. • behaved in a nasty way just
now. • stood in silence for a few seconds. • used to talk about it
throughout his life. • finished his work by 6. • went there between
7 and 8. • left on Thursday afternoon. • changed very little since
then. • wanted it for another hour. • lectures us about it for too
S ubsidiary word groups
49
long. • seldom arrives on time. • got three hours for preparations.
• danced from 3 till 6. • ate the things left over from last night. •
slept for three hours. • talked on and on. • arrived on Monday. •
finished the report shortly before lunch. • held it the night after.
• will reach there by 4. • started the work at eight. • happened
for the last time a year back. • used it during the last winter. •
can’t meet him for at least three more weeks. • informed them as
soon as we could. • selected between 1965 and 1969. • seldom
went for films. • felt unhappy for the first time since coming here.
• rarely gets angry. • worked from morning till night. • been
trying since the beginning of the month. • won’t live for long. •
been looking after it in my absence. • will bring it next Monday.
• happened in the middle of 1950’s. • show it to me after you
get back. • met her the day after. • became immediately clear. •
had breakfast at nine. • waited until they had gone. • still didn’t
understand. • complained continually. • haven’t heard from him
in years. • remained open during the day. • haven’t yet met him.
• came here every day during the week. • rained all through the
morning. • saw it just yesterday. • won’t allow you to do it from
now on. • stayed there till last year. • won’t last for ever. • gave it
after 4. • only did it once. • worked from 8 to 10. • haven’t heard
from them recently. • borrowed it at the beginning of the year. •
been away since January. • hasn’t happened before.
• reached there by mid-afternoon. • started studying when
there were only three days to the exam. • have time until the end
of next month. • been writing since last night. • haven’t seen her
in years. • wrote to him once a week. • died during the night. •
got home before ten. • came down immediately. • met him later
on. • ignored it until very recently. • waited for a while. • closed
the shop at noon. • happened in 1962. • usually comes by bus. •
was half an hour before he returned. • kept talking right through
the function. • can get buses at ten-minute intervals. • rarely
expresses his opinion. • met him for the second time yesterday. •
been away for 3 months. • was about to go home. • had only just
thought of him. • hold it for a bit longer. • shouldn’t have done it
50
Subsidiary word groups
on an occasion like this. • knew it long ago. • used to read novels
during the time between shows. • argued till 4. • been laughing
at me ever since I made the speech. • phoned them as soon as
possible. • hadn’t done such a thing up till then. • reached there
in half an hour. • happened in the commotion. • completed it in
the middle of June. • bought it Wednesday last. • was just before
Diwali.
• licked her hand after eating. • serve lunch from 1 to 3 in
the afternoon. • phoned me up early last week. • went on duty at
8 in the morning. • talked on for hours together. • died in a few
seconds. • knew it from the start. • reads it every night. • paid
the money in the afternoon. • going there now. • started feeling
independent from then on. • met him after lunch. • known him
for a long time. • could no longer afford it. • going to Bombay
shortly. • cleans it almost daily. • got work to do from last week.
• stopped working in the evening. • stopped it once and for all.
• never been to that place before. • died at ninety. • gave it in
the morning. • came back in 30 minutes. • met him for the first
time last month. • got up late. • soon forgot all about it. • pays
the rent regularly. • took place between January and May. • been
waiting since ten. • said he was busy at the moment. • paid it
on the afternoon of May 6th. • got to know each other during
the course of the party. • been typing from 10 o’ clock in the
morning. • hadn’t seen each other since college. • woke up at
sunrise. • didn’t touch it until he told us. • comes here regularly
every Monday. • learnt to swim in three weeks. • waited up until
that day. • started just before four. • slept during the show.
• returned after four in the evening. • rotted away over the
years. • don’t like to do it just now. • got up early. • didn’t know
it until quite recently. • (the time for it) has long since passed. •
haven’t ever seen anything like it. • worked with them outside
office hours. • couldn’t stand it any longer. • began chattering
and laughing together from that moment on. • gave it on Sunday
morning. • continued for two days. • heard a knock on the door
S ubsidiary word groups
51
just then. • started shortly after five. • go there once in a while.
• looked at the photographs from my school days. • slept from 4
to 6. • (the news) came in at midday. • comes here everyday. •
never done this before in my life. • returned at 5 p.m. • had not
rain from June right through to December. • must finish it during
the course of the week. • visited us soon afterwards. • said it
was time for tea. • sat with eyes closed all through the show. •
slept all day. • started it last January. • woke up later than usual.
• can’t start in all this rain. • came there past the lunch-time.
• been wearing that shirt since day before yesterday. • raining
hard everyday now. • will always remember you. • remained
open up to 2 o’ clock. • finished reading it in the meantime. •
stopped working at sunset. • may change her mind even now. •
have been awake since 3 a.m. • saw him before he left.
• interfered only at a later stage. • have an appointment for
today. • moved to this place just a week back. • was about to
start. • arrived in the afternoon. • got out the soonest. • born
on July 12th. • will come there Tuesday night. • have known
him very long. • goes there every so often. • got sufficient time
between the two exams. • can’t reach there before 4. • joined
the club in 1977 and have been a member ever since. • waited
till she got back. • began to feel better in another five minutes. •
worked all day. • started working on it in the middle of the day.
• arrived here before you. • was out by six o’ clock. • made the
arrangements when there were only two hours to the meeting.
• first met two years back. • can’t come until next week. • had
fever over the leave-period. • was playing in the sun. • has
already heard it. • doesn’t happen in every case. • worked there
during the war. • generally behaves like that. • felt less anxious
from then on. • known him since March. • gave it to me for
my birthday. • locked it in the night. • visits me occasionally. •
joined the bank in March. • stayed with him over the weekend.
• must give it back by the beginning of the next month. • looked
at a number of them before he made up his mind.
52
Subsidiary word groups
• have grown at an astonishing rate. • finished the work by 3.
• happened early that morning. • won’t last very much longer. •
was just about to do it. • left his job back in January. • came there
very soon. • rang me up on Sunday night. • been raining for the
last two hours. • never seen him before the marriage. • always
comes late. • waited an hour or two. • came here three days back
and has been with me since. • should finish within a few months.
• wait till you get a reply. • spreads over three months. • reached
there in the middle of a heavy rain. • arrived in July. • happened
before the marriage. • have realized it by now. • hear from them
sometimes. • stayed through the vacation. • didn’t realize it up
until now. • was sitting in the dark. • learnt it over the holidays.
• makes fun of others frequently. • happened during the 1960s.
• have lived here since 1950. • remained silent throughout the
meeting. • went there for Christmas. • stood up first. • joined
the discussion after a little while. • met him on Tuesday night.
• had to apologize in the end. • was several days before he got
a day’s rest.
• came after lunch. • waited till 3. • came here for her
birthday. • had a meeting in early January. • going to happen
very soon. • showed it to me twice. • told me that on the first
day of our meeting. • waited for one hour. • been doing for 3
years now. • cried all night. • worked all night. • (the truth) has
long since become clear. • got only three days for the work. •
remained closed in the daytime. • typed for six hours together. •
spread everywhere in a matter of few days. • writes to me daily.
• called her when she was in the middle of typing. • met me
the weekend before. • finished it by the time I returned. • been
working at it all through the year. • remained silent all through
the meeting. • completed the job in 10 minutes. • couldn’t find
it until the next day. • happened way back in 1965. • reading
in the dim light. • never met him till this function. • always
looking for faults. • didn’t talk to me during the journey. • left
in 1972. • been suffering from this since he was five. • seemed
ill lately. • knocked on the door more than once. • got it for my
S ubsidiary word groups
53
marriage. • stopped work in the evening. • went to sleep at 10.
• pursued it to the very end. • remained absent throughout the
week. • snatched it from me before I had time to realize what
was happening.
***
54
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
Chapter 3
Frequently-used
monosyllabic words
In Book 3, I gave you a list of the frequently-used polysyllabic
words. I’m now going to give you a list of the frequently-used
monosyllabic words.
You know, in each of the polysyllabic words given in Book
3, I’ve marked the stressed syllable separately. I’ve done this,
because a polysyllabic word has more than one syllable, and so
it’s necessary to indicate which one out of those syllables you
should stress when you’re pronouncing a polysyllabic word. But
a monosyllabic word has only one syllable. And that’s the only
syllable you can stress when you’re stressing a monosyllabic
word. So it’s not possible to separately mark the stressed syllable
in a monosyllabic word.
In Book 3, you learnt one thing: Normally, you should stress
all monosyllabic words, except those that are called function
words. Book 3 also gave you a list of these function words —
words that you must not normally stress. So remember one
thing. You should stress all the words you’re going to get in the
list below, except those that are function words. As you know,
function words are words like a, an, are, is, etc. See Book 3 for
a full list.
Here we go:
A: • a, an. • ache, act. • add. • age. • aid, aim, air. • all. • and. •
arch, arm, arms, art. • as, ash, ask. • at. • aunt. • awe. • axe.
B: • back, bad, bag, bake, bald, ball, band, bang, bank, bar, bare,
bark, barn, base, bath, bathe. • be, beach, beak, beam, bean, bear,
beard, beast, beat, bed, bee, beef, beer, beg, bell, belt, bench,
bend, best, bet. • bid, big, bike, bill, bind, bird, birth, bit, bite. •
blab, black, blade, blame, blank, blaze, bleed, blend, bless, blind,
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
55
blink, block, blood, blot, blouse, blow, blue, blunt, blush. • board,
boast, boat, boil, bold, bomb, bone, book, boot, bone, bore, born,
boss, both, bound, bow (n), bow (v), bowl, box, boy. • brain,
brains, brake, branch, brand, brass, brave, breach, bread, breadth,
break, breast, breath, breathe, breed, breeze, bribe, brick, bride,
bridge, brief, bright, bring, broad, brook, broom, brow, brown,
bruise, brush. • bud, bug, build, bulb, bull, bump, bunch, burn.
burst, bus, bush, but, buy. • by.
C: • cab, cage, cake, calf, call, calm, camp, can, cane, cant, cap, car,
card, care, cart, carve, case, cash, cast, caste, cat, catch, cause,
cave. • cease, cell. • chain. chair, chalk, chance, change, chap,
charge, charm, chart, chase, chat, cheap, cheat, check, cheek,
cheer, cheese, cheque, chess, chest, chew, chief, child, chill, chime,
chin. chip, chips, choice, choke, choose, chop, chum, church. •
cite. • claim, clap, clash, clasp, class, claw, clay, clean, cleanse,
clear, cleave, clench, clerk, click, cliff, climb, cling, clip, clock,
close (v), close (adj.), cloth, clothe, cloud, clown, club, clue,
clutch. • coach, coal, coarse, coast, coat, cock, code, coil, coin,
cold, comb, come, cone, cook, cool, cope, cord, cork, corn, corpse,
cost, couch, cough, could, count, course, court, cow. • crack, craft,
cram, cramp, crash, crawl, craze, cream, creep, crew, crime, crisp,
crop, cross, crow, crowd, crown, crush, crust, cry. • cup, cure, curl,
curse, curve, cut.
D: • dad, dam, damn, damp, dance, dare, dark, dash, date, dawn,
day, days. • dead, deaf, deal, dear, death, debt, deck, deed, deep,
deer, den, dense, depth, desk, dew. • die, dig, dim, dine, dip, dirt,
dish, ditch, dive. • do, dock, dodge, dog, doll, door, dose, dot,
doubt, down. • drag, drain, draw, dread, dream, dress, drift, drill,
drink (v.), drink (n.), drip, drive (v.), drive (n.), drop, drown,
drug, drum, drunk, dry. • duck, due, dull dumb, dump, dusk,
dust. • dwarf, dwell.
E: • each, ear, earn, earth, ease, east, eat. • edge. • egg. • eight. •
else. • end. • err. • eye.
F: • face, fact, fade, fail, faint, fair, faith, fall, false, fame, fan, far,
fare, farm, fast, fat, fate, fault. • fear, feast, fee, feed, feel, fence,
fetch, few. • field, fierce, fifth, fight, file, fill, film, filth, find, fine,
fire, firm, first, fish, fist, fit, five, fix. • flag, flame, flap, flare, flash
(v.), flash (n.), flask, flat, flea, flee, fleet, flesh, flight, float, flock,
flood, floor, flour, flow, flue, fluid, flush, fly. • foam, fog, fold, folk,
56
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
fond, food, fool, foot, for, force, forge, fork, form, fort, foul, found
(v.), four, fourth, fox. • frail, frame, frank, free, freeze, freight,
fresh, fridge, friend, fright, frog, from, front, frost, frown, fruit,
fry. • fuel, full, fun, funds, fur, fuse.
G: • gain, game, gang, gap, gape, gas, gasp, gate, gay, gaze. • gear,
get. • ghost. • giant, gift, girl, give. • glad, glance, glare, glass,
glasses, gleam, glide, glimpse (v.), glimpse (n), globe, glove,
glow, glue. • gnaw. • go, goal, goat, God, gold, good, goods. •
grab, grace, grade, grain, grand, grant, grape, graph, grasp, grass,
grave, graze, grease, great, greed, green, greet, grey, grief, grill,
grim, grin, grind, grip, groan, grope, ground, group, grow, growl,
growth, grunt. • guard, guess, guest, guide, guilt, gulf, gum, gun,
gust.
H: • hair, half, hall, halt, halve, hand, hang, hard, hare, harm, harsh,
haste, hat, hate, hatred, haul, haunt, have, hay, haze. • he, head,
heal, health, heap, hear, heart, heat, hedge, heed, heel, height,
heir, hell, helm, help, hen, her, herd, here, hers. • hide, high, hill,
him, hinge, hint, hip, hire, his, hiss, hit, hive. • hoarse, hoax,
hoist, hold, hole, home, hook, hoot, hop, hope, horn, horse, hose,
host, hot, hour, house, how, howl. • huge, hunt, hurt, hut.
I: • ice. • if. • ill. • in, inch, ink, inn. • is. • it, its, itch.
J: • jail, jam, jar, jaw, jazz. • jet. • job, jog, join, joint, joke, joy. •
judge, jug, juice, jump, just.
K: • keen, keep, key. • kick, kid, kill, kin, kind, king, kiss, kit, kite. •
knee, kneel, knife, knit, knock, knot, know.
L: • lace, lack, lad, lag, lake, lamb, lame, lamp, lance, land, lane,
lap, large, last, late, laugh, launch, law, lawn. lay. • lead (v), lead
(n), leaf, leak, lean, learn, least, leave, left, leg, lend, length, less,
lest, let. • liar, lick, lid, lie, life, lift, light, like, limb, lime, limp,
line, link, lion, lip, lisp, list, live. • load, loaf, loan. lock, lodge,
log, long, look, loose, lord, lose, loss, lot, loud, lounge, love, low.
• luck, lump, lunch, lung.
M: • mad, maid, mail, main, make, male, man, map, march, mark,
marsh, mask, mass, mat, match, mate, may, maze. • me, meal,
mean, means, meat, meet, melt, men, mend, mere, mess. • midst,
might, mild, mile, milk, mill, mind, mine (pronoun), mine (n),
miss, mist, mix, mixed. • moan, mob, mock, mode, moist, mole,
monk, month, mood, moon, more, most, moth, mount, mourn,
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
57
mouse, mouth, move, mow. • much, mud, mug, mule, mum,
mumps, must, mute. • my, myth.
N: • nail, name, naught. • near, neat, neck, need, nerve, nest, net,
new, news, next. • nice, niece, night, nil, nine, ninth. • no, nod,
noise, none, noon, nor, norm, north, nose, not, note, noun, now. •
nun, nurse, nut.
O: • oar, oath. • odd. • of, off. • oil. • old. • on. once, one. • or,
ore. • ought, our, ours, out. • owe, owl, own. • ox.
P: • pace, pack, pad, page, pain, pains, paint, pair, pale, palm, pan,
pane, pant, pants, park, part, pass, past, paste, pastry, pat, patch,
path, pause, pave, paw, pawn, pay. • pea, peace, peach, peak,
pear, pearl, peek, peel, peep, peer, pen, per, pet. • phase, phone,
phrase. • pick, piece, pierce, pig, pile, pill, pin, pinch, pink, pint,
pious, pipe, pit. • place, plain, plan, plane, plank, plant, plate,
play, plead, please, plot, plough, pluck, plunge, plum, plump,
plunge, plus. • point, pole, pond, pool, poor, pop, pork, port,
post, pot, pound, pour. • praise, pray, prayer, preach, press, prey,
price, prick, pride, priest, prime, prince, print, prize, proof, proud,
prove. • pub, pull, pulse, pump, punch, pure, purse, push, put.
Q: • quaint, queen, queer, queue, quick, quiet, quit, quite, quote.
R: • race, rack, rag, rage, raid, rail, rain, raise, rake, range, rank,
rare, rash, rat, rate, raw, ray. • reach, read, real, reap, rear, red,
reef, rent, rest. • rhyme. • rib, rice, rich, rid, ride, ridge, right,
ring, riot, ripe, rise, risk. • road, roam, roar, roast, rob, rock, rod,
rogue, role, roll, roof, room, root, rope, rose, rot, rough, round,
rouse, route, row. • rub, rude, rug, ruin, ruins, rule, run, rush,
rust.
S: • sack, sad, safe, sail, saint, sake, sale, salt, same, sand, sane,
sauce, save, saw, say. • scale, scar, scarce, scare, scarf, scene,
scent, scheme, school, scoff, scold, score, scorn, scout, scrape,
scratch, scream, screen, screw. • sea, search, seat, see, seed,
seek, seem, seize, self, sell, send, sense, serve, set, sew, sex. •
shade, shake, shall, shame, shape, share, sharp, shave, she, shed,
sheep, sheer, sheet, shelf, shell, shield, shift, shine, ship, shirt,
shock, shoe, shoot, shop, shore, short, shorts, shot, should, shout,
show, shrewd, shriek, shrink, shrug, shut, shy. • sick, side, siege,
sigh, sight, sign, silk, sin, since, sing, sink, sip, sir, sit, site, six,
sixth, size. • sketch, skill, skin, skirt, skull, sky. • slack, slacks,
58
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
slap, slave, sleep, sleeve, slice, slide, slight, slip, slit, slope, slot,
slow. • smack, small, smart, smash, smell, smile, smoke, smooth,
smoothe. • snack, snail, snake, snap, snatch, sneer, sneeze, sniff,
snow. • so, soak, soap, sob, sober, sock, soft, soil, sole, solve,
some, son, song, soon, sore, sort, soul, sound, soup, sour, source,
south, sow. • space, spade, spare, spark, speak, speech, speed,
spell, spend, spill, spin, spit, spite, splash, split, spoil, sponge,
spoon, sport, spot, spread, spring. • square, squat, squeeze.•
staff, stage, stain, stair, stairs, stall, stamp, stand, star, stare, start,
starve, state, stay, steal, steam, steel, steep, steer, stem, step,
stern, stick, stiff, still, sting, stir, stitch, stock, stone, stool, stoop,
stop, store, storm, stout, stove, straight, strain, strange, strap,
straw, streak, stream, street, strength, stress, stretch, strict, stride,
strife, strike, string, strip, stripe, strive, stroke, strong, stuff, style.
• such, suck, suit, sum, sun, sure. • swamp, sway, swear, sweat,
sweep, sweet, swell, swift, swim, swing, switch, sword.
T: • tail, take, tale, talk, tall, tame, tan, tank, tap, tape, tar, task,
taste, tax. • tea, team, teach, tear (v), tear (n), tell, tempt, ten,
tend, tense, tent, tenth, term, test, text. • than, thank, thanks,
that, the, their, theirs, them, theme, then, there, these, they, thick,
thief, thin, thing, think, third, thirst, this, thorn, those, though,
thought, thread, threat, three, thrill, thrive, throat, throne, throng,
through, throw, thumb, thus. • tide, tie, tight, tights, tile, till,
time, tin, tip, tire. • to, toast, toe, toil, ton, tone, tongs, tongue,
too, tool, tooth, top, torch, toss, tough, tour, town, toy. • trace,
track, trade, trail, train, tram, tramp, trap, tray, tread, treat, tree,
trench, trend, trial, tribe, trick, trim, trip, troop, truck, true, trunk,
trust, truth, try. • tub, tube, tug, tune, turn. • twelfth, twelve,
twice, twist, two. • type, tyre.
U: • up. • urge. • us, use, used.
V: • vague, vain, valve, van, vase, vast. • veil, verse, very, vest. •
vice, view. • voice, vote, vow.
W: • wag, wage(s), waist, wait, wake, walk, wall, want, war, ward,
warm, warn, wash, wasp, waste, watch, wave, wax, way. • we,
weak, wealth, wear, weave, web, wed, wedge, weed, week, weep,
weigh, weight, well, west, wet. • what, wheat, wheel, when,
where, which, while, whim, whine, whip, whirl, white, who,
whole, whom, whose, why. • wide, width, wife, wild, will, win,
wind (n.), wind (v.), wine, wing, wink, wipe, wire, wise, wish,
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
59
wit, witch, with. • wood, wool, word, work, world, worm, worse,
worst, worth, would, wound. • wrap, wreck, wretch, wring, wrist,
write, wrong.
X: (No core word beginning with ‘x’).
Y: • yacht, yard, yawn. • year, yes, yet. • yield. • yolk, you, young,
your, yours, youth.
Z: • zeal, zero. • zip. • zone, zoo.
Words of the greatest general service
Book 3 gave you a list of 3152 polysyllabic core words. And this
Book has now given you a list of 1612 monosyllabic core words.
So together, you now have a combined list of 4764 (3152 +
1612) core words. You know, these are all the words you need
to have a good mastery of. They’ll help you become fluent — and
having become fluent remain fluent.
As I told you in Book 3, I’m not speaking about limiting
your vocabulary. No. In fact, nobody will be able to limit their
vocabulary in an absolute way to a particular number. That will
be arbitrary and not realistic because of this reason: In addition
to the 4764 core words, you may need a few special words to
speak about a topic. How many of these special words you’d
need depends on the nature of the topic you’re speaking about.
But even in a lengthy and formal talk, the special or additional
words would amount only to around a mere 1% of the number of
core words you use. For example, if you’re putting around 4000
core words to use while speaking about a topic, you’re likely to
employ around 40 topic-related special words. (Remember not to
stuff your speech with too many special words. Or your speech
would sound too formal and even stilted).
You know, the 4764 core words you’ve got are words of the
greatest general service in speech (as well as in writing). They
will see you through all possible situations — even if you want
to speak about a wide range of topics. They will perform all
60
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
linguistic functions that you want English language to perform.
They will help you express all concepts and notions that you can
think of. These 4764 are words not only of the greatest use and
greatest help, but also of the surest use and surest help. So don’t
waste your time going after other words — words that are only
of doubtful use and are only of occasional or rare help. Pay all
your attention to the 4764 words of the greatest general service.
Concentrate only on them. They will smooth your way to a high
level of fluency — whether you’re having an informal chat or
taking part in a serious discussion or making a public speech.
You’ll find that each of the 4764 words can be used in more
than one way. Find out what the different ways are. And most
of these core words can combine among themselves and form
common collocations. Find out what these collocations are. You
see, your dictionary will help you in finding out these things.
(I’m sure you’ve bought one of the 5 essential dictionaries I
recommended in Book 1). But be on your guard. Don’t get sidetracked into looking up high-sounding words or words outside
the list of 4764 words. Confine yourself to the 4764 words.
Practice with major word groups
In Book 4, we looked at different ‘Action Patterns’ and ‘Naming
Patterns’. And we did some practice with them, too. Now it’s time
for us to do some intensive drill with certain specially-selected
action word groups and naming word groups.
Remember this: So long as your speech-organs do not
become used to saying these action word groups and naming
word groups, you can’t expect to become fluent. Therefore, one
thing is important: Give thorough training to your speech-organs
in saying these word groups. You can do this by uttering each
word group ALOUD several times.
Here we go for the word groups:
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
61
Action word groups
Here’s a collection of specially selected action word groups. The
collection has been divided into two groups. First go through the
word groups in Group 1. Then go through the word groups in
Group 2.
Pick up each word group, and utter it ALOUD — several times.
Here we go:
Group 1
• accepted him as one of us. • admitted seeing them. • appeared
(to be) happy. • appeared (to be) important. • appeared (to be)
alone. • appointed him director. • arranged for the workers to
come. • asked her a few questions. • asked him a favour. • asking
me a question. • avoided meeting him. • became a lawyer. •
blamed me for the defects. • boiled an egg for her. • boiled her
an egg. • bought her a dress. • bought some flowers for us. •
bought us some flowers. • brought you presents. • burning the
paper. • called a porter for me. • called me a porter. • calling
him names. • came hurrying. • came on foot. • came running.
• can’t stand listening to it. • caught the next plane. • causing
them trouble. • charged him with those misdeeds. • checked
those figures. • classed him as a genius. • cleaned the teeth.
• compared her with her friends. • congratulated her on her
success. • considered appointing him. • considered the matter. •
continued staring at it. • convicted him of murder. • convinced
me of its use. • cooking the lunch. • cost me my life.
• denied doing it. • denied the chance to me. • deprived me
of my chance. • described it as a success. • disliked doing it. •
drank the coffee. • elected Anil Secretary. • enjoyed travelling. •
envied them for it. • felt warmer. • finished eating it. • finished
his lunch. • found a parking place. • found a place for him. •
found him a house. • found him a place. • gave him a blow. •
gave me very sound advice. • gave some apples to us. • gave the
matter some thought. • getting dressed. • giving it a wash. • got
62
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
a pen for her. • got her a pen. • guaranteed them satisfaction. •
handed the book to her. • happened to be alive. • happened to
be awake. • hated doing it. • having a wash. • informed them
of it. • intended it as a warning. • interpreted it as an excuse. •
introduced her to him. • jumped thirty feet. • kept murmuring.
• knew that girl. • left a fortune for him. • left him a fortune. •
left the work unfinished. • lent some money to him. • lifted the
parcel. • longed for her to come. • looked very untidy. • loved
reading it. • made a cake for us. • made a statement. • made
us a cake. • making excellent progress. • making some cakes. •
named him their representative. • neglected his duty. • offered a
job to him. • opened the can. • ordered dinner for us. • ordered
us dinner.
• paid him money. • paid them for the work. • paid wages to
them. • postponed delivering it. • prevented them from mischief.
• promised a present to her. • protected the boys from danger.
• proved (to be) interesting. • proved (to be) true. • proved
(to be) wrong. • read a story to them. • recognized him as the
ambassador. • referred him to a specialist. • regarded it as a
protest. • reminded me of my childhood. • reserved a seat for
me. • reserved me a seat. • saved me some trouble. • saved
some money for them. • saved them some money. • saw him
cross the road. • saw him crossing the road. • seemed (to be)
satisfied. • seemed (to be) surprised. • seemed (to be) very old.
• seemed colder. • seemed to be afraid. • seemed to be asleep.
• shared the room. • showed the picture to her. • spared me
some time. • spared some time for me. • stopped looking at it.
• stopped smoking. • stopped working. • supplied them with
provisions. • suspected him of the theft. • talked face to face. •
taught Sanskrit to me. • thanked the host. • thanked them for
the help. • threw that ball to me. • told a story to me. • told me
the time. • told Raju about everything. • took it as an insult. •
treated us as guests. • tried repairing it. • underestimated his
ability. • used us as a bait. • visited the old village. • waited (for)
one hour. • waited for him to go away. • waited for something
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
63
to happen. • walked (for) ten miles. • wanted some paper. •
weighed forty kilos. • weighed the pros and cons. • went by car.
• went downstairs. • went shopping. • wished for the speech to
be over. • woke the baby. • won the prize.
Group 2
• accounted to him for it. • acted on instructions. • added to
my problems. • addressed a letter to him. • admired her for her
courage. • advised us to stay away. • agreed on the course of
action. • agreed to meet us. • agreed to their proposal. • agreed
with him about it. • agreed with me about them. • allowed for
his weakness. • allowed her to come in. • amounted to $ 1000.
• answered for him. • apologized for the delay. • apologized
to her. • apologized to her for it. • appealed to them. • applied
for the post. • applied to the Director. • applied to them for the
license. • appointed her to do the typing. • approved of her. •
approved of it. • argued with her about them. • argued with me.
• argued with them about the price. • arguing about the plan.
• arguing about their rights. • arranged for the money. • asked
about it. • asked after your health. • asked for him. • asked for
it. • asked for you. • asked her about you. • asked us to listen.
• ate it with a spoon. • attended to him. • attended to his work.
• attended to the patients. • attended to the visitors. • attended
to the work.
• bargained for the bag. • bargained with the vendor. •
bargained with them for it. • bargained with them for the bag. •
began with a prayer. • believed in Buddhism. • belonged to her.
• belonged to it. • benefited from it. • beware of him. • beware
of it. • boasted about his family. • boasted about it. • boasted
of it. • boasting about their car. • boasting about themselves. •
borrowed it from him. • bought it for a small sum. • burnt it on
purpose.
• called everyone in turn. • called for him. • called on them.
• came by bus. • came by post. • came in a bus. • cared about his
64
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
career. • cared about us. • changed it for a better one. • charged
him for the damage. • charged him for the repairs. • claimed
expenses from her. • cleared him of suspicion. • combined
business with pleasure. • combined with it. • combined with
the neighbours. • combined with them against the enemies. •
compared it with that. • compared the prices here with those
there. • complained to him about them. • complaining about
everyone. • complaining about everything. • complimented him
on his dress. • congratulated him on it. • consulted them about
that. • contrasted their approach with ours. • crashed into the
wall.
• dealt with the situation. • decided on it. • decided on
the strategy. • decided to remain there. • depended on him.
• depended on it. • described it in detail. • deserved to win.
• despaired of it. • despaired of them. • did the cooking by
electricity. • didn’t agree about it. • didn’t argue about the cost.
• didn’t care about it. • didn’t care about you. • didn’t complain
about it. • didn’t talk about you. • died for his principles. • died
for the country. • died for them. • died of hunger. • differed
from it. • differed from that. • differed from them. • discussed
it with me. • distinguished between them. • distinguished them
from these. • divided it between him and her. • divided it into
equal parts. • don’t trouble about those things. • don’t worry
about them. • dreamt about it. • dreamt about their marriage. •
dreamt of her. • dreamt of it. • dropped it by accident.
• economized on it. • emerged from it. • engaged in some
urgent work. • exchanged something for a clock. • excused him
for the delay. • excused him from attending the conference. •
exempted him from the payment. • expected you to do it. •
experimented with her idea. • experimented with it.
• failed in the examination. • failed to complete it. • failed
to get it. • failed to reach there. • filled it with water. • finished
it on his own. • forced him to sign it. • forced them to admit it. •
forgave him for it. • forgot about it. • forgot about you. • forgot
to thank her. • fought against corruption. • fought against it. •
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
65
fought for his share. • fought for it. • fought them for his share.
• fought with her boss. • fought with him. • found fault with
everyone. • found him lying on the floor.
• gained by it. • gained by the experience. • gained from it.
• gained from the sale. • getting them an order. • going to his
office. • got a seat for me. • got out of control. • got them to
charge it to my account.
• heard of him. • heard of it. • helped her (to) paint it. •
hoped for a promotion. • hoped for it.
• indulged in it. • inquired about him. • inquired about it. •
insisted on it. • instructed him in gardening. • instructed him to
come early. • interested him in our activities. • interfered in our
affairs. • interfered with it. • interfered with them. • invested
in it.
• join this to that. • joined in it. • joined in the game. •
joined with the other side. • joked about her hairstyle. • joked
about it. • joked with him about it. • joking about them. • judged
by his behaviour. • judged him from his actions.
• kept it in control. • killed him with a knife. • knew about
him. • knew about it. • knew of it. • knew of them.
• laughed about everything. • laughed about those people.
• laughed at it. • leaning on the window. • leant on him. • leant
on it. • leant out of the window. • learnt about the situation. •
learnt about those people. • learnt the lesson by heart. • listened
to him. • listened to it. • lived by teaching. • lived for it. • lived
in comfort. • lived in fear. • lived on canned food. • longed for
it. • looked after the children. • looked after the furniture. •
looked at her. • looked at him. • looked for it. • looked for the
book. • looking for a paper weight. • looking for my uncle. •
loved to do it.
• made by hand. • made by machinery. • made from a large
piece of wood. • made of wood. • made of wool. • met her by
chance. • met him by accident. • mistook her for someone else.
• mistook me for his brother.
66
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
• objected to his remarks. • objected to it. • offended against
the law. • omitted to invite them. • open it at page 41. • opened
it by mistake. • opened it with a knife. • opened the safe. •
operated on him.
• paid for it. • paid him the money. • pardoned him for
the mistake. • parted with it. • persisted in it. • persuaded her
to go. • pitied her for her sufferings. • played against them. •
played with them. • praised him for his courage. • preferred hot
water to cold. • preferred to remain silent. • preferred to walk. •
prejudiced him against me. • prejudiced him against the union.
• prepared for it. • pretended not to notice. • prevented him
from doing it. • profited by it. • profited by the experience. •
promised her to do it. • promised to bring it. • promised to get
it. • promised us his support. • promised us to bring it. • putting
on more and more weight.
• qualified as a doctor. • qualifies you to practice as an
advocate. • would qualify you for the job.• qualified for the final.
• qualified in the competition. • quarrelled about everything.
• quarrelled with everyone. • quarrelled with them about the
money.
• ranked first in the world. • ranked him 2nd out of 100
candidates. • ranks with the best. • reasoned with him. •
reasoned with the Manager. • reflected on it. • refused to talk. •
registered his name in advance. • relied on him. • relied on it. •
reminded me of something. • reminded me of you. • reminded
me to do it. • replaced that by this. • replied to him. • reported
on him. • reported on it. • resigned from it. • resigned from the
post. • responded to it. • resulted from a misunderstanding. •
resulted in failure. • retired from his job. • retired from service.
• saw him about it. • saw him by chance. • searched for him.
• searched for it. • seemed to like it. • sent the letter by mail.
• served as a ladder. • served as a reminder to us. • shared in
his troubles. • shared in the company’s success. • shared in the
profit. • shared the room with his friend. • shared the cost with
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
67
them. • shared the task with them. • shares her feelings with her
husband. • shot at that bird. • shot at the tiger. • showed it in
public. • slept in a shed. • smelt of alcohol. • smelt of cheese.
• smelt of iodine. • smiled at them. • sold it for a large sum.
• spent it on essential things. • spent the money on rubbish.
• spoke about him. • spoke about it. • spoke of it. • spoke to
me about it. • stared at her. • stared at it. • stayed in bed. •
struggled with it. • struggled with them. • substituted that for
this. • succeeded in finishing it. • supplied them with the things
they wanted. • surrendered to the police. • surrendered to them.
• swore at them. • sympathized with them.
• taking them off the table. • talked about him. • talked
about it. • talked of him. • talked of it. • talked to me about it. •
talking about his future plans. • talking about their neighbours.
• tasted like wax. • tasted of garlic. • tasted of soap. • teased
him about it. • told a story to me. • told me about you. • told me
the way to the Library. • thanked them for the help. • thinking
about examinations. • thinking about his wife. • thought about
him. • thought about it. • thought about the troubles. • thought
of everyone. • thought of him. • thought of it. • traded in it. •
traded with him. • tried to contact him. • troubled him about it.
• trusted him to be true to his word.
• undertook to complete it. • used a knife for cutting it. •
used a new soap for washing it. • can use it in cooking.
• voted for him. • voted in the election. • voted on the
proposal. • voted to continue the policy.
• waited for him. • waited for it. • waited for the bus. •
waited for the others. • waited for the result. • walking from his
office to the bank. • warned us of the danger. • wanted them
to ask. • wanted to ask. • was suffering from some illness. •
watched for a chance to do it. • watched for him. • watched for
his reaction. • watched for it. • went by bus. • went by car. •
went for pleasure. • went on foot. • wished for it. • wished for
nothing more. • wondered at it. • worried about him. • worried
68
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
about it. • worrying about her son. • worrying about the future.
• wrapped it round his body. • writing about the loan. • writing
about you. • wrote to her about him. • wrote to them about it.
• yielded to an impulse. • yielded to those people.
Naming word groups
Here’s a collection of specially selected naming word groups.
Pick up each of them and utter it ALOUD — several times. Here
we go:
• the outside of the bottle. • the book I borrowed from him.
• a certain amount of money. • one of the most beautiful girls
I’ve ever seen. • the price of this one. • somewhere where things
are cheaper. • an easier game. • much trouble. • thick cloud. • a
long rest. • a wide river. • the finest painter alive today. • a sharp
tongue. • many pleasures.
•a man with a beard. • a good conscience. • the people
who live there. • an open-air life. • everything funny. • the floor
under the fridge. • a beggar with one eye. • a really genuine
explanation. • a shelf above the window. • an hour’s delay. •
the life in villages. • the children we met in the street. • a funny
way of doing it. • the reason for the quarrel. • a proud look. •
a complicated business. • a hard struggle. • stolen things. • a
clothes shop. • a feeling of confidence. • a dress like that. • dirty
habits. • the people in the next room. • a remarkable woman. •
a high wall.
•the news of his election. • precious little. • the car door. •
the area behind the building. • somebody important. • the lamp
post over there. • that boy in a dirty shirt. • a short time. • a
tearing sound. • a general truth. • the roof of the house. • a free
day. • the wrong colour. • a well-paying job. • most vegetables.
• an experienced doctor. • a broken window. • one who cannot
stand criticism. • piles of rubbish. • the main thing. • vegetables
that we grow ourselves. • a happy time. • another few weeks. •
a sure way. • the bottom of the page. • all kinds of things. • an
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
69
expensive watch. • the way he does things. • those boys under
the tree. • loud noises. • a bit of advice. • a good voice. • a funny
story. • half of us. • a beautiful present. • fine weather. • little
presents. • a boy full of enthusiasm. • worldly pleasures. • the
boy running along the road. • a nice little showroom.
• the hotel where he stays. • an ideal leader. • a cheap
radio. • an expensive radio. • a real tyrant. • a brief talk. • a
long talk. • all this argument. • this whole argument. • people
who succeed. • a respectable profession. • an ingenious way of
doing it. • a much better chance. • somewhere quiet. • the book
that I gave him. • a big place. • chance of winning. • experience
abroad. • a student of law. • cow’s milk. • the people I was
looking for. • the news that upset me. • a mechanic’s life. • a
dangerous pest. • some children. • some of the children. • a little
girl in the corner. • weak-minded people. • another few people.
• an absolutely awful behaviour.
• that thing up in the tree. • a fat boy. • a five-minute
rest. • the lamp post between the two buildings. • a man with
long arms. • a building seventy feet high. • a seventy-foot high
building. • the man who she insulted. • a cultured mind. • a
neighbour of my brother’s. • a good hiding place. • a splendid
time. • a bit more life. • a foolish way. • many members. • many
of the members. • the only person I met there. • a good scolding.
• an angry-looking man. • a very nice surprise. • a successful
businessman. • a terrible smash. • the whole story. • an excellent
singer. • a great bore.
• the tree in front of the garage. • a big fire. • a box for
putting toys. • a large enough house. • the basket under the
table. • an astonishing sight. • a large house. • a big circle of
friends. • a lump of sugar. • a quarrel about something. • the
end of the game. • an old sari of Sita’s. • a slack player. • a noisy
place. • a book about house-building. • muddy hands. • some of
them. • many of us. • most of you. • the man opposite. • several
ways to win them over. • a large bandage. • her only true friend.
70
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
• a good deal of loss. • a little more sugar. • a very annoying
behaviour. • serious trouble.
• a bit of a fool. • the same thing I had told you last week.
• half her friends. • a hissing noise. • the man who was standing
behind the curtain. • a rented house. • an accomplished singer.
• an out-of-the-way place. • a shop that sells cassettes. • a much
happier time. • a broken knife. • the right-hand drawer. • a
friend of mine. • strong principles. • the people who should be
more anxious. • fields full of flowers. • a funny expression. •
rough edges of the paper. • the thing you’re looking for. • half
the time. • a clean dress. • lazy habits. • the girl who won the
first prize. • a rich businessman. • all previous orders. • a very
kind person. • the boy who ran quickest. • a lonely time. • half
your time. • a strange kind of TV. • a troublesome back-pain. •
things I can never forget. • a very attractive place. • a warm day.
• this year’s result. • a story about life in villages. • a dangerous
job. • a bit of a problem. • a first-class show. • a stuffy room. •
a well-dressed girl.
• a lot of shopping. • some of those playthings. • most
people. • most of the people. • the food she cooks. • the people
taking part. • offensive language. • the woman standing in the
corner. • her little boy. • the people who live next door. • the
book I like best. • a lot of harm. • a reputation for efficiency. •
a fine sight. • the same girl who sang at the meeting. • both our
cars. • the last person to do that. • the name of the man who just
went out. • a large group of girls. • a gold watch. • dull work. •
a big black dog. • a strong healthy boy. • a pinch of salt. • a large
basket. • old times. • a large wooden chair.
• some plan for doing it. • the only solution possible. • a
much greater problem. • the people objecting. • a great hurry. •
a good enough car. • the unemployed. • a wonderful invention.
• a funny expression. • silly excuses. • the girl hiding behind
the door. • a large family. • the people I had worked for five
years before. • today’s fashions. • a loud knock. • a chance of
making money. • a beautiful green sari. • the man we met at the
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
71
meeting. • an impatient fellow. • the best time to start. • the
thing that she would like. • sheets of paper.
• a thousand rupees. • slack management. • that man with
a scar on his face. • the strongest argument. • funny tricks. •
customer’s money. • a well-located house. • a knock at the door.
• sharp brains. • the greatest of all writers. • a wrong answer.
• a lively place. • the price of vegetables. • good times. • keen
competition. • a stupid old man. • an easy problem to solve. •
the man in front of the car. • great power. • something I have
a lot of difficulty with. • the fruit sellers. • the dog’s tail. • job
in town. • the thought of meeting her again. • a village several
miles away. • a bit of a mistake. • the comfort of travellers. •
a thousand years. • a crowd of people. • the man staring at
her. • an article on federalism. • repeated attacks. • some hard
exercise. • a man with a nasty look. • all our money. • a short
distance. • a week’s journey. • the things on the top of the car. •
insolent behaviour.
• the last building on this road. • crowded streets. • a small
blue ball. • the hospital I told you about. • quite a nice collection.
• that black mark on your shirt. • the woman who they met. •
restless people. • people who guard houses. • the house opposite
yours. • top of his class. • bottom of his class. • a piece of cloth to
wipe this with. • the information that you need. • all I’ve got. •
bright lamps. • the house they used to live in. • the whole street.
• outdated fashions. • a man of medium height. • a large amount
of work. • the best in the market. • the worst in the market. • a
strong wind. • a sickly boy. • the same advertisement that came
yesterday. • as many apples as I want. • as much milk as I want.
• a prominent business man. • the girl repairing watches. • a girl
who repairs watches. • the price that we agreed upon.
• the next building to the Library. • a wild place. • pay rise. •
idle talk. • great hopes. • a large fat man. • an insolent speech. •
a short dark fellow. • those who stand up for their ideals. • plenty
of amusements. • anybody who finds it. • a severe command. •
72
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
the middle of the show. • the results of his idleness. • the little
that he has been able to do. • the ring on his finger. • the chain
around her neck. • most Saturdays. • anybody clever at maths.
• a long stay. • back muscles. • a discussion full of life. • inferior
articles. • a great influence. • a bad-tempered fellow. • a severe
rebuke. • the fashions nowadays. • savage beasts. • a boy just
like you. • dishonest purposes.
• a place to live in. • a funny look. • the man sitting on her
right. • the most extraordinary day. • a good part of the work. •
that girl with a dog. • all you want. • the right order. • a lovely
party. • the books in the cupboard. • a stamp on the cover. •
man’s mind. • the girl walking around in the playground. • a bad
puncture. • the front of the table. • an outstanding speaker. • a
bad smell. • the best years of our life. • an outline of the speech.
• the only thing that matters. • worthless goods.
• a man at the door. • a subject that is hard to understand. •
the man standing nearest to the door. • an executive fit to be our
CEO. • people fit only for manual work. • that woman carrying
a load on her head. • the sale in the first few months. • an ugly
look. • the person who broke that glass. • somebody else’s purse.
• a social visit. • a nice easy time. • big enough bottles. • the one
who can shout the loudest. • bad toothache. • the trip through
the hills. • the children taking part. • a great strain. • a lot of
dust. • the person responsible. • an angry-looking face. • the
next stop. • the whole thing. • splendid dreams.
• most of the journey. • a walk through the park. • a walk
across the park. • similar-looking children. • people at home. •
this side of the building. • a remedy for it. • a fine life. • an old
car with flat tyres. • the people who came to see you yesterday. •
a jolly time. • the boy who wanted to leave early. • a little shop.
• all those who want it. • a great mistake. • the people who live
next door to us. • ugly surroundings. • a severe cold. • sufferings
of the poor. • an excellent choice. • cold weather. • home-grown
vegetables.
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
73
• that strange man with him. • the breeze coming through
the trees. • a man you will like at first sight. • a job of some sort.
• the best fridge in the world. • the man at the entrance. • a
man from Bangalore. • people who are excessively generous. •
the servant in their house. • four times as many applications as
they expected. • a comfortable journey. • a strong active man.
• all Tuesday. • every Tuesday. • some hints on gardening. • the
office that he works in. • the usual practice. • my share of the
property. • most of the damage. • things someone else has. • a
horrible headache. • a very small price. • the girl walking along
the road. • services of others. • a pretty boring job. • the leader
of the group.
• every single page. • the minds of officials. • something
interesting. • the girl climbing out of the pool. • the bottom of
the bottle. • appetite for food. • the vegetables I bought two days
back. • the chance of getting it. • half as smart as he pretends.
• a place away from the house. • a bit of luck. • strong engine.
• most of what he says. • neighbour’s wealth. • every one who
wants it. • something cheaper. • a bus engine. • a complete
confession. • top of the cupboard. • a leading politician. • a lorry
loaded with vegetables. • money for his holiday. • a big eater. •
miseries of poverty.
• advice about savings. • the girl running into the house.
• difficult question to answer. • writing paper. • a man in that
house. • a bird’s nest. • people coming out from the office. • long
hours. • a man who’s twice as old as her. • horrible things. • the
chairs in that room. • a great burden.
• the top shelf. • the car that crashed. • a friend living in
Bombay. • a torn shirt. • the place where they first met. • the
tooth that aches. • a well-behaved boy. • a cardboard box. •
the man who took it away from here. • a friend of mine. • the
person who this car belongs to. • the boy who stole the pen. •
a bad-tempered fellow. • the people there. • a chair leg. • the
man sitting in that chair. • warm climate. • the things they asked
74
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
for. • the mathematics teacher. • the cushion you’re sitting on. •
a neat and tidy place. • the man with a beard. • a clean-shaven
man. • the things that I borrowed. • we all. • I myself. • they
both. • you yourself. • the box on the shelf. • the day I last saw
her. • the handle that came loose. • an iron box. • well-thoughtout plans. • the bag she wants. • blue cotton cloth. • the button
that came off. • the people who took care of her. • a bald-headed
man. • ink stains. • a good night’s rest. • those girls standing by
the gate. • the things you hear. • a clean white shirt. • a badlybuilt house. • people sitting nearer the front. • the strongest of
the four • the man without shoes. • the things that he left lying
about. • broken cups. • the way he solved the problem. • the
man waving his hands. • a cotton pants. • a well-built house.
• the shop she often goes to. • the people standing at the
back. • an amusing experience. • the man who told me about it.
• a badly organized party. • the girl who looks like your sister. •
damaged goods. • the machine that broke down. • a half-hearted
effort. • a long and tiring journey. • a badly done job. • a man
with a stick. • the tallest of the five. • the car that went by our
house a moment ago. • anyone brave enough to do that. • a bent
rod. • the office where she worked. • the man waiting outside.
• a badly-cooked meal. • the book you gave him. • up-to-date
ideas. • an amusing person. • the man who asked for a light. •
a well-meant action. • warm clothes. • injured men. • the girl
packing a suit case. • the man who spoke kindly. • the people
you told me about. • a well-planned programme. • the back of
the hall.
• the nearest bus-stop. • the longest way. • the shortest way.
• the neat things. • the whole time. • the wrong place. • the
new officer. • the other one. • the next one. • the first thing. •
the last thing.
• a very good price. • a very busy time. • a very efficient girl.
• a stony road. • a really splendid lunch. • a really good view.
• a nasty cold day. • a horrid little place. • a poky little house.
F requent ly-used monosyl l abic words
75
• a silly young fool. • a fine new house. • a sweet little girl. • a
lovely old house. • a nice hot drink. • a great big thing. • a red
silk tie. • a dark grey shirt. • a better black paint. • a wooden
box. • a horror film. • a dinner place. • the least difficult way.
• the bedroom door. • a well-built house. • a two-inch screw. •
a well-fed calf. • a colour-printed book. • a right-sized shirt. • a
long-lasting polish. • a badly-torn dress. • a badly -stained shirt.
• a kind-hearted man. • a very commonplace building.
• that tall man. • several weeks. • this terrible weather. •
extra practice. • some rare specimens. • that thin fellow. • many
rooms. • much light. • very few windows. • humorous comments.
• successful people. • bad weather. • some good news. • much
progress. • much gratitude. • some little difficulty. • his own
words. • another three weeks. • one important point. • one or
two people. • a good thing. • Tom’s one. • your one.
• all your life. • all her friends. • all his luggage. • all my
money. • all day. • all morning. • all night. • all the years. • all
these. • all hers.
***
76
Phrasal verbs
Chapter 4
Phrasal verbs
Here’s one of the most important things you should do when
you’re trying to develop your vocabulary from the fluency
building angle: Try and gain mastery over phrasal verbs. You see,
when you’re trying to achieve a high level of fluency in spoken
English, the vocabulary items you must learn are not words like
‘discern’, ‘eschew’ or ‘disdain’, etc. No. Words like these are not
normally used in spoken English. So in place of these words, you
must learn to use multi-word verbs like these:
‘see through’(= discern), ‘give up’ (= eschew), ‘look down
on’ (= disdain).
Phrases like ‘see through’, ‘look down on’ and ‘give up’ are
known as phrasal verbs.
You know, certain lexical verbs often combine with certain
short adverbs like ahead, away, out, together, etc. Many such
combinations function as single verbs to a great extent — either
syntactically, or semantically, or syntactically and semantically.
And often, many such combinations have a meaning that is
different from the individual meanings of the lexical verb or of
the adverb. Such a combination that functions practically as a
single unit of meaning is known as a phrasal verb.
A short adverb that combines with lexical verbs and forms
phrasal verbs is known as an ‘adverbial particle’.
From the description of a phrasal verb, you can easily see
that a phrasal verb has the following structure:
phrasal verb = lexical verb + adverbial particle
An interesting point you should note about phrasal verbs is
this: The verbs that occur in phrasal verbs are all elementary
ones — like come, get, go, put, take, etc. Even a junior-level
learner of English would know their meanings. In the same way,
Phrasal verbs
77
the adverbial particles (that combine with lexical verbs to form
phrasal verbs) are also elementary words, and even a juniorlevel learner of English would know their meanings too. Here’s
a complete list of the adverbial particles you’ll find in common
phrasal verbs:
List 1: ahead, apart, aside, away, back, forth, forward, out, together.
List 2: about, above, across, along, around, before, behind, beyond, by,
down, in, off, on, over, round, through, under, up.
Note: All the words in List 1 are words that always function as adverbs
everywhere. All the words in List 2 are words that function as adverbs
in phrasal verbs (but they can also function as prepositions elsewhere).
So the verbs as well as the adverbial particles (that occur in
phrasal verbs) are all elementary ones, and even a junior-level
learner of English can understand their meanings when they’re
used independently. But mind you, things often become different
when they combine into phrasal verbs. You see, when they
combine into phrasal verb, the combinations get new meanings.
And even an advanced learner of English may not be able to
predict these new meanings — or know how to use them. For
example, ‘make’ is a simple verb and ‘off’ is a simple particle. But
what is the meaning of the phrasal verb ‘make off’? One of the
meanings of ‘make off’ is ‘escape’, and this meaning has no direct
relation either to ‘make’ or to ‘off’. In other words, the phrasal
verb ‘make off’ is virtually a new ‘word’ itself — entirely different
from the individual words ‘make’ and ‘off’.
Now understand this: A major proportion of spoken English
vocabulary is made up of ‘phrasal verbs’ like these.
Many books on vocabulary development mislead you. Those
books teach you a large number of words like ‘discern’, ‘disdain’,
‘eschew’ etc., but don’t tell you that those words are not part
of the spoken English vocabulary. The result is this: You spend
hours and hours learning words like these, and yet find that
your spoken English fluency has not gone up. No wonder! The
vocabulary you’ve been mastering hasn’t been spoken English
vocabulary.
78
Phrasal verbs
But phrasal verbs won’t fail you: Each phrasal verb you learn
will advance your practical word power a little bit. Yes, each of
them.
Transitive and intransitive phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb that can be used intransitively is an intransitive
phrasal verb, and a phrasal verb that can be used transitively is a
transitive phrasal verb.
An intransitive phrasal verb doesn’t take an object. Here
are a few examples of intransitive phrasal verbs in use:
• His grandmother had cancer, and she passed away (=
died) last year. • He couldn’t solve the puzzle, and he
gave in (= accepted defeat). • Talks between the striking
workers and the management have come off (= succeeded).
• Their plans have fallen through (= failed). • Their
financial situation is beginning to look up (= improve).
A transitive phrasal verb takes an object (a direct object).
Here are a few examples of transitive phrasal verbs in use:
• The union leader has broken off the negotiations. (=
abruptly ended). • He put across his ideas forcefully (=
communicated). • Put away these files, will you? (= put
them where they’re usually kept). • Ask him to turn off the
lights. (= switch them off). • She hasn’t finished keying in
all the data.• She’s given up the job (= left/abandoned).
Position of the object in transitive phrasal verbs
Here’s an important feature of transitive phrasal verbs: Generally
speaking, you can place the object either after the adverbial
particle (as in the examples above) or before it (as in the examples
below):
• The union leader has broken the negotiations off. • He
put his ideas across forcefully. • Put these files away, will
you? • She hasn’t finished keying all the data in. • Ask him
Phrasal verbs
79
to turn the lights off. • She’s given the job up.
Of course, if the object is long, speakers normally choose to
place it after the adverbial particle, rather than before it:
• The union leader has broken off the negotiations that
have been going on. • He put across the ideas he has on
this issue forcefully. • Put away the files that we don’t need
now, will you? • She hasn’t finished keying in the data
collected from Europe. • Ask him to turn off the lights in
both the rooms. • She’s given up the job with that company.
And when the object is a personal pronoun, it always comes
before the adverbial particle, and never after it:
• The union leader has broken them off. • He put it across
forcefully. • Put them away, will you? • She hasn’t finished
keying it in. • Ask him to turn them off. • She’s given it up.
Now, there are some transitive phrasal verbs in which the
position of the adverbial particle is fixed, and when you use
these phrasal verbs, you’re not free to place the object where
you choose — even if the object is a short noun phrase. In these
phrasal verbs, you’ll have to place the object immediately before
the adverbial particle. Here’s a list of some of the common ones
among these phrasal verbs:
answer sb back, bring sb round, bring sb to, drag sb down,
get sb out, hear sb out, help sth along, knock sb about,
order sb about, pull sth to, push sb about, push sb around,
push sth to, see sth through, shut sb up, sit sb/oneself
down, slap sb around, start sb off, tell sb/sth apart.
Note: Abbreviations used for the objects: sb = somebody; sth = something.
In some phrasal verbs, there’s a strong idiomatic bond
between the phrasal verb and the object, and the two together
is an idiomatic whole. And so, in these phrasal verbs, the object
has to come only after or only before the adverbial particle —
depending on the order fixed by idiomatic convention. Here are
some examples:
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Phrasal verbs
• give up hope, lay down your arms, let off steam, put on
airs, shut up shop, take up arms. • cry your eyes out, keep
your hand in, keep your shirt on, laugh your head off, put
your foot down, sob your heart out.
Concentrate on examples
Now don’t let the division of phrasal verbs into transitive and
intransitive ones and other theoretical points worry you. For a
start, a general understanding of these points would be sufficient.
The thing you should do is to pay attention to the collections of
examples you’ll be getting in the various Books in this series.
Marginal phrasal verbs
You see, when a lexical verb and an adverbial particle combine
together, the combination may not always have a new or
unpredictable meaning. Often, such a combination has a meaning
that is not very different from the normal meaning of the lexical
verb — and so is easily predictable. Combinations like these are
of two types:
1) In some case, it’s easy to understand the meaning of the
combination if you know the normal meanings of the verb
and the particle.
E.g. go along, run around, stand back, pour down, come
in, go out, cross over, jump up.
These combinations are called “literal phrasal verbs” or
“free combinations”.
2) In some other cases, the verb retains its normal
meaning, but the particle adds a sense of completeness or
thoroughness or continuousness to that meaning.
E.g. bang away (= continue hitting something noisily and
with a lot of energy), work away (= continue working
hard for a long time), die down (= gradually become
less loud or strong, and stop completely), shut down
(= stop operating completely), stay on (= continue
Phrasal verbs
81
remaining somewhere longer than you had planned
or even after other people have left), struggle on (=
continue doing something that is difficult), reason
out something (= think about a problem, a confused
situation, etc. carefully, and decide what to do about
it), fight out (= argue or fight with someone, until you
or they win, or come to an agreement), sweat over
(= work very hard at something and for a long time),
think over something (= consider an idea, a plan, etc.
carefully and thoroughly before making a decision), buy
up something (= buy all the land or property that is
available, or buy large quantities of it), use up (= finish
a supply of something so completely that none of it’s
left).
You can call these combinations “quasi-literal phrasal
verbs”.
You don’t need any special training in using literal phrasal
verbs. Your general vocabulary training will take care of them.
But you need to pay special attention to some of the quasi-literal
phrasal verbs. So the collections of phrasal verbs you’re going to
get for practice include the most useful ones among them.
Phrasal-prepositional verbs
You see, pure phrasal verbs are multi-word verbs that contain
only two words — a lexical verb and an adverbial particle.
But there are a number of multi-word verbs that contain a
two-word phrasal verb and a preposition. That is, they contain
not only a lexical verb and an adverbial particle, but also a
preposition. Multi-word verbs like these (that contain both an
adverbial particle and a preposition) are known as phrasalprepositional verbs.
There are two types of phrasal-prepositional verbs:
Transitive and intransitive. Most phrasal-prepositional verbs are
intransitive.
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Phrasal verbs
Here are their structures:
1) Intransitive: (verb + adverbial particle) + preposition
+ prepositional complement.
E.g. break out of sth, catch up with sb/sth, do away with
sth, face up to sth, get away with sth, look down on sb,
match up to sth, put up with sth.
2) Transitive: [(verb + adverbial particle) + object] +
preposition + prep. complement.
E.g. do sb out of sth, fix up sb with sth, frighten sb out of
sth, put sth down to sth, put up sb for sth, talk sb out of
sth.
Prepositional verbs
You know, a phrasal verb is the combination ‘verb + adverb’, and
not ‘verb + preposition’. No. The combination ‘verb + preposition’
(which acts as a single unit of meaning) is a prepositional verb. But
many dictionaries don’t consider the difference very important,
and they include prepositional verbs also as phrasal verbs for
convenience.
We’ll look at the difference between phrasal verbs and
prepositional verbs and take up prepositional verbs for study in
a later Book.
Phrasal verbs in use — for practice
Roughly speaking, there are about 2000 phrasal verbs (=
verb + adverbial particle) in current use. (This is not a fixed
number, because the number of phrasal verbs keeps growing and
changing). But you don’t need to have a command of all of them
in order to speak fluent English.
You see, there are certain types of meaning or ideas that nonnative speakers of English generally find very difficult to put across
— in spontaneous speech. And experience has shown one thing:
Phrasal verbs
83
If they have a good command of around 500 of the frequently
used phrasal verbs, they can easily get over this difficulty. These
are the phrasal verbs of the greatest use in fluency building. You’ll
be getting these phrasal verbs in 4 instalments in the various
Books in this series.
Each instalment would give you full sentence examples.
These examples would clearly show you how you can use each
of these phrasal verbs in speech. Wherever necessary, these
examples would also carry the meanings of the phrasal verbs
within brackets. Of course, you don’t need to learn and reproduce
the meanings by heart. No. I’ve given the meanings, so you’ll find
your learning easier.
You see, many phrasal verbs have more than one meaning.
And the different meanings of a number of phrasal verbs are
important. So I’ll be giving you sample sentences showing how
you can use the phrasal verbs to express these different shades
of meaning.
You must take up the study of phrasal verbs as follows:
(i) Go through all the example sentences and the meanings
given within brackets once or twice in a general way. Pay
attention to the phrasal verbs themselves. This will help
you start getting a feel about phrasal verbs and about
how they’re used in everyday speech.
(ii) Now take up each example sentence and utter
it ALOUD — several times. (Add speech-composition
features wherever you feel like).
(iii) Pick up your dictionary and locate each of the
phrasal verbs in it. Write down from the dictionary the
sample sentences in which the dictionary has used the
phrasal verbs. These sample sentences, together with the
example sentences in the various Books in this series,
would give you a clear idea of the types of vocabulary
items that usually occur along with each phrasal verb.
But here’s a word of warning: Dictionaries give you a large
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Phrasal verbs
number of phrasal verbs. But don’t let your attention wander to
them all. For the time being, pay attention only to the phrasal
verbs given in the various Books in this series. Master these
phrasal verbs first. Think of any more phrasal verbs only after
mastering these phrasal verbs. Don’t let your attention wander
NOW. Don’t.
Here we go for the first instalment of phrasal verbs:
Aa
• Add up these figures, will you? (= find the sum of ). •
He’s looking for another job. That’s what it all adds up to
(= means or indicates). • My expenses add up to Rs. 950
(= amount to a total of). • Why did he shout at them like
that? His behaviour just doesn’t add up (= doesn’t make
sense).
• He asked her out, and she went with him to the cinema
(= invited her out).
Bb
• I’m going to oppose the decision. You’ll back me up, won’t
you? (= support). • Ask the driver to back the car up a bit.
• He backed up the car to the gate.
• Yes, I heard what he said. But the facts don’t bear him
out (= don’t support or confirm). • I wonder how he’s able
to bear up against difficulties so well (= remain strong
against).
• We bargained with them and managed to beat them/the
price down to Rs. 5,000. His asking price was Rs. 6500, you
know. • The door was found locked from inside, and so
they beat it down and got into the room. (= broke it down,
by hitting it hard). • I don’t know how, but the old lady
managed to beat off the thugs who attacked her. (= fight
and drive away). • Some hooligans beat him up last night
Phrasal verbs
85
and left him for dead (= hurt him severely).
• He has a bad cold and his nose is all blocked up. • The
pipe/drain/gutter/was blocked up by mud/dead leaves/
twigs/hair.
• One of the tyres blew out on the way and had to be
changed (= burst). • He blew out the candle/lamp/match,
and the room became dark again. • It took some time
for him to blow up the tyres. (= inflate). • The terrorists
were planning to blow up the factory (= to destroy it using
explosives). • (infml) He blew up the difficulties to get her
sympathy (= exaggerated). • I heard the bomb blow up
(= explode). • This time, their quarrel blew up over some
silly things (= arose). • (infml) If he’s kept waiting, he’ll
blow up (= lose his temper). • (infml) His boss will blow
him up if he’s late (= be very angry with him and scold him
severely).
• Sorry I’m late. My car broke down on the way (= stopped
working because of a fault).
• We lost our trust in them and soon our relations broke
down (= became difficult and collapsed). • They told her
about his death, and she broke down (= lost her self-control
and collapsed, crying). • He was down under a severe
strain, and his health has broken down (= collapsed). • Can
you break down the cost under various heads (= analyze it
under). • You won’t be able to rescue those people if you
don’t break down these doors/windows/walls/building
(= strike them hard and knock them down). • If you
don’t open the door, I’ll break it down (= force it open). •
Nothing can break down her determination.
• The handle has broken off. What to do now? • They broke
off for some time and went out for a breath of fresh air (=
stopped doing what they were doing). • She broke off in the
middle of a sentence and looked at her watch (= stopped
talking). • He has broken off all his business relations with
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Phrasal verbs
them (= ended). • He broke a branch off the tree.
• I think a fire has broken out there (= start suddenly).
• The rioting/fighting broke out when everybody least
expected it (= start suddenly and violently). • You want
to get ahead in your career, don’t you? Then you’ll have
to break out of these prejudices (= free yourself from). •
Somehow or other I want to break out of this routine/the 9
to 5 rut (= change it; escape from it).
• The meeting went on for two hours, and it broke up only
after 5 o’clock. (= came to an end). • They started fighting
again, and the meeting/party/gathering broke up. (=
dispersed). • Can’t you stay away from them? Why do you
want to break up their family life/marriage/friendship? •
They broke up the car into scrap. • He hasn’t got married to
anyone else after he broke up with his wife. (= ended his
relationship with). • There was a quarrel about something
and he has now broken with Sunil. (= ended his friendship
with). • How can you ever break with tradition in matters
like these? (= end your connection with).
• The new government may bring about a lot of changes in
the administration. • That song brought back memories of
my childhood. (= reminded me of my childhood). • That
story brought back my childhood horrors. • (infml) I know
this is not an easy task. But you’ll bring it off, I’m sure (=
succeed in doing it).
• You take too much sugar. It may bring on diabetes. • He’s
too shy with women. You’ll have to bring him out (= help
him lose his shyness). • Jobs like these are really tough. I
know. But, you see, they bring out the best in you — or the
worst (= Produce and cause others to know). • Their TVs
are really good. They’re bringing out a new model in a few
months, I hear. (= producing).
• He didn’t agree at first. But they managed to bring him
round. • She fainted from the pain and nobody knew how
Phrasal verbs
87
to bring her round (= to help her get back consciousness).
• He didn’t agree at first, but she managed to bring him
round somehow (= persuade him to agree).
• Do you think it’s an easy thing to bring up children
nowadays? (= raise, rear). • She brought up everything she
had eaten (= vomit). • (infml) I’ll have to brush up (on)
my grammar a bit. There’s going to be a test next week (=
revise or practice for a test).
• She kept on telling me about him. I had an idea that she
was building him up too much (= praising him too much,
perhaps in a way that he doesn’t deserve to be praised).
• They’re planning to build up the entire area. (= put
up buildings in). • I have an idea he’s trying to build up
newspaper publicity. • He built up this business/wealth all
by himself (= develop gradually and steadily). • He doesn’t
need medicines any more. Give him good food. That’ll soon
build him up (= help him regain his health and normal
weight). • A lot of tension builds up at work, and when
you get back home, you’re not in the best of moods. (=
develops; increases in intensity/amount).
• (infml) Don’t butt in while I’m talking. (= interrupt/
interfere). • Buy up all the vegetables they have (= buy all
of the vegetables).
Cc
• The police had to be called in to stop the fight. (= asked
to come and help). • The bank has called in the loan. (=
asked us to pay it back). • Call off the dogs, will you? (=
stop, recall). • Her birthday party has been called off (=
cancelled).
• This is not the time or place to carry on a conversation/
talk/discussion. • (infml) They kept carrying on about some
silly things. (= arguing and quarrelling loudly).
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Phrasal verbs
• He saw me coming, but he just sat there and carried on
playing chess. (= continue). • He carries on some kind of a
business there. (= is going on with/busy with). • They’ve
been carrying on a survey of the region. (= conducting).
• (infml) He’s carrying on with his neighbour’s wife. (=
having an affair with). • Carry on working. • Do you
believe that he’ll carry out these promises/threats? (=
fulfil). • The doctor wants to carry out some more tests.
He’ll only give his opinion after that. (= perform).
• (infml) That was a new idea/fashion and it caught on. (=
become popular). • He made some gestures, but I didn’t
catch on. (= understand).
• (infml) They broke in and cleaned me out of all the cash
I had (= take away all my cash). • Come on! Let’s clean
out the kitchen (= clean by removing all the dirt away). •
Clean out this tin, will you? (= clean by removing the dirt
from the inside of).
• (infml) Clear off! This is private property (= go away,
leave this place). • I want to clear off the debts first (=
complete the payment of). • The infection/rash took about
a month to clear up. • The weather will clear up now. (=
become fine). • I went through the report once again, and
things began to clear up. (= become more understandable).
• I want to clear up a misunderstanding (= remove or
settle it). • Has the mystery been cleared up? (= solved). •
I was clearing up the rubbish (= removing the rubbish and
making things tidy or orderly).
• If things go on like this, the factory will have to close
down (= stop production, permanently or for a time). •
When the news came, all the schools closed down for a day
(= stopped working).
• The police closed in around the robbers. (= advanced on
them, especially from all sides). • Fog closed in on the city/
airport. (= surrounded).
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89
• The bank closed (up) at 2. (= was open to the public till).
• Within a week, the wound began to close (up).
• Lots of unconnected thoughts cluttered up his mind/head.
(= to cover or fill a space or room with too many things, so
that it looks very untidy).
• If you want to buy it, buy it now. Prices aren’t going to
come down (= fall). • We were about to leave, and the
rain started coming down. (= falling). • The ceiling came
down all of a sudden (= collapsed). • These traditions/
customs have come down to us from ancient times/from our
forefathers/through the centuries/over several generations.
(= passed on).
• The door handle came right off in my hand. • (infml)
A chess tournament is going to come off in Madras next
month. (= take place). • When do you think will the
marriage/party come off? (= take place) • (infml) I think
his scheme has come off. (= become successful). • How was
the game? How did your team come off? (= fare) • Our
party came off best in the recent general election. (= was in
the best position). • Don’t argue with those people — you’ll
come off worst. (= be in the worst position). • (infml) Oh,
come off it! You must be joking (= don’t try to fool me;
that’s nonsense). • A button has come off your shirt. • He
came off well/badly during the interview.
• In a few weeks, winter will be coming on. (= arriving).
• The rain came on all of a sudden. • “I don’t want to go”
~ “Come on, don’t be silly. You’ll have to go.” • Come on/
along, now, try again. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it. • I
think I’ve got a fever coming on (= I feel the beginning
of). • I think winter is coming on (= beginning to be
noticeable). • When is that programme coming on? [=
going to be shown (on the TV)]. • This film — where’s it
coming on? At the Odeon? (= going to be shown). • You
leave now. I’ll come on later (= follow). • The red light
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Phrasal verbs
came on, and it meant that the voltage had dropped.
• Come along, or you’ll miss your bus (= hurry up).
• When’s your new book/novel going to come out. (= be
published). • A new brand of toothpaste has come out. (=
appeared in the shops). • She has come out top (= been
placed at the top in the exam/test). • You’ve come out
very well in both the photos. (= been reproduced well). •
Have the results come out? (= been announced). • The sky
cleared and the sun came out. • One day the truth/what
really happened/the real reason will come out. (= become
known). • Whatever you do, this stain won’t come out (of
the shirt) (= disappear, be removed).
• The Christmas holidays will soon come round. (= occur
again). • She fainted and didn’t come round for some time.
(= recover consciousness).
• I hate such hot weather. If only it cooled down a bit. •
They/their tempers haven’t cooled down yet. (= become
calm). • He blew on his tea to cool it down. • I’ll drink it
later — let it cool down a little.
• She put the child to bed and covered him (up) with a
blanket. • Cover the food (up) with a plate or something.•
(infml) She was trying to cover up her emotion (= hide).
• He knew his friends were guilty. But still he decided to
cover up for them. (= to keep what they had done secret).
• (infml) We don’t know when problems are going to crop
up (= happen, occur). • Let me know if anything crops up
(= occur unexpectedly).
Dd
• I’m not satisfied with the report I’ve prepared. You see, I
didn’t have much time, and I had to dash it off.
• The fire/storm has died down (= became less strong —
but some of it was still there). • The police were looking for
Phrasal verbs
91
him, and he decided to go into hiding until the search had
died down.
• Where did you dig up that dreadful story? • Dig up some
worms — we’ll go fishing.
• (slang) The gangsters decided to do him in. (= kill him).
• I dozed off in the car and the driver didn’t wake me up till
we reached there. (= fell into a light sleep)
• She drew him aside and told him something in his ear. •
He drew (out) some more money from his account/bank
today. • The train was drawing out (of the station) and she
came running in. • He drew out Rs.5000 from the bank/
his bank account yesterday.• (infml) She was very shy
and I wondered how I’d be able to draw her out. [= make
her feel less shy and reserved (so that she’d talk freely)].
• He drew his handkerchief out of his pocket. • Draw up
the chair and sit down, will you? (= bring it near). • A car
drew up and the driver got out. (= came and stopped). •
When he took up this project, he had no past experience to
draw upon. (= make use of). • We discussed several ideas
and suggestions, and the boss asked me to draw up a paper
assessing them. (= prepare).
• Aren’t you dressing up? Didn’t I tell you about the dinner
party? (= putting on formal or smart clothes). • (infml)
He has this bad habit of dressing up his reports with high
sounding words. (= trying to make them impressive by
using).
• (infml) When you visit Bombay next, you should drop in
and visit us. • (infml) Their business seems to be dropping
off (= slackening). • The demand for their new product
has dropped off (= become less). • (infml) I dropped her
(off) in front of her house (= took her there in my vehicle
and allowed her to get out). • I dropped off for some time
and I woke up with a start (= fell into A light sleep). • He
dropped out of school/college/university and started doing
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Phrasal verbs
odd jobs (= stop going to school, etc. permanently). • Why
did he drop out of the club? (= withdraw from).
Ee
• The pressure has eased off a bit. (= become less severe or
intense). • I think you should ease up on him. Don’t make
him work so hard — he’s just a beginner, mind you. (=
treat him less severely).
• She egged me on to buy it from the black-market (=
urged me to).
• They ended up offering him more money. • He started
talking in a tough way and ended up apologizing (= ended
talking by). • We ended up by having a cup of black coffee
each (= end an activity by). • He ended up in prison (=
was finally in). • He ended up as their General Manager (=
finally became). • They ended up the lunch with fruit salad
(= finished it by having). • Their meetings usually end up
with prayer (= come to an end).
Ff
• The service at that restaurant has fallen off. (= become
worse).• His income has fallen off. (= become less). • He
couldn’t get on the horse — he kept falling off. • It’s not in
the bag — it must have fallen out. • Her child’s teeth are
starting to fall out. • (infml) Things fell out the way we had
expected. (= happened). • (infml) Let’s not fall out with
them over a silly thing like this. (= quarrel with). • Look,
his wallet fell out of his pocket. • (infml) All our plans have
fallen through. (= failed; came to nothing).
• He was ill in bed, and so his wife filled in for him at the
shop. (= took his place). • Have you filled in your name
and address on the form/slip? • (infml) Can you fill me in
on the rumours/the gossip/the details/the scandal? (= give
me more/all the information on). • I only have a general
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93
idea. Fill me in on the details. • I only know what happened
today. Fill me in with a little background. • The receptionist
gave me a slip to fill out. • Those cutlets filled me up. •
Take the car to the petrol station, and fill it up with petrol.
• Let’s fill up the tank full.
• The police found him out before he could blow up the
bridge. (= came to know about his dishonest/criminal
activities). • Why do you want to find out about things that
do not concern you? (= learn about/of...). • You haven’t
finished it yet. Don’t let the boss find out (= discover it). •
Have your parents found out?
• Finish (off) the pudding/stew/porridge — it won’t keep.
(= eat it completely). • Let’s paint one more door and
finish (off/up) the paint. (= use it completely). • (infml)
Digging the garden — it has really finished me off. (= tired
me out).• (infml) The terrorists have threatened to finish
him off. (= kill him). • I want to finish (off) this job/report/
homework today itself. (= complete).
• Can you fit one more person in that car? (= find a place
for). • Don’t try and fit any more chairs/furniture into that
room/hall. • Can you fit this box in (/into the boot of the
car)? (= find space or room for). • His story doesn’t fit in
with the facts. (= match, suit).
• They’ve fixed the meeting (up) for Monday/the 10th/
tomorrow. • Have they fixed (up) where to go for the
picnic? • (infml) Can you fix this watch (up)? It has
stopped. (= repair it). • Before we move into that house,
we want to fix it up. (= repair/redecorate it). • She’s in the
other room fixing her hair. (= making it look attractive).
***
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‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
Chapter 5
‘Adjective + Noun’
combinations
“Adjective + noun” is a very important naming-word-group
pattern. We’ve already taken a look at this pattern in Book 4
(while examining the various naming patterns).
You see, this is a pattern you need to have extensive training
in.
For one thing, naming word groups of this pattern are quite
common in speech — especially, in serious conversations and
discussions.
For another, most non-native speakers of English are not
very good at putting adjectives and nouns together. This is one
of their weak areas.
For yet another, even a native speaker of English sometimes
tends to go overboard with ‘adjective + noun’ combinations. And
so, if you do not have control over these combinations and the
way they are put together, you can run into a number of fluencyrelated problems.
We’ll be dealing with the theoretical aspects ‘adjective +
noun’ combinations (from the fluency building angle) in great
detail in Book 7. But here’s something you should always keep
in your mind: Generally speaking, the adjective you use before a
noun should be a defining adjective, and not a comment adjective.
But at the same time, there are a number of common ‘adjective
+ noun’ combinations in which the adjective used is a comment
adjective (and not a defining one).
You see, while you’re actually speaking, it won’t always be
possible for you to evaluate an adjective and find out whether it’s
a defining one or a comment one and then decide whether to use
it or not — based purely on that evaluation. Of course, in many
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
95
cases, the difference would be quite obvious. But in many other
cases, it won’t be. Then again, even if an adjective is a defining
one, it may not always be acceptable before a particular noun for
various reasons.
Because of these (and several other) reasons, the most
important thing you should do is this: Train your organs of
speech thoroughly with large collections of the most frequent and
typical ‘adjective + noun’ combinations. And let the theoretical
points in Book 7 supplement this oral training. And then, it’ll
become second nature to you to produce appropriate ‘adjective
+ noun’ combinations easily and naturally — and to use them
with discrimination.
You’re going to get the first instalment of ‘adjective + noun’
combinations in this Book. Here we go. Pick up and utter each
word group ALOUD — several times:
A
• an abandoned truck. • an abandoned baby. • an able
swimmer. • an abnormal fear. • an abrupt end. • an
absolute idiot. • the absolute limit. • absolute rubbish. •
absolute zero. • absolutely wrong. • an absurd idea. • an
absurd story. • accidental death. • an accidental meeting.
• an accurate answer. • accurate details. • an accurate
throw. • an accurate watch. • an aching head. • an actionpacked film. • active games. • an active mind. • an actual
diamond. • acute eyesight. • additional information. • an
advantageous experience. • an adventurous person. • an
affectionate gesture. • an affluent neighbourhood. • an
aged relative. • aggressive behaviour. • an A-grade player.
• an aimless walk. • an alarming noise. • an alert manner.
• an alien country. • an aloof character. • (in) alphabetical
order. • an alternative appointment. • an alternative plan.
• amazing stories. • an amazing success story. • (have) an
amazing time. • an amusing show. • an amusing story. •
ancient sorcery. • an ancient custom. • an angry look. •
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‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
an angry expression. • angry feelings. • an angry shout. •
annoying habits. • an antique table. • an anxious moment.
• anxious parents. • an anxious time. • an anxious woman.
• an apple orchard. • apple peal. • (at) the appointed
time. • an aristocratic family. • armed robbery. • artificial
flowers. • artificial roses. • artistic merit. • assorted sweets.
• assorted toys. • an astonishing fact. • an astonishing
story. • an attentive family. • an attractive personality. • an
attractive dress. • an attractive garden. • an attractive guy.
• an attractive house. • an audacious plan. • an authentic
copy. • an average grade. • (of) average height. • the
average class. • an average family. • an average mark. •
an awesome film. • an awful day. • awful food. • an awful
job. • awful people. • an awful time. • an awkward fall. •
an awkward movement.
B
• a bad infection. • bad luck. • (in) a bad mood. • (get) a
bad name. • a bad phase (of history). • a bad rainstorm.
• (in) a bad state. • a bad fall. • a bad famine. • a bad
accident. • a bad cold. • a bad day (at work). • a bad
disease. • a bad man. • a bad person. • a bad queen. •
a bad thing (to do). • bad treatment. • a bad winter. • a
bad woman. • bad work. • a badly-behaved boy. • a badtempered man. • a baffling crime. • a baffling question.
• baggy trousers. • a bald patch. • a bald head. • banana
skin. • a bank robber. • bare arms. • bare legs. • bargain
prices. • the basic idea. • the basic problem. • a battered
suitcase. • a bearded man. • a beautiful dawn. • a
beautiful beach. • a beautiful girl. • a beautiful painting.
• a beautiful place. • beautiful scenery. • a beautiful view.
• a beautiful woman. • a bedside light. • a beefy man. •
my best jeans. • the best route. • my best top. • my best
friend. • my best colour. • the best meat. • the best player.
• a best-selling author. • in a better temper. • a big leap.
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
97
• a big meal. • a big place. • a big rip (in a dress). • a big
sofa. • a big sofa bed. • a big tummy. • a big company. •
a big flat. • a big armchair. • a big box. • a big eater. • a
big house. • a big man. • a big salary. • a big trunk. • a big
blaze. • a birthday party. • a birthday present. • a bit nippy.
• black hair. • a black top. • a black tunnel. • a blackhaired boy. • a blank stare. • a blazing fire. • a blocked
sink. • blonde curls. • a blue line. • a blue patch. • a blue
pullover. • a blue stripe. • a blue jacket. • bluish glass. • a
blundering idiot. • boiling water. • a bomb scare. • a bony
child. • a booming business. • a booming voice. • a bored
expression. • a boring task. • a boring film. • a boring
programme. • a boring show. • a boring speech. • a born
musician. • a bottle opener. • the bottom score. • a brainy
boy. • a brainy child. • brainy children. • a brainy girl. •
a brainy kid. • a brainy person. • a brand-new computer.
• a brass ornament. • a brave act. • a brave rescue. •
breakable cups. • a brick house. • a brief interruption. •
a brief description. • a brief talk. • a brief time. • a bright
blue dress. • a bright answer. • a bright child. • a bright
idea. • a bright light. • a bright orange. • a bright smile. •
a brilliant thought. • a brilliant answer. • a brilliant band. •
a brilliant game. • a brilliant light. • a brilliant scientist. •
a brilliant solution. • brilliant sunlight. • a brilliant teacher.
• brilliant work. • a brisk walk. • a broad grin. • broad
daylight. • a broad avenue. • a broken link (in the chain).
• a broken doll. • a broken vase. • a broken cassette. • a
bronze shield. • brown eyes. • a bruised arm. • a brutal
attack. • a brutal murder. • builder’s lorry. • a building
project. • a building site. • a bulky parcel. • a bumpy
journey. • a bumpy ride. • a bunged-up nose. • a bungling
idiot. • buried treasure. • the burning sun. • a burst tyre.
• a bus ride. • a bus service. • a bus shelter. • the bus
terminal. • a bushy tail. • a bustling town. • a busy port. •
a busy schedule. • a busy person. • a busy station.
98
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
C
• a very calm temperament. • a calm sea. • a calm woman.
• a capable woman. • car manufacturing. • a car smash.
• a car thief. • careful handwriting. • careful planning.
• a careful piece of work. • careless driving. • a careless
girl. • careless work. • a caring community. • a cash
register. • the castle ruins. • a celebrated artist. • a central
location. • (in) a central position. • the central square. •
the central station. • a certain person. • a certain result. •
(at) a certain time. • a certain winner. • a chaotic class. • a
chaotic room. • a charitable person. • a charitable woman.
• a charity organization. • charity work. • a charming
house. • cheap pens. • a cheap shirt. • a cheeky face. •
cheeky kids. • a cheerful look. • a cheerful person. • a
cheerful smile. • a chewy streak. • (her) chief excuse. • the
chief problem. • the chief reason. • child abuse. • childish
behaviour. • a chilly day. • a chilly morning. • a chipped
plate. • chocolate spread. • a choppy sea. • a Christmas
fair. • a chubby baby. • a chunky necklace. • a circular
brooch. • a circular route. • a classic book. • a clean wall.
• clean sheets on the bed. • clean clothes. • clean sheets. •
a clean shirt. • clean water. • clear orders. • clear evidence.
• a clear failure. • clear glass. • clear instructions. • clear
liquid. • a clear signal. • clear writing. • a clever lawyer. •
a clever plan. • a clever riddle. • a clever scheme (to make
money). • a clever conjurer. • a clever boy. • a clever idea.
• a clever liar. • a clogged drain. • a close friend. • closed
windows. • a close-fitting top. • the closing scene (of the
film). • a cloth cap. • a cloudless sky. • a clumsy kid. • a
clumsy throw. • a coach tour. • coal pit. • coarse cloth. • a
cold day. • cold weather. • a cold draught. • a cold drizzle.
• a college student. • a colossal mountain. • a colossal
tree. • colour slides. • colourful illustrations (in a book). •
a colourful scene. • a colourless girl. • a colourless liquid.
• a colourless face. • a comfortable settee. • a comfortable
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
99
chair. • comfortable clothes. • a comfortable home. • a
comfy chair. • a comfy sofa. • a comic actor. • a committed
social worker. • a common flower. • common land. • a
communications system. • community service. • a compact
book. • a compact computer. • complete opposites. • the
complete set. • a complete tip. • a complete change. •
a complete checkup. • a complete disaster. • a complete
failure. • a complete idiot. • a complete stranger. • a
complete set of CDs. • a complete set. • a complete victory.
• a complicated structure. • a comprehensive description.
• computer hardware. • a computer freak. • a concerned
expression. • a concise dictionary. • a confident girl. • a
confident start. • confidential information. • a considerate
girl. • considerate neighbours. • a considerate person. •
a constant noise. • (in) constant pain. • a contemporary
building. • contemporary styles. • continuous firing. •
controlled conditions. • a convenient place (to live). • a
convenient drawer. • a convenient shop. • a convincing
example. • a cooking pan. • a cool stream. • a cool band. •
cool boots. • a cool drink. • cool friends. • a cool haircut.
• a cool shirt. • cool sunglasses. • a cool wind. • cool air.
• a cooperative child. • a cooperative group. • the correct
procedure. • the correct answer. • a correct description.
• the correct money. • the correct result. • a corrupt
politician. • costly jewels. • costly robes. • cosy boots.
• a cosy room. • cotton thread. • a cotton bedspread. •
cough mixture. • a counterfeit coin. • a county show. • a
courageous man. • (in) a courteous manner. • a cowardly
thing (to do). • a cracked glass. • a cramped kitchen. •
a crazy person. • a crazy thing (to do). • a creased skirt.
• creative writing. • creative person. • a creepy book.
• a creepy house. • creepy stories. • a cricket ground.
• criminal behaviour. • crinkly paper. • crisp biscuits. •
a crooked businessman. • a crooked branch. • a crosscountry hike. • a cruel act. • a cruel joke. • a cruel laugh.
100
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
• a cruel man. • a cruel punishment. • cruel revenge. • a
crumpled collar. • a crunchy cereal. • a cunning plan. • a
curious animal. • a curly hairdo. • curly hair. • a current
champion. • the current edition (of a magazine). • a
current phone book. • (in) his customary seat. • a cut-out
coupon.
D
• a damaged car. • a damaging drug. • damp clothes.
• a damp towel. • a danger warning. • a dangerous
neighbourhood. • a dangerous coast. • a dangerous
coastline. • a dangerous criminal. • dangerous drugs. • a
dangerous road. • a daring adventure. • daring stunts. •
a daring deed. • a dark hallway. • a dark passageway. •
a dark colour. • dark hair. • a dark night. • a dark figure.
• a dark forest. • a dark-haired man. • a dated frock. •
dazzling headlights. • a dead animal. • a dead body. •
deadly poison. • deafening music. • a dear little puppy.
• her dearest wish. • a deceitful person. • deep blue. •
a deep breath. • a deep sleep. • a deep sound. • a deep
wound (on his shoulder). • a deep voice. • the defeated
army. • defective workmanship. • a definite loss. • a
definite plan. • a delicate skin. • a delicate touch. • a
delicious cake. • a delivery lorry. • demanding parents.
• a dense crowd (of people). • a dependable person. •
a depressed man. • a depressed woman. • a depressing
film. • a desolate place. • a detailed plan. • a determined
attitude. • a determined person. • a diamond ring. • a
different location. • a different opinion. • a different result.
• a different version. • a different bat. • different breeds
of dog. • a difficult task. • a difficult child. • a difficult
choice. • a difficult exam. • a difficult person. • a difficult
problem. • a difficult question. • a difficult sum. • a
difficult assignment. • a digital clock. • a dignified old lady.
• (in the) dim light. • a dining room. • a direct flight. • the
‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
101
direct road. • a direct train. • dirty marks. • dirty old jeans.
• dirty feet. • dirty hands. • a dirty jacket. • dirty linen. • a
disagreeable person. • disappointed fans. • a disappointed
player. • a disappointing game. • a disastrous game. • a
disciplined army. • disgusting food. • disgusting meat. •
disgusting pies. • a disgusting taste. • a dishonest salesgirl.
• a dishonest way (to make money). • a disobedient child.
• disobedient puppy. • a disorganized bedroom. • a distant
light. • a distant yell. • distant lands. • a distinct scar. • a
distinguished actor. • diving paraphernalia. • a down-toearth approach. • drab walls. • a drainage pipe. • a drama
rehearsal. • the drama society. • drawing skills. • dreadful
traffic. • dreadful weather. • a dreary day. • a dreary
subject. • a dress pattern. • dried-up rolls. • dripping hair.
• a dry region. • a dry country. • a dry throat. • a dull
afternoon. • a dull class. • a dull person. • a dumb dog.
• a dumb kid. • a dumb suggestion. • a dumpy figure. •
a dumpy man. • a durable material. • a dusty track. • a
dusty path. • a dwarf tree. • a dying man. • a dynamic
leader. • a dynamic teacher.
E
• her earliest memory. • an early train. • an early type (of
computer). • an ear-splitting yell. • an easy game. • an
easy word (to spell). • an easygoing boy. • an eerie noise.
• an eerie sound. • an effective medicine. • an effortless
dive. • an elastic band. • my elder brother. • an elderly
man. • electric wires. • an electric fire. • an electronic
device. • an elegant suit. • an embarrassed smile. • an
eminent historian. • an empty box. • an encouraging
mark. • the end house. • an endless list (of things to do).
• endless questions. • endless activity. • an enemy camp.
• energetic kids. • an engaged tone (on the phone). •
an enjoyable film. • an enormous tree. • an entertaining
film. • entertaining jokes. • an entertaining play. • the
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‘Adjective + N oun’ combinations
entire day. • her entire salary. • the entire school. • the
entire world. • an equal partnership. • equal scores. •
the escaped prisoner. • essential facts. • essential food.
• essential foods. • the essential ingredients. • an even
coat (of paint). • an even surface. • an everyday event.
• everyday life. • everyday chores. • an evil person. •
an exact copy. • the exact number. • the exact time. • an
excellent band. • an excellent CD. • an excellent choice.
• an excellent cook. • an excellent dinner. • an excellent
programme. • an excellent song. • an excellent tape. •
an excellent tea. • an excellent new video. • exceptional
circumstances. • exceptional skill (at football). • (have)
an exceptional talent (for music). • excessive prices. • an
exciting scene. • an exciting event. • an exciting book. •
an exciting idea. • some exercise techniques. • the existing
laws. • exotic holidays. • an expensive car. • an expensive
holiday. • an expensive necklace. • an expensive project. •
an expensive ring. • an expensive school. • an expensive
watch. • an experienced housebreaker. • an express
service. • an extended newscast. • an extinct bird. • an
extra print. • an extra thickness (of cloth). • an extra box.
• extra ice. • an extraordinary actor. • an extraordinary car.
• an extraordinary heat wave. • an extraordinary laugh. •
an extreme enemy. • extreme pain. • extreme pleasure. •
extreme poverty.
Note: You’ll get the next instalment in Book 10.
***
Word groups in Spoken Questions - Part 1
103
Chapter 6
Word groups
in Spoken Questions - Part 1
Here’s an important step in mastering fluency-oriented word
power: You should acquire enough practical knowledge of how
word groups are combined to produce questions orally. And you
(and your organs of speech) should get enough experience in
actually combining word groups into oral questions.
Now here’s an important point you should keep in mind:
In spoken English, a question usually consists of a question
word group and either a prefatory non-question word group or
a winding-up non-question word group. Sometimes, a question
even consists of a question word group and both a prefatory
non-question word group and a winding-up non-question word
group.
For example, in the spoken question “She has 14 children.
How about that?”, the statement “She has 14 children.” is a
prefatory non-question word group. And in the spoken question,
“Should I go to university or should I look for a job? Here’s a
dilemma.”, the statement “Here’s a dilemma.” is a winding-up
non-question word group.
Of course, I don’t mean to say that stand-alone questions
(that is, questions that is not accompanied by a prefatory nonquestion word group or a winding-up non-question word group)
are rare. No. Stand-alone questions also do occur quite frequently.
But what I want to drive home to you is this: While speaking
English, don’t limit yourself to stand-alone questions. If you
compose what you say based on the belief that all or most of the
questions you use must be stand-alone questions, your speech
composition process would lose spontaneity and ease. And that
would not only make your spoken language sound too abrupt
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Word gro ups in Spoken Qu estions - Part 1
and mechanical, but also make it difficult for you to speak with
effortless fluency.
So get into the habit of using prefatory non-question word
groups before or after (or both before and after) question word
groups.
This chapter and the next would give you a large collection
of spoken questions. Pay attention to each. Pick up each and say
it ALOUD several times. This practice would help you to achieve
the knack of combining commonly-occurring word groups into
oral questions – and to get into the habit of asking questions
that are accompanied by prefatory and winding-up non-question
word groups.
Here we go:
Group 1
• She has 14 children. How about that? • She looks quite young,
doesn’t she? As it happens, she’s 40 or so. • She’s gone to the
club. Why don’t you go along and pick her up? • She’s good at
sums/skating/tennis, isn’t she? • She’s not in love with him at
all. Are you crazy or something? Whatever put that idea into
your head? (= What made you believe/think that?). • Should I
get a new shirt? • Should I go to university or should I look for
a job? Here’s a dilemma. • Since when have you known him?
• So he didn’t attend the meeting. What of it? • So he has got
married? That’s news to me. • So he says he can contribute some
time, but not any money? That’s very big of him. (= He’s not
being kind/helpful at all). • So he’s made a decision without
consulting us? That’ll never do! • So he’s not coming with us?
It’s just as well, I think. • So there’s going to be a book fair here
next month? How did you hear about it? • So they’re going to
get married? I can’t believe it. • So they’re not coming? They’ve
cancelled their programme? Oh, good that’s a load off my mind.
(= a relief). • So they’ve split up? I thought as much. • So this is
your new camera? What make is it? • So you could get it done?
Word gro ups in Spoken Questions - Part 1
105
That’s good work. • So you know him? He lives next door to the
post office. (= in a building/house next to…).
• So you shouted back at the boss? You must be mad! • So
you took it away intending to give it back? I don’t think they’ll
buy it. • So you want me to change my decision? The answer
is ‘no’. • So you’re an applicant for that job? What experience
have you had? • So you’re going to buy that house? Has the
agreement gone through? (= been completed). • So you’ve paid
the money back? But John didn’t say a word about it to me. • So
you’ve resigned that post? I think you’re well out of it. • So you’ve
tightened the screws as far as they’d go? That’s the idea. • So, he
has made a complaint? He wouldn’t do it without good reason.
• So, that’s your (little) game. You’re trying to steal money from
the company? • So, you only got married last year? Do you have
any family? • Someone is knocking. Go and answer the door,
will you? • Stop acting the fool/martyr, will you? (= behaving as
though you’re a…). • Stop shouting, will you? There’s no need to
get excited about it. • Stop talking hot air, will you? • Straighten
that painting on the wall, will you? It isn’t quite right. • Suppose
the news is true — what then? • Sure enough, he had told them
a lie, but why? • Sweep away the broken glass, will you? • Take
a close look at this photo/picture. Do you recognize him? • Take
the first turning to the left after passing the Post Office. Then
follow the road until you come to the traffic light. All right? (=
okay).
• Talking of cooking, what’s for dinner? • Talking of Kamal,
has he given that book back? • Tell me, how does it feel to be
a great actress? • Tell me, is she very nice to look at? • Thanks
for giving me your time. Can I come and meet you once again
sometime next week? • That area comes under whose control? •
That box is very heavy. Can this shelf support it, do you think? •
That cake looks wonderful — cut me a big slice, will you? • That
girl has a lovely figure, doesn’t she? • That may be true about
newspapers. But how about magazines? • That portrait really
brings your father to life. Who painted it? (= represents him in
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Word gro ups in Spoken Qu estions - Part 1
a lifelike way). • That suitcase seems heavy. Do you need any
help with it? • That was a very good offer, but he turned it down.
How stupid can you get? • That was stupid of you. I mean, who
else would have trusted a person like him with money? • That’s
a broken-down car and won’t cost much. Are you interested in
buying it? • That’s a cheap sewing machine. Why don’t you buy
a better make? • That’s a wonderful offer. Are you off your head
to turn it down? (= crazy). • That’s enough of my problems/
troubles. Tell me, how are you doing in your new job? • That’s
marshy/rich/poor/forest land, isn’t it? Are they planning to do
anything there? • The beach runs to miles along the coast. • The
moment he came on the stage, do you know what happened?
The audience rose to its feet as one man and started clapping
and cheering. (= at the same time). • The petrol is giving out. Is
there any petrol pump nearby, do you know? • The sun is very
strong — why don’t you wear your sunglasses? • The train leaves
at 3.30. Do you think we’ll be able to make it? (= reach the
station in time to catch it). • The training/race/journey is going
to be really tough. Do you think you’ll be able to stay/stick the
course? • The unions have not called off the strike yet. Where do
we go from here? (= What should we do now?). • Their house?
It went for a fair price. • Their profits went up by 50% this year.
How about that for performance?
Group 2
• There (now)! Didn’t I tell you he’d be here today? • There
are 15 of them. Is there enough pudding/money to go around?
• There are several stories like these in the air. But is there any
truth in them? (= in circulation). • There was a plane crash in…
— now then, where was it? • There’s a new film on at the Rex.
Shall we go for it? • There’s no law against falling in love, is
there? • There’s nothing much to pack, is there? • These books
are all out of order. Can you arrange them by this list? • These
books are out of order. Can you arrange them properly on the top
shelf? • These oranges cost a bit too much don’t they? (= rather
Word gro ups in Spoken Questions - Part 1
107
too much; very much). • These people/boxes — are they really
any use? • These prisoners — what do they do all day? • These
shirts, I don’t like. Have you got any others?/Show me some/a
few others. • They called him a dangerous… — now then, what’s
the word they used? Yes—yes—psychopath. • They can’t come?
In that case, we may have to put off the meeting. (= if that’s
how things are). • They had a shop there. Is it still in business?
(= operating; engaged in business). • They haven’t taken up my
application yet. You know the Joint Secretary, don’t you? Can
you put in a word for me? That’ll help things along. (= help the
progress of). • They paid me 100 rupees. How about that for an
hour’s work? (= What about that …?).
• They said they’d be here at 10 o’clock. It’s 1 o’clock now.
How about that for punctuality? • They say he’s got into drugs.
Is it true? (= started taking...). • They were telling the Managing
Director that the lock-out caused great suffering. What’s the use?
He doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘suffering’. • This is
an important job, and it needs a lot of skill and effort. Will they
be able to do it? • This is enough money to pay for the book.
Why do you want more? • This place is a bit too far to walk,
isn’t it? (= rather too far; very far). • This plan/scheme/proposal
looks good on paper, but will it work in practice? (= in theory).
• This suitcase is very heavy. Can you help me with it? • This
university has great prestige in the eyes of other people. But
what’s actually going on here? • Today’s the twenty fourth, isn’t
it? • Too expensive? I thought it was quite cheap, if anything.
(= actually). • Try and put yourself in my place. What would
you have done if somebody had blamed you for something that’s
not your fault? • Turn off that radio, will you? It’s bad enough
without that. • Turn that chair the right way around, will you ?
(= facing the right way). • Turn the volume/TV/gas/flame down
low, will you? • Unscrew that handle, will you? Okay, we’re really
in business now. Let me get my overalls on.... All right, I’m in
business now. • Use your head. Can’t you see? He’s trying to fool
you. • Wait a minute — have you filled in the application form?
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Word gro ups in Spoken Qu estions - Part 1
• Was he of (any) help to you? • Was he present at the meeting?
• Was she being sincere or was her behaviour just an act? • Was
she looking this/that/our/your way? • Was that plane in proper
and safe working condition then? • Was the food all right? • Was
there anyone about when you got there? • Was there anyone
new at the meeting? • We can’t put the deal back to where it had
been at the start, can we? • We know how to run our business.
But what’s going on in your firm? You’d better put your own
house in order before you criticize us. • We only have about two
litres of petrol left. Is there any petrol station nearby? • We went
to Bangalore and from there… — now then, what’s the name of
the place? Yes — to Nandi Hills. • We’ll buy a computer from
the other party and a printer from these people. Make out two
orders, will you?
• We’ll have to clean the whole house today. Who’ll do the
scrubbing? • We’ll talk about all those things later. First things
first. Can we agree on a price? • We’re all doing fine here. How
are things going at your end? (= there). • We’re collecting money
for the earthquake victims. Would you like to make a donation? •
We’re looking for a home help. Can you recommend somebody?
• We’re one player short. Can we make do with five? • We’ve
made all arrangements at our end. How about you? • We’ve met
before, haven’t we? • Were there many people at the meeting?
• Were you at home last night? • Were you away long? (= for
a long time). • Were you dissatisfied with something I did? If
so, give me a chance to put the matter right. • Were you in on
this secret? • What about a game of tennis? • What about Alex?
Where’s he nowadays? (= Have you heard about…?). • What
about me? • What about the business you did of disguising your
voice and telephoning him? Does he suspect you? • What action
have the authorities taken over the scandal so far? • What are
the chances of all that happening now? • What are the chances
of you getting the job? • What are the charges against him?
Have the police brought the case to court? • What are the main
points of conflict/disagreement? • What are the visiting hours?
Word gro ups in Spoken Questions - Part 1
109
• What are you driving at? (= What are you trying to say?). •
What are you driving at? Are you suggesting that I stole your
money? • What are your plans for the weekend? • What are your
plans for the weekend? Are you very booked up? (= busy; do
you have any free time left?). • What author do you like best? •
What blood group are you? • What books have you read on this
subject? • What can we do but complain to the police? • What
chances do they have? Will they win the match? • What class
degree did you get at university? First class? • What colour is
her new dress? Red? • What colour is your car? • What colour
should we paint the gate? • What did they do to you? Did they
beat you? • What did this woman look like? • What did you base
your conclusion on? • What did you do with the money I gave
you? • What did you do with the money you drew out of/from
your savings account? • What did you learn at/in school today?
• What did you spend the money on? • What difference would it
make? • What do you do during your leisure hours? • What do
you feel about this plan? • What do you make of him? (= What’s
your opinion of him?).
Group 3
• They’re a bunch of crooks. Don’t go around with them? •
They’re building a fire. Can’t you see the idea? They’re going to
heat that iron bar. • They’re going to make use of volunteers for
that work? • They’re not a strong team. How can they win this
match? You’re expecting too much of them. • They’re preparing a
mailing list. Have you given your name in? • They’re very angry
with you — you shouldn’t have said those things, you know.
Now what are you going to do to put/set things right? • They’ve
agreed to release the hostages if certain conditions are met? •
They’ve decided to make the news public. What’ll we do? • This
box is quite heavy. Can you give/lend me a hand with it? • This
car/motor bike is very old, isn’t it? I don’t think you’ll be able
to get it going again. (= working/operating). • This invention
seems a good idea, but will it actually work? • This is a bit much.
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How can I do both these jobs at the same time?
• What do you mean by shouting at them like that? • What
do you mean, my office was not co-operative? • What do you
mean, you can’t find it? • What do you say to a cup of tea? •
What do you say to going for a walk? • What do you think has
caused such a steep fall in prices? • What do you think is the
plan/problem? • What do you think this is? A dinner party or
what? Get away back to your seats at once. • What does he do for
a living? • What does her husband look like? • What does it taste
like? What’s the pay like in your new job? • What ever can we
do now? • What ever do you mean? • What excuse can you give
for coming out at this time of night? • What gives you the right
to do/say that? • What has this government done to improve the
living conditions of those people? • What have you been doing
since leaving college? • What have you been doing to the car/
your room/ the road? • What have you done so far to achieve/
reach your goal in life? • What have you done to my car? I can’t
start it. (= You’ve damaged it). • What have you done to your
hand? It’s bandaged. • What have you done with my tool kit?
(= Where is …?). • What horrible food! How can we eat it? •
What if we paint the gate red? • What if your plan fails? • What
in God’s name did you do that for? • What in heaven’s name are
you doing? (= on earth). • What is she carrying under her arm?
Books? • What is the full form of ‘Dr.’/ ‘UK’/ UNO? • What is the
news? • What is the position? • What is your opinion of John/
him? • What is your state of health?
• What kind of camera/car/TV/washing machine do you
have? • What kind of dress is that? She looks so common in it. •
What kind of shirt do you have in mind? (= are you thinking of).
• What led you to choose a career in advertising? • What make
of car are you planning to buy? • What more absurd, shocking,
or surprising thing is possible? • What more can I do/say? •
What price did he offer for the car? • What price did you pay for
this car? • What right have we to do/say that? • What road is
that hotel in? • What sort of (a) man is your boss? • What sort of
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(a) man/person is he? • What sort of a report is this that you’ve
produced? (= I’m not satisfied with it). • What sort of books do
you like best? • What sort of camera do you have in mind? Is it
anything like this? • What sort of characteristics does it/he, etc.
have? • What started you taking an interest in music? • What
stupid game are they playing now? • What the hell/devil/blazes
are you talking about? • What time did she leave the office today?
• What time do you make? 5 o’clock? • What time do you start
work every day? • What time does her office close? • What time
does the film finish? • What time is it? • What time is the news
on? • What time’s lunch? • What time’s your lunch hour/dinner
hour? • What was her reaction to the news? • What was that
book you were reading? Have you got far with it? • What was
the idea of teasing her like that? • What was the real reason for
the quarrel? • What was your main subject at university? • What
was your trip/holiday like? • What/How about the restaurant on
MG Road? Shall we try it? • What? He has stopped smoking? I
must be hearing things. (= This is quite unlikely). • What’ll be
the overall cost of the project/scheme? • What’ll happen to that
country if the rebels gain control? • What’ll happen when the
world ends?
• What’ll the boss say if he gets to hear of this? • What’ll
you do for water if the well goes dry? • What’ll you do if the
case goes against you? (= is decided against you) • What’s (on)
the programme for today/tomorrow/this weekend? (= What
are we going to do…?). • What’s behind this sudden change of
plan? • What’s Delhi like? I haven’t gone there so far. • What’s
for breakfast/lunch/dinner? • What’s for pudding/dessert? •
What’s going on here? • What’s happening on the financial/
money front? • What’s happening? • What’s his position on this
question? • What’s it being married? • What’s on at the cinema
today/tonight? • What’s on now/tonight (on the TV)? • What’s
that black thing? It’s giving off a foul smell. (= producing). •
What’s that box doing in that corner? • What’s the going rate
for carpenters/secretaries? • What’s the good of this telephone
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if it’s always on the blink? • What’s the good of/in trying? (=
It’s useless…). • What’s the idea? Nobody is allowed to smoke
in his hall. • What’s the matter with him? He’s very excited. •
What’s the minimum rate or interest at which they lend money?
• What’s the news about them? • What’s the news? • What’s the
point of asking him? He won’t help you. • What’s the point of
asking him? He’s as stupid as they come. • What’s the price like?
• What’s the sense of borrowing such a large sum of money?
• What’s the sense of that decision/that? • What’s the use of
complaining about it? • What’s the use of fighting? You can’t
beat the government/authorities. (= defeat…). • What’s the use
of going out of your way to get into trouble? • What’s the use of
trying to advise him? It’ll have no/little effect on him. • What’s
the use of trying to get the government approval? It’s like banging
your head against a brick wall. • What’s the use of worrying just
now? • What’s this business I hear about you picking a quarrel
with the boss? • What’s this lever for? (= What’s its purpose?). •
What’s wrong with it? I mean, don’t you like it? • What’s wrong?
Tell me — out with it! Come on! • What’s your assessment of the
situation? • What’s your new boss like? • What’s your new job/
house like? • What’s your normal working day like? • What’s
your opinion/explanation of that? • What’s your point of view on
the new labour policy? • What’s your point of view on this issue?
(= opinion). • What’s your reading of the situation? • What’s
your sex life like? • What’s your state of health?
***
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Chapter 7
Word groups
in Spoken Questions - Part 2
Here’s another collection of spoken questions that help you to
acquire a good practical knowledge of how word groups are
combined to produce questions orally.
Practise saying them ALOUD – and let your organs of speech
get good experience in handling vocabulary items combined into
oral questions.
Group 1
• Whatever gave you that idea? Banks won’t give you loans for
purposes like this. • Whatever will become of him if he loses
the election? • When are the election results going to come
through? • When are you going to put this plan into action?
(= carry out…) • When are you going to put this plan into
operation? (= make it start to work). • When are you planning
to get the project/campaign going? • When can you start (in)
on teaching the children? • When did 500-rupee notes come
into use? • When did all this trouble start? • When did he come
back home last night? • When did he come? I hope you didn’t
have to wait long. • When did he return from work? • When did
personal computers come into use? • When did the carpenters
stop work? 5.30? • When did the electricity go off? (= become
unavailable).
• When did the light go out? (= stop shining). • When did
the problem/trouble begin? • When did the wedding take place?
• When did they announce this news? • When did they get
there/here? • When did they leave Delhi? • When did they pick
the apples last year? In September? • When did this government
come (in) to power? • When did you buy this meat? It has gone
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off. (= gone bad; become unfit to eat). • When did you give
up politics/communism? • When did you have breakfast today?
• When did you last see her? • When did you last see him? •
When did you leave the party? 10 o’ clock? • When did you next
see him? • When did you start this ointment/medicine? • When
do grapes/mangoes/come into season? • When do they close
the bank/library? • When do they start work in the morning? •
When do you start work/working every day? • When does school
begin? 9 o’clock? • When does the clinic/library/bank open? •
When does the last train leave the station? • When does the
library close? • When is the meeting? • When is your article
going to appear? • When was her exam? Has she passed? •
When you found your money stolen, did you go to the police? (=
inform the police). • When you get back from Dubai, could you
bring a bottle of French perfume for me? • When you registered
at the reception counter, you should have registered under your
own name. Why did you use a false name? • When’ll we know
the results of the election? • Whenever are you going to finish
that report? • Where are the masons? Have they started the
compound wall? • Where are these bus bodies made? • Where
are we going to stay for the night? • Where are you going? Can
I come/go/tag along?
• Where can I get hold of a vase like this? • Where did you
buy this? My sister has got the same dress. • Where did you
get hold of these details/these figures? • Where did you get the
idea that he’s my son? He’s my husband. • Where did you learn
this/that news? • Where did you receive/obtain/get so much
information from? • Where did you spend your holidays last
year? • Where do they make these engines? • Where do you
buy your vegetables? In the market? • Where do you want these
old jars to go? • Where does he get all this money from? It isn’t
as if his parents are rich. • Where does he get his money? •
Where does he live? • Where does he live? No matter. It’s not
important. (= never mind). • Where does this road/path/pipe/
wire lead? • Where has what’s-his-name gone? • Where have I
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put the damned/stupid/wretched thing? I can’t find it. • Where
have you been? She’s gone looking for you. • Where have you
been? They’ve been trying to get hold of you all day. (= find
you; make contact with you). • Where in heaven’s name has
everybody been? • Where is the main shopping street here? •
Where was he on the night of the murder? • Where were you?
We’ve searched the town for you. • Where’s he going at this time
of night? • Where’s Mary? Ah, here she is. • Where’s my watch —
I’ve been looking for it for ages. • Where’s she? Is she about? (=
somewhere near?) • Where’s the hostess? How’s the party going
along? • Where’s the purse, then? It can’t have disappeared into
thin air. • Where’s the sense in lending him so much money? (=
I think it’s an unwise thing to do). • Where’s the sense in selling
it at Rs.150 each when you can sell it easily at Rs.200 each? •
Where’s the suitcase? What became of it? • Where’s the top of
this biscuit tin/paint can/toothpaste? • Where’s today’s paper? •
Where’s your sense? Do you expect him to confess so easily?
Group 2
• Wherever have I left the car key? • Which blood group do you
belong to? • Which is the quickest/shortest/best/right way from
Bangalore to Mangalore? • Which Menon do you mean? There
are two people of that name here. • Which of the students/boys/
girls has read the most books? • Which of the two drivers was
the guilty party? (= the person to blame). • Which of the two
girls types better? • Which of the two shirts/teachers do you like
better? (= prefer). • Which of these colours do you like best? •
Which of those three actors do you like best? • Which of you has
the fewest mistakes? • Which of you made (the) most mistakes?
• Which way is quicker — by train or by bus? • Which/what
woman will marry a person like him? • Who acted the part of
Macbeth/Ravana? • Who acted the part of Sita in the play/film?
• Who are the players in the other team? • Who are we to judge
other people? We’re no better than them. • Who arrived last? •
Who but that fool of a secretary could have done such a thing? •
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Who came first/second/last in the 100 metre race? (= finished
in first, etc. place). • Who came first? • Who designed the new
Town Hall? • Who do you like most? • Who do you think is going
to win this match? • Who ever are you going to get a loan from
now? • Who gave away the prizes? (= distributed). • Who gave
it you? • Who gives importance to things like these in this day
and age? (= nowadays).
• Who got (the) most points/votes? • Who handles the firm’s
accounts? • Who has the final decision in matters like these? (=
a decision that will not be changed). • Who helped you get your
TV going? • Who is the police officer on the case? (= in charge of
dealing with…). • Who lives in the house next door? • Who lives
next door? • Who lives there? • Who lost (the) most (money/
weight)? • Who owns this umbrella? • Who owns this/that land?
• Who placed the ladder there? • Who plays the lead in that
film? Harrison Ford? (= Who is the main actor?). • Who runs
the place? • Who runs this place when you’re away? • Who says
the meeting is over? It’s nowhere near over. • Who scored most
points in the last week’s quiz? • Who shall we invite in place
of Desai? • Who sold these office supplies to us? No less than
60% of them are of poor quality. • Who started the fight? • Who
suggested the idea/plan to him? • Who takes you for chemistry/
history/physics/English? (= gives lessons in…). • Who takes/
teaches your Physics class? • Who threw that stone? It could
have hit the window. • Who told you he got a medal? Actually, he
was second (to) last in the race. (= the one before the one who
finished last). • Who took the decision to buy these computers?
• Who was in charge of the office during his absence? • Who
was in charge there then? • Who were the actors who were on
stage just now? • Who won the most votes? • Who’ll do the
washing-up/the cooking/the cleaning? • Who’ll meet/bear the
cost of the repairs/of repairing the car? (= pay…). • Who’s
going to be the next chairman? • Who’s going to look after her
in her old age? • Who’s he? We’ve been hearing quite a lot about
him lately, haven’t we? • Who’s in charge when the manager is
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away? • Who’s living next door? • Who’s moving the furniture
about upstairs? • Who’s pounding (at/on)the door at this time of
night? (= hitting it hard and repeatedly). • Who’s running this
firm? • Who’s that boy running in front? • Who’s that girl sitting
by the window? • Who’s that man at her side? • Who’s that man
coming down the steps? • Who’s that tall man she was speaking
to? I want to get a line on him. • Who’s this Sandeep Gupta? Can
you get a line on him?
• Whose go is it? [= turn (in a game etc.)] • Why are they
opposed to this proposal/system? • Why are you against cuts in
government spending? (= reductions…). • Why are you against
this idea/plan/policy? • Why are you beating her like this? Have
you gone out of your mind? (= Are you mad/crazy?). • Why
are you so down on him? (= Why do you disapprove of/dislike
him?). • Why can’t you put away your things? I can’t clear/
tidy up after you all the time. • Why did he resign the job? It
isn’t as if the pay wasn’t good. • Why did you act against his
advice? • Why did you forge his signature? If the boss finds this
out, you’ll be in hot water. (= in serious trouble; in a difficult
situation/disgrace). • Why did you promise to them we would
lend them the money they need? This/You’ve put us in a very
awkward position. • Why did you snub him in public like that?
• Why did you tell him all those things? I told you not to spill
the information. • Why did you tell the truth to them? Were
you born yesterday? (= so foolish/stupid?). • Why didn’t he tell
us anything about it? It’s not as if he knows nothing about it. •
Why didn’t you bring your wife along? • Why didn’t you come to
the public meeting? There were scores of people there. (= very
many). • Why didn’t you support that proposal? • Why do we
want another TV now? Let’s not throw our money about/away.
• Why do you always do things the hard way? (= in a way that’s
unnecessarily difficult). • Why do you always speak roughly to
your children? • Why do you criticize him all the time? Do you
have a down on him? (= disapprove of/dislike him). • Why do
you feel so unfriendly/unsympathetic towards us? • Why do you
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keep fighting each other like this? • Why do you keep making the
same mistakes again and again? • Why do you keep on trying to
set one person against another? • Why do you keep shouting at
those workmen? It’s time you grew up, uncle! • Why do you need
a secretary who answers you back? If I were you, I’d throw her
out. • Why do you take a cynical view of women like this? • Why
do you want to pretend ignorance of the situation?
Group 4
• Why does he want to go walking in such awful weather? Crazy
is the only word for it. • Why does he want to make things difficult
for us like this ? • Why don’t we call them for a negotiation? (=
I suggest that we should…) • Why don’t you ask Ajith? He has/
knows all the answers. (= he knows everything). • Why don’t
you ask Sharma? He knows the subject from beginning to end
(= completely). • Why don’t you bring your friends also to the
meeting? The more the better, you know. • Why don’t you come
on a visit to our place, then? • Why don’t you come round for
dinner and stay the night? • Why don’t you contract out the job
instead of doing it yourself? Have you considered the cost in time
and effort? • Why don’t you divide the work between you? •
Why don’t you do out your cupboard? (= make it clean and tidy;
arrange the things in it in good order). • Why don’t you do your
bedroom today? It’s a mess. • Why don’t you get on with the job
in hand? Finish it, so you can take up something new. • Why don’t
you go and meet him? He’ll be all the happier for it. • Why don’t
you have a talk with him? He’ll tell you what actually happened.
• Why don’t you have a word with him about our problem? He
may be able to give us some advice. • Why don’t you join us
for dinner/lunch/breakfast/tea today? • Why don’t you make
clear what you expect them to do? • Why don’t you open the
windows and air the room for some time? • Why don’t you put
a match to the wood/fire? Let’s start cooking. • Why don’t you
put some music on? • Why don’t you put those books in order?
• Why don’t you put your desk in order? • Why don’t you start
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119
a clean piece/sheet of paper for the next list? (= a blank…). •
Why don’t you stay a few days longer? • Why don’t you take a
chance? You’ve got nothing to lose. (= you won’t suffer even if
you’re unsuccessful).
• Why don’t you visit their place, and see things for yourself?
• Why don’t you wait until we reach home? Then you’ll have all
the time in the world to read it. • Why ever would anyone want
to buy an old car like this? • Why have you been so long in the
shop? • Why in God’s name didn’t you tell me this earlier? •
Why in heaven’s name didn’t you call me? • Why in the world
did you do a thing like that? • Why is he shouting his head off
like this? Can’t they hear him? (= shouting very loudly and for
a long time). • Why is he so anxious to get in on this project/
scheme? • Why not try ringing up a few of the key customers? •
Why should he take bribes? I mean, he has a good salary, his wife
is employed, their parents are rich... • Why should she concern
herself in/with other people’s affairs? • Why should that be
considered significant? • Why should we go by train when the
plane costs no more? • Why should we sell it at cost? • Why the
sudden interest in cars? • Why was everybody giving me funny
looks? Is something wrong? • Why was he killed? That’s a real
puzzle. Nobody’s been able to get their mind round it. • Why was
this company making losses like this? I think the management
has got a lot to answer for. • Why would anyone ever want to
buy an old car like this? • Why’s he behaving so oddly? Is he
all there, do you think? (= really sane). • Why’s he shouting
at them? What’s biting him? (= Why’s he annoyed/upset?). •
Why’s nobody answering the bell? Give the button another press.
• Why’s she sitting there with a long face? Was there a quarrel
or something? • Will it be all right if I join the train at Pune? •
Will it take long to finish the repairs? • Will Rs.100 do you? (=
be enough for/satisfy you?).
• Will the colour run when I wash this dress? • Will there
be buses at this time of night? • Will this government survive
the next election? • Will this work run to next year? • Will you
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be all right on your own? • Will you be at the meeting? • Will
you be in tomorrow? • Will you complete the work before next
month/year? • Will you describe her as clever/shy/competent?
• Will you do it or not? • Will you help me unpack my things? •
Will you keep a close eye on the kids till I come back? • Will you
pass me that book? I can’t reach it. • Will your savings run to a
holiday in Simla? • With all the comings and goings, how can
I complete the work? The last visitor only left just now. • With
those noisy children playing outside, how can I get to sleep? •
With three small children, how can she cope on her own? (=
without help). • Would you be interested in (buying) that TV?
• Would you care for a cup of coffee/another piece of cake? •
Would you care to come for a walk? • Would you care to join us
for a cup of tea? • Would you like a cup of tea/to go for a walk?
• Would you like a hand carrying these things? • Would you like
a lift into town? • Would you like me to close that window? •
Would you like me to come and help you? • Would you like some
more porridge/cutlets/cake/grapes? • Would you like to have a
quick read of this report? • Would you like to tell me why you
couldn’t complete it?
• Would you mind closing the window? • Would you mind
handing this to him? • Would you mind repeating what you just
said? I didn’t (quite) get it (= hear it). • Yes, of course he’s safe
— but why should you concern yourself so much about him? •
You bought this from them with your eyes wide open. Now, are
you trying to tell me they forced you? • You can’t fine him for
a small thing like that. Do you mean to say his loyalty to the
company and devotion to duty go for nothing? • You couldn’t
see the Governor at all? Do you mean to say you went there for
nothing? (= without achieving anything).. • You don’t look all
right. What’s the matter? • You had a breakdown on the way?
Don’t give me that line. • You have everything — good looks,
intelligence, a good job. What more do you want? • You have to
pay me Rs. 1001.50. Let’s call it Rs.1000, shall we? • You knocked
it down, didn’t you? Offer to buy them another flowerpot or at
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least say you’re sorry. • You know something? I met up with her
today at the supermarket. [= met her (esp. again) — that too,
by chance].
• You look upset — is anything the matter? • You look upset.
Is there anything/something on your mind? • You look upset.
What’s the matter? (= What’s wrong?). • You look worried.
What’s on your mind? • You must be thirsty after all that walking.
Perhaps you’d like a cold drink? • You mustn’t quote me on this
anywhere, understand? • You need a rest from all this work.
Why don’t you go somewhere for a change of air? • You ought
to/should know better than to annoy your boss. Why did you
pick an argument with him? (= You should be wise enough not
to…). • You paid 1000 rupees for this shirt? You must be out
of your mind. • You remember that restaurant across from the
post office? What has become of it? (= happened to it). • You
said all those things to drive home the point that this plan is
not workable, right? • You said that there’s a lot we can do to
improve ourselves. What exactly did you have in mind when you
said that? • You see that counter? That’s where you must give
your building plan in. • You stupid thing! Can’t you have phoned
me? • You think I’m going to resign? What put that idea/thought
into your head? • You think your team is going to beat them?
Then you’re in for a surprise. • You want to buy my house, right?
• You want to go for a picnic in such awful weather? I won’t hear
of it. (= won’t let you do it; won’t permit; won’t allow you to do
it). • You went and told his father, didn’t you? That was a mean
thing to do. • You went into banking/this job with your eyes
open, and so what’s the point in complaining now?
• You were criticizing him — can you do any better? • You
were very mean to him. Why did you say all those nasty things?
• You’ll be here for one or two years, won’t you? You’ll certainly
learn our language in the course of time. (= when some time has
passed). • You’ll get about Rs.9,000 for your TV — or Rs.10,000
at the very best. It’s two years old, isn’t it? • You’ll have to hire a
lawyer. But that’s going to cost money. Can you afford it? • You’ll
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have to stop smoking/drinking. Why do you want to injure your
health like this? • You’re a lawyer, aren’t you? I’ve seen you in
court. • You’re always criticizing me. Get off my back, will you?
• You’re not going to deliver it today, right? • You’re not looking
yourself today. Anything wrong? [= you look ill (or tired); you
don’t look as healthy/ happy as usual] • You’re now 20, aren’t
you? You’re of an age when you should start looking for a job. •
You’re very late — what kept you? • You’ve broken another vase.
What do you have to say for yourself? • You’ve got 490 marks
out of 500? Good show. • You’ve got a happy marriage, brilliant
career and wonderful children — what more do you want? •
You’ve said enough. Now shut up, can’t you? • Your actions have
brought disgrace on the whole company. What have you got to
say for yourself? • Your car is in the driveway. Could you move
it, please? • Your grandfather? I don’t remember him — he must
have been before my time. • Your hair is all over the place. Why
don’t you comb it? • Your headache has gone, I hope?
That’s it. Bye for now.
***