REPHRASING

You must use between three and six words including the word given.
1. James would only speak to the Head of Department alone
ON
James would only insist on speaking to the Head of Department alone.

2. There were a lot of things that we had to think about before we could accept their offer.
OBLIGED
There were several things that we were obliged to take into consideration before we
could accept their offer.

3. Do you think you could help me to fill in this application form?

WONDERING
I Was wondering if you could give me a hand filling this application form
4. I know that it was wrong of me to shout in front of the customers
RAISED
I Know that I should not have raised my voice in front of the customers
5. If you need any help, you can always call me
HESITATE
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to call me.
6. It hasn’t rained quite as much this year as in previous years
SLIGHTLY
This year, it has rained slightly less than it did in previous years
7. Unless the weather improves, they will have to stop the tennis match
MEAN
If the weather doesn’t get better, it Will mean stopping the tennis match.
8. I don’t mind whether we stay in or go out this evening, but John wants to go to the
cinema
DIFFERENCE
It doesn’t make any difference for me whether we stay in or go out this evening, but
John wants to go to the cinema
9. It’s possible that the thieves entered the building by forcing a window at the back.
BROKEN
The thieves may have broken into the building through a window at the back
10. “Do your homework first, and then you can go to the cinema”, said Jim’s mother.

LONG
Jim’s mother agreed to let him go to the cinema, as long as he did his homework first.

11. “Yes, I took the money, but Ned told me to do it!” said George.
WHO
George claimed that it was Ned who told him to take the money.

12. Harry thought of throwing a surprise party for Katie’s birthday.

CAME
Harry came up with the idea of throwing a surprise party for Katie’s birthday.
 13. They are decorating our living room, so the house is a mess.

DONE
We are having our living room done so the house is a mess!

14. I really hate it when people speak to me like that!

BEING
I really hate being spoken to like that!

15. I was just about to call him when he rang me instead.

POINT
I was on the point of calling him when he rang me instead.

16. The manager gave her secretary strict instructions that no one should be allowed to
disturb her.

CIRCUMSTANCES
“Under no circumstances can/should I be disturbed!” the manager told her secretary.

17. I learnt a lot about gardening, thanks to Kevin.

FOR
If it hadn’t been for Kevin, I wouldn’t have learnt so much about gardening.

18. Marcella left home very early because she wanted to be sure of catching the train.
ORDER
Marcella left home very early in order not to miss the train.
19. You must show your student card as you enter the library. REQUIRED
You are required your student card as you enter the library.
20. On arriving at an airport, I usually go straight to the check-in desk.I usually go straight
to the check-in desk as to an airport.
SOON
I usually go straight to the check-in desk as son as I get to an airport.
21. Patrick hadn’t heard from his uncle in Australia for over 5 years.
MORE
It was more than five eyars since Patrick had heard from his uncle in Australia.
22. On business trips, I prefer driving home to staying in a hotel overnight. RATHER
On business trips, I’d rather drive home than stay in a hotel overnight.
23. Jack found it difficult to control his skis on the steep slope.
UNDER
Jack found it difficult to have his skis under control on the steep slope.
24. They say the fashion model was discovered by her agent while working at a restaurant.
SAID
The fashion model is said to have been discovered by her agent while working at a
restaurant.
25. Such success has not been achieved by many players in the world of ice hockey.
FEW
Only a few players have achieved such success in the world of ice hockey.
26. I regret drinking so much last night
ONLY
 If only I hadn’t drunk so much last night
27. If Pauline hadn’t been interested, the project would have been abandoned.
FOR
But for Pauline’s interest, the Project would have been abandoned

28. The fire was put out thanks to the firemen.

FOR
If it hadn’t been for the firemen, the fire wouldn’t have been put out

29. If by any chance you find my wallet, could you let me know?
HAPPEN
If you happen on my wallet, could you let me know?
30. What would you do if you found some buried treasure?
WERE
If you were to find some buried treasure, what would you do?
31. What would you do if there was an earthquake?
WAS
Supposing there was an earthquake, what would you do?
32. The teacher persuaded her to act in that play.
TALKED
The teacher talked her into acting in that play
33. If I take the new job I’ll have to move to Paris.
MEAN
Taking the new job will mean moving to Paris
34. Don’t be deceived by his apparent introversion. IN
Don’t be taken in by his apparent introversion.
35. The students’ strike caused the cancellation of most of the cultural program planned for
Monday
CALLED
Most of the cultural program planned for Monday were called off due to the students’
strike
36. The teacher could not decide what rephrasings to choose, so she asked her colleagues
MIND
The teacher was not able to make up her mind what rephrasings to choose, so she asked
her colleagues
37. It’s not worth asking someone to help you with the exam since you are the best in class
NO
There’s no use asking someone to help you with the exam since you are the best in
class

38. Because there was no money left, we had to start making our way home NO
There being no money left, we had to start making our way home

39. I discovered later that one of my students of the MA class was also attending an
international conference
OUT
The student of my MA class was found out attending an international conference
40. Sarah’s hair badly needs cutting
TIME
It’s time for Sarah to get her hair cut
41. I’ll support you whatever you decide to do
 MATTER
I’ll support you no matter what choice you take
42. I wish I hadn’t said that to her
TAKE
If only I could take back what I said to her
43. For me this is the best place to live
RATHER
There is nowhere I would rather live
44. I was looking out of the window when I saw a boy take something from a man’s pocket
SIGHT
I was looking out of the window when I caught sight of a boy taking something from a
man’s pocket