It is absolutely important that you see a doctor immediately.

It is very important that you see a doctor immediately.

It is absolutely essential that you see a doctor immediately.

He refused to accept responsibility for his acts

He refused to accept responsibility for his actions.

an/the act of (doing) sth (NOT action): ‘Such acts of violence will not be tolerated.’
‘For some people, the very act of talking to a doctor can help them to feel better.’

When actually means ‘in fact’, it is usually used to correct a misunderstanding

The other ingredients are then added into the mixture.

The other ingredients are then added to the mixture.
add sth to sth (NOT into)

I applied for a job at a travel agent.

I applied for a job at a travel agent’s.

I don’t understand why he doesn’t agree the divorce.

I don’t understand why he doesn’t agree to the divorce.
agree to sth

The country’s economy is based on the agriculture

The country’s economy is based on agriculture.

They can learn faster by the aid of computers.

They can learn faster with the aid of computers.
with the aid of sth (NOT by):

It’s hard to find a fresh air nowadays.

It’s hard to find any fresh air nowadays.
Air (= the mixture of gases that we breathe) is an uncountable noun

The plural form of aircraft is aircraft (no change).

He spent all the journey talking about accidents

He spent the whole journey talking about accidents.
I’ve never forgotten how beautiful all it was
I’ve never forgotten how beautiful it all was.

It’s not allowed to talk in the library.

You aren’t allowed to talk in the library.

through = from one side of an area to another: ‘The road goes through all the major
towns.’
Walking through the city after dark is not a good idea.

Also – what’s more

arouse anger in someone.

When a phrase beginning with among comes at the start of a sentence, it is usually
followed by the verb be (NOT by the subject of the sentence)

There is a beautiful and old church in the centre of the town.

There is a beautiful old church in the centre of the town.
Do not use and between two adjectives that come before a noun unless they
describe similar qualities

Annoyed- irritate

Someone who is emotionally shocked by something they see or read is

disturbed/upset/distressed/offended by

annoyed with/at sb
annoyed at/about sth

another + singular countable noun

(some) more + uncountable noun

another (NOT also another):

answer sb/sth (WITHOUT to)

Antique is used for objects (NOT buildings)

If you are anxious to do something, you want to do it in order to improve a (difficult

or unpleasant) situation

appear in

apply (to an organization) for a job, course, scholarship

He approached my table and took a seat opposite me.

approach sb/sth (WITHOUT to):

To refer to one of the very large parts of a country, or to an area which includes more
than one country, use region

mathematics (WITH s) but arithmetic (WITHOUT s)

(hold sb/sth) in your arms (NOT on): ‘He had a great pile of books in his arms.’

sit (down) in an armchair (NOT on)

At his arrival in Vienna, he was surprised not to find his friend.

On his arrival in Vienna, he was surprised not to find his friend.

arrive/arrival in a country, city etc: ‘I’ll be arriving in Hong Kong in time for Chinese
New Year.’

If your feelings arouse easily, you cannot concentrate

If your feelings are easily aroused, you cannot concentrate.

arts subjects.

He managed to lose weight by eating artificial diet foods.

He managed to lose weight by eating synthetic diet foods.

as well as + v-ing

When the object of the sentence is a wh- clause, the subject and the verb in the wh-
clause do not change places.

To refer back to something that you have just said, use in this respect

At one time it seemed as if men were stronger than women in every respect.
When you wish to control the strength of a statement, use in
some/several/certain/many/all respects or in one/this/every respect

One of the prison guards assisted them in their escape.

assist (sb) in/with sth:

asylum = (old-fashioned) a hospital for the mentally ill, nowadays known as a

psychiatric hospital
hospice = a special type of hospital for people who are dying
old people’s home = a place where old people go to live when they need someone to
look after them

A lot of athletics reporters write for the magazine.

’ The noun athletics (WITH -s) is often used in front of another noun

When talking about a situation that could be dangerous or harmful, use be careful or
take care (NOT pay attention)

The priest stands in front of the bride and groom, facing the congregation.

The Los Angeles Medical Centre announced that the average AIDS patient requires
about two to three months of hospitalization.
The Los Angeles Medical Centre announced that the typical AIDS patient requires
about two to three months of hospitalization.

be expecting a baby

My shoulders were sunburnt badly.

My shoulders were badly sunburnt.
badly + past participle: ‘The other car was badly damaged.’

Baggage is an uncountable noun

In British English the phrase is have a bath (NOT take): ‘There isn’t enough water to
have a bath.’ Take a bath is used in American English.

Nowadays is very difficult to get a job

Nowadays it is very difficult to get a job.

Eventually I became to like Singapore.

Eventually I came to like Singapore.

I decided to stay in my bed this morning.

I decided to stay in bed this morning.

The magazine teaches parents how to behave with their children.

The magazine teaches parents how to behave towards their children.
behave towards sb (NOT with): ‘I’ve been noting the way he behaves towards you
andI’m not impressed.’

I’m not impressed.’

 believe in sth = (1) accept that something exists: ‘Do you believe in ghosts?’
‘James still believes in Father Christmas.’ (2) think that something is good:
 believe sth = accept that something is true or real: ‘I believe every word she said

The room rates are much below average for hotels in this area.
The room rates are far below average for hotels in this area.

benefit sb (WITHOUT to/for)

I’d like to have two children. Besides, I hope that the first one will be a girl
I’d like to have two children and I hope that the first one will be a girl.
Use besides only when you give an additional reason for something:
The purse is made of leather and is dark brown colour.
The purse is made of leather and is a dark brown colour.

 colour = showing people and things in their natural colours: ‘a colour television’,
‘a colour photograph’
 coloured = having one or more colours (not white or black), especially in order
to look attractive: ‘Do you want plain envelopes or coloured ones?’ ‘Each book is
full of brightly-coloured full-page illustrations.’

The former Soviet Union comprised of fifteen union republics.

The former Soviet Union comprised fifteen union republics.

be concerned with (doing) sth

You should try to keep the car in a good condition.

You should try to keep the car in good condition.

confident about sth

Almost every day we confront with some new environmental problem.

Almost every day we confront some new environmental problem.
Almost every day we are confronted with some new environmental problem.

First of all I’d like to congratulate you both for your wedding.
First of all I’d like to congratulate you both on your wedding.

Congratulations for your splendid examination results!

Congratulations on your splendid examination results!

He constantly got into trouble.

He was constantly getting into trouble.

The canals join to form one continual waterway.

The canals join to form one continuous waterway.
continuous = without any break or interruption

These people want to control over our lives.

These people want control over our lives
I have written my address on the top right-hand corner.
I have written my address in the top right-hand corner.

I’ll be happy to pay the costs of the postage.

I’II be happy to pay the cost of the postage.

When talking about a single event in the past, we usually use be able to or manage
(NOT could):

The boys and girls in my English course come from all over the world.
The boys and girls on my English course come from all over the world.

We’ll probably go to the cinema or to a discotheque. Of course, since Fiona is my

guest, I’ll let her decide.
We’ll probably go to the cinema or to a discotheque. Naturally, since Fiona is my
guest; I’ll let her decide.

I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Laugh or cry is a fixed phrase

I was the doctor who cured your head injury.

I was the doctor who treated your head injury.

a cure for a disease

You talk about a country’s customs (WITH s)

Will I have to pay custom duty?

Will I have to pay customs duty?

cut out = remove a part of something by cutting all around it

Cutlery (= knives, forks, spoons etc) is an uncountable noun

There were lots of young boys and girls dancing pop music.
There were lots of young boys and girls dancing to pop music.
dance to a particular type/piece of music:

I dare to say that the book is worth reading.

I dare say that the book is worth reading.
I dare say (also written I dare say) is a fixed phrase:

I daren’t to ask her for any more money.

I daren’t ask her for any more money.
daren’t do sth (WITHOUT to)

I have an interview at the same date.

I have an interview on the same date/day.

In the United States, there were over 17000 deaths of AlDS in 1991.
In the United States, there were over 17000 deaths from AIDS in 1991.

do/take/get a degree

Many demonstrations have been made in recent years in protest against the level of
pollution.
Many demonstrations have been held in recent years in protest against the level of
pollution.

She accused him of cheating but he denied.

She accused him of cheating but he denied it.

It depends on if you’ve got enough money.

It depends on whether you’ve got enough money.
it depends on whether (NOT if)

description of sb/sth:

A vehicle that cannot be used again after being damaged in a road accident is
wrecked or (especially in spoken English) is a write-off:

You have to make a difference between women who have to work and women who
choose to work.
You have to make a distinction between women who have to work and women who
choose to work.

As a conservationist, I strongly disagree with the removal of these trees.

As a conservationist, I strongly object to the removal of these trees.

Some people were discussing; some listening to the radio.

Some people were talking; some listening to the radio.

Dinner usually consists of three dishes.

Dinner usually consists of three courses

Sally told me she was going to divorce.

Sally told me she was going to get a divorce.
get a divorce or get divorced
divorce sb (WITHOUT to/with)

without doubt = ‘I firmly believe this to be true’: ‘He is without doubt one of the
greatest composers the world has ever known.’
no doubt = ‘I expect’ or ‘I suppose’: ‘No doubt you could do with a drink.’ They will
no doubt be writing to us again.’

I ran to downstairs and picked up the telephone.

I ran downstairs and picked up the telephone.
Downstairs and upstairs are usually adverbs and are not used with to/in/at etc

drama (uncountable)
play (countable)

I dressed up quickly and rushed out of the house.

I got dressed quickly and rushed out of the house.

When you mean ‘a person who is drunk’, use a drunk: ‘A couple of drunks were
causing a disturbance.’

Each of us have a room on the top floor.

Each of us has a room on the top floor.
each of + plural noun/pronoun + singular verb
The earnest students never missed a class.
The serious students never missed a class. P105

The education has changed my country a lot.

Education has changed my country a lot.

be effective in doing sth: ‘Doctors soon realized that this drug was also effective in
relieving the symptoms of arthritis.’

The authorities have put a lot of efforts into making the streets cleaner.
The authorities have put a lot of effort into making the streets cleaner.
When you mean ‘the energy or hard work that is needed to do something’, use effort
(uncountable): ‘Digging the tunnel demanded a great deal of effort.’
Compare: ‘All our efforts to persuade Wendell to stay have failed.’

In my opinion, a holiday is a hopeless effort to relax.

In my opinion, a holiday is a hopeless attempt to relax.
When someone tries to do something, especially without being sure of success, they
make an attempt to do it:

Do not use elder unless you are talking about the members of a family: ‘her elder
brother’, ‘my elder son’.

John, her elderly son, is still at university.

John, her elder son, is still at university.
elderly = old: ‘an elderly man with white hair and a stick’
elder = (of brothers, daughters etc) older: ‘our elder daughter’

I work for an electronic company.

I work for an electronics company.

My father’s company imports electric goods.

My father’s company imports electrical goods.

In the end of the dinner someone made a speech.

At the end of the dinner someone made a speech.

end up = (1) be forced to do something (after everything else has failed): ‘For months
she refused to pay us any rent, so we ended up taking her to court.’

Simon gave me the ring when we engaged.

Simon gave me the ring when we got engaged.

She’s going to get married to an English.

She’s going to get married to an Englishman.
an Englishman, an Englishwoman (NOT an English)

The time isn’t enough for us to catch the next train.

There isn’t enough time for us to catch the next train.
Enough usually goes in front of the noun

Unfortunately, some of my classmates didn’t enter university.

Unfortunately, some of my classmates didn’t get into university

It’s a useful equipment and I intend to have it repaired.

It’s a useful piece of equipment and I intend to have it repaired.

In the south of Germany there is a different mentality. Especially the Bavarians are
very lively and cheerful.
In the south of Germany there is a different mentality. The Bavarians especially are
very lively and cheerful.
Especially cannot come at the beginning of a sentence

Even I go to bed early, I’m still tired in the morning.

Even when I go to bed early, I’m still tired in the morning.

I am pleased to be able to write to you eventually.

I am pleased to be able to write to you at (long) last.

She was the most unpleasant person that I had ever met before.
She was the most unpleasant person that I had ever met.

every + singular count noun

I have to visit the hospital every six week.

I have to visit the hospital every six weeks.
‘every day’, ‘every week’ BUT ‘every two days’, ‘every six weeks’

Every thing (two words) is not common and is used only when things are considered
as separate items

Everyday instead of every day

The sun shines here everyday.

The sun shines here every day.
every day (two words) = each day: ‘Every day I try to learn ten new words.’

Evidence is an uncountable noun

A manager is supposed to give a good example.

A manager is supposed to set a good example.

The old lady never spoke to anyone except someone came to visit her
The old lady never spoke to anyone except when someone came to visit her.

In their free time they do nothing except going from one cafeteria to another.
In their free time they do nothing except go from one cafeteria to another.
do (anything/nothing/what you like etc) + except + bare infinitive

An exhausting investigation finally revealed the cause of the accident.

An exhaustive investigation finally revealed the cause of the accident.

You can expect that you won’t be put in the same class as Helga.
You can’t expect to be put in the same class as Helga.

Older people have had more experience in life.

Older people have had more experience of life.
experience of (doing) sth

Many of us have had experiences of living overseas.

Many of us have had experience of living overseas.
When you are talking about someone’s life as a whole, experience is uncountable:
‘Salary will depend upon qualifications and experience.’
Doctors have to keep up with all the extreme new medical developments.
Doctors have to keep up with all the major new medical developments.

The house faces to a very busy road.

The house faces a very busy road.
face sb/sth (WITHOUT to): ‘The apartments facing the sea are more expensive.

We now face with a totally different situation.

We now face a totally different situation.
We are now faced with a totally different situation.

accept/appreciate the fact that ... (NOT agree to/with the fact that ... ):

The brick factory was closed down during the recession.

The brick works was closed down during the recession.

This problem has been caused by a fall of the birth rate.

This problem has been caused by a fall in the birth rate.

She looked at me with tears falling down from her eyes.

She looked at me with tears falling from her eyes.
We sat there watching the leaves falling down from the trees.
We sat there watching the leaves falling from the trees.

One of the horses suddenly stopped and the rider fell down.
One of the horses suddenly stopped and the rider fell off.
fall off a chair, ladder, bicycle, horse,

When the bomb exploded, everyone tried to get as far as possible.

When the bomb exploded, everyone tried to get as far away as possible.

I’d like to stay in a farm where you can eat homemade food.
I’d like to stay on a farm where you can eat homemade food.
You live/work/stay on a farm (NOT in):

My most favourite drink is lemonade.

My favourite drink is lemonade.
My most favourite drink is lemonade.
My favourite drink is lemonade.

He fears to lose his job.

He fears that he may lose his job.

All these problems make me fear about the children’s future.

All these problems make me fear for the children’s future.

He is feeling that they have made a big mistake.

He feels that they have made a big mistake.

In some places you feel like in a jungle.

In some places you feel like you are in a jungle.
Feel like (and feel as if/though) are followed by a clause

I’ll come and fetch you at the airport.

I’ll come and fetch/collect you from the airport.
I’ll come and pick you up at the airport.

When you are talking about an event or something that lasts only a short time, use
fight sb/sth (WITHOUT against):
You can use either fight sb/sth or fight against sb/sth when you are talking about a
long struggle to overcome things such as poverty, disease, injustice or oppression

If there is a gas leak, the house could go on fire.

If there is a gas leak, the house could catch fire.

A little exercise will help you to keep in fit.

A little exercise will help you to keep fit.

I think I have caught a flu.

I think I have caught (the) flu.
flu or the flu (NOT a flu)

Nobody lives forever.

Nobody lives for ever.
She asked if I’d seen any plays from Shakespeare.
She asked if I’d seen any plays by Shakespeare.
a play, novel, painting, etc by a writer or artist (NOT from)

We’ve organized lots of funny activities, including a picnic and a trip to the zoo.
We’ve organized lots of fun activities, including a picnic and a trip to the zoo.
funny makes you laugh

Furniture is an uncountable noun

I got off my car to inspect the damage.

I got out of my car to inspect the damage.
get off a bus, train, plane, boat, ship, bicycle:
get out of a car, taxi, boat, train, lift

I would be glad if you could send me an application form.

I would be grateful if you could send me an application form.
To make a formal request, use would be grateful if (NOT glad)

It’s no good to want to help the poor if you don’t do anything about it.
It’s no good wanting to help the poor if you don’t do anything about it.
it is no good/use (doing sth)

Living standards have improved greatly.

Living standards have greatly improved.
Greatly is usually placed in front of a main verb

The school building is very old and the ground is very small.
The school building is very old and the grounds are very small

These films are too violent not only for children but also for grown-up people.
These films are too violent not only for children but also for grown-ups.

Guidance is an uncountable noun:

(feel) guilty about (doing) sth

The future of millions of people should not be in the hand of one man.
The future of millions of people should not be in the hands of one man.