SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT

Basic Rule
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular verb, while a
plural subject takes a plural verb.
NOTE: The trick is in knowing whether the subject is singular or plural.
The next trick is recognizing a singular or plural verb.

Noun Verb
Singular = cup Singular = likes
Plural = cups Plural = like

Singular Noun + Singular Verb = He talks

Plural Noun + Plural Verb = They talk

Rule 1
1. Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb.

Example:
My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.

2. When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put

the plural subject last and use a plural verb.

Example:
The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf.

Rule 2
1. Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor require a
singular verb as in Rule 1.

Examples:
Neither Juan nor Carmen is available.
Either Kiana or Casey is helping today with stage decorations.

2. When a singular and plural subject are connected

by either/or or neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.

Example:
Neither Jenny nor the others are available.
Rule 3
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are
connected by and.

Example:
A car and a bike are my means of transportation.

Rule 4
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along
with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when
determining whether to use a singular or plural verb.

Examples:
The politician, along with the newsmen, is expected shortly.
Excitement, as well as nervousness, is the cause of her shaking.

Rule 5
The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody,
someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not
be misled by what follows of.

Examples:
Each of the girls sings well.
Every one of the cakes is gone.

NOTE: Everyone is one word when it means everybody. Every one is two
words when the meaning is each one.

 Everyone has done his or her homework.

 Somebody has left her purse.
 Everybody is here
 Each of the students is responsible for doing his or her work in the library.

Don't let the word "students" confuse you; the subject is each and each is always
singular — Each is responsible.

Rule 6
With words that indicate portions—percent, fraction, part, majority, some,
all, none, remainder, and so forth —look at the noun in your of phrase
(object of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural
verb.

If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of
the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
Fifty percent of the pie has disappeared.
Pie is the object of the preposition of.

Fifty percent of the pies have disappeared.

Pies is the object of the preposition.

One-third of the city is unemployed.

One-third of the people are unemployed.

NOTE: Hyphenate all spelled-out fractions.

All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.

Some of the pie is missing.

Some of the pies are missing.

 Some of the beads are missing. Plural bec it’s the beads are countable
 Some of the water is gone. Water is not countable so its singular

None = can be either singular or plural.

None of the garbage was picked up.

None of the sentences were punctuated correctly.

 None of the engines are working.

 None of the food is fresh.
 None of you claims responsibility for this incident?
 None of you claim responsibility for this incident?
 None of the students have done their homework. (In this last example,
the word their precludes the use of the singular verb.

Rule 7
The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the
expression a number is followed by a plural verb.

Examples:
The number of people we need to hire is thirteen.
A number of people have written in about this subject.

Rule 8
When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.

Examples:
Neither of them is available to speak right now.
Either of us is capable of doing the job.
Rule 9
In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb.

Examples:
There are four hurdles to jump.
There is a high hurdle to jump.

Rule 10
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Examples:
Ten dollars is a high price to pay.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

Rule 11
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in the
middle of the sentence.

The pronouns who, that, and which become singular or plural according to
the noun directly in front of them. So, if that noun is singular, use a singular
verb. If it is plural, use a plural verb.
Examples:
Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports.
The word in front of who is scientist, which is singular. Therefore, use the
singular verb writes.

He is one of the men who does/do the work.

The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural
verb do.

Rule 12
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural
depending on their use in the sentence.

Examples:
The staff is in a meeting.
Staff is acting as a unit here.

The staff members are in disagreement about the findings.

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Use of They’re. There and Their
"There" refers to a place.
Examples: There is a library in the first building. It is over there.
Hint: If you can use the word "here," you have it right!

"They're" is a contraction of "they are"

Example: They're not in this building.
Hint: "They" is a pronoun and "are" is the verb.
If you can substitute "We are" you have it right!

"Their" is the posessive pronoun.

Example: Their library is located on the next street.
Hint: If you can substitute "our" you have it right!

Examples:
They’re coming tonight.
Do you have their books?
I always thought you were there.

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THE VERB TO DO: DO…DOES…DID

Subject Present Past Past perfect Continuous Form
They,You,I,We do did Have/had done Am/Are/were doing
He,She,It does did Has/had done Is/was doing

Examples:
1. Pete always does his taxes on time.
2. Volunteers do a lot of work around the town.
3. Gil did a great job on his history report for school.
4. You have done nothing all morning!
5. I am doing the best I can!

Negative Sentences with Don’t, Didn’t and Doesn’t

Do not = Don’t
Does not = Doesn’t
Did not = Didn’t

Examples:

1. Your client doesn’t understand the contract.

2. You don’t need to worry about me.
3. Your friends didn’t get the e-mail.
4. I do not want to go with you!
Punctuation Marks
1. Apostrophe [ ‘ ]

* to create possessive forms, contractions and some plurals.

CONTRACTIONS.
I am = I'm you are = you're she is = she's it is = it's

do not = don't she would = she'd he would have = he would've

let us = let's who is = who's she will = she'll they had = they'd

POSSESSIVE FORMS.
- if the noun is singular, the apostrophe goes before the s.
The witch's broom.

-If the noun is plural, the apostrophe goes after the s:

The witches' brooms.

-if the word is pluralized without an s, the apostrophe comes before the s
men's room
children's clothing.

PLURAL OF LETTERS AND DIGITS

1. Raoul got four A's last term.
2. 1930’s

2.Colon [:]
- we use colon to introduce a list of items

Remember to bring these things for our camping: a toothbrush, a torch,a

towel and a change of clothing.

- we use colon to introduce the words spoken by people in a play

Mary: It’s a beautiful gift. When is his birthday?

Belen: It is on Saturday

3.Semi-colon [;]
- a longer pause than a comma
 - it can replace often and but in a sentence when two simple
sentences are combined to make a compound sentence.

Durians are thorny; rambutan are sweet.

Some of the children made the sauce; others made the dough; the
rest put toppings on it.

- A semi-colon can break up a long list when the items in the list are
made up of more than just one word.

He bought a new program, a mouse and a keyboard for his

computer; a series of cd for his new machine; a set of language
tapes to help him with his French; and a new car to put all his
purchases in.

- A semi-colon cqn be used in a sentences before the words

consequently, nevertheless, however, moreover, therefore,
otherwise and besides.

I love making pizza; however, my guests prefer to eat something

sweet.

Wendy is a happy, -loving girl; moreover, she is also pretty.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This,That,Those,These

Near Far
Singular this that
Plural these those

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Though (thō)
conj.
1. Despite the fact that; although: He still argues, though he knows he's wrong. Even though it
was raining, she walked to work.
2. Conceding or supposing that; even if: Though they may not succeed, they will still try. See
Usage Note at although.
adv.
1. However; nevertheless: Snow is not predicted; we can expect some rain, though.
2. Informal Used as an intensive: Wouldn't that beat all, though?
thought (thôt)
v.
Past tense and past participle of think.
n.
1. The act or process of thinking; cogitation.
2. A product of thinking. See Synonyms at idea.
3. The faculty of thinking or reasoning.
4. The intellectual activity or production of a particular time or group: ancient Greek thought;
deconstructionist thought.
5. Consideration; attention: didn't give much thought to what she said.
6.
a. Intention; purpose: There was no thought of coming home early.
b. Expectation or conception: She had no thought that anything was wrong.

thoughtful (ˈθɔːtfʊl)
adj
1. considerate in the treatment of other people
2. showing careful thought
3. pensive; reflective
ˈthoughtfully adv ˈthoughtfulness n

Thorough
adj.
1. executed without negligence or omissions: a thorough search.
2. complete; perfect; utter: thorough enjoyment.
3. extremely attentive to accuracy and detail; painstaking: a thorough worker.
4. having full command or mastery of an art, talent, etc.
5. extending or passing through.
adv., prep.
6. Archaic. through.
[before 900; Middle English; Old English thuruh, variant of thurh through]
thor′ough•ly, adv.
thor′ough•ness, n.

Through (thro̅o̅)
prep.
1. In one side and out the opposite or another side of: went through the tunnel.
2. Among or between; in the midst of: a walk through the flowers.
3. By way of: climbed in through the window.
4.
a. By the means or agency of: bought the antique vase through a dealer.
b. Into and out of the handling, care, processing, modification, or consideration of: Her
application went through our office. Run the figures through the computer.
5. Here and there in; around: a tour through France.
6. From the beginning to the end of: stayed up through the night.
7. At or to the end of; done or finished with, especially successfully: We are through the initial
testing period.
8. Up to and including: a play that runs through December; a volume that covers A through D.
9. Past and without stopping for: drove through a red light.
10. Because of; on account of: She succeeded through hard work. He declined the honor
through modesty.
adv.
1. From one end or side to another or an opposite end or side: opened the door and went
through.
2. From beginning to end; completely: I read the article once through.
3. Throughout the whole extent or thickness; thoroughly: warmed the leftovers clear through;
got soaked through in the rain; a letter that was shot through with the writer's personality.
4. Over the total distance; all the way: drove through to their final destination.
5. To a conclusion or an accomplishment: see a matter through.
adj.
1. Allowing continuous passage; unobstructed: a through street.
2.
a. Affording transportation to a destination with few or no stops and no transfers: a through
bus; a through ticket.
b. Continuing on a highway without exiting: through traffic; through lanes.
3. Passing or extending from one end, side, or surface to another: a through beam.
4. Having finished; at completion: She was through with the project.
5. Having no further concern, dealings, or connection: I'm through with him.
6.
a. Having no more use, value, or potential; washed-up: That swimmer is through as an
athlete.
b. Doomed to death or destruction.

Phrasal Verbs

Verb Meaning Example

ask someone out invite on a date Brian asked Judy out to

dinner and a movie.

ask around ask many people I asked around but nobody

the same has seen my wallet.
question

add up to something equal Your purchases add up

to $205.32.

back something up reverse You'll have to back up your

car so that I can get out.

back someone up support My wife backed me up over

my decision to quit my job.

blow up explode The racing car blew up after

it crashed into the fence.

blow something up add air We have to blow 50

balloons up for the party.

break down stop functioning Our car broke down at the

(vehicle, side of the highway in the
machine) snowstorm.

break down get upset The woman broke

down when the police told
her that her son had died.
break somethingdown divide into Our teacher broke the final
smaller parts project downinto three
separate parts.

break in force entry to a Somebody broke in last

building night and stole our stereo.

break into something enter forcibly The firemen had to break

into the room to rescue the
children.

break something in wear something I need to break these

a few times so shoes in before we run next
that it doesn't week.
look/feel new

break in interrupt The TV station broke in to

report the news of the
president's death.

break up end a My boyfriend and I broke

relationship up before I moved to
America.

break up start laughing The kids just broke up as

(informal) soon as the clown started
talking.

break out escape The prisoners broke out of

jail when the guards weren't
looking.

break out insomething develop a skin I broke out in a rash after

condition our camping trip.

bring someone down make unhappy This sad music

is bringing me down.

bring someone up raise a child My

grandparents brought me up
after my parents died.

bring something up start talking My mother walks out of the

about a subject room when my father brings
up sports.

bring something up vomit He drank so much that

 he brought his dinner up in
the toilet.

call around phone many We called around but we

different weren't able to find the car
places/people part we needed.

call someone back return a phone I called the

call company back but the
offices were closed for the
weekend.

call something off cancel Jason called the

wedding off because he
wasn't in love with his
fiancé.

call on someone ask for an The professor called on me

answer or for question 1.
opinion

call on someone visit someone We called on you last night

but you weren't home.

call someone up phone Give me your phone number

and I willcall you up when
we are in town.

calm down relax after being You are still mad. You need
angry to calm down before you
drive the car.

not care not like (formal) I don't care for his

forsomeone/something behaviour.

catch up get to the same You'll have to run faster than

point as that if you want to catch
someone else up with Marty.

check in arrive and We will get the hotel keys

register at a when wecheck in.
hotel or airport

check out leave a hotel You have to check out of the

hotel before 11:00 AM.

checksomeone/somethin look at carefully, The company checks out all

gout investigate new employees.

check look at (informal) Check out the crazy hair on

outsomeone/something that guy!

cheer up become happier She cheered up when she

heard the good news.

cheer someone up make happier I brought you some flowers

to cheer youup.

chip in help If everyone chips in we can

get the kitchen painted by
noon.

clean something up tidy, clean Please clean up your

bedroom before you go
outside.

come acrosssomething find I came across these old

unexpectedly photos when I was tidying
the closet.

come apart separate The top and bottom come

apart if you pull hard
enough.

come down become sick My nephew came down

withsomething with chicken pox this
weekend.

come forward volunteer for a The woman came

task or to give forward with her husband's
evidence finger prints.

come fromsomewhere originate in The art of origami comes

from Asia.

count rely on I am counting on you to

onsomeone/something make dinner while I am out.

cross something out draw a line Please cross out your old
through address and write your new
one.

cut back onsomething consume less My doctor wants me to cut

back onsweets and fatty
 foods.

cut something down make something We had to cut the old tree in
fall to the ground our yarddown after the
storm.

cut in interrupt Your father cut in while I

was dancing with your
uncle.

cut in pull in too closely The bus driver got angry

in front of when that carcut in.
another vehicle

cut in start operating The air conditioner cuts

(of an engine or in when the temperature
electrical device) gets to 22°C.

cut something off remove with The doctors cut off his leg
something sharp because it was severely
injured.

cut something off stop providing The phone company cut

off our phone because we
didn't pay the bill.

cut someone off take out of a will My grandparents cut my

father off when he
remarried.

cut something out remove part of I cut this ad out of the

something newspaper.
(usually with
scissors and
paper)

dosomeone/somethingov beat up, ransack He's lucky to be alive. His

er (Br.E., informal) shop was done over by a
street gang.

do something over do again My teacher wants me

(N.Amer.) to do my essayover because
she doesn't like my topic.

do away withsomething discard It's time to do away with all

of these old tax records.
do something up fasten, close Do your coat up before you
go outside. It's snowing!

dress up wear nice It's a fancy restaurant so we

clothing have todress up.

drop back move back in a Andrea dropped back to

position/group third place when she fell off
her bike.

drop in/by/over come without an I might drop in/by/over for

appointment tea sometime this week.

dropsomeone/something take I have to drop my

off someone/someth sister off at work before I
ing somewhere come over.
and leave them/it
there

drop out quit a class, I dropped out of Science

school etc because it was too difficult.

eat out eat at a I don't feel like cooking

restaurant tonight. Let's eat out.

end up eventually We ended up renting a

reach/do/decide movie instead of going to
the theatre.

fall apart break into pieces My new dress fell apart in

the washing machine.

fall down fall to the ground The picture that you hung up
last nightfell down this
morning.

fall out separate from an The money must have fallen

interior out of my pocket.

fall out (of hair, teeth) His hair started to fall

become loose out when he was only 35.
and unattached

figure something out understand, find I need to figure out how to fit
the answer the piano and the bookshelf
in this room.
fill something in to write Please fill in the form with
information in your name, address, and
blanks (Br.E.) phone number.

fill something out to write The form must be filled

information in out in capital letters.
blanks (N.Amer.)

fill something up fill to the top I always fill the water

jug up when it is empty.

find out discover We don't know where he

lives. How can we find out?

find something out discover We tried to keep the time of

the party a secret, but
Samantha found it out.

get somethingacross/over communicate, I tried to get my

make point across/over to the
understandable judge but she wouldn't
listen.

get along/on like each other I was surprised how well my

new girlfriend and my
sister got along/on.

get around have mobility My grandfather can get

around fine in his new
wheelchair.

get away go on a vacation We worked so hard this year

that we had to get away for
a week.

get away withsomething do without being Jason always gets away

noticed or with cheating in his maths
punished tests.

get back return We got back from our

vacation last week.

get something back receive Liz finally got her Science

something you notes backfrom my room-
had before mate.

get back at someone retaliate, take My sister got back at me for

 revenge stealing her shoes. She
stole my favourite hat.

get back intosomething become I finally got back into my

interested in novel and finished it.
something again

get on something step onto a We're going to freeze out

vehicle here if you don't let us get
on the bus.

get over something recover from an I just got over the flu and
illness, loss, now my sister has it.
difficulty

get over something overcome a The company will have to

problem close if it can'tget over the
new regulations.

get round tosomething finally find time I don't know when I am

to do going to get round to writing
(N.Amer.:get the thank you cards.
around
to something)

get together meet (usually for Let's get together for a BBQ
social reasons) this weekend.

get up get out of bed I got up early today to study

for my exam.

get up stand You should get up and give

the elderly man your seat.

give someone away reveal hidden His wife gave him away to
information the police.
about someone

give someone away take the bride to My father gave me away at

the altar my wedding.

give something away ruin a secret My little sister gave the

surprise partyaway by
accident.

give something away give something The library was giving

to someone for away old books on Friday.
 free

give something back return a I have to give these

borrowed item skates back to Franz before
his hockey game.

give in reluctantly stop My boyfriend didn't want to

fighting or go to the ballet, but he
arguing finally gave in.

give something out give to many They were giving out free
people (usually perfume samples at the
at no cost) department store.

give something up quit a habit I am giving up smoking as of

January 1st.

give up stop trying My maths homework was

too difficult so Igave up.

go after someone follow someone My brother tried to go

after the thief in his car.

go after something try to achieve I went after my dream and

something now I am a published writer.

go against someone compete, oppose We are going against the

best soccer team in the city
tonight.

go ahead start, proceed Please go ahead and eat

before the food gets cold.

go back return to a place I have to go back home and

get my lunch.

go out leave home to go We're going out for dinner

on a social event tonight.

go out with someone date Jesse has been going out

with Luke since they met
last winter.

go over something review Please go over your

answers before you submit
your test.
go over visit someone I haven't seen Tina for a
nearby long time. I think I'll go
over for an hour or two.

go without something suffer lack or When I was young, we went

deprivation withoutwinter boots.

grow apart stop being My best friend and I grew

friends over time apart after she changed
schools.

grow back regrow My roses grew back this

summer.

grow up become an adult When Jack grows up he

wants to be a fireman.

grow out ofsomething get too big for Elizabeth needs a new pair
of shoes because she
has grown out of her old
ones.

grow into something grow big enough This bike is too big for him
to fit now, but he should grow
into it by next year.

hand somethingdown give something I handed my old comic

used to someone books down to my little
else cousin.

hand something in submit I have to hand in my essay

by Friday.

hand something out to distribute to a We will hand out the

group of people invitations at the door.

hand something over give (usually The police asked the man
unwillingly) to hand overhis wallet and
his weapons.

hang in stay positive Hang in there. I'm sure you'll

(N.Amer., find a job very soon.
informal)

hang on wait a short time Hang on while I grab my

(informal) coat and shoes!
hang out spend time Instead of going to the party
relaxing we are just going to hang
(informal) out at my place.

hang up end a phone call He didn't say goodbye

before he hung up.

holdsomeone/somethingb prevent from I had to hold my

ack doing/going dog back because there was
a cat in the park.

hold something back hide an emotion Jamie held back his tears at
his grandfather's funeral.

hold on wait a short time Please hold on while I

transfer you to the Sales
Department.

hold hold firmly using Hold onto your hat because

ontosomeone/something your hands or it's very windy outside.
arms

holdsomeone/somethingu rob A man in a black

p mask held the bank upthis
morning.

keep on doingsomething continue doing Keep on stirring until the

liquid comes to a boil.

keep something fromsom not tell We kept our

eone relationship from our parents
for two years.

keepsomeone/something stop from Try to keep the wet

out entering dog out of the living room.

keep something up continue at the If you keep those

same rate results up you will get into a
great college.

let someone down fail to support or I need you to be on time.

help, disappoint Don't let medown this time.

let someone in allow to enter Can you let the cat in before
you go to school?

log in (or on) sign in (to a I can't log in to Facebook

 website, because I've forgotten my
database etc) password.

log out (or off) sign out (of a If you don't log off somebody
website, could get into your account.
database etc)

look take care of I have to look after my sick

aftersomeone/something grandmother.

look down onsomeone think less of, Ever since we stole that
consider inferior chocolate bar your dad
has looked down on me.

look try to find I'm looking for a red dress

forsomeone/something for the wedding.

look forward tosomething be excited about I'm looking forward to the

the future Christmas break.

look into something investigate We are going to look into the

price of snowboards today.

look out be careful, Look out! That car's going to

vigilant, and take hit you!
notice

look out be especially Don't forget to look out

forsomeone/something vigilant for for snakes on the hiking trail.

look something over check, examine Can you look over my essay
for spelling mistakes?

look something up search and find We can look her phone

information in a number up on the Internet.
reference book
or database

look up to someone have a lot of My little sister has

respect for always looked up to me.

make something up invent, lie about Josie made up a story about

something why we were late.

make up forgive each We were angry last night,

other but we made up at
breakfast.
make someone up apply cosmetics My sisters made me up for
to my graduation party.

mix something up confuse two or I mixed up the twins' names

more things again!

pass away die His uncle passed away last

night after a long illness.

pass out faint It was so hot in the church

that an elderly lady passed
out.

pass something out give the same The professor passed the
thing to many textbooks outbefore class.
people

pass something up decline (usually I passed up the job because

something good) I am afraid of change.

pay someone back return owed Thanks for buying my ticket.

money I'll pay youback on Friday.

pay for something be punished for That bully will pay for being
doing something mean to my little brother.
bad

pick something out choose I picked out three sweaters

for you to try on.

pointsomeone/something indicate with I'll point my

out your finger boyfriend out when he runs
by.

put something down put what you are You can put the
holding on a groceries down on the
surface or floor kitchen counter.

put someone down insult, make The students put the

someone feel substitute
stupid teacherdown because his
pants were too short.

put something off postpone We are putting off our trip

until January because of the
hurricane.
put something out extinguish The neighbours put the
fire out before the firemen
arrived.

put somethingtogether assemble I have to put the

crib together before the
baby arrives.

put up tolerate I don't think I can put up

withsomeone/something with three small children in
the car.

put something on put Don't forget to put on your

clothing/accesso new earrings for the party.
ries on your body

run meet I ran into an old school-

intosomeone/something unexpectedly friend at the mall.

run drive a vehicle I accidentally ran over your

oversomeone/something over a person or bicycle in the driveway.
thing

run rehearse, review Let's run over/through these

over/throughsomething lines one more time before
the show.

run away leave The child ran away from

unexpectedly, home and has been missing
escape for three days.

run out have none left We ran out of shampoo so I

had to wash my hair with
soap.

send something back return (usually by My letter got sent back to

mail) me because I used the
wrong stamp.

set something up arrange, Our boss set a

organize meeting up with the
president of the company.

set someone up trick, trap The police set up the car

thief by using a hidden
camera.
shop around compare prices I want to shop around a little
before I decide on these
boots.

show off act extra special He always shows off on his

for people skateboard
watching (usually
boastfully)

sleep over stay somewhere You should sleep

for the night over tonight if the weather is
(informal) too bad to drive home.

sort something out organize, resolve We need to sort the

a problem bills out before the first of
the month.

stick to something continue doing You will lose weight if

something, limit you stick to the diet.
yourself to one
particular thing

switch something off stop the energy The light's too bright. Could
flow, turn off you switch itoff.

switch something on start the energy We heard the news as soon

flow, turn on as weswitched on the car
radio.

take after someone resemble a I take after my mother. We

family member are both impatient.

take something apart purposely break He took the car

into pieces brakes apart and found the
problem.

take something back return an item I have to take our new

TV back because it doesn't
work.

take off start to fly My plane takes off in five

minutes.

take something off remove Take off your socks and

something shoes and come in the lake!
(usually clothing)
take something out remove from a Can you take the
place or thing garbage out to the street for
me?

take someone out pay for someone My

to go somewhere grandparents took us out for
with you dinner and a movie.

tear something up rip into pieces I tore up my ex-boyfriend's

letters and gave them back
to him.

think back remember (often When I think back on my

+ to, sometimes youth, I wish I had studied
+ on) harder.

think something over consider I'll have to think this job

offer overbefore I make my
final decision.

throw somethingaway dispose of We threw our old

furniture away when we won
the lottery.

turn something down decrease the Please turn the

volume or TV down while the guests
strength (heat, are here.
light etc)

turn something down refuse I turned the

job down because I don't
want to move.

turn something off stop the energy Your mother wants you
flow, switch off to turn the TVoff and come
for dinner.

turn something on start the energy, It's too dark in here.

switch on Let's turn some lights on.

turn something up increase the Can you turn the music up?
volume or This is my favourite song.
strength (heat,
light etc)

turn up appear suddenly Our cat turned up after we

put posters up all over the
 neighbourhood.

try something on sample clothing I'm going to try these

jeans on, but I don't think
they will fit.

try something out test I am going to try this new

brand of detergent out.

use something up finish the supply The kids used all of the
toothpaste up so we need to
buy some more.

wake up stop sleeping We have to wake up early

for work on Monday.

warmsomeone/something increase the You can warm your

up temperature feet up in front of the
fireplace.

warm up prepare body for I always warm up by doing

exercise sit-ups before I go for a run.

wear off fade away Most of my make-up wore

off before I got to the party.

work out exercise I work out at the gym three

times a week.

work out be successful Our plan worked out fine.

work something out make a We have to work out the

calculation total cost before we buy the
house.
CONFUSING ENGLISH WORDS
Word Meaning Example
Borrow To take a loan Can I borrow $20 from you?
Lend To give a loan I will lend you $20.
May To express possibility I may see you later in the party.
To request ( formal) May I help you?
Can To show ability I can do it.
To request (informal) Can I help you?
Bring To carry towards He brings me flowers everyday.
Take To carry away from someone He always takes his brother to
basketball games.
Adapt To get used to He adapted to the climate change
quite quickly.
The company adapts and resells the
To change ideas of others.
Adopt To take or claim as one’s own He adopted a child last year.
rise To go up The gas price is steadily rising
To get up She gets up at 5 am every morning.
raise To make higher The government is raising the price
of the fuel.
emigrate To leave a country He emigrated from UK last year
immigrate To move to another country She immigrated to Canada.
Advise (verb) To give advice She advised to get it from them
Advice ( noun) recommendation Mother gave me a good advice.
Affect To influence How do the budget cuts affect your
staffing.
Effect To cause He effected a commotion in the
crowd.
result What effect did that speech have?

ail To be ill or sick

ale Malt beverage bitter than beer
amicable Friendly ( for things) The amiable couple had an
amicable divorce.
amiable Friendly ( for people)
assumption An idea not based on evidence
presumption An idea based on evidence
assure To say with confidence/promise
ensure To make sure something
will/won’t happened