Thursday, June 30, 2011

Food

Food is nearly always uncountable: ‘We need to go out and buy some food.’ It is countable only when it refers to a particular kind of food: ‘baby food’, ‘health food’. ‘It is disgrace to serve such poor food.’

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Female

Female = (1) female is used mainly in scientific or technical styles: ‘The male birds are usually more colorful than the females.’ (2) for or pertaining to or composed of women or girls: ‘The female lead in the play’ (3) characteristic of or peculiar to a woman: ‘Female suffrage’.

Female is something used to refer to a woman or girl, but many people find this use of the word offensive.’

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Fight

When you are talking about an event or something that lasts only a short time, use fight sb/sth (WITHOUT against): ‘He said he would fight anyone who tried to stop him.’ ‘The best way to fight a cold is to get plenty of sleep.’

Monday, June 27, 2011

Fellow

Fellow = (informal) a man or person: ‘The new manager seems a pleasant enough sort of fellow.’

Friend = a person that you like and enjoy being with: ‘I’m having lunch with a friend of mine.’

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Favourable

Favourable = (i) expressing approval or encouragement: ‘a favourable report’, ‘a favourable reply’ ‘She received a favourable rating.’ (ii) advantageous: ‘This is a favorable time to ask for a raise.’

Be in favour of = support or approve of: ‘Most UN delegates are in favour of the new peace plan.’

Friday, June 24, 2011

Farm

You live/work/stay on a farm (NOT in): ‘I wouldn't like to work on a farm during the winter.’ ‘I would like to stay on a farm where you can eat homemade food.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fail

Fail = (1) Not do something; leave something undone:She failed to notice that her child was no longer in his crib.’ (2) Be unsuccessful: ‘The attempt to rescue the bus failed miserably.’ (3) Stop functioning or operating: ‘The engine failed on the way to town.’ (4) Be unable: ‘I fail to understand your feelings.’ (5) Prove insufficient: ‘The water supply for the town failed after a long drought.’

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Explain

Explain= (1) serve as a reason, cause or justification of: ‘Let me explain the problem (to you) again.’ (2) give details; define scope and structure: ‘The committee explained their plan for fund-raising to the Dean.’ (3) make clear and comprehensible: ‘He explained the laws of physics to his students.’

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Experiment

Perform/conduct/carryout/do a controlled test or investigation (NOT make): ‘Further experiment is required before applying the drug on humans.’

Experiment on person or animal: ‘Experiments have shown that the human mind has mysterious power.’ ‘Doctors are experimenting with a new drug to combat cancer.’

Monday, June 20, 2011

Exciting

Exciting= (1) Stimulating interest or discussion: ‘This novel is very exciting.’ (2) Creating or arousing excitement: ‘The view of London is very exciting.’

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Example

(1) Something worth to be imitated; an example of something (NOT for): ‘He is a classic example of a man with vaulting ambition.’ (2) A representative form or pattern: ‘I profited from his example.’ (3) Set an example or set a good example = behave correctly so that people who copy you will behave correctly: ‘You must set an example to the younger children.’

Friday, June 17, 2011

Every day

Every day (one word) = not special or unusual in any way: ‘A good photographer can make everyday objects look rare and special.’

Every day (two words) =each day: ‘Every day I try to learn ten new words.’

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Evidence

Evidence is an uncountable noun: provide evidence for; stand as proof of: ‘Medical evidence suggests that men are more likely to have heart attacks than women.’ ‘He has been unable to find evidence to support his theory.’


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Even

(i) Used as an intensive especially to indicate something unexpected ‘Many people think that it snows in Norway even in the summer.’ ‘I don't have even a dollar!’ (2)To a greater degree or extent; used with comparisons: ‘She looked sick and felt even worse.’

To introduce a subordinate clause, use even if, even though or even when (NOT even on its own): ‘You’ll have to accept the invitation, even though you don’t want to.’ ‘Even when my father is angry, he never raises his voice.’

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Equipment

Equipment (=an instrumentality required to undertake or perform a service) is an uncountable noun: ‘The school is planning to buy some sports equipment.’ ‘They made a check of their equipment.’

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Enter

(i)To come or go into: Enter a room, building, country etc. (WITHOUT into): ‘The teacher entered the class room.’ ‘The boat entered an area of shallow marshes.’ (ii) To put or insert: ‘Enter a picture into the text.’ (iii) To penetrate or pierce: ‘A bullet entered the flesh.’

Get into (a) college, university etc. (=be admitted to): ‘What qualifications do you need to get into medical school?’