Fluency In Telephone English And Sectoral English: Kev Nair

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Kev Nair

Fluency in Telephone English and Sectoral English 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.

2 • “Prof. Kev Nair... has... reached out to thousands – judicial officers, professionals, top executives, scholars – who need 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 & S7/B19: Fluency in Topicwise English (Vols. 1 & 2). • S8/B20: Fluency & Pronunciation.

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Fluency in Telephone English and Sectoral English “Teaches you how to be fluent over the phone.” – The New Sunday Express. Fourh Edition

Prof. Kev Nair

TM

Adult Faculties Council

TM

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For Uma fluency in telephone english and sectoral english. Copyright © Prof. K. E. V. Nair @ KevNair 1982, 1995, 2001, 2008. First published 1982. 3rd edition 2001 (15 impressions). 4th 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: Fluency in Telephone English, 11 Guidelines for making a call, 13 Guidelines for answering a call, 16 Telephone word groups, 16 1. Word groups for use while making a phone call, 17 2. Word groups for use while answering a phone call, 21 3. Word groups to speak about telephoning in general, 24

Chapter 2: Fluency in Business English, 27 Importance of practice, 42

Chapter 3: Fluency in Banking English, 43 Chapter 4: Fluency in Travel English, 50 Chapter 5: Speaking about Food and Drink, 57 Chapter 6: Everyday politics, 67 Chapter 7: ‘be’-clusters for general fluency, 71 Chapter 8: Word clusters useful across topics, 85 Chapter 9: Word clusters in serious conversations, 94

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Preface to the 4th edition Here’s the latest edition of this book. I have now added a substantial amount of new material that are useful for building fluency across a wide range of topics. 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

Fluency in Telephone English There’s an important point you must remember when you have a telephone conversation. When you have a conversation with someone on the telephone, you’re not face-to-face with them. You and the person you’re having the conversation with are not within each other’s presence or sight. On the other hand, when you have a face-to-face conversation with someone, you’re near them, and you can see them. And you can listen to them and speak to them — by actually looking at them (and their facial expressions and gestures) and at the surroundings. You see, when you have a face-to-face conversation with someone, you communicate not only through the actual words you use, but also through a number of extra-linguistic factors — such as facial expressions, gestures, etc. But when you have a telephone conversation, many of the extra-linguistic factors are absent — and you’ve got to rely mainly on the actual words you use in order to convey your meaning. The person at the other end can’t watch your facial expressions or gestures. And you can’t watch his. And so, neither of you can take advantage of extra-linguistic factors like facial expressions or gestures to add meaning to the actual words used. In the same way, when you have a face-to-face conversation with somebody, you don’t need to spell out everything in words. Many of the things you want to communicate to them would be clear to them from the situational context. But when you have a telephone conversation, a number of aspects of the situational context are absent. So when you have a telephone conversation, you’ll have to spell out all these things clearly in words. Or the person at the other end of the line won’t be able to understand what you mean. For example, when you have a telephone conversation, you won’t be able to speak about something or

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someone by pointing them out to your addressee — because the addressee is not near you, and the addressee can’t see them. So on the phone, you’ll have to speak about them by mentioning their actual names (if your addressee knows them by those names) — or by actually describing them in such a way that the addressee understands what you’re referring to or who you’re referring to. Similarly, the addressee (the person at the other end of the line) won’t be able to see the surroundings at your end or what is going on around you at your end at the time you’re speaking. And so the addressee’s eyes give him no help in understanding what you’re saying, and he’ll have to depend solely on his ears. All this means that when you speak to somebody on the phone, you’ll have to assume less and spell out more. Yes. When you have a phone conversation, you’ll have to explain almost everything in the clearest or the most detailed way. What I’m trying to tell you is this: When you speak to somebody face to face, you can take a number of things for granted. That is, you can assume one thing: Even if you don’t spell out many of the things clearly in words, your addressee would be able to understand them from your facial expressions, gestures and the situational context. And so, when you speak to somebody face to face, you needn’t spell out these things clearly. In other words, when you speak to somebody face to face, you can assume a lot, and you need only spell out the important things. But when you speak to somebody on the telephone, you’ll have to do the opposite: You’ll have to assume less and spell out more. And that’s not all. When you have a telephone conversation, you must be careful to do one other thing: You’ll have to spell out what you want your addressee to understand in a way that’s clearer than you would’ve done if you had been speaking to him face to face. That is, when you have a telephone conversation, it’s not enough that you spell out a lot. You must also spell them out far more clearly and in a far more detailed way. In short, when you have a telephone conversation, you’re handicapped in several ways. And it’s not always as easy to get

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your meaning across over the telephone as it is when you have a face-to-face conversation. But all this does not mean that when you speak on the telephone, you’ll have to be as explicit as you are when you communicate the same thing in writing. No. That’s not so. First of all, you can never be as explicit during a telephone conversation as when you write something — because even during a telephone conversation, you communicate through the spoken medium (and not through the medium of writing). So, even during a telephone conversation, you speak under pressure of time, and you can only express yourself by composing and speaking at the same time, just as you do when you have a face-to-face conversation. Secondly, when you have a telephone conversation, you keep getting feedback and reactions to what you say from your addressee — in words, exclamations and other sounds that he produces over the phone as he listens to what you say. And so, depending on the addressee’s reaction, you can keep modifying, improving and adding to what you say from momentto-moment, and thus make your meaning clear to him. And his moment-to-moment reactions would let you know the points on which he shares knowledge with you and the points that he has understood without your having specifically mentioned them. This saves you from having to spell out those points in words, and you can safely speak on by taking those points for granted. Because of all these reasons, if you want your telephone conversation to be effective, you must never forget to do the following things:

Guidelines for making a call 1). Whenever you dial a number and someone picks up the phone at the other end, you should do these things: i) Ask the person who picks up the phone at the other end if the number of the phone he has picked up is really the number you dialled. E.g. • Are you 3467983? • Is that 3467983?

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ii) If he says it is the right number, it’d be a good idea to go ahead and ask him if it’s really the place (office, house, etc.) that you want. E.g. • Is that the XYZ Co.? • Is that the Fire Station? iii) Then you should announce your identity. (You should do this — if the person who picked up the phone at the other end has not already recognized your voice). Tell him who you are and where you’re calling from — that is, the place, office etc. you’re calling from. iv) After announcing your identity, you can straightaway ask him if you could speak to such and such a person — without asking him who he is. Of course, if you recognize his voice, and if he’s the person you want to speak to, you can straight away launch into a conversation. v) If the person who picks up the phone at the other end voluntarily announces his identity, and if he’s not the person you want to speak to, tell him you’d like to speak to such and such a person — or ask him if you could speak to that person. vi) Suppose that the person who picks up the telephone at the other end tells you that the person you want is not available or that, for some reason, you can’t speak to him at that point of time. Then if you want, you can ask the person who has picked up the phone who he is — before you start telling him anything else. E.g. • Who’s this speaking? • May I know who this is speaking, please? But remember one thing: In general, nobody likes to tell you who they are if you don’t tell them who you are first. So the best policy is to announce your identity first, before asking for the identity of the person at the other end. vii) Suppose that the person who picks up the phone at the other end is not the person you want, and suppose that he puts you through to the right person. Then,

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announce your identity once again, and ask this second person if he is really the person you want to talk to. E.g. Is that Mr. Sridhar? 2). Once you get the person you want on the phone, and once you’re sure that he’s the person you want, you can state the purpose of your call. But don’t just rush into explaining the purpose all of a sudden. Instead, start by preparing the ground — by telling him that you’re now going to state the purpose. For example, if you’re calling him to tell him something about a meeting, you can begin by saying something like this: • I’m calling you about tomorrow’s meeting. Or, • It’s about tomorrow’s meeting. Tell him what you want to tell him about the meeting only after you get him ready to listen to it by preparing the ground in this way. On the one hand, this step gives a sense of direction to what you want to say. And on the other hand, it directs your addressee’s attention to what you’re going to say. 3). In the same way, before you speak to him about anything important, start by telling him that you’re going to speak to him about such and such a thing or such and such a person or such and such a topic. In this way, you must always build an expectation in him about what you’re going to say — before you actually say it. This step is very important if your telephone communication is to be really effective. 4). Before you actually ring off, say something appropriate that’d indicate to the person at the other end that you’re going to ring off. Depending on the context, word groups like the following would help you do this: • Bye, then. • I’ll get back to you soon. • Well, that’s settled, then. • Thanks a lot. Goodbye. • Until tomorrow, then. Goodbye.

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Guidelines for answering a call So far, I’ve been telling you about making a phone call. Let me now tell you a few things about answering a call. When you answer a call, points 3 and 4 given above are as important as when you make a call. But the preliminary things that you must do (when you answer a call) are not the same. And here are the preliminary things you must do when you answer a call: 1). As soon as you pick up the phone to answer a call, let the caller know that you’ve picked up the phone and that he has your attention. You can do this by saying “Hello”. 2). If you want to be more helpful, you can voluntarily announce the number of your phone or announce your identity while saying “Hello” (or instead of saying “Hello”). E.g. • Hello, 3468953. • Hello, Ashok Kumar here. • XYZ company. Good morning. 3). If the caller starts stating the purpose of his call without announcing his identity, you can ask him who he is before telling him anything or helping him — if you find it necessary to do so.

Telephone word groups The extent to which you’re fluent over the telephone depends not only on your general fluency, but also on whether you have practice in saying certain word groups that have set patterns. These are word groups that’ll help you put the guidelines mentioned above into practice. So let’s take up these word groups immediately. You’re going to get three categories of word groups. The first category covers word groups that a person who makes a call must have mastery over. And the second category covers word groups that a person who answers a call must have mastery over. The third category covers word groups of a different

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sort. These are word groups that have to do with telephoning in general. Read each word group ALOUD — several times. Continue saying the word groups aloud until your organs of speech get used to them, and until you can say them smoothly and without hesitation. Here we go:

1. Word groups for use while making a phone call • Hello, is that the XYZ company? • Hello, Kumar. Sekhar here. • Hello, is Ajith there? • Mr. Ravi Sekhar? • Is that you, Bindu? • It’s Priya. • I’d like to speak to Ashok. • This is Raju Varma of the XYX company. Mr. Kumar, did you receive my letter? • Anil here. • This is Rao — Anil Rao. And I’m speaking from the XYZ Bank. • Could you connect me with the sales department, please? • Good morning. This is Mr. Menon. • Can you give me Mr. Ajith Varma, please? • Could I speak to Mr. Ashok Bhat, please? • I’d like to speak to the person in charge. • This is James John speaking. • My name is Jain — Suresh Jain. • Oh, it’s you, Anil, is it? • Is Sharon there, by any chance? • Ahmed speaking. • Put me on to your accounts department, please. • Could you put me through to Mr. Dixit, please? • You don’t know me, but our mutual friend, Bret, told me to call you. • I’m ringing from the XYZ company. • Good morning. Mr. Murthy here. • I’m phoning you to find out when your Managing Director will be back from England. • Could I have extension 532, please? • Mr. Kumar, we haven’t met, but Mr. Shankar asked me to contact you. • I had met him yesterday, and he suggested I should call him today. • I

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want to get some information about a flight. • What time could I reach him? • I’m phoning to ask you whether you could spare us some time tomorrow afternoon. • I rang you earlier, but I couldn’t get through. • I know you don’t want to speak to me, but don’t hang up yet. • Thank you for your help. Bye bye. • I want a few details of your computers. • Can you connect me with your Managing Director? • Can you tell me when the trains to Bombay leave? • You wanted to know about the arrangements, didn’t you? • Here’s the position. • Have you a moment to speak on the phone? • When can I reach you? • Will you please tell Mr. Sekhar that Ravi Kumar is on the line for him? • Would tomorrow morning or tomorrow afternoon be more convenient for you to see me? • Could I come at 10 o’clock instead of 11? • Can I contact him tomorrow? • Can I speak to someone in your sales department, please? • Hello, this is Ajai — Ajai Menon. • It’s a business matter. • This is Suresh again. Sorry, we were cut off. • I’m phoning back about your order for a computer. • Can you confirm that you’ll be able to attend? • I’m phoning you about an overdue payment. • Those books you sent me — they’re not the ones I had ordered. • I’ll phone again tomorrow. • Would you confirm the delivery date, please? • Would you confirm the price, please? • I just wanted to tell you about tomorrow’s meeting. • Could you tell me how long he’ll be away? • My reason for calling you is this ... • Okay. I’ll drop in tomorrow evening, then. • You rang us up a few days ago about a computer. • The reason that I’m phoning you is to ask a favour. • I’m phoning you, because we’re having some problems with our computer. • It’s about a letter he wrote to me. • Will he be at the office tomorrow? • I’ve got a bit of a problem here. • Listen. Tomorrow’s meeting — it’s been put off. • I need some information from you. • I’m afraid I have to make a serious complaint. • Thanks a lot — goodbye. • I bought

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a TV from you last week, and I’m having some problems with it. • I need the price of your washing machine. • Good morning, Mr. Arora, I’m sorry to disturb you. • I’d like to speak to someone about an order. • I’m looking for some information on your new motor bike. • I’d like to speak to somebody about an ad I saw today. • I’d like to know the price for a double-room for one night. • As you know, our company is doing some work for you. • Will you be able to see me tomorrow or day after tomorrow? • Is that the XYZ hotel? ... I’d like to make a reservation for tomorrow, please. • I’ve got good news for you. • I’d like to ask your advice about something. • Let me give you my phone number. • Listen. The book you wanted — I’ve got it here. • You remember the computer we bought from you. I’m phoning you about it. • He asked me to call him when I got back to Bombay. • I have a price query. • You wanted to know our prices, didn’t you? Here they are. • Would you ask him to ring me back when he comes in? • I must have dialled the wrong number. • Can I get in touch with you again after I get a reply from the XYZ company? • Okay then. You’ll be hearing from me. Goodbye. • Have you got a note pad handy? • You asked me to call back today. • I’m going to be in your area next week. • I’ll telephone you again when it’s delivered. • You asked me to ring when I was in town again. • I’m ringing from the post office. • Would you check if he’s in John’s office, please? • Will morning or afternoon suit you best? • This is the number I was asked to ring. • That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. • Isn’t that the XYZ company? So sorry. • Do you know when he’ll be back. • I’d like to talk to someone about a bill I received from you today. • I’ll ring him at about 10 tomorrow, then. • You’ll remember I spoke to you last week about a washing machine. • It’s about the computer I bought from you. • I’ll be in touch with you. •

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Okay, bye bye. • I’m phoning for some prices for computers. • You know we were talking about the car you wanted to sell. • I’m phoning about the order we had placed last month. • I got your letter today, and I’m phoning to save time. • Can you help me find out something about your prices? ... • That’s why I’m phoning. • What I really wanted to tell you is this: ... • Please ask him to call me back. He has my number... • That’s what I’m ringing about. • Just one more question. • I tried to get hold of him at his hotel, but there was no reply. • Madhu, can I ask you to do me a favour? • I can’t get any satisfaction from your deputy, that’s why I’m phoning you. • Please tell him I called. • You know that book you wanted me to buy. I can’t find it in any of the book shops here. • You asked me to confirm the arrangements. • What time will he be there? • Sorry to have troubled you. • I can’t get a dialling tone on my phone. • I’ll hold on, if it won’t take too long. • Can you send someone to look for him? • I can ring up later if it’s convenient. • You’ll be hearing from me again on next Monday. • One other thing. I’ll be at a conference all day tomorrow. • Could you ring me back tomorrow? • I’d like some information on your new washing machine. • He asked me to confirm as soon as possible. • You wanted some details, didn’t you? Here they are. • He asked me to call this evening. • There’s a serious problem, I’m afraid, and I’m phoning you about it. • I’ll ring again then. • Once again, many thanks. Bye bye. • I’m phoning you to find out the price of your washing machine. • You know the quote you gave us for 50 ceiling fans last week. I’d like to order 40. • I’d like to know the price for a double-room. • Think about it, and then perhaps you’ll call me back. • If I’m not in, please leave a message with my secretary. • Are you sure he isn’t there? • I’ll call you back in the evening, would 4 o’clock suit you? • Mr. Arora, it’s about the invoice

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you sent us yesterday. • Would Friday 4 o’clock be suitable or Saturday 11 o’clock? • Can I leave a message? • Okay. Bye now. • I wanted to let you know where you can contact me. • Let’s settle the matter while we’re on the telephone. • I’m phoning you, because it looks as though I won’t be able to keep the appointment we made. • Are you there, Mr. Joshi? • I’d like to book a room for two nights. • If I’m not there, please leave a message for me. • When you’ve checked things at your end, would you let me know? • I’ll call him back well before 5. • Could you tell him I’m arriving on the evening flight? • Bye then. • Bye for now. • I’m phoning you about a serious matter. • So long. Bye now. • Let him know I’ve received his packet. • I’ve seen your ad in today’s Indian Express. I’d like to know your prices. • Goodbye for now. • Could you ask him about the order we had placed?

2. Word groups for use while answering a phone call • 3311614. • 3311614 — Raju Sharma. • XYZ company. Good morning. • XYZ company here. Can I help you? • Who’s calling? • Ashok here. • Hold the line, please. • Who’s that calling? • Ajith, good to hear from you. How are you keeping? • Who’s speaking? • Who’s this speaking? • Who am I speaking to? • Who would you like to speak to? • Just a moment please. • How can I help you? • May I ask what it’s about? • Accounts department — can I help you? • What can I do for you? • May I ask who you’re looking for? • He won’t be in all morning. Can I help you? • Can somebody else help you? • What number are you calling? • I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong number. • He isn’t in at the moment. Can I help you? • Could you hold on a minute? • I’m afraid this is rather a bad line. Could you repeat that, please? • I’ll see if

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he’s here. • I’m afraid he’s not in yet. • He is in a meeting at the moment. • Is it to do with accounts? • Could you give me your name, please? • Hang on for a moment. Let me just check. • Please hold on. He’s on the other line. • Hold on, I’ll tell him you’re calling. • He’s in a meeting with the General Manager at the moment. • Hold on, please — I’m just trying to connect you. • Is it to do with a sales query? • Where are you ringing from? • I’ll just have a look. Ah, here he is. • Nobody by that name works here. • Hang on just a minute. • I’m sorry, there’s no such person here. • Shall I ask him to call you when he’s free? • I’ll phone you back as soon as possible. • Who did you say you wanted to speak to? • Would you like to ring back later? • Could I have your number again, please? • I’ll call you back tonight. • Is it about an order? • What seems to be the problem, Mr. Alfredo? • He’ll only be in till 5 o’clock. • He’s gone home. Can I take a message? • If you give me your phone number, I’ll call you back. • I’m afraid his phone’s engaged. Will you hold the line? • He isn’t in at the moment. Can I give him a message? • Okay then. I’ll give you a call at your hotel. • Would you repeat your name, please? • This is a very bad line, I’m afraid. Sounds as if you’re miles away. • The extension is engaged. Would you like to hold the line or call back later? • Would you hold on, please? • Sorry, there’s no Mr. Panicker at this number. • He’s at a conference in Bangalore. • Is it to do with a delivery query? • You can reach him any afternoon after two. • I can give you his home number if it’s urgent. • Thanks a lot. Goodbye. • His phone is ringing, but there’s no reply. I’m the switchboard operator. • I’m very sorry to hear this, Mr. Sekhar. • Sorry, he’s out of town. May I help you? • The line’s engaged. Would you like to hang on or call back later? • I’m afraid he isn’t in. What would you like to know? • Could you tell me who you want to speak to,

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please? • It isn’t convenient to talk at the moment. I’m in the middle of a meeting. I’ll call you back later. • Sorry, the number is changed. • Hello, Shankar. Good to hear from you. • He’ll be back at about 4. • But please confirm your booking in writing. • The line isn’t very good. Can I ring you back? • Thanks for calling. • Ring me again if you need any further information. • I’ll look into it right away, and I’ll ring you back. • What do you want to see me about? • He’s out of the office at the moment. • He had to leave for Bombay suddenly yesterday. • Sorry, he’s just gone out. • He’s with the Managing Director in a meeting. Mr. Gupta is here. Would you like to speak to him? • I didn’t recognize your voice. • Look, I’m rather busy at the moment. Can I call you back? • I’ll be in all evening today. • I was just planning to phone you in fact. • You can reach him at home. • No, this isn’t the number you want. • That’s our number all right, but this is not the XYZ company. • I’ll see if he’s in at the office. • You can telephone me personally if ever you require service. • I’ll ring you back, if you like. • Hold on — I’ll get you the information you need. • He’s away for a few days. • I had better ring off now. Dad’s waiting for me outside. Okay — bye-bye. • It’d take too long to give you all the prices and terms on the phone. Why don’t you come down here? • I’ll be in a meeting all evening. • Could you possibly speak more slowly? • What is it all about? • Could you give me your telephone number, please? • I’ll just note that down. • There’s no person of that name here. • Let me ring you back in about half an hour. • I can’t tell you right now. I’ll call you back. • He’s away on a business trip. • Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Could you repeat it, please? • Okay. I’ll see to that. • If I haven’t confirmed by this weekend, get in touch again. • Sorry to keep you waiting. He is on the other phone. • That’s a difficult question to answer. • I’ll put you through to our accounts department. • Thanks for letting

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us know the mistake. • Sorry, this is the wrong extension. • Who did you say you were? • Hold on. I’ll try to connect you. • I can hardly recognize your voice. It’s as though you’re miles away. • Can I let you know the situation tomorrow? • There’s no one by that name here. • You can ring him at his hotel. • You know that order for three computers we placed with you last week? I’m calling you about it. • Sorry, I didn’t catch the name of the company. Could you repeat it? • Could you give me your phone number? • I’ll connect you with our accountant. • Hello, I can connect you now. • Thanks very much for ringing. • Thank you for calling, Mr. Peter. • Well, I’m glad to hear that. • I haven’t any time to talk just now. Can I ring you back in an hour? • I think that’s okay by me. I’ll ring you back, shall I? • Speak a bit louder, will you? • You must have the wrong Sharma from the phone book. • You asked me to call back about the partnership deed. • Could you give me a fuller description? • All right, I’ll see to it and you’ll get a call today. • Sorry, I couldn’t hear what you said. • I’ll let you know as soon as I can. He’s busy all weekend. • I’ll tell you what I can do. I’ll... Give me a call tomorrow. • I’m sure to have some news for you. • Can you call me back in a few minutes? • I’m glad you rang back so soon. • I’d be glad to see you if you’re in this area. • How do you spell your name? • Is there anything else I can do for you? • I need to know the reference number, please. • I don’t know his number off hand, but I can easily look it up for you. • Could I have your name and address?

3. Word groups to speak about telephoning in general • I have to make a telephone call. • He spoke to me by (or on) the telephone last night. • She telephones every week. • The phone’s ringing, pick it up, will you? • Can I use your phone? • I picked up the receiver to make a call, but there

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was no dialling tone. • I had/received a call from him last night. • You’re wanted on the telephone. • I’ve tried several times to ring his office, but there’s no reply. • He dialled his secretary and said something in to the phone. • The telephone’s out of order. • Your wife was on the telephone earlier. She wanted you to call her back. • You can phone me tonight. • He lifted the receiver and dialled the number. • Phone the hospital. • He can always be reached on the office telephone. • I phoned you, but the line was engaged and I couldn’t get through (to you). • What’s the dialling code for Bombay? • As soon as the telephone rang, he picked up the receiver. • Somebody wants you on the telephone. • He rang me last night about the meeting. • Can I contact you by phone? • It’s his dad on the phone. • I dialled the number, but there was no answer. • I’ll be back in a minute. If the telephone rings, answer it, will you? • Put in the money before dialling. • The telephone’s on the blink again. • There’s Mr. Sekhar on the phone for you. • I want to make a call to my father. • I couldn’t pass on the message to them last night. They’re not on the telephone yet, you know. • Is there a public call-box around here? • What’s the code/ dialling code for London? • What’s the area code for New York? • I can’t tell you all this over the phone. • Is there a phone number where I can contact him? • I’ll have to ring off now — I’ll call you back later. • Get on to the airline at once and see if the flight is delayed. • I was in the bathroom and I couldn’t take the call. • Get them on the phone, will you? • Can I make a quick telephone call? • If he isn’t there, dial his home number. • Ring the police at once. • I have been telephoning all day, but I haven’t been able to speak to him. • I think he has left his phone off the hook. • I think he has switched off the handset. • He didn’t want any calls to disturb him, so he took the phone off the hook. • He was talking on the telephone. • She passed on

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the message and put down the phone. • There’s no reply from this number. • There’s no reply from his extension. • How do I call the operator? • There’s a phone call for you. • The telephone’s ringing. Can you pick it up? • Put the receiver down and call again. • He was very angry and he slammed down the telephone. • I had a bad (or poor) line and I couldn’t hear clearly what he was saying. • Her voice was very clear on the telephone. • He picked up the phone and passed it over. • He spoke for a few minutes and then replaced the receiver. • He hung up before I could explain. • They telephoned the good news immediately. • You can always reach me by telephone. • If you don’t want to be disturbed, leave the phone off the hook. • He telephoned from his hotel room. • The telephone went dead in the middle of our conversation. • I picked up the telephone, but the line was dead. • He hurled insults at me on the telephone and I had to hang up (on him). • Who answered the phone? • You can’t telephone Kodaikanal directly from here. • He telephoned a warning immediately. • Is that the phone ringing? • How do I dial London from here? • Go and telephone the traffic police. • Were there any calls for me while I was out? • He asked if you’d ring him back when you got in.

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Chapter 2

Fluency in Business English Let’s now do some practice to develop your fluency in businessrelated situations. Your fluency in business-related situations depends not only on your level of general fluency, but also on another thing — whether you have practice in saying word groups that are frequently used in those situations. So what I’m going to do is this: I’m going to give you a collection of word groups that are frequently used in business-related situations. You’ll find these word groups put into 6 groups. Now remember this: These are not word groups that only businessmen use. No. These are word groups that businessmen as well as non-businessmen use in everyday situations. Only, these are word groups that have to do with business. That’s all. You’ll often find it necessary to use these word groups in everyday situations. And you can expect to hear these word groups frequently used by other people, too. So this is what you must do now: Go through all the word groups once quickly. That’ll give you a general picture of what the word groups are like. Then pick up each word group and utter it ALOUD —several times. Keep up with the practice until your organs of speech get used to saying these word groups — and until you’re able to utter them smoothly and without hesitation. Here we go:

Group 1 • We must invest if we want our business to grow. • You wanted to know the final price, didn’t you? • He’s a businessman — he buys things cheap, and sells them dear. • Half the order

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will arrive on Wednesday. The rest will arrive after a week. • We no longer stock that product — there’s no demand for it. • If your order is over Rs. 1,00,000 in value, we can go along with the special discount terms. • They sold that old building, and it fetched Rs. 2,00,000 or so. • We’ll have to analyze the situation before deciding what to do. • How much stock did we have at the start of the year? • You’ll have to make an estimate of the cost. • I’m sorry we’ve really let you down, and there’s no excuse. • Is this price list still valid? • He has a business of his own. • They’re going to open a new department store there. • We’ll be invoicing you separately for these items. • I think we’re passing up an opportunity for making good profit. • Shares have dropped. • He bought that car new. • We haven’t got enough space to stock them. • If we want to compete with overseas companies, we’ll have to improve the quality of our goods. • Certain things may go wrong in any business. • We need the goods sooner than we thought. • That cement factory is up for sale. • They charge high prices. • Let’s work out the firm’s profit for the current year. • We’ve dealt with them for nearly five years now. • We need fast turnover and good profit. • We employ 500 workers. • We’d like to order some office equipment. • Who looks after the accounts of the firm? • We can’t afford to buy it at that price. • Our lowest price is Rs. 200 a dozen. • He bought that house cheap. • These are high-demand, high turnover brands, why don’t you carry them in your store? • The bill they sent to us was far too high due to a computer error. • I’ll have to confirm that with our General Manager. • Are you sure this invoice is correct? • The company has decided to put up their prices. • I can only give you an approximate idea of the cost. • We have a lot of business expenses to meet. • Mr. Mohan to see you, Mr. Murthy. • Have you invoiced them for the last order? • This new product will be on the market next month. • A note was attached to the document with a paper-clip. • Can you give me a quotation? • Somehow or other, we’ll have to meet our delivery date. • You’ll only know our difficulties if you’ve ever

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kept a shop. • The cost of electricity has gone up. • The company was not able to get any further credit and went bankrupt. • Mr. Prakash here on the phone for you. • Shares have fallen. • I expect to go on buying from our existing suppliers in the future, too. • They haven’t paid the last invoice yet. • Money buys less than it used to. • A better discount? We can’t go over 10%. • There’s no demand for that brand. • I think we should bring down our prices. • They’ve asked for payment before delivery. • Don’t forget to budget for possible increased costs. • Our income doesn’t even cover our living expenses. • They were able to increase overall production by 30% last year. • He’ll be attached to the accounts department for the next three months. • You get a 5% discount for prompt payment. • The goods were delayed during transport. • Our goods are attractively packaged, and they sell more quickly. • They do their bookkeeping by computer. • We keep books by hand. • There’s a Mr. Arun to see you. • At that price that dress is an absolute bargain. • How long has this product been on the market? • What are our finances like at the moment? • The best goods usually cost most. • I like the looks of this washing-machine. • We’ve got all the information you need on file. • We can give you a 15% discount if your order reaches us before the end of this month. • They want us to make immediate delivery. • How are you going to raise money for the project? • What you’ve told me about your product is all very interesting, but the cold hard fact is, your service is unsatisfactory. • Write out a cheque, will you? • I have a Mr. Keshav to see you, Mr. Thomas. • Who’s in charge of the office when Mr. Mohan is away? • The court awarded Rs. 20,000 each to the workers injured in the accident. • We’ll have to speed up production in the factory. • They want a higher discount. • You’ll send it tomorrow? Can I really count on it? • The manager has to get through a lot of paperwork everyday. • Give me time to think it over. • I hope they keep their side of the bargain. • When did we promise delivery? Next Friday? • Shares are sliding. •

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Supposing they’re not able to deliver on time. • The arrangement can’t be changed. • It’s worth more than you paid for it. • This is our second order for office equipment. • I think there’ll be a two-week delay. • These items bring in far less profit than other goods. • We’ve contracted to supply all the raw materials they need. • This shop sells a wide range of goods. • We have a service contract with them on our computers. • Your cheque is in the post. • I need some background information. • Please allow 30 days for delivery. • The consignment has got stuck at the customs. • Computer prices are falling all the time. • If you order now, you can be certain of prompt delivery. • Have you invoiced them for the goods they bought today morning? • Who wouldn’t like to increase their profit margin! • He’s very slow at paying his bills. • That salesman couldn’t answer my question to my satisfaction. • He has been frequently absent, and is behind with his work. • Prices are likely to go up soon. • He’s been doing a roaring trade and he’s in the money. • I don’t want to carry your line in this store. • Our electricity bills are always heavier in the summer. • The loss in the first half of the year was balanced by the profit in the second half. • First, let’s get an estimate. Then we can decide whether to proceed with the work or not. • We’re thinking of buying your computers.

Group 2 • He’s bought a computer for his business. • Spending on advertising has increased in absolute terms. • Have you made out an invoice for the goods? • We can’t risk our business coming to a stop just because the suppliers couldn’t deliver on time. • Shares are rising. • The new brand of coffee soon became a market leader. • What price did you give? • You’ve done business with us before, haven’t you? • We rely on advertising to sell our products. • Phone him up and ask him to settle the account. • I’m already overstocked. • They do quite a good trade in sports equipment. • The sales figures bear out what he says. • Business is bad. I haven’t made a sale all day. • Three months

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is my deadline. • These records will have to be brought up to date every day. • This is an excellent profit-making line. • This month’s production figures are looking good. • Shares have been soaring for sometime now. • Do I have to pay in cash, or will you accept a cheque? • We’re hoping for a large sale of our new product. • The factory lay idle during the strike. • Prices start at Rs. 150. • I’d like to know your prices and terms. • That firm is not in business any more. • They’re business partners. • Your prices are too high. • The board of directors are (or is) meeting to discuss this problem. • The maintenance contract is due for renewal next month. • I think our plan is beginning to bear fruit — the sales figures have started going up. • Can you offer the large size at the same price? • The staff are not always careful over the clerical work. • I think the material was faulty. • We’ve decided to cut costs by 5% right away. • Everything they sell are priced high. • The question you’re raising is pretty important. • This idea could save us a lot of bookkeeping work. • Is your April price list still valid? • We couldn’t get enough in all the sizes needed. • Prices for raw materials are getting lower. • Carry our products and you just can’t lose. • He’s the real brains in the organization. • Mr. Prakash of the XYZ company on the line, Mr. Varma. • I’ve made up my mind not to deal with that company again. • That company manufactures sports equipment at a price that we can’t match. • I’m busy with an important customer. • He’s thinking of expanding his business. • We can buy cheaper elsewhere. • Shares are looking up. • He runs a petrol station. • The salary will be fixed according to age and experience. • The new product will be fixed on sale next month. • We’d like earlier delivery if possible. • The shop has a new look to appeal to young customers. • Can you give me an idea about your product requirements? • Add Rs. 25 to the total to cover postage and packing. • If your terms are reasonable we’ll be able to place another order soon. • Well, the point is, what can you do to help us? • Prices for computers are dropping. • That’s a well-known

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brand of tea. • I don’t think these figures are accurate. • Who’s the other applicant? • Has he had any experience? • The firm’s profits have multiplied over the last two years. • We bought a computer from them, and we’ve had a lot of service problems. • I think our new product should fill a gap in the market. • This price is very competitive. • We made several mistakes, and they cost money. • We don’t only buy on price. There are other factors too — quality, service, delivery... • Their Managing Director has a reputation of being difficult to work with. • I’ll make sure it’s delivered on time. • I can offer it to you at a bargain price. • We shall do our best to see that it’ll never happen again. • We give a better discount on a repeat order. • If I ordered the pumps today, how long would it be before I got delivery in Kochi? • Shares have fallen very low. • I don’t have any demand for your line. • The new government has decided to help people start small business. • Somehow, they always manage to keep ahead of competitors. • They’re going to launch a new product next month. • Write out a cheque for that amount, then. • You can count on the delivery by this weekend. • They always buy goods for cash. • Our firm buys goods on credit from them. • This line can make money for us. • Shares have touched bottom. Now’s the time to buy them. • Are those products selling well? • There’s just not enough profit in these small items. • Oranges are selling at a high price. • Could you bring the delivery forward by a week? • Can I interest you in our new washing powder? • We can certainly meet your needs if there’s an emergency. The actual damage to the factory was not as great as we had feared. • Could you let us have a firm offer? • Our prices compare favourably with anything on the market today. • Shares have been staying very low for a long time now. • Your price is way out of line. • He has set up in business as a photographer. • This is a problem that faces every company now and again. • Order well in advance, so you can be certain of supplies. • Ours is a small manufacturing firm. • He has the right kind of experience for this job. • These prices are our lowest.

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• Can you give us 45 day’s extra credit? • How much money do they owe us? • Can you give me a rough estimate of how much this work will cost? • The firm got itself into financial difficulties. • Look, your product doesn’t meet with our specification. • What’s the price of this TV? • A lot of customers would buy this stuff if you carried it. • The figures have been adjusted to take account of inflation. • Look, we just can’t accept these faulty goods. • You’ll have to share the extra cost of sending the goods by road. • I don’t know why, but orders have slumped. • The company’s future doesn’t look very hopeful. • The owners couldn’t make it pay, and the factory closed down. • What are your credit terms? • Business is looking up. • The suppliers had difficulties in meeting our delivery schedules. • I think there’s a need for more spending on research. • The discount would be 3% higher for a repeat order. • Business was quiet today, and I didn’t have much work to do. • We’re due to deliver their order this Friday. • He has a lot of money tied up in shares. • Customers often don’t ask for something they don’t see in the store. • The output has increased in the past year.

Group 3 • Can you deliver quickly? • 10% will be added on to your bill as service charge. • We’ll repair it for you free of charge. • We bargained with them about the price. • What discount would you offer on an order for 1000? • They’re very easy to do business with. • I don’t know why, but share prices have slumped. • I don’t have any demand for your product in my shop. • He runs a restaurant in Bangalore. • I’ve got a report I must dictate. • They’ve sent us faulty goods. • We don’t want to try out new ideas just now. That’d only disrupt production. • The business is finished — there’s no more money. • I wish you’d keep the deadlines we fixed. • We have a wide range of prices. • His business has been running at a profit. • Their business runs at a loss. • They’ve decided to stock up our product. • It’s difficult to calculate how long the project will take. • How much time can

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you give us to complete this work? • Ask them for a receipt when you pay the bill. • Our products sell very quickly. • Does she have any secretarial experience? • We haven’t any more available. • The goods left the factory in perfect condition. • It’s not easy to build up a good business. • People just don’t ask for your products. Business has been good for the time of year. • Well, I’ll have to check with the factory. • You’ll receive supplies within three days of ordering. • We didn’t make much profit in the first year. • We sell automobile spare parts, and we need regular supplies. • Ours is a small business. • Theirs is a large firm. • Is that product still in demand? • These items will sell well and make profits for you. • Use this method and you can multiply your profits in a very short time. • When did you place the order? • This trip was financed by the company. • The transport strike has put us further behind with our delivery. • If you want us to send it by post, we must charge postage. • It’s very expensive to advertise on television. • I can’t tell you what the discount is, until I know how many you’d like to order. • There’s a 5% discount. • This seems a sensible solution. • He’s not a government servant — he’s in business. • The production figures will bear him out. • There’s been an increase of 25% on last year’s figures. • They make the best umbrellas on the market. • Our products are always in demand. • We do regular checks on our products and make sure they’re of high quality.• You can take advantage of our introductory offer. • They haven’t been able to work out the terms of the contract satisfactorily. • They only sell goods for cash. • There’s too little profit in this item for the handling effort and expense involved. • At last, his business is picking up. It has been making a loss so far, you know. • Will I have any problem in getting spares? • We’re sold out — we have no more. • He has the reputation of being a keen buyer. • The bill should add up to about Rs. 9,750. • Those are the best terms we can offer, I’m afraid. • Do you have our price list? • What’s all this going to cost? • He’s decided to start a small retail business. • There are clear advantages

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to the first plan. • We haven’t worked out all those details yet. • Many small firms are facing financial ruin. • Why are they withholding payment this time? • We’ve placed an order with them for some electrical goods. • The discount will be bigger if you order over 100 units. • You’ll have to pay for it when you order it. • Why has there been this hold up on delivery? • He’s in business on his own. • I once had a bad experience with your company. • We hope to expand our business this year. • What’s the order number? • The goods are now ready for collection. • We have a production problem. • We’re out of stock — all sold out. • What we need are products that turn over rapidly. • You see, the discount depends on the quantity. • We’ll have to order some more. • How much does that computer cost? • We need to maintain the quality of our products. • Could you give me some idea of your requirements? • I’ll speak to my partner about it. • Business is good at present. • Are they satisfied with the discount? • He has put a lot of money into that business. • They’re one of our most valued customers. • We can have the items ready by the weekend. • The deal looked impossible, but he pulled it off. • Do you buy only on price? • We can’t afford to lose this contract. The future of our firm depends on it. • Have you checked with our competitors? • Can’t you reduce the price for our first order? • We need to get a clear understanding of the situation. • They’ve sent us damaged goods. • We meet urgent orders quickly from stock. • That’s the reason why you should buy from us. • Can you give me a rough estimate of what the work would cost? • What about a good discount? It’s a repeat order, you know. • Is this situation likely to continue or not? • The company’s finances are in good shape. • I think your product is overpriced. • He’s after a job in advertising. • He’s a close business associate of my brother’s. • Better stock up on sugar there’ll be a shortage soon. • We buy on value and not on price alone. • I’m tied up right now — I don’t have time. • These are our lowest prices. • We’ll enclose the bill with the goods. • The boxes were all checked off as they were

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unloaded. • He runs a small antique business. • Can you supply me from stock? • He takes care of the business and she keeps the accounts. • We’re overstocked. • The factory has had to close down because of the strike. • Why haven’t you delivered our order yet? • They’ve sent us goods we haven’t ordered. • Please tell us what the problem is, so we can immediately put matters right. • They keep a small hotel. • We’re very disappointed in your firm. • I invested Rs. 15,000, and I got a good return on it. • Is that product selling well? • Are you for or against the plan? • He started the business with a comparatively small capital. • This is a special introductory offer. • If you like, I can send it by air freight. • This TV is made of the best components that money can buy. • These things cost a lot to produce. • Mr. Kumar, would you take a seat, please. • Your delivery is too slow for me. • How’s business? • Business is booming. • OK then. I’ll order on those terms.

Group 4 • The firm’s finances are in bad shape. • He’s temporarily short of cash. • We want Rs. 15,000 for this TV. We can’t settle for less. • Can you find out the price of their computers? • A delivery van would bring the grocery order. • They tried out this idea, and there was an immediate increase in productivity. • We’re now living in the computer age. • Couldn’t you manage to allow me a better discount? • We’ve got it in stock, so I can send it at once. • The chairman brought the meeting to a close. • He started an advertising business on his own. • Don’t promise a date unless you know you can honour it. • But you do like our products, don’t you? • They’re business rivals. • It’s cheaper. • I’ve made a mistake — the accounts don’t balance. • These are damaged goods. they’ll have to reduce the bills. • The suppliers say they would be a bit late with delivery. • I’d talk things over first with my partner. • It’s a real bargain at that price. • We’ve decided to cut down on our advertising expenditure. • What’ll happen to the business when the Managing

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Director retires? • If you don’t deliver immediately, we’ll be short of stock. • Our company agent there will meet you at the airport. • I thought prices would be coming down now. • This accident would cost the company a lot of money. • That car’s a good buy. • I’m up to my nose in problems. • He’s an aggressive salesman. • Yes, I think we can go along with these arrangements. • You always get value for money at that shop. • He would buy if it were cheaper. • These changes will save your firm a lot of money. • That’s not much more than the price you paid last year. • The quotation you sent us was fine. We’re ready to place an order now. • The company is planning to build a new factory there. • She can’t do shorthand. • We’ll have to stock them again when our stock levels are lower. • It’s more expensive. • What’ll the discount be? • Their ledgers are badly kept. • We have a large number of credit customers. • They have a fine reputation for paying promptly. • Read the credit terms carefully before signing. • Would you like it specially gift-wrapped? • The firm needs to build up a good name for itself. • My partner is out of town. • We agreed (on) a price of Rs. 15,500. • Is that your best quote? • Can you send them immediately from stock? • We’ll have to offer a better product than the competition — or we won’t be able to succeed. • I don’t want the expense of a market survey just now. • This is the very reason why you should stock our products. • 10% is the most I can give you as a quantity discount. • During these three months, the demand is likely to be quite heavy. • That house was a bad buy. • Our profits have been going down for some time now. • I’ve been calculating the costs involved and it’s too expensive. • He’s a successful businessman. • This washing machine comes with a year’s guarantee. • It’s out of their price range. • These shoes cost more, but they last much longer than cheap ones. • Please sign the agreement and return it to us. • He has a baker’s shop in town, and he’s doing a roaring trade. • There’s a very heavy demand for our computers this year. • The consignment should reach you by this weekend. • Another strike will throw the firm into bankruptcy. • I didn’t

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get satisfactory service and I wrote a letter of complaint to their Managing Director. • They’re now doing twice as much business as they were doing last year. • He has set up a small advertising business. • Here’s today’s post, Mr. Sekhar. • The final decision lies with the Managing Director. • Let’s look ahead together and plan for future deliveries. • How will you raise the finance to start the business? • Are those your most favourable prices? • These prices are rather high, aren’t they? • Can you deliver them sooner than we agreed? • Their firm is in serious financial trouble. • Their product is no longer top grade. • They reached an agreement after three days of talks. • It’s a real bargain at that price. • These goods are urgent. We’ll have to send them off today. • Her father has a greengrocer’s business. • Our service would be very personal to you and to your requirements. • We don’t have much ready cash with us. • How many would you like? • How would you like delivery to be made? By rail or by road transport ? • There were huge price reductions during the sale. • There’s going to be a complete reorganization of the sales department. • He has a fruit shop. • They’ve been trying to work up a big demand for these goods here. • The factory has 400 employees. • What have we spent on buying raw materials this year? Half a million, perhaps? • There’ll be interest payable at 20% per year. • He’s a doctor, but he wants to go into business. • I think their firm will go out of business in the near future. • We can buy better elsewhere. • They buy these things in bulk. • Our expenses are going up. • Prices jumped by more than 30% in the summer. • I’ve checked up on the prices you asked about. • He runs a thriving grocery business in town. • We must think ahead and make a plan. • The parcel left our place perfectly packed. • They only sell goods of the highest quality. • Business has been good for the time of year. • We’ll compare the costs and buy the cheapest. • The prices have only gone up a little. • The quality just isn’t good enough. • He has a chemist’s shop. • The closure of the factory came as a shock to the workers. •

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The company made a loss of 75 lakhs of rupees. • I can give you a quantity discount for 100 units or over. • The company’s sales have reached the 100 million mark. • You’re interested in saving money, aren’t you? • Large amounts of money are spent on advertising. • No, we can’t reduce the prices. • Business is always brisk in the evening.

Group 5 • He’ll be at a conference all day tomorrow. • The firm’s head office is in Bombay. • The job was advertised in local newspapers. • Our Bombay agent is on the line. Will you take the call? • The suppliers have got some trouble or other. • You have to be hard to succeed in business. • I want to consult my partner. • That company is way ahead of us in their research. • The supplier has stopped our discount. • We’ll be able to send your consignment before the end of the week. • She got that dress on the cheap. • We’re not satisfied with the service we get from your company. • They have a sweet-shop. • That shop sells high-quality goods. • It’s all very well to say we should advertise more, but is the expense worth it? • What have we received for the goods we’ve sold this year? One million? • Business has been good for our firm for some time now. • Haven’t they despatched our order yet? • What’s the retail price of these bags, then? • Her father keeps a shop in our village. • I have some ideas for cutting down overheads. • How much stock is left? • When he had enough capital, he bought a shop. • Our company has won a contract for 20 buses. • Now we can confirm the arrangements we made. • This bag looks cheap. It’s poor value for money. • They’ve been pressing us for payment for sometime now. • We’re planning to open offices in Bombay and Delhi this year. • We can offer you a special discount if you order before March 31st. • There’s a two week delivery time. • Our firm has won a contract to build a bridge. • Let me check with the accounts department. • The firm has just won an important contract. • Stamp those letters with today’s date. You received them today,

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didn’t you? • I can pay you Rs. 10,000 in ready cash. • That shop doesn’t sell goods retail. • You’re right about quality, but price also matters. • He has made a lot of money in business. • The shops in town close at 7.30. • I’ll make a bargain with you. • Sorry, we don’t allow credit. • He runs a shoe shop. • Well, if you can do that, that’ll help. • Can you find out how much stock we actually have? • Can we agree on a price? • Where’s your company’s headquarters? • He owns his own business. • He works for the XYZ company. • The watch is still under guarantee. • Last time, they had difficulty in meeting our delivery schedules. • We’re aiming at a 20% increase in profits. • These goods are in poor supply. You can’t get them easily. • They may claim compensation from us for failure to deliver on time. • This is a repeat order, and you’ll have to allow us a longer credit period. • That’s a very valuable contract. • They’re expected to work an eight-hour day. • The firm is in severe financial difficulty. • Shirts like that don’t come cheap. • Those goods were sent off days ago. • This is the best business deal I’ve ever done. • The company has a lead of several years in the development of this technology. • Let’s not haggle over the price. • I think the price is reasonable. • They use high-quality raw materials. • Don’t buy anything from them. They only buy shoddy goods. • Get the Accountant on the phone for me, will you? • He’s been doing a roaring trade and has been making a lot of money. • I can’t sign these papers without my partner’s approval. • Their credit is good — we can trust them. • Can you confirm the dates now? • The firm operates from its central office in Madras. • Your quality isn’t good enough. • This advertising campaign is aimed at housewives. • Their firm has gone broke. • What would they cost if I took a thousand? • We’ll despatch them immediately from stock. • That was a very difficult deal, but he managed to bring it off. • The advertising budget for the new product is Rs. 50,00,000. • Can you work out how much profit the firm has made? • That contract ruined him. • I think Bombay might be a good market for our products. • The company is hoping to

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expand into the American market. • I want to get a good rebate. • It was part of the deal they’d deliver in three months. • He deals in antiques. • We usually get a better discount on a repeat order. • She always haggles with shopkeepers. • The company has been trying to raise extra capital. • You’ll have to pay the full amount within seven days. • The guarantee has expired. • He has stopped trading in tea. • You’ve got to be tough if you want to stay in business. • We’ve done a deal with a cement company. • From what you’ve told me, there must be a fault in the product. • The air is polluted by smoke from the factory. • She’s a successful businesswoman. • Please get on to the customer and find out. • We’ll have to check your offer before we order. • He rushed headlong into buying the business. • The company collapsed, and hundreds of people lost their jobs. • He runs a travel agency. • You want to see the General Manager? Have you an appointment? • We can make the same profit with half the effort. • We have to find the right product for the market. • I’m not quite ready to place an order yet. • You’ll confirm that to me in writing, won’t you? • He has a wholesale business in town. • We can assume profits of around 10%. • The firm buys goods at one price and sells them at a higher price. • Eggs are cheap in that shop. • 50,000 rupees? That’s a lot more than we paid last year. • They shook hands on the deal. • I think we’re crazy not to look for more business. • He bargained with us about the price. • He’s doing a roaring trade in electrical goods. • We need at least 100 in the first delivery. • We need the goods urgently. You’ll have to despatch them at once. • His old car went for 50,000 rupees. • Things have changed and we can now be of better service to you. • We deliver free of charge. • Don’t use material of such poor (or low) quality. • We’ll have to do something and clear the matter up as soon as possible. Or it’d become a serious problem. • These are shoddy clothes — don’t buy them. • Profits have gone down by 10%. • Can I buy cement retail here? • This material is very poor quality. • You’ll find our prices can’t be beaten. • The cost of the repairs

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came to Rs.10,000. • The company went bust and was forced to close down. • The company has ambitious plans for expansion. • In many ways, it was a bad bargain. • Last year, we had to spend a lot of money on rail fares. • We buy the materials wholesale. • Why has the consignment been delayed? • I think we ought to drop our prices. • I don’t like their design for the new theatre. Others have better designs. • You’re very lucky to get it so cheap. • They’ve raised their prices a lot since last year.

Importance of doing practice That’s it. We’ve come to the end of the Business English word group collections. Now let me tell you one thing: Business English is an area where even people who are normally fluent in other areas falter. This is mainly because they haven’t got sufficient practice in handling the vocabulary and grammatical patterns that are common in this area. The only way to get over this difficulty is to try and get this practice. And mind you, Business English is an area that nobody can afford to ignore if they want to communicate fluently in the modern world — whether they’re business people or not. So give great importance to the Business English word groups I’ve given you. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t work in business, don’t ignore them. Practice uttering them several times — ALOUD.

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Chapter 3

Fluency in Banking English What you’re going to get now is a collection of word groups that have to do with banking. These are word groups that you’ll find very useful. You’ll find it necessary to use these word groups either while dealing with banks or while speaking about banking. And you can expect to hear many of these word groups addressed to you by others in those situations. If you want to speak English fluently in everyday situations that have to do with banking, you must have a good knowledge of the vocabulary and patterns that make up these word groups. And your organs of speech must have good practice in saying these word groups. Of course, there’s nothing complicated about these word groups. They’re simple enough. But when you’re trying to speak English fluently, the question is not whether certain word groups are simple enough. The question is rather whether they’re familiar enough to your organs of speech and ears. And so long as they’re not familiar enough to your organs of speech and ears, your organs of speech won’t yield to them readily, and you’ll find it difficult to produce them fluently during conversations. So this is what you must do now: Go through the word groups thoroughly. Pick up each word group and utter it ALOUD — several times. Keep uttering the word groups ALOUD, until you can say them smoothly, and until they come out of your mouth easily and readily. Here we go for the word groups:

Group 1 • She withdrew Rs. 1,000 from her bank account. • He paid

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the cheque into his account. • I’d like to make a deposit, please. We’ve been trying to arrange a loan from the bank. • He’s gone to put some money in his bank. • Interest is not allowed on a current account. • I get a statement from my bank every month. • I want to cash a traveller’s cheque. • I think he drew some money out of the bank yesterday. • How much do I have to my credit? • I took Rs. 500 out of my bank account. • When was the draft issued? • He had no money in his account, and so the bank stopped the cheque. • The bank has allowed him to overdraw his account up to Rs. 50,000. • How much money have I got left in my account? • He’s the cashier. He receives payment from customers and cashes cheques for them. • I drew a lot of money out last month. • I need a new cheque-book. • Was the cheque paid over the counter or through the clearing? • I’m thinking of taking out a bank loan. • He made an application to open an account without an introduction. • This is a crossed cheque and it must be put into a bank account. • How much interest will my savings earn in the bank? • His account looks healthy at the moment. • I need to borrow 10,000 rupees. • Who do I make the cheque payable to? • We had to pay 20% interest on the loan. • The bank manager has agreed to let me have an overdraft. • Can you let me have 20 or 30 cheques? • I’m thinking of closing my account with that bank. • They’re gradually reducing their overdraft. • Your account is in credit. • Has the bank credited the cheques to your account? • Don’t try to cash that cheque today. It’ll bounce if I don’t put some money into my account. • I’d like to withdraw Rs. 10,000 from my account, please. • You’ve forgotten to sign the cheque. • Where do they bank? • I’m afraid your account is Rs. 4,750 in the red. • Fortunately, our account is now in the black. • We’ve asked the bank for a large loan. • The bank only deals with honest and responsible people. • You have a credit balance of Rs. 5,500. • Before you deposit the money, you’ll have to enter the amount on a paying-in slip. • That’s a draft drawn on the Kochi branch of your bank. • I’d like to make a transfer

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from my current account to my savings account. • The banks are lending to small scale industries at much lower rates. • He kept a satisfactory credit account for some time and then suddenly asked for temporary accommodation. • Can you make a draft on the Bombay branch of the bank? • I haven’t put any money into my account last month. • He has asked the bank to increase his overdraft from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000. • He deposits Rs. 50 a week into his savings account. • I’ve invested all my money in the bank. • He gets 12% interest on his money at the State Bank. • He keeps an excellent account and is a man of high standing. • The bank has agreed to back us, and we’re planning to go ahead with the scheme. • You must sign on the back of the cheque. • Did you have to deposit any security to get the loan? • We bank with the State Bank of India. • He has plenty of money in the bank. • If you want to borrow, you can’t object to giving proper security. • The bank has credited you with Rs. 150. • He has a healthy bank balance. • They’ve kept a good account with the bank for years. • We had to borrow heavily from the bank to start this business. • Most of the bank’s customers are of good financial standing and sound reputation. • I paid both the cheques into my bank account. • What’s the rate of exchange for pounds? • I’d like to exchange my dollars for rupees. • You’re overdrawn by Rs. 5,000. • Have you reduced the overdraft? • He keeps a lot of money in banks at interest. • Last week, you drew three cheques on your account. • The overdraft is secured by a guarantee. • You make out a cheque to him for Rs. 5,000. • Has he cleared his overdraft yet? • I’m in the red and the bank manager is after me. • The bank only lends money on security. • This is a bearer cheque. Anybody can cash it at the bank. • The bank wants the personal guarantee of the directors. • He deposited quite a lot of money recently. • Be sure to bank the money before 2 o’clock. • The bank manager asked him about his income and assets — and his nature of business. • My bank account shows two debits — one of Rs. 150, and another of Rs. 200. • Your account shows credits of Rs.

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10,000 and Rs. 15,000 during this month. • I’ve paid the cheque into my account for collection. • The bank lends at 18% interest. • He filled up a pay-in slip and deposited the money with the bank. • He went to the bank and drew out all his savings. • How many days will the bank need to collect the cheque? • What’s the exchange rate of the dollar today? • I have a large overdraft. • Was the cheque made payable to the bearer or was any person named in it? • Banks don’t give you interest on current accounts. • His account is overdrawn, but his wife’s account is in credit. • You write him a cheque, and cross it, so payment can only be made through a bank. • How about the financial position of the guarantors? • Are they customers of the bank? • The bank may ask for security if you want an overdraft. • Is this cheque in order? • You don’t have to pay back the whole loan at once. You can pay it back in ten instalments. • She has a good sum of money put away in the bank for her old age. • Where can I get this cheque cashed? • You can’t blame the bank for asking for security for their money. • The money has been credited to your account. • Pay this cheque into your account. • Your bank will then collect the amount of the cheque from the bank it’s drawn on and credit it to your account. Your bank will, of course, deduct a small collection fee from your account. • How much interest do they charge on loans? • The bank only discounts bills for a customer who keeps a current account. • It was a dud cheque, and it bounced. • His monthly salary is paid into the bank by the company. • He got a Rs. 10,000 loan from the bank. • Your bank account is overdrawn. • The loan was allowed for business purposes. • Our bank allows us to run up an overdraft on our current account. • When did you lodge the deeds with the bank? • The bank stopped payment of his cheque. • How many cheques did we draw last month? • How much do you need to take out of the bank? • When did you present the cheque to the bank? • I paid the cheque into his account. • Our account will be nicely in the black next month.

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Group 2 • Last week, we overdrew by Rs. 50,000. • Normally the bank doesn’t like to make unsecured advances. • I’ll have to check the entries in the pass book. • I’d like to open a savings account. • Is there a fixed minimum deposit? • We’re going to take out a loan to expand our business. • Is that a cheque drawn on the State Bank of India? • Can you tell me the amount of my current balance? • The cheque was paid into his current account. • The bank has agreed to finance the new business. • They gave me a bank draft for Rs. 5,000. • The bank charges me 20% interest on the loan. • Are you planning to leave money in the bank for a long time? • The bank has allowed a loan of Rs. 10,000 on a joint account in their names. • The bank dishonoured his cheque. He didn’t have enough money in his account to cover it. • This cheque has been drawn payable to Mr. Menon. So he’ll have to endorse it by signing his name on its back. • He borrowed the money on the security of his house. • It’ll take three days for your cheque to clear. • I paid the money in yesterday. • What a relief! At last, our account is out of the red! • Cash me this cheque please. • The bank manager wants us to clear the loan immediately. • The bank has debited Rs. 500 against my account. • The bank can’t grant you a loan if you can’t offer a guarantee or other security. • Bank interest rates are going to rise this month. • Banks usually exercise caution in taking new accounts. • I’ve got some money in the bank. • I don’t think this cheque is in order. The amount in words doesn’t correspond with the figures. • The bank has given us an overdraft of Rs. 1,00,000. • I have an account with that bank. • What did he borrow the money for? • I’m trying to reconcile the bank statement with our records. • I don’t think the balance on your account is large. • I went to the bank to draw out my deposit. • He has a current account with the bank, but the advance was made on a separate loan account. • He keeps his savings in the bank. • The loan is being paid back by monthly instalments. • Has the cheque

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cleared yet? • Their account has been working very satisfactorily. • He’s thinking of investing his money in (or with) the bank. • I don’t know how much money he has taken out of his account. • He’s always overdrawn with the bank to the full extent of his limit. • The bank advanced him Rs. 25,000 to start his business. • Put the cheque in a safe place. It mustn’t fall into the wrong hands. • His salary is paid directly into his bank account. • Is that a cheque for a large sum? • Why don’t you ask your bank for a loan? • The cash was paid into his savings account. • The bank sends us an account every month. • I want to open an account with that bank. • This cheque is payable to the bearer. • The bank can’t give you any more credit until you repay the previous loan. • The bank statement balance would often differ from the depositor’s book balance. • He deposited the money in the bank. • He says the cheque is valid for six months from the date of issue. • The bank refused to honour his cheque. • Who do you bank with? State Bank? • Did the bank have trouble in getting repayment? • Your cheque will take three days to clear. • The bank will insist on collateral security for a loan of that size. • She drew some money from her account. • He defaulted on that loan, and the bank took him to court. • She drew a cheque on her Madras bank. • Whose account was the cheque paid into? • The bank gave (or made) me an advance of Rs. 25,000 to start my business. • They have two accounts and both are always kept in credit. • My wife and I have a joint account with that bank. • The bank refused payment of the cheque for some reason. • He didn’t have enough money in his account to cover the cheque, and so it bounced. • That’s an open cheque and not a crossed one. You can cash it over the counter. • It’s better to bank your money than to keep it at home. • Can you cash a cheque for me? • You’ll have to find somebody to guarantee the overdraft. • When was this cheque credited to my account? • I handed the money to the cashier. • He drew a cheque on his current account and paid it into the credit of his

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savings account. • The bank was closed, and so I couldn’t cash the cheque. • How much has the bank deducted from the account for service charges? • You may need to use the house as security for the loan. • His money is drawing interest in the bank.

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Chapter 4

Fluency in Travel English I’m now going to give you a collection of word groups that have to do with travelling or with making a journey — that is, with going from one place to another or from place to place. There are a large number of vocabulary items and a few grammatical patterns that frequently occur when fluent people speak about travel-related topics. The word groups given below would help you master them. Go through the word groups and utter each word group ALOUD — several times. Keep up with this practice until you can utter all the word groups smoothly and with no hesitation. Here we go:

Group 1 • Our plan was to leave early in the morning. • I’m planning to fly to Singapore next month. • Last month we did (or made) a sight-seeing tour. • The tourist season is at its height in August and September. • It’ll cost you Rs. 3,000 or so to fly to Delhi. • You needn’t add any tips. • Can I have a room for the night, please? • Please book me on the evening flight, will you? • You’ll have to book well in advance. • If we don’t book now, we probably won’t get a flight. • Last year we made a coach tour of Madhya Pradesh. • The Air India flight was cancelled, and we had to book on another airline. • I think I’ll have to make a trip to Delhi this weekend. • The flight leaves at 4, so check-in is at about 3.45 or so. • Holiday prices are lower out of season. • Let’s not take much luggage — let’s travel light. • Are you travelling first class or second? • We went on a guided tour of the museum. • Where are you going for your holidays? • What’s the price of a flight to London at the moment? • Let’s go on an outing this weekend. • They stopped over in London for a day on the way to New York. • The price of the holiday includes flights

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and accommodation. • They travelled the length and breadth of Africa. • They put us up for the night. • I want to be sure of flying tomorrow. • Can you book a ticket for me? • This is where we get on the bus. • What flight is it? BA438? • There, we did a tour of the ruins. • The hotel is convenient for the beach. • He’s going to Bombay tomorrow on business. • When does the Air India flight take off? • I didn’t bring that big bag. I wanted to travel light, you know. • That’s an overnight train. • I did a one-month tour in France. • Did you have a good journey? • When did you get back from holiday? • Do you want to fly first or economy class? • We had an outing to the seaside last week. • There’s a small additional charge for the use of the swimming pool. • We missed the 4 o’clock bus. • We checked in at the hotel last night. • We haven’t any single rooms left. • He always travels first class. • All the arrangements have been made. • Do you have room reservations? • We got a guide to take us round the sights. • What would you do if the flight was cancelled? • In the afternoon, we made a tour of the palace. • It was a good hotel, but it was rather noisy. • He was carrying a rucksack on his back. • Transport facilities are good in that area. • We often have last-minute cancellations. • It’s a long train journey from here to there. • I’m thinking of going on holiday next month. • When will you be going? Next month? • They’ve gone on a trip to the seaside. • He left home to travel, and he was hoping for excitement and adventure. • I don’t like bus journeys much. I’d rather travel in a car. • You’ll be served breakfast in your room. • Let’s go first class this time. Don’t book second class. • He’s due to arrive on the morning flight. • There are no vacancies on the flight. • The price of the holiday includes accommodation and breakfast. • We must go on a tour of the museum tomorrow. • I’ll need some extra money for the holidays. • We joined the passengers waiting to get on the bus. • I helped him carry his luggage to the train. • What are your hotel rates?

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• This is a long flight. • We broke our journey at Nagpur. • They had nothing to declare, and they went straight through customs. • We’re going to Kashmir for our holidays. • I’m planning a short holiday, maybe a week or so. • The beach was packed with people. • We spent two days in Delhi, and after that, we went to Agra. • I had to run fast to catch the bus. • You needn’t trouble to meet me. I’ll hire a car and come. • This time he’s going by air. • Would you like a single room or double? • There are no vacancies in the hotel. • We stayed at a hotel by the sea. • You’ll have to book in advance if you’re travelling by train. • He’s touring (in) Singapore. • Which way is north? • Is it cheaper by train? • The Bombay flight arrives at noon. • While we are in Delhi, we should visit Agra. • We did the trip in two stages. • We stayed two nights at that hotel. • How long would you like to stay? • Did you have a good journey? • The journey should take about five hours. • The journey is quicker by land than by sea. • All our rooms have been reserved. • I’d like a room with a view over the city. • I’d like to go. But it’s such an expensive journey. • Are there any places left on that flight? • There was a rail strike, so we had no choice but to stay on in Bombay. • He saw us off at the station. • He isn’t old enough to travel alone. • Kodaikanal is full of tourists in the summer. • Sorry, we’re fully booked for the night. Why don’t you try the XYZ hotel? • When we were in Delhi, last month, we visited the Red Fort.

Group 2 • This ticket is valid for any flight on that route. • Last year they went on pilgrimage to Haridwar. • It’s quicker to travel by train. • I’ll have to catch the evening flight to Bombay. • When is it you’d like to leave? • I went on a long train journey last month. • That’s an expensive country to visit. • Train is much quicker. • Let’s not travel by air — let’s travel over land. • Sorry, we’re fully booked up. • I can try to find another hotel for you, if you like. • I have an open ticket for that route. • We made

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the booking a month in advance. • Did you manage to make a booking? • We’re planning to book into the XYZ hotel on Friday evening. • We saw some amazing sights at the zoo. • The train was delayed for hours and the wait seemed endless. • Be sure to call and confirm your flight at least 48 hours before departure. • I’ll look you up when I come to Delhi. • (At a hotel:) You have a reservation for me for today. • Ahmed is thinking of making a pilgrimage to Mecca. • This time let’s travel in comfort. • We spent a lot of our holiday sight-seeing in Delhi. • There’s one thing with the British Airways flight. The time might be more convenient for us. • It’s a day’s journey by bus. • I did some cross-words to amuse myself on the journey. • It’ll cost you to go by train, so why not go by bus? • We didn’t break the journey — we travelled non-stop. • Is there a dining car on the train? • Is there a direct flight from Bombay to Rome? • Can you hold the rooms for us till tomorrow? • Don’t hurry; we’re not late. • We got off the bus at the last stop. • We left town last night on a bus. • That hotel offers a range of leisure activities. • I went with them to see the sights of Delhi. • Cost is an important element when we’re thinking of holidays. • What’s the departure time of the flight? • Is there a connecting flight to Rome? • I went and saw him when I was in Bombay last week. • The flight is fully booked. • Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Mecca. • Everyone except Smitha is going on the trip. • We’re thinking of going on a conducted tour. • The Air India flight leaves much earlier, at 5.45 a.m. • Can you drive me to the station? • 10% will be added on to your bill as a service charge. • We didn’t break the journey anywhere — we travelled through. • The journey won’t cost you a penny if you go with them. • Could you arrange for Mr. Desai to be met at the airport? • Can you call a taxi for me? • He had already booked us in at the XYZ hotel. • I enjoyed the holiday enormously. • My baggage is missing. • Our car broke down on the way, and we had to hitch a ride to Madras on a lorry. • The most direct route is through the city centre. • I got on the train at Pune. • I got on at Pune. • What kind of transportation is

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available from airport into town? • I came across an old friend in Goa. • I’d like to take an earlier flight back if possible. • We went for a sail in the evening. • You needn’t concern yourself with the hotel booking. The travel agent will take care of it. • He took us to see the sights of Bombay. • And the other flight — when’s that? • We’re going on a guided tour tomorrow. • The train had just left when we got to the station. • We made an overnight stop at Pune. • The plane was an hour late. • You had better take a taxi from the airport. • They were put up at the Holiday Inn. • They put up at the Dwaraka Hotel. • That hotel may not be too luxurious, but quite comfortable. • Can I hitch a lift with you as far as the station? • The hotel wasn’t very good. We had expected better. • I got off the train at Dadar. • I’m catching a plane to London at 4.00 p.m. • He makes several business visits to Bombay every month. • My name’s on the waiting list. • Visitors are not allowed to take photographs there. • What time is the plane due? • He has gone off on his travels again. • I spent my holidays touring. • I spent my holidays touring Kerala. • That flight leaves rather late in the evening. • We can’t afford a holiday abroad. • There was a wonderful view from the top of the hill. • We stayed the night at Lucknow. • I’d like to change a flight-booking, please. • I’m planning to leave in about two week’s time. But I haven’t made a booking yet. • They offered to put us up for the night. • The next day we continued our journey. • Have you packed your stuff? • Should I hire a car? • I love to go travelling. • Is she well enough to travel? • If we average 50 kilometers per hour, we should arrive at about 2 o’clock. • Hasn’t the train come in yet? • I want to go to the airport. • She’s too ill to travel. • We found a guide, and he knew the city well. • Did you enjoy your stay at the hotel? • I want to travel and see something of life. • We’re going to go touring this weekend. • That’s a ticket on the Air India and not on the British Airways. • He’s due to land at 4 o’clock. • If you want to go in June, you had better book your tickets now. • I want to go on a world tour. • Would you like to go on the trip

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this evening? • I’ll check with the airline. • We made camp for the night by a river. • It’s cheaper by bus than by train. • Can I pay by credit card? • He loves travelling. • I’m going on holiday next month. • I’ve booked a double room at XYZ hotel. • I’d like a taxi in about half an hour’s time. • We travelled 500 kilometres or so yesterday. • I flew here from Bombay last night. • You need a guide to show you the castle. • Car hire is very expensive there. • We stayed overnight at a friend’s house. • What would it cost if I flew Air India? Rs. 8,000? • We loaded our baggage into the car. • When I went to Delhi, I went on a few trips to places nearby. • I’m booked on an Air India flight to London this Thursday. It looks as though I’ll have to change my booking. • Could you book that flight for me, then? • Let’s go camping. • There’s a frequent bus service from the city centre to the airport. • What’s the public transport like? • Do trains and buses run frequently? • He has travelled the whole country. • I’ll do my packing in the morning. • The train got in very late. • He’s expected to arrive in Bombay by 11.00 a.m. • Let’s go and wander about the hills. • Can you find us a good hotel? • When you leave the plane you’ll have to go through customs and immigration. • We were given a tour of the place. • The British Airways flight would be slightly more — Rs. 9,500 or so. • From Madras, we went to excursions to a few places nearby. • Is there a bank near here where I can change some traveller’s cheques? • You’ll have to show your passport at the check-in desk. • They made an overnight stop in London. • Buses don’t run frequently in that area. • The time of the other flight is rather more convenient. • We broke camp in the morning and left for home. • We missed our connection to Singapore. • He’s planning to write an account of his travels. • Do you have a single room free for Friday night? • What time did you start out? • What’s the changed departure time? • We’re touring round Goa during our holidays this year. • Several airlines fly the same route. • We spent the night at a hotel. • What time does the train get in, do you know? • What about the return flight? • Let’s make an excursion to the

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mountains. • It’s a long way to drive. Why don’t we take a train? • We put up our tents by a river. • I think this time-table is out-ofdate. • And when’ll you be returning? • That night, we camped in the hills. • When the bus stopped, we all got off. • This holiday has been excellent value for money. • Have you booked your flight yet? • We travelled over by car. • I’m looking for a cheap hotel for the night. • I’ll leave buying the tickets to you. • Can you give me a lift into town? • You can fly on the morning flight. • Where are you bound for? Bombay? • The arrival time of the flight is 4.30. • I left the key at reception. • I left the key at the desk. • He likes travelling on his own. • The plane got in at 5 o’clock. • The other flight lands in the evening. • Last month I made a journey to Bombay. • Baggage should be checked in at least an hour before the flight. • Let’s pitch camp here. • Are there any seats left? • That’s an expensive hotel. • We went to Goa for a holiday. • I’d like to go on holiday, but I can’t find the money. • He took us on a tour of the city. • We’ll visit Goa on our way home. • He blew all his savings on a trip to Goa. • I’ll leave it you to buy the tickets. • He’s arriving on the evening flight.

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Speaking about Food and Drink

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Chapter 5

Speaking about Food and Drink You’re now going to get a collection of word groups that have to do with food and drink. These are high-frequency word groups and will be of great use to you in everyday situations — at home and outside. Remember this: If you want to speak fluently about a particular topic in a particular language, it’s not enough if you’re fluent in a general way in that language. You must also have good command of the vocabulary and grammatical patterns that are habitually used in that language to speak about that topic. And if you want to speak fluently in English about topics that have to do with food and drink, you need to get practice in saying the word groups that you’re now going to get. So this is what you must do now: Go through all the word groups once or twice thoroughly. Then pick up each word group and utter it ALOUD — several times. Here we go for the word groups:

Group 1 • They’re having lunch. • She sat there licking the ice cream. • She prepared a dish of spinach and tomatoes. • The pudding won’t keep — you’d better finish it off. • He ate the cutlet in one bite. • That was a heavy meal — I shouldn’t have eaten so much. • Can you fry an egg for me? • Can you make a salad? • I had a big breakfast. • Is the food ready yet? • She sliced the cucumber. • She likes her eggs hard-boiled. • She cooked us a nice hot dinner. • Some kinds of food soon spoil. • The kettle’s boiling. • She was munching her breakfast noisily. • Curries take a long time to prepare. • He didn’t have time to go to the canteen, and he missed his meal. • Add some more salt and pepper. That’ll

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improve the taste. • When the phone rang the first time, I was at lunch, and I didn’t feel like picking it up. • There’s too much salt in this stew. • He gave a dinner for his friends last week. • Peel me an orange, will you? • These lemons make good pickles. • He took a bite out of his sandwich. • The meat was beautifully cooked. • For dessert there are oranges. • Sweep the biscuit crumbs off the table. • I don’t think he was hungry. He just sat there pecking at his food. • Don’t forget to check the seasoning in the curry before you serve it. • He picked up a piece of meat and chewed at it. • He ate up all the food and left none for me. • He took a few gulps of coffee and hurried out. • He doesn’t eat meat. • How can I eat dry bread? Don’t we have any butter or jam left? • Let’s pickle the lemons. • I want my tea black. • I wonder how he manages to tuck away so much food. • He drinks his tea without sugar. • The tea was very hot and I sipped it slowly. • This fish has a lot of bones in it. • I ate a big meal today. • She put all the ingredients in a bowl and mixed them. • Boil an egg for me, will you? • I’m hungry — my stomach is rumbling. • This milk tastes sour. • The dessert was apple. • They had no food of any kind in the house. • Have you chopped the onions yet? • This is hungry work. • Digging up the garden is thirsty work. • Potatoes have been cooked. Can you mash them for me? • The water’s boiling. • He looks well, and he has a healthy appetite. • She hasn’t much of an appetite. • He’s a glutton — he won’t leave any of the food for the rest of us. • There’s a sour taste in my mouth. • The soup needs more flavouring. • And then, they sat down to eat. • That’s a buffet lunch; you’ll have to serve yourself. • No, no. No more. I’m full up. • The milk is (or has gone) off. Don’t use it. • This bread is a bit stale. • He added a little chilli powder to the dish to give a hot taste to it. • He’s ill and he’s off his food. • There was no sugar, and we had to manage without. • Hurry — eat up. We’re late. • The pudding was really filling — I felt really full. • I’m not fond of salad.

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• Slice the apple and chop it. • A mouthful of food went down the wrong way and he started coughing. • She only ate the tender pieces of meat. • The meat was very tough and difficult to chew. • We ate in the hotel restaurant. • The food was cold and tasteless. • I’ll eat at my hotel. • The dinner has already been cooked. It just needs heating up. • They fed him up after his illness. • When you go to the market, get some crisp tomatoes and apples, will you? • She only had a light breakfast. • I think we must teach the children how to behave at table. • Please boil my egg hard. • She can make all kinds of snacks — samosas, cutlets, idlis, dosas... • The stew tastes of garlic. • She gave him a second helping of pudding. • Don’t eat so quickly. • What’s for pudding? • He sat there and finished off the cake. • He swallowed a piece of meat without chewing it. • The milk’s coming to the boil. • The cream has gone off — it has a sharp taste. • I had toast and tea for breakfast. • The fillings in the cake and the sandwich tasted nice. • Go on, have a little taste. • This curry smells of garlic. • The cutlets smelt delicious. • We had fish for lunch. • The cutlets had a mouth-watering smell. • I never eat a big lunch. • The stew tastes strongly of ginger. • This bread is mouldy. Don’t eat it. • Ask her to shell the peas. • He’s ill and he has no appetite. • Do you take sugar? • The vegetable curry had a very hot, spicy taste. • She only had a piece of the cake. • The soup was strongly flavoured with pepper. • She suffers badly from indigestion. • Chop a few cloves of garlic. • This meat is very tough. • Don’t eat that soggy sandwich. • This chicken curry is too hot for my taste. It’s full of pepper. • Break two eggs, beat them and make an omelette. • Season the soup with plenty of salt and pepper. • He swallowed a mouthful of curd. • Don’t have the ice cream now, it’ll spoil your appetite for dinner. • That was a heavy cake — it must have caused the indigestion. • That restaurant specializes in Chinese dishes. • She served him a generous portion of roast chicken. • Let’s bake a cake, shall we? • Is there a pudding today? • Have a taste of this cake. • Is there enough for four servings? There are

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four guests. • Drink your tea while it’s still hot. • Here’s a crisp cucumber. Let’s make a salad. • Can I have some mango chutney with my pancake? • They finished off all the food before I could get any. • First you must bring the water to the boil. • That was a really lavish meal. • That smells appetizing. • He doesn’t need any medicine now. What he needs is healthy, wholesome food. • I haven’t tasted such a beautiful chicken curry for ages. • It tastes sour. • The smell was tempting. • You must serve this sweet cold, and not hot. • You’ve got egg on your face. Go and wash. • There was a delicious smell from the kitchen, and it made our mouths water. • They’ve asked me to dinner. • Shell these peanuts, will you? • I like eating raw vegetables. • Your hands smell of fish. • We have to buy some breakfast food. • Don’t eat too much sugar. • There was no milk, and I had to drink my coffee without. • He drank the whole bottle of water. • The butter has gone off — it has a sharp smell. • Then she started kneading the dough. • He stirred his coffee with a spoon. • He picked up the cake and bit into it. • This meat is very tender and easy to chew. • We broke for lunch for an hour at 1 o’clock and then reassembled at 2. • We’re eating out tonight. • The cake was rather soggy — I didn’t like it. • I didn’t like the soup. There wasn’t enough seasoning in it. • That banana had a boring taste. • I’m full — I can’t eat another mouthful. • I have a terrific thirst. • The butter has gone bad. It smells stale. • She served the fish with a few slices of lemon. • I had a meal of rice and chicken curry. • She spread a slice of bread with butter. • She spread butter on a slice of bread. • Can you shell this egg, please? It’s a hard-boiled one. • She threw the leftovers to the dog.

Group 2 • Put some pepper in it — that’ll give it more taste. • Ask everybody to come. Dinner is served. • Can I have a drink of water? • I was at breakfast, and then the door opened and they came in. • I’m starving! Is the grub ready yet? • She served the snacks hot. • The kettle’s on the boil. • I’ll have my coffee a bit

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weaker. • Don’t make my tea too strong. • They ate at the first serving (or sitting) and we at the second serving (or sitting). • I’d like a small taste. • It tastes bitter. • Is there egg in this ice cream? • She bakes mouth-watering cakes. • He didn’t eat much dinner. • Cut the bread and make some toast. • She served out the soup to the children. • Give me my eggs raw and not boiled. • The pudding looked very tempting. • They sell all kinds of baby foods and health foods. • He always eats with a knife and fork. • He took a bite out of the apple. • She served the portions with a lavish hand. • The food was awful. • Have you stirred the cake mixture thoroughly? • She’s in the kitchen, peeling the potatoes. • First let’s have a bite to eat. • I like to eat a lot of salads. • I didn’t like the meat. It was smelly. • He took a drink of water. • He swallowed the curd in a (or one) mouthful. • Add some pepper, salt and other seasonings to the soup — that’ll improve its flavour. • The kitchen smelt strongly of fish. • He was hungry after his long walk. • The butter has gone (or turned) rancid. • She cooked the vegetables with some hot-tasting spices. • Cut the pie into four portions, will you? • He only had a snack at lunch time. • Have you served coffee to all the guests? • I had a black coffee with sugar. • She’s on a diet — she wants to reduce her weight. • Let’s make a stew out of the leftovers. • Let’s heat (or heat up) the soup. It’s cold now. • I’ve forgotten when I last had a good meal. • The tarts you made last time had coverings of pastry. • The eggs won’t take long to fry. • Cut these apples into halves and those apples into quarters. • Can I have a second helping? • It tastes sweet. • We usually feed our kitchen scraps to our dog. • The meat tasted like mutton. • That’s a tasty dish. • Have a smell of this milk. Does it smell all right? • That’s a nice chicken curry. • He ate a few mouthfuls of food and rushed out of the house. • She prepared a dish of fish and vegetables. • The factory canteen serves plain but wholesome meals. • What delicious food! • Most of the mangoes were mellow, but some of them were still green and hard. • This recipe will be enough for three servings. • Is this coffee sugared?

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• There’s a smell of cooking. • He didn’t like the food, but he got it down somehow. • It was an atrocious meal. • She gave him a handful of peanuts. • I’m absolutely famished. I haven’t had a bite to eat all day. • Would you like some peanuts — salted peanuts? • She made some chicken sandwiches. • He picked up a piece of cake and chewed on it. • He only had a drink of water. • He didn’t eat the pastry coverings of the pies. • She put ginger, cinnamon, cumin and other spices into the curry to give it flavour. • The doctor has asked him to avoid butter and other fatty foods. • After all that work, I was very hungry. • We had crispy fried chicken for lunch. • I only had time for a snack lunch. • He ate too much pastry. • This fish is very bony. • Do you prefer savoury snacks or sweet snacks? • Have you peeled the onions yet? • He had a bowl of porridge for breakfast. • Today I had a large meal at lunch time. • After that, they served us lunch. • Look at those crows waiting for food scraps. • It’s a long journey, and we must have enough provisions. • The soup is warming up on the stove. • The biscuits and cake tasted stale. • We only have time for a quick snack. • The coffee is too strong I can hardly drink it. • This chicken needs some more spice. • Can you taste the garlic in this curry? • Look at these cutlets. Don’t they make your mouth water? • This dish doesn’t taste good without vinegar. • I think this rice is over-cooked. That’s why he hasn’t eaten it. • That’s a nice rice pudding. • I liked the cream filling in the chocolate. • I don’t like meat if it’s not very well done. • Cut me a piece of cake, will you? • I had a strong black coffee, and it has left a bitter taste in the mouth. • What’s that delicious smell? • You can flavour the curry with pepper. • He eats the plainest of foods. • I had a savoury pancake, and she had a sweet one. • Where do you usually lunch? • These apples are not ripe enough to eat. They’re still green. • Have you taken food yet? • Have you started your baby on solids yet? • I feel like a coffee. • He picked up the apple and took a large bite out of it. • Ask her to lay the table for lunch. • We had ice cream for dessert. • The cake has jam filling.

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• What kind of eats did you have at the party? • She boned the chicken and started cooking it. • Don’t have too many sweets — you won’t want your dinner! • I like bread, but I don’t like to eat the crusts. • What’s for dinner? • She’s a rotten cook. • She flavoured the curry with chillies. • He started chewing a piece of toast. • She’s ill and she has completely lost her appetite. • Let’s chop up the onions. • Ginger makes digestion easier. • These cakes are tasty. • Would you like black coffee or white coffee? • She put a chocolate in her mouth and started sucking it. • The food was awful. • Milk is certainly a good food. • I didn’t eat the cake. It was mouldy and dry. • He told me about it over coffee. • We ate a buffet lunch. • The meal was nothing fancy, but the portions were generous. • That smells delicious. • I added a little salt to it to improve the flavour. • The helpings are generous in that restaurant.

Group 3 • I feel like having something — something small and light, like crisps. • He wasn’t hungry and he sat nibbling at his food. • Look at these vegetables. Aren’t they fresh and crisp? • She served us tea and cakes. • These snacks have sweet fillings inside. • I don’t like to eat vegetables when they’re over-cooked. I like my vegetables lightly cooked. • That was a tasty meal. • They’re young and they have healthy appetites. • I like good, plain food — nothing fancy. • He doesn’t eat much breakfast. • How much chilli did you put in the curry? • Drink up — hurry! • What was the main dish? • We had a snack of coffee and biscuits. • She bit off a piece of the chocolate. • This is good chutney. It has got a bit of bite to it. • Two ice creams, please — one vanilla ice cream and one chocolate ice cream. • I have a very poor digestion. • We have a guest. Lay a place at table for him. • They served us soup, a main meal and a sweet. • That’s a tasty dish. How did you make it? • I’m very thirsty — I need a long cool drink. • They served us crisp toasted sandwiches for tea. • Let’s make some toast for breakfast. • I didn’t like the food. It had almost no taste

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or flavour. • I like spiced food. • The dinner smells good. • He had salt porridge for breakfast. • Add salt and pepper to taste. • He doesn’t like dishes that are mild in flavour. • He sat there sucking on an orange. • You can eat it either raw or cooked. • Have you fed the baby yet? • I think it’s a rotten egg. Don’t use it. • She was cooking dinner (or the dinner). • The pancake had a savoury filling inside. • Taste this and tell me if it’s too sweet. • She hadn’t cut the crusts off when she made the sandwiches. • She gave me a large helping of pudding. • Did you sugar my coffee? • This stew doesn’t taste very nice. • I had toast and eggs for breakfast. • The snacks were not sweet — they had a spicy taste. • Have some more toast. • Warm the plates before you serve the food. • Don’t let your dinner get cold. • He peeled the banana and ate it. • I didn’t like the soup. It was tasteless. • She sliced a cucumber. • He was tired and hungry. • She’s fond of cooking. • You must only eat bland food until you get well again. • He’s gone to (or for) lunch. • She saved some food for later. • Drink up your milk! • One tomato soup and one chicken soup, please. • Put these vegetables in the fridge, so they’ll stay fresh. • Come and eat your lunch — or it’ll spoil. • Either eat your carrots or you go without ice cream. • She squeezed an orange or two and made me a glass of juice. • I had breakfast on the train. • What was the main course? • She sat there munching chocolates. • He sat there munching at (or on) an apple. • She sat there munching an apple. • She served us an interesting dish containing spinach and tomatoes. • Come on, stop talking so much, and eat nicely. • There’ll be a stop for refreshments on the way. • That’s a rich cake. Don’t eat too much of it — it may cause indigestion. • She flavoured the chicken curry with lemon juice. • We had fruit and custard for dessert. • He’s a big eater. • He gulped down his tea and hurried out. • The food is good at this restaurant. • Don’t let the food go to waste — finish it off. • Would you like some more cabbage? • She squeezed a little lemon juice in to the tea. • I had a late lunch today. • He’s a fussy

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eater. • Can you make me a glass of lime juice? • Would you like a glass of lime juice? • Would you like a glass of lemon? • The meeting started at 9, and there was a break for refreshments at 11. • Have some more spinach. • The food will spoil if you don’t keep it in the fridge. • Pass me the toast, will you? • She eats the most nourishing food, but she still looks thin. • Rich restaurant meals are not good for your health. • I didn’t like that soup — it was very bland. • Stop talking and get on with your breakfast. Or you’ll be late for school. • He licked the last of the ice cream off his plate. • Put the meat in the fridge — or it won’t keep till tomorrow. • They usually eat off china plates. • Put the rest of that food in the fridge — we can eat it later. • We’ll have to find a way of getting some food. We can’t let the children go hungry. • I had a lick at the ice cream. • She cut up the fish and salted the pieces lightly. • This kind of rice cooks more quickly. • You must mix flour, fat and water into a dough and roll it flat. • Can’t we have lunch now? • I’m starving. • My mouth watered when I saw that cake. • We get a good meal in our canteen. • I’ll meet you during the lunch break. • Shall I make tea (or the tea)? • She makes wonderful puddings. • I don’t like my vegetables very well-done. • Shall I warm up the dinner? • The coffee had a bitter taste. • These salted mangoes will keep for months. • She threw away the rotten fruit and vegetables. • This tea has a wonderful flavour. • The meal began only when everybody had been served. • Look at the way the price of the foodstuffs is going up. • She served some snacks with coffee — they had a salty flavour. • My stomach was rumbling for lunch. • What are we having for dinner? • Brush the cake crumbs off the table. • Taste and see if this soup needs more salt. • We’ve run out of butter and jam — you’ll have to eat dry toast. • They serve excellent lunches in this restaurant. • They serve excellent dinners there. • I can’t eat this orange — it’s bitter. • These bananas are not yet ripe. They’re too green to eat. • She shaped the dough into rolls. • She had some tea and buns. • Leave the potatoes to boil for about 20 minutes. • We’ll discuss

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it over lunch. • These oranges are completely rotten. Don’t eat them. • There’s no food left — you’ll just have to go hungry. • The biscuits were crisp and delicious. • What kind of filling do you want in the sandwiches? • You can’t have the whole cake — don’t be so greedy. • That was a marvellous meal. • You can cook it by frying or grilling. • He can’t take solids — he’s too ill. • I’ll have rice and chicken curry, and ice cream to follow, please. • To follow, I’ll have fruit salad, please.

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Everyday po l itics

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Chapter 6

Everyday politics Even if you’re a person who has no interest in politics, you’ll often find yourself in situations where you have to say something or other touching politics. For example, from time to time, almost everyone would find themselves having to express their opinion and say what they feel about the way a country is governed or about certain politicians and political parties. Here’s a collection of word groups that are typically found used in these situations. These word groups would help you get a good command of the vocabulary items and patterns that are common in politics-related speech. Do oral practice with these word groups exactly in the same way as you’ve been doing oral practice with the word groups given under other topics. Here we go: • A less centralized government would be a weak government, I think. • All this is against communist teachings and practices. • An alliance between the opposition parties can certainly change the government. • Are you planning to stand for Parliament? • Did you vote in/at this election? • Do the ideas of socialists and communists differ very much? • Do you expect a heavy poll this time? • Do you think the electorate are fools? • Don’t ask me who I voted for. • Don’t fail to vote. • Don’t you think party politics is actually a divisive evil? • Have they announced the winning candidate? • He argued against socialism. • He came here yesterday to canvass votes. • He dealt with the crisis with real statesmanship. • He doesn’t want to involve himself in local politics. • He follows Marxist ideology. • He has left his party and has joined another. • He has never been defeated at the polls. • He has never taken part in politics. • He has strong socialist ties. • He voted left. • He was a great statesman of the time. • He was our Home Minister, and he used to support moderate views. • He

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won by a majority of 15, 000. • He’s a conservative politician. • He’s a former Secretary of State, and he’s running for President. • He’s a hardliner, and his political opinions are extreme. • He’s a liberal politician. • He’s a member of our party. • He’s a politician with centrist views. • He’s a well-known politician. • He’s against the capitalist system and way of life. • He’s anti-fascist. • He’s been a communist since childhood. • He’s been struggling all his life for workers’ rights. • He’s campaigning for the privatization of those industries. • He’s going to be our party’s candidate. • He’s planning to retire from politics. • He’s pro-left in his views. • He’s pro-revolution. • He’s the leader of the opposition. • He’s very active in student politics. • He’s very left-wing in these matters. • He’s well to the left on most subjects. • He’s well to the right on most of these issues. • He’s with the left wing of the party. • Her son is aiming for a political career. • Her son is thinking of going into politics.• Here’s a party that stands only for keeping things as they are. • His only interest is international politics. • His party is likely to win this election. • His politics are well to the left of centre. • His popularity seems to have declined. • How many votes did these candidates poll? • I think the new party wants to avoid extremism. • I voted against him. • I wonder how long this government could survive. • If only these political parties showed moderation and a sense of responsibility! • If you want them to vote you in at the next election, you must do something for them now. • In a way, nationalism is the major cause of most wars. • Is he a strong candidate? • It was not a statesmanlike decision. • Local politics doesn’t interest him. • Look at those people. They’re going to the polls. • Many of them are politically moderate. • Most MPs seem to be in favour of the new law. • Most of them are not going to cast their votes. • Most of them are on the left-wing of the party. • Most people are cynical about politics. • None of those parties favour social democracy. • One candidate has polled 40% of the votes. • Only national politics interest him. • Our MP has resigned, and there will soon

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be a by-election. • Our party demands social equality. • Our party favours less state control. • She voted for them. • She’s standing against him in this election. • She’s very right-wing/ left-wing in these matters. • Social care of the people by the state — that’s what our party stands mainly for. • Some of these are communist ideas. • That’s a party divided by faction and intrigue. • That’s an effective way of preventing dictatorship. • The alliance of socialists and communists may field more than 200 candidates. • The election campaign has already begun. • The election results will be known in an hour or so. • The government is going to be defeated in the next election. • The government is going to be voted out this election. • The main opposition parties are against this move. • The new government is planning to bring in several reforms. • The new party favours middle-of-the-road political views. • The party is divided on how to deal with the situation. • The party is going to split down the middle. • The party is split on the issue. • The party tries to stick to radical views and opinions. • The people are going to elect us/our party. • The people have started rising against the new government. • The people will soon start revolting against the government. • The Prime Minister can’t ignore the protests from the opposition. • The right-wing of the party is against all changes. • Their economic policies have not been a success. • Their party favours greater personal freedom. • Their party favours state ownership of most of the important industries. • Their party has been losing support in the polls recently. • Their party has broken into two factions. • Their party is planning to resist the reforms. • Their party is in opposition now. • Their party is neither left nor right. • Their party is neither part of the government nor in parliament. • Their party lost the last election. • Their party seems to have given up its centrist policies.• Their political views are fairly middle-of-the-road. • Theirs is a minor political party with extremist views. • There have been several demonstrations against the government recently. • There will be only a light poll this time. • These are political matters. • These

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are some of the principles our party favours. • They counted the ballots/ballot papers once again by hand. • They have radical views on this issue, and they’re asking for complete and thorough political change. • They represent socialists. • They want most of the industries under state ownership. • They’re conservatives, and they want things to stay pretty much as they are. • They’re fascists, and they don’t favour any political change. • They’re middle-of-the road politicians, and their views are not extreme. • They’re moderates, and they have no extreme views. • They’re our voting public. • They’re planning to reform the electoral system. • They’re reactionaries, and they’ve been preventing changes. • They’re trying to defend the political position of their party. • They’ve been trying to prevent a split in the party. • They’ve begun to count the votes. • They’ve won a convincing victory in the elections. • This election is certainly going to be a test of the public’s confidence in the government. • This idea has been a powerful force in Indian politics. • This is a clear mandate to the government to continue the reforms. • This is a national movement, and it’s gaining strength day by day. • This is nothing but the old colonial system developing in a slightly different form. • This situation is nothing but political anarchy — nobody is paying attention to rules or laws. • Use your vote wisely. • We want to keep the society as free as possible. • We’re against extremism in politics. • What a lot of changes have been introduced by this government in a short time! • What a lot of political changes have happened in a short time! • What are the principles of your party? • When are they going to gain real political freedom? • When is the general election going to be? • Why are most public affairs mishandled like this? • Why does the party want the banking sector nationalized? • You have the power to vote. Use it wisely. • You’ve been elected by us, and you must act according to our wishes. • I feel your party has become too radical.

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Chapter 7

be-clusters for general fluency In this chapter, you’re going to get an exhaustive collection of a particular type of word clusters that we’ll call “be-clusters”. I’ve called them be-clusters, because they all begin with a word that is a form of be. And roughly speaking, you can take the word be to stand for am, is, are, was, were, been and being. Thus, for example, the be-cluster be in the army can be used in clauses like “(He) is in the army”, “(They) are in the army”, etc. In the first of these two clauses, the word be appears as is; and in the second clause, be appears as are. Many of the be-clusters beginning with be itself (rather than with any other of its forms am, is, are, was, were, been and being) also occur quite frequently followed by the words to, can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought, used to, need and had better. Many be-clusters also occur quite frequently followed by the negatives of can, could, may, might, shall, should, will, would, must, ought, used to, need and had better – that is, after cannot, could not etc. Thus, for example, the be-cluster “be the truth” can occur after to, cannot and must in clauses like “That is said to be the truth”, “That can’t be the truth”, “That must be the truth” etc.

Group 1 be in a lot of pain; • be perched (high) on a cliff; • be consumed with guilt; • be 50,00,000 rupees in the red; • be faced with a choice; • be a good shot; • be troubled with stomach ulcer; • be associated with a particular point of view; • be worried to death; • be back; • be having a baby; • be haunted by guilt; • be good fun; • be imprinted on your mind; • be all set (for sth); • be in

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a job; • be worth the trouble; • be involved in a complicated affair; • be in labour; • be in charge of doing sth; • be dressed in white; • be enough to go around; • be a challenge; • be (really) in a bind; • be mixed up in a row; • be full of praise for…; • be stripped of your rank; • be just talk; • be simplicity itself; • be an issue; • be in full retreat; • be going to have a baby; • be mixed up in terrorist activities; • be loud in your opposition; • be in a class of your own; • be made of a mixture of cotton and silk; • be a great success; • be in a different league (from sb/sth); • be the reason; • be next in line; • be out of it; • be full of pity; • be an honour to do sth; • be in use; • be worth a great deal etc; • be of the opinion that …; • be stacked in piles; • be the victim of an attack; • be out of practice. • be simple to make; • be on first name terms (with sb); • be a past master in/of sth; • be injured in an incident; • be sb’s birthday; • be in the shadow; •be in debt (to sb); • be square; • be easy to find; • be bitten by the cooking bug; • be in line with a policy; • be in charge of an agency; •be the subject of much/some debate; • be keen on sport; • be subject to stringent regulations by sb; • be sb’s superior; • be ready for a fight; • be red; • be sth of a novelty; • be burnt to ashes; • be difficult to find; • be a matter of conjecture; • be open to negotiation; • be on the verge of collapse; • be out of sb’s league; • be in the lead; • be of (no) concern to sb; • be in need of a reform; • be in at the (dramatic) finish; • be full of praise for sb/sth; • be of benefit to sb/sth; • be fit for a king; • be accused of killing sb; • be in the mail; • be a (good/bad etc) influence; • be well rid of sb/ sth; • be exposed to a virus; • be named minister; • be round in shape; • be booked on/onto a flight; • be pitch dark; • be a size too small (for sb); • be master of sth; • be unable to travel; • be at an advantage; • be a step ahead of sb; • be worth the time; • be under sb’s spell; • be the deputy (of a school, etc.); • be in fear of sth/doing sth; • be missing in action; • be a size too big (for sb); • be exploiting a situation; • be short of supplies; • be in no condition to do sth; • be brothers; • be good practice for sth;

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• be full of hope; • be (a) hot favourite for sth; • be wrapped in bandages; • be singing from the same hymn book; • be on death row; • be entitled to a pension. • be sent to jail; • be in an dreadful state; • be wanted on the telephone; • be destroyed by fire; • be double in size; • be bad for your health; • be on the throne; • be open to the elements; • be a relative of sb; • be strewn with corpses; • be against a motion; • be mirrored in/on sb’s face; • be a total ban on sth; • be sb’s responsibility; • be the same age as sb; • be imagining things; • be kept in an institution; • be smashed to bits; • be a long, etc. summer; • be in an awful state; • be wrinkled with age; • be destroyed by a bomb; • be near (to) tears; • be in charge of the community affairs; • be entitled to maternity leave; • be an angry exchange of views; • be subjected to harassment; • be called to the telephone; • be have a relationship; • be good at division; • be well camouflaged; • be away from school; • be of special interest (to sb); • be jailed for life; • be in league with sb; • be in fashion; • be in a position of authority; • be frantic with worry; • be out of luck; • be full of enthusiasm; • be left fuming; • be none of sb’s business; • be lovers; • be on a list; • be all right; • be filled with passion (for sb); • be an angel; • be represented by counsel; • be under no illusion(s); • be at work; • be in pain; • be on (your) best behaviour; • be home to; • be full of tales about sth; • be in working order; • be a soldier; • be 50 years of age; • be against the rules; • be attached to a research, etc. unit; • be in goal; • be in favour of doing sth; • be on the scent; • be concerned about the environment; • be worth a great deal; • be of particular interest; • be in power; • be the victim of a crime; • be the truth; • be responsible for all arrangements; • be duty bound to do sth; • be called to a meeting; • be in good voice; • be split; • be of age. • be within range; • be on sb’s side; • be destroyed by an explosion; • be in for a treat; • be blind to sb’s faults; • be 2 games etc ahead; • be worthy of note; • be in breach of contract; • be asking a particular price for sth; • be exposed to the elements;

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• be a personality; • be a living hell; • be all your (own) fault; • be of low quality; • be in flames; • be well advised to do sth; • be in a meeting; • be in full agreement with sb; • be worth a try; • be accused of a crime; • be in sb’s light; • be like a father (to sb); • be full of tourists; • be frightened to death; • be (in) a mess; • be imprinted on your memory; • be careful with (your) money; • be sheltered from the elements; • be half the size; • be associated with a particular cause; • be the next left; • be given the floor; • be the first left; • be in great danger; • be the solution; • be aware of the potential for sth; • be a major shift (in attitude etc.); • be cold; • be open to a debate; • be no hero; • be right in saying sth; • be economical to run; • be caused by a lack of sth; • be separated from her husband; • be in big trouble; • be fit for a queen; • be imprinted on your brain; • be powered by electricity; • be at the leading edge of sth; • be in shape; • be sick of sb’s behaviour; • be peopled by characters; • be in a distressed state; • be caught on a camera; • be on the edge of your seat; • be in accordance with a policy; • be first in line; • be an outdoors, etc. man; • be trampled to death; • be of (no) benefit to sb/sth; • be right in believing sth; • be available for comment; • be scheduled to start; • be in love; • be in danger of doing sth; • be up to your elbows in sth; • be under (heavy) fire; • be armed with clubs; • be charged with an offence; • be hostile to an idea etc; • be an officer; • be an idiot to do sth; • be an (important, etc.) element; • be sb’s own fault; • be a cause for concern; • be your duty to do sth; • be under attack; • be on the same, etc. flight; • be worth it; • be of little significance; • be behind the schedule; • be at college; • be filled with shelves; • be of assistance; • be locked into a dispute (with sb); • be a mess; • be set on sth; • be a man!; • be armed with a knife; • be mine; • be above the law; • be lost at sea; • be a nuisance; • be made from a mixture of flour, eggs and butter; • be worthy of support; • be sb’s duty to do sth; •be complicated by a fact that …; • be seeing things; • be rushed to hospital; • be detained in custody; • be completely the opposite (of sth).

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Group 2 • be shaped like sth; • be square with sb; • be out of your mind with boredom; • be in danger of sth; • be very much in love; • be in a relationship; • be dead set on sth; • be caught up in a dispute, etc; • be smashed to pieces; • be on first name terms with sb; • be no angel; • be 10 points ahead; • be no accident that…; • be of poor quality; • be efficient at your job; • be sent to prison; • be a piece of cake; •be in a position of power; • be out of your mind with jealousy; • be in discussion with; • be of no significance; • be out of food supplies; • be based on a structure; • be a tidy sum; • be on a collision course with sth; • be of the same mind (about); • be booked solid; • be quite an occasion; • be open to suggestions; • be treated for an injury; • be your own master; • be bad for sb’s image; • be the channel for sth; • be a cross between; • be a mystery to sb; • be on speaking terms (with sb). • be in the public interest; • be in perfect working order; • be through to the finals; • be under discussion; • be a cool/warm evening; • be to blame (for sth); • be infected with a virus; • be the brains behind sth; • be subject(ed) to an exam(ination); • be poles apart; • be paralysed with fear; • be the complete opposite (of sth); • be out of fashion; • be at university; • be on a contract; • be visible in the skies; • be full of drama; • be a mixture of; • be in the post; • be in sb’s way; • be drawn into an argument; • be involved in a crime; • be on the board; • be like a father to sb; • be in your (own) interest(s); • be rushed off your feet; • be lit by electricity; • be remanded on bail; • be a big draw; • be on the road of recovery; • be well looked after; • be well represented; • be covered from head to foot/toe; • be lulled into a false sense of security; • be the person responsible; • be in danger; • be endowed with a great capacity (to do sth); • be blighted by injury; • be set to do sth; • be on a council; • be all in the past; • be run over; • be a close second; • be in transports of delight; • be according to the schedule; • be mentioned in the

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media; • be (only) part of the reason; • be used to the sight of; • be sb’s shadow; • be bound by a convention; • be blind in one eye; • be on a different plane; • be a waste of time?; • be at a disadvantage; • be good for you; • be a sure sign of/(that); • be sb’s elder by three months, etc; • be reduced to a pile of sth; • be on drugs; • be reduced to the ranks; • be lined with shelves; • be in charge of sb/sth; • be high in cholesterol; • be worth a fortune; • be short for sth; • be quite a job; • be at your peak; • be of sound body; • be in a different league from sb/sth; • be in regular contact (with sb); • be short of funds; • be heavily in debt; • be left standing; • be open to the public; • be struck off (a roll); • be in training (for sth); • be my idea of heaven; • be no exception; • be free from worry. • be double the amount; • be involved in an argument; • be a wonderful cook; • be a welcome addition (to sth); • be remanded in custody; • be struck by lightning; • be in the way; • be entirely your (own) fault; • be well matched; • be based on detailed comparison; • be on holiday; • be at school; • be a close finish; • be in a crash; • be under stress; • be dismayed at/by the prospect; • be beset with problems; • be on time; • be out of town; • be in for a surprise; • be handled by computers; • be a size too large (for sb); • be in/at the (developmental) phase; • be the reason why/(that); • be a (complete) failure; • be responsible for the management (of sth); • be on a diet; • be hard to find; • be covered by/with a layer; • be on a collision course; • be delayed by minutes/ hours etc; • be all smiles; • be in a sorry state; • be in sb’s favour; • be a promising pupil; • be a total failure; • be a heated exchange of views; • be largely your (own) fault; • be given official recognition; • be all right if sb does sth; • be overcome by/with emotion; • be admitted to the inner circle; • be responsible for the staff; • be behind in the polls; • be beset by troubles; • be fitted with a device; • be laid up (in bed) with sth; • be eligible for a grant; • be in the national interest; • be of no/little relevance to a situation, etc; • be (out) on strike; • be involved in a movement; • be in a

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temper; • be made from (out) of metal; • be no gentleman; • be of little /no value sb; • be situated along the coast; • be worthy of admiration; • be no easy task; • be blind in both eyes; • be a matter of survival; • be in short supply; • be like…; • be in great pain; • be worthy of consideration; • be in no rush to do sth; • be the occasion of sth; • be on friendly terms (with sb); • be very routine; • be delayed for hours/months etc; • be in agony; • be on the tip of your tongue; • be sb’s double; • be my idea of bliss; • be mean (with your money); • be 3 years/6 months sb’s elder; • be on your guard; • be set in your ways; • be a waste of sth; • be widely forecast; • be at home; • be in leaf; • be as long as…; • be in deep trouble; • be (only) part of the story; • be wanted for a crime; • be thought to do sth; • be aware of danger; • be up to no good; • be bad value; • be a judge; • be accused of armed robbery; • be good for…; • be in serious trouble; • be tall for your age; • be associated with a particular organization; • be of one mind (about). • be in films; • be in sb’s/sth’s (best) interest(s); • be on manoeuvres; • be confident of your ability; • be born outside marriage; • be singing from the same song sheet; • be up and running; • be coming up; • be in doubt; • be killed in an incident; • be your sole object (in life); • be part of sb’s brief; • be engaged in a bitter battle; • be exacerbated by a lack of sth; • be partly your (own) fault; • be an honour; • be all in favour of sb/sth; •be good for a laugh; • be killed in an accident; • be a step nearer (to sth); • be high on the list; • be on a low income; • be burnt to death; • be madly in love (with sb); • be free of charge; • be under investigation; • be capable of violence; • be in town; • be all talk; • be in bandages; • be in a heap; • be in (close/regular) contact; • be password protected; • be worlds apart; • be good for doing sth; • be the same height (as); • be not to blame; • be at the centre of the stage; • be 1 metre/25 centimetres etc wide; • be stretching it; • be a danger to sb/sth; • be all a bit of a blur; • be overcome with horror; • be in danger of collapse; • be a good girl; • be in favour of a motion; • be

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economical to use; • be easy to use; • be plunged into darkness; • be protected from the elements; • be all right to do sth; • be exposed to a chemical; • be open to attack; • be a good influence (on sb/sth); • be worthy of praise; • be running 15 minutes/one hour etc late; • be a cloud over sth; • be hurt in an incident; • be shot to pieces; • be brought up on a farm; • be numb with cold; • be spoilt for choice; • be some comfort (to sb); • be badly hit; • be a great help; • be square in shape; • be a disaster for…; • be on the agenda; • be on a mission; • be in a cheerful mood; • be under guarantee; • be in for a bumpy ride; • be out of work; • be on the dole; • be in good working order; • be cast from metal; • be shot to hell; • be open to ideas; • be plunged into an activity; • be covered in mud; • be on the threshold of a new era; • be in theatre; • be late home; • be based on the belief (that); • be under new management; • be under sentence of death; • be set in gold; • be double in amount; • be in limited supply; • be on display; • be spared the worst.

Group 3 • be (of) no use to sb; • be in custody; • be in/out of season; • be adopted as a candidate; • be at war (with a country); • be on the increase; • be on your feet; • be all sb’s fault; • be in service; • be subjected to abuse; • be generous to a fault; • be left over; • be killed in a crash; • be in a mess; • be at a young age; • be all set to do sth; • be stuck in a snow drift; • be hell on earth; • be the master of your own destiny; • be dealt a bad hand; • be loud in your support; • be subjected to criticism; • be in trouble (with sb); • be extra; • be (a) hot favourite to do sth; • be in shock; • be an occasion for celebration; • be on television/ TV/the radio; • be on leave; • be packed with tourists; • be short of space; • be doomed to failure; • be racked with pain; • be of Irish/Chinese descent; • be caked in mud; • be sb’s elder by years; • be on the same page; • be in awe of sb; • be present at a birth; • be host to; • be poor value; • be just beginning to do sth; • be open to abuse; • be in a (terrible) state; • be right to do

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sth; • be a useful addition (to sth); • be interested in girls; • be next in line the throne; • be in credit; • be utter hell; • be more trouble than sb/sth is worth. • be double in price; • be in a position to do sth; • be none of sb’s concern; • be of sound mind; • be out of/in sympathy with sb/sth; • be responsible for the administration of sth; • be up against a champion; • be crippled in an accident; • be in good health; • be good for sth; • be caught in the middle; • be suspicious of sb/sth; • be a big help; • be under sb’s control; • be no substitute for sth; • be in the army; • be under a (lot of ) strain; • be on the scene; • be an achievement; • be in control of your own destiny; • be a secret; • be deeply split; • be made with a mixture of butter, sugar and milk; • be simple to use; • be only obeying orders; • be in full possession of your faculties; • be in a category (all) of its/your own; • be sb’s writing; • be a welcome release from work, etc; • be all right with/by sb; • be caught in a storm, etc; • be razed to the ground; • be low on the list; • be in bad taste; • be affected by the (monsoon/wet, etc.) season; • be covered in/with blood; • be honest to a fault; • be beyond sb’s grasp; • be shattered by the prospect; • be under the impression (that) …; • be helping the police with their inquiries; • be close to tears; • be under (a) contract to sb/sth; • be 10 miles long; • be fond of sport; • be red-carded; • be a small minority; • be a great pity; • be my idea of paradise; • be busy with last-minute preparations. • be right (of sb) to do sth; • be good for sb’s image; • be in grave danger; • be of merit; • be filled with a strong smell; • be in the red; • be away on business; • be at the door; • be enshrined in a constitution; • be tipped as a possible successor; • be heard to remark…; • be in a different class; • be dead (set) against (doing) sth; • be in a good mood; • be covered in/with scales; • be on a grant; • be scheduled for publication; • be a question of survival; • be hard hit; • be a fool to do sth; • be worthy of attention; • be appointed as an officer; • be in no mood for sth; • be available at/from a library; • be ashamed of

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yourself. • be on a salary; • be the proud owner of sth; • be your own boss; • be in a bit of a corner; • be heading for disaster; • be engaged in social activities; • be in love (with sb); • be struck off (a register/roll); • be against the law; • be on a/the slippery slope to sth; • be at war (with); • be in fine voice; • be difficult to call; • be armed with bows and arrows; • be full of praise for sb/sth; • be yellow-carded; • be in a situation; • be no fun; • be in a bad state; • be very good employers; • be in difficulty/ difficulties; • be second in line; • be asking for it; • be a good buy; • be in conflict (with sb); • be run down; • be ahead of the field; • be down on your luck; • be green; • be on a panel; • be sb’s master (at school); • be sick to death of; • be in a bad mood; • be scared to death; • be a failure; • be no contest; • be the result of sth; • be good value; • be of particular interest (to sb); • be burnt at the stake; • be confident in the knowledge that …; • be packed to capacity; • be a poor shot; • be cast in metal; • be in port; • be ahead of the schedule; • be in a hurry to do sth; • be on good terms; • be a crime to do sth; • be (easily) the worst; • be in breach of an article; • be gripped by fear; • be sb’s fault for doing sth; • be doing fine; • be worth the wait; • be overcome with excitement; • be in a good state; • be under the impression (that); • be present; • be found at sea; •be in/on a team; • be good citizens; • be out of funds; • be twice the size; • be bitten by the travel bug; • be open to offers; • be covered in snow; • be accused of murder; • be killing sb; • be a genuine article; • be scarred for life; • be tarred with the same brush; • be covered in flowers; • be double the size; • be eligible for inclusion; • be not any good; • be filled with fear; • be advertised in a newspaper; • be tied to sb’s apron strings; • be under sb’s command; • be able to travel; • be in a league of your own; • be tired after/from a journey; • be ready to go; • be clear in your mind (about sth); • be great fun; • be hardly your (own) fault; • be on the pill; • be at risk; • be interested in sport; • be broadcast live; • be in a position of strength; • be responsible for an incident; • be faced with unemployment; • be captain of a team; • be an offence (to

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do sth); • be well designed. • be an improvement; • be in the index; • be hard to fault; • be of considerable interest (to sb); • be good for your health; • be under pressure (to do sth); • be beyond description; • be at the controls; • be an endangered species; • be in charge of the administration of sth; • be involved in criminal activities; • be the exception rather than the rule; • be edged with lace; • be full of praise; • be on the radio; • be a beauty; • be sb’s fault (that) …; • be under orders to do sth; • be ripe for development; • be off the danger list; • be the first person to do sth; • be full of tales (about sth); • be absent without leave; • be in crisis; • be admitted to an institution; • be in disagreement; • be sb’s age; • be 50,00,000 rupees in debt; • be due for publication; • be wary about the prospect; • be marked on a map; • be affected by the weather; • be plain to see; • be in business; • be destroyed by shots; • be a help; • be in the line of fire; • be in existence; • be given probation; • be on duty; • be 50 years old; • be heard to comment…; • be well studied; • be in need of assistance; • be an absolute master at sth; • be based on complex technology; • be no comfort (to sb); • be in agreement; • be in charge of a department; • be heated by electricity; • be out of danger; • be on the point of collapse; • be out of context; • be burnt to the ground; • be expecting a baby; • be included in sb’s calculations; • be overcome with emotion; • be on familiar terms with sb; • be nuts; • be of use to; • be near (to) death; • be excited at the prospect; • be a step closer (to sth); • be running late; • be running; •be a (great) disappointment; • be young for your age; • be perplexed by the prospect; • be on a committee; • be carried along by the current; • be sb’s misfortune; • be in a hurry; • be in a depressed state of mind; • be part of a society; • be over the worst; • be fraught with problems; • be on fire; • be available in packs; • be a dear and do sth; • be a good boy; • be paralysed from the chest down; • be responsible for your behaviour; • be involved in an incident; • be a matter for a debate; • be in keeping with a policy; • be against the flow of

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sth; • be of German, etc. descent; • be paralysed from the waist down; • be of no interest (to sb); • be bounded by limits; • be commonly attributed to hard work, etc.

Group 4 • be confident of success; • be of particular importance; • be opposite sb/sth; • be ahead in the polls; • be in a dream; • be littered with corpses; • be advertised in a magazine; • be placed in an institution; • be steeped in tradition; • be involved in an organization; • be bent double; • be in sb’s/the family; • be fair to sb; • be ashamed; • be carrying an injury; • be small for your age; • be a relation of sb; • be a liability; • be the double of sb; • be in poor health; • be divorced from her husband; • be bottom of the league; • be dead set on (doing) sth; • be in (full) flood; • be the victim of an assault; • be a real help; • be of great significance; • be no use; • be bored to death; • be in the market for sth; • be sheer torture (for sb); • be an interesting comparison; • be a bad influence (on sb/sth); • be prepared for the worst; • be a problem; • be in a fight; • be of the same opinion; • be a member of sth/belong to sth; • be under pressure to do sth; • be more trouble than it is worth; • be a comfort to sb; • be round; • be right in thinking sth; • be right about sb/sth; • be perched on the edge of sth; • be killed in battle; • be fun; • be in ruins; • be suitable for inclusion; • be taught sth at your mother’s knee; • be on the brink of collapse; • be the intended destination; • be in production; • be the boss; • be in/outside a category; • be a lot of money; • be in trouble with the authorities; • be in the habit of doing sth; • be troubled with back injury, etc; • be excellent value; • be convicted of an offence; • be filled with pity; • be a trained nurse; • be involved in the administration of sth; • be forced to travel; • be in transports of joy; • be loyal to a fault; • be in breach of sth; • be wrong; • be given your money back; • be perched on top of sth; • be shaking like a leaf; • be in a state of shock; • be worth a lot; • be a real hit; • be well prepared; • be admitted to hospital; • be based on a true story; • be blue; •

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be familiar with a theme. • be good company; • be aware of the adverse circumstances; • be no good; • be due in three months; • be a delight; • be destroyed by an exchange of fire; • be settled by negotiation; • be at the heart of sth; • be onto a good thing; • be 3 metres by 5 metres; • be in transports of grief; • be the ruin of sb/sth; • be part of a movement; • be in trouble with the police; • be in the majority; • be of the opinion that…; • be pure hell; • be a false economy; • be detained in hospital; • be in charge; • be an escape (for sb); • be double the number; • be a good example; • be caught in a trap (of sth); • be a bitter lesson to sb; • be thrown in at the deep end; • be biased in favour of sb/ sth; • be economical with the truth; • be advertised on TV; • be in favour of sth; • be brought up in comfortable circumstances; • be filled with shame; • be worth the effort; • be caught in the act; • be top of the league; • be in a rush; • be dealt a good hand; • be scheduled to take place; • be away from work; • be given your marching orders; • be engaged in an affair; • be hampered by a lack of sth; • be of interest (to sb); • be in good taste; • be run over (by a car, etc.); • be filled to capacity; • be an example to sb; • be a sad commentary (on sth); • be blue with cold; • be difficult to fault sb/sth; • be small comfort (to sb); • be a complete waste of time; • be in for it; • be due in an hour; • be a hit; • be freed on bail; • be the case; • be hearing things; • be faced with the prospect; • be on the danger list; • be overwhelmed with guilt; • be not much good; • be a good idea; • be firm with sb; • be on trial (for murder, etc.); • be 15 metres high; • be in charge of the staff; • be in preparation; • be crowned a champion; • be sick with worry; • be a blow to sb/sth; • be coming along with sth; • be home; • be (sb’s) brother; • be woken from a dream; • be in/out of range; • be all an illusion; • be asking for trouble; • be a romantic at heart; • be burnt to a crisp; • be free to travel; • be rich in natural resources; • be paralysed from the neck down; • be advertised on the radio; • be bitten by the fitness bug; • be capable of high-speed flight; •

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be involved in an accident; • be confident in your ability; • be set on (doing) sth; • be marred by violence; • be ranked number two; • be in control; • be a success; • be out of your mind with worry/worries; • be (only) part of the problem.

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Word clusters useful across topics

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Chapter 8

Word clusters useful across topics Whether you’re speaking seriously about business affairs or politics (or for that matter, about any other topic), here’s a rich collection of action word clusters that can help you say what you’re saying with fluency. Pick up each word cluster and say it ALOUD several times. Here we go:

Group 1 ignore your fellow passengers; • generate energy; • gain recognition; • receive acclaim; • leave your keys sw; • lift your leg; • gather information; • gain impetus; • raise taxes; • grow flowers; • register concern; • identify your target market; • obtain consent; • improve your service; • learn English; • leave college; • gain experience; • give punishment; • give vent to your feelings; • recover your sight; • meet costs; • invite guests; • receive information (that…); • minimize damage; • ignore that/this letter; • guarantee happiness; • operate equipment; • lose money; • receive thanks; • play poker; • play pirates; • lack moral fibre; • recognize sb’s voice; • hate swimming; • raise funds; • pass legislation; • obtain funding; • provide jobs; • lift turnips; • promote use; • have fear; • hand your ticket to sb; • press your suit; • maintain dominance; • indicate sb’s presence; • remove your gloves; • hurt sb’s feelings; • leave your station; • report a 5% increase; • give pleasure; • give no importance to sth; • put fear into sb; • perform magic tricks; • hear sb’s voice; • push your plate away; • have lessons; • hear talk; • last hours/a long time; • plan your escape; • return your books; • gain popularity; • hold talks; • produce electricity; •

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kill time; • remove rubbish; • limit ability; • restore unity; • give expression (to sth); • give cause for sth; • halt progress; • increase production; • invite trouble; • play your hand; • go through university; • offer hope to sb. • obtain licence; • risk punishment; • hurl abuse; • offer credit; • lay money/odds (that); • love life in the village; • rest your eyes; • raise doubts in people’s minds; • reach your/ its peak; • gain speed; • meet payments; • raise cattle; • lose height; • prevent trouble; • open your umbrella; • need money; • have help; • know your limits; • make trouble for sb/sth; • lose your sight in an accident; • gain confidence; • gather evidence; • obtain permission; • restore peace; • obtain information; • rent your flat from sb; • link your computer with a network; • last all day; • provide variety; • lose control of sth; • hear noises; • raise your eye-brows; • receive a small increase in sth; • mean no offence; • lift your head; • leave work at…; • remember sb’s phone number; • provide feedback; • restore confidence; • leave your jacket sw; • need protection; • gain seat; • quote Shakespeare; • gain knowledge; • play chess; • lose blood; • play cards; • put stress on sth; • remove your hat; • need skill; • make time; • raise corn; • prepare sb’s room; • promote interest; • produce an overall increase; • restore calm; • offer employment; • receive support; • lose interest; • mention your name; • prevent pollution; • receive publicity; • prove sb’s innocence (S=sth); • offer benefits; • owe money; • learn truth; • maintain quality; • learn this theory; • generate heat; • raise your arm/leg; • refuse entry; • play James Bond; • narrow your eyes; • produce growth; • receive financial assistance; • provide pleasure; • restore pride; • promote awareness; • put support behind sb/sth; • press return. • meet your doom; • receive protection; • raise fears in people’s minds; • hang sb’s portrait sw; • preserve independence; • win acceptance; • improve standards; • recover your hearing; • produce evidence; • know all the answers; • remain friends; • play football; • have money; • prevent development; • resist

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arrest; • promote violence; • maintain independence; • get pleasure from/out of sth; • repeat each sentence (after sb); • improve communications; • lay stress on sth; • maintain standards; • hit your head on/against sth; • raise capital; • grant permission; • give support; • gain favour (with sb); • give information; • make conversation; • improve sb’s motivation; • pass/pronounce sentence; • read sb’s thoughts; • lose control (of the car etc.); • lose time; • require permission; • get benefit (from sth); • organize your work; • miss your footing; • nod your head; • oppose racism; • overcome fear; • miss lunch; • have technology; • grant sb’s wish; • name names; • hit your elbow on/against sth; • restore ancient rights; • preserve your integrity; • need information; • gather speed; • produce energy; • relax rule; • require information. • get your money ( back); • need attention; • reach your (full) potential; • press home an argument; • help old people; • improve your score; • raise awareness (of); • move your pawns; • lack imagination; • have information; • refuse help; • get work done; • influence sb’s judgment; • prefer charges (against sb); • receive guests; • hold power; • make money; • hear arguments; • pull sb’s hair; • open your eyes; • offer hope; • impose discipline; • indicate desire; • lose points; • pay particular attention to sth; • respect authority; • gain access to sth; • hurt sb’s pride; • increase scope; • prevent damage; • require skill; • prevent disaster; • impose conditions; • play baseball; • restore ancient traditions; • remove objections; • generate publicity; • return books to the library; • issue guidelines; • indulge sb’s taste; • question sb’s motive; • hate sb’s plastic smile; • meet sb’s expectations; • open your laptop; • impose sanctions (against/ on a country); • obtain evidence; • lack personality; • hear sb’s explanation; • have admiration for sb/sth; • have hope; • receive money; • open your doors to sb; • represent sb’s interests; • open your own business; • recognize independence; • like your new dress; • observe some changes; • make your escape; • remember all the words; • prove sb’s guilt; • play tennis; • need exercise;

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Word clusters useful across topics

• increase safety; • increase efficiency; • generate interest; • raise salaries; • generate excitement; • inspire fear; • promote development; • gain satisfaction; • risk defeat; • paint portraits; • reach boiling point; • have trouble; • press your face against the window.

Group 2 • invest money; • maintain safety; • lose your job; • hear voices outside; • make time to do sth; • gain entry to sth; • give help; • gain ideas; • reach adulthood; • lack energy; • lift sanctions; • remember your homework; • get religion; • have cause to do sth; • gain information; • produce no evidence; • identify priorities; • lose your hair; • resist demands; • maintain relations; • lose your teeth; • meet sb’s special needs; • regain control; • handle patients; • produce power; • impose constraints on sth; • need energy; • paint rosy picture of sth; • require involvement; • promote safety; • keep your weight down/ on/off; • have knowledge of sth; • organize arrangements; • lack ambition; • receive advice; • increase tension; • maintain stability; • guess sb’s secret; • register confusion; • prevent injury; • leave home; • run some tests; • recover your composure; • recover your health; • impose restrictions on sth; • pick holes in sth; • miss dinner; • impose your will (on sb); • pay fees; • need advice; • miss your connection; • keep sb’s place; • gain control of sth; • mobilize support; • raise your prices; • promote sb’s interests; • like sb’s music; • obtain finance; • require patience; • offer support; • increase growth. • lay siege to sth; • return sb’s love; • get exercise; • increase suspicion; • manage stress; • introduce legislation; • raise fears; • reach across; • lose your argument with sb; • provide inspiration; • reap benefit (from sth); • prove sb’s innocence; • leave your valuables sw; • have difficulty doing sth; • pass judgment (on); • provide insight; • please your parents; • lay charges against sb; • hear both sides of an argument; • have imagination; • increase demand; • promote health; • lift your

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head; • improve your swimming; • paint landscapes; • increase membership; • receive recognition; • pay damages; • pay low wages; • press rewind; • remove restrictions (on); • revive interest; • maintain your stance; • protect liberty; • reach your sales targets; • gain credibility; • offer variety; • hear rumours; • perform miracles; • invest money in sth; • miss your family; • lack ability; • hear voices in the next room; • lose your balance (on the ice etc.); • lock all our valuables away; • pass urine; • provide training (for sb); • gather strength; • incur damage; • provide employment; • impede progress; • hang your head; • not have any idea; • leave town; • not have any/much luck; • keep your distance; • improve sb’s position; • present yourself as sth; • hide your feelings; • have support; • limit damage; • pay rent; • relax restriction; • run hot water into a bucket; • raise public awareness of sth; • reduce scope; • hate spinach; • maintain peace; • gain benefit (from sth); • register disapproval; • own land (sw); • order some coffee; • issue visas; • obtain authorization; • gain entry (to a place); • lend support; • offer help; • miss your mark; • inflict damage (on/to sth/sb); • have ability; • learn your lesson; • receive damages; • reveal truth; • read your writing (can’t). • keep goats/hens; • pack your suitcase; • gain weight; • gain insight; • require equipment; • reveal sb’s presence; • hide your excitement; • maintain your dignity; • keep your secret; • reject demands; • leave university; • give your love (to sb); • provide energy; • refuse permission; • open your mouth (to speak); • mean trouble; • plant doubt; • get work; • intend no disrespect; • reduce stress; • issue passports; • gain trust; • require protection; • register surprise; • get news; • reserve judgment; • promote understanding; • reduce prices; • lose your case in a court; • resist chocolates; • give hope to sb; • obtain approval; • register sb’s presence; • lift restrictions (on); • learn your lines; • push your luck; • mortgage your house; • produce reaction; • press enter; • improve conditions; • please everybody (can’t); • lack experience; • hear sb’s ideas; • pick

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Word clusters useful across topics

your nose; • have importance; • get sb’s opinion; • need help; • reduce growth; • pack your razor; • gain respect; • register distaste; • invest effort; • protect your reputation; • gather wild flowers; • raise suspicion; • learn news; • generate power; • press home a point; • leave school; • hold sb’s attention; • grow your hair; • improve (your) efficiency; • receive reports; • hear steps outside; • lack focus; • remove obstacles; • lose your leg in an accident; • have sb’s attention; • read sb’s mind; • love your country; • kick your legs; • receive news; • increase awareness (of); • provide power; • repair damage; • pass comment; • lend your support; • raise questions; • hear raised voices; • require effort; • provide help; • miss your friends; • raise hopes; • gain support; • know every word of a song; • meet conditions; • have experience; • reach deadlock; • reflect sb’s personality; • press home an attack; • handle stolen goods; • preserve peace; • press charges; • bring charges; • play Cleopatra; • gather momentum; • reduce tension; • raise standards; • maintain continuity; • open your gates to sb; • keep prices down; • hate summer vacation; • play golf; • guess sb’s age; • offer comfort; • need care; • increase intake; • miss your old car; • hear news; • raise sb’s spirits; • leave/depart this world; • pay homage to; • like spicy food; • lack confidence (in yourself); • register protest; • ignore advice; • improve health; • replace broken glasses; • raise your score; • provide protection; • place importance on sth; • reveal your identity; • influence your/sb’s behaviour; • get support; • receive training.

Group 3 • raise money (for sth); • maintain prices; • open doors (for sb); • miss your concert; • offer advice; • invest time; • leave space; • like wine; • prove your case; • receive help; • restore your faith in sb/sth; • register complaint; • play computer games; • maintain your innocence; • increase opportunities; • guarantee liberty; • play roulette; • reach your destination; • raise doubts; • live separate lives; • pack your rucksacks; • recall

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sb’s name (not); • muster support; • relax constraint; • gain permission; • relax regulation; • pay staff; • raise expectations; • hit your arm on/against sth; • get help; • get information; • handle arrangements; • meet sb’s needs. • maintain order; • reduce pollution; • gather intelligence; • miss your bus; • raise morale; • offer no explanation (for your actions); • like your attitude (don’t); • report commands; • pass your driving test; • keep sb’s attention; • raise your eyes (from sth); • impose restrictions (on); • obtain/receive intelligence; • provide satisfaction; • reduce crime; • reach agreement; • gain control; • reflect sb’s character; • gain height; • protect your innocence; • lift your gaze from your book; • get loose (from sb/ sth); • release your grip; • read music; • plant suspicion; • pay money; • leave your job; • increase productivity; • leave this world; • pay little regard for sth; • lay emphasis on sth; • return sb’s hospitality; • increase your income; • obtain leave; • play Macbeth; • intend no offence; • get your hopes up; • promote growth; • join your wife (sw); • require energy; • improve safety; • obtain advice; • relax your grip; • receive permission; • have talks; • recover consciousness; • reduce intake; • raise awareness about sth; • give advice; • prefer tea; • improve ability; • reduce weight; • organize our files; • need effort; • maintain law and order; • risk your life; • register objection; • question sb’s ability; • gain promotion; • return sb’s smile; • improve morale; • provide/give intelligence; • prevent crime; • maintain links; • raise suspicions (in people’s minds); • mistake sb’s meaning; • guarantee sb’s safety; • gather enough support; • preserve liberty; • maintain discipline. • issue tickets; • read crime novels; • protect your identity; • increase your lead; • produce results; • represent an increase in sth; • lose support; • learn that theory; • join your family (sw); • raise prices; • receive treatment; • relax control; • grant leave; • promote competition; • realize your (full) potential; • provide care; • run its course; • meet sb’s gaze; • give intelligence; • move your body; • permit your child to do sth; • make trouble;

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• not see any harm in (doing) sth; • generate electricity; • know sb’s address; • protect sb’s interests; • provide guidelines; • invite speakers from sw; • lack direction; • provide advice; • limit intake; • kill yourself. • have no idea; • protest your innocence; • reiterate your belief; • increase profits; • put money in/into sth; • maintain contact; • not cost anything; • prove your mettle; • report any incident; • increase sb’s motivation; • register disbelief; • raise concerns; • receive care; • influence choice; • request permission; • not hold out hope; • promote efficiency; • owe your success to sth; • present difficulty; • hang your coat on a rack; • hit your mark; • play your ace; • nod approval; • maintain control; • own several houses; • lose power; • receive communion; • give money; • run special trains; • not mean (sb) any harm; • give rise to a difficulty; • raise your voice; • reveal sb’s character; • point your finger in sb’s direction; • respect sb’s wishes; • improve quality; • risk death; • make progress; • generate income; • resist change; • return sb’s call; • lose weight; • lift your arm; • make no answer; • recognize reality; • mean business; • promote peace; • gain acceptance; • reduce costs. • monitor sb’s progress; • request leave; • produce stress; • receive basic instruction in sth; • review your failures and triumphs; • get money; • pay attention (to sb/sth); • gain understanding; • help industry; • restore power; • gain entrance (to sth); • hit your knee on/against sth; • lift sb’s spirits; • read university; • generate stress; • knock your opponent down; • move furniture; • generate profit; • obstruct progress; • reflect sb’s taste; • raise money (to pay for sth); • gain independence; • hurt your back doing sth; • remove problems; • raise your hand; • gain currency; • have work; • question sb’s judgment; • provide support; • gain strength; • question sb’s integrity; • have no ambition; • offer your services as sth; • prevent violence; • receive programmes via satellite; • gain momentum; • guarantee supplies of sth; • guarantee safety; • get advice; • pay attention to; • need patience; • lose (your) confidence; • maintain your integrity; • need permission; • meet sb’s demands; • indicate

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left; • pay much attention to sb/sth; • put energy into sth; • raise finance (for sth); • give offence (to sb); • reserve tickets; • recover costs; • restore order; • gain sb’s attention; • receive severe injuries; • repeat prescription; • gather your wits; • publish books; • pledge (your) support; • lack motivation; • gain admission; • review progress; • reduce violence; • provide information; • maintain unity; • lose hope; • involve violence; • rally support; • gain admittance to sth; • lose your way; • race relations; • return fire; • remember sb’s name; • place stress on sth; • provide benefits; • rest your head on sth; • need equipment; • raise sb’s profile; • increase knowledge; • obtain satisfaction; • preserve unity; • move your queen.

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Word -clusters in serious conversations

Chapter 9

Word-clusters in serious conversations Here’s an exhaustive collection of noun-like word clusters. These are word groups that occur frequently in serious conversations – conversations that are content-intensive. And the junctions between the content words in each of these clusters are those that you should have the ability to negotiate easily. So get your organs of speech to become used to saying them ALOUD. Here we go:

Group 1 a valid argument; • lone-parent family; • an extreme case; • motives behind sb’s conduct; • dab hand with sth; • an advertising blitz; • a walk around; • second largest state; • the minute sth happens; • something like drawing a picture; • first love; • an absolute disgrace; • the very centre; • a sharp distinction; • an informed choice; • excessive demands; • conspiracy theory; • a well-balanced diet; • further information; • a serious boyfriend; • a sorry state; • exorbitant demands; • a sure sign; • the one certainty; • the first few; • government sources; • a slim chance; • discrimination against homosexuals; • a tight squeeze; • outside help; • the day will come (when); • inside job; • an everyday occurrence; • a selective memory; • interest groups; • the point at issue; • a thought crosses sb’s mind; • the last hope; • a searching question; • your very own bedroom; • drug smuggling; • your word against sb’s. • a vague idea; • a short book; • a wet spell; • engine failure; • a step sideways; • a social class; • a team captain; • class struggle; • a terrible shock; • an accessory after the fact; • dress sense; • a sharp pain; • the initial stage; • biggest regret; • a takeover bid; • one-parent

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family; • a tight spot; • a school report; • the far north/south; • a wide selection; • immunity from prosecution; • a thorough investigation; • the speed limit; • an airline passenger; • a silvertongued person; • the animal kingdom; • the main characteristic; • an exhibition catalogue. • the show opens; • a strong correlation; • the way back/ forward; • an overnight success; • a whole series; • a tight finish; • a tight schedule; • the minimum required; • your every whim; • second gear; • a tragic death; • a technical glitch; • a team member; • the same place (as…); • the best intentions; • an old trouper; • a shock defeat; • the full extent; • the finished goods; • the precise moment; • the way here; • a safe bet (that…); • the only ever defeat etc; • an economic imperative; • customer satisfaction; • an economy drive; • first ever trip abroad; • a trip abroad; • an accessory before the fact; • her place; • school rules; • the modern world; • a/one stage further; • a work permit; • single-parent family; • the shooting season; • second offence; • a well-defined area; • an hour along sth; • miles from anywhere/nowhere; • a serious problem; • the least favourite; • a warning light; • a week tomorrow; • a storm breaks; • first prize; • the other one; • a terrible mistake; • forward planning; • serious troubles; • the far side; • a wild guess; • an excellent choice; • the minimum possible; • the preferred choice; • drug trafficking; • the wrong time; • internationally agreed; • rough seas; • an all-time low; • the sad thing (is…); • the travelling public; • the northern sky; • the lull before the storm; • news flash; • an opening shot; • dear sweet woman; • a short poem; • a worthy successor; • an after-dinner speech; • water-resistant covering; • a vast expanse; • a thorough search. • military observers; • the story behind sth; • customer service; • traffic lights; • the principal reason; • first performed; • the individual concerned; • a temper tantrum; • a spoilt child; • a vacant chair; • a wide choice; • business as usual; • a serious crime; • final draft; • an electrical fault; • the financial year; • an extensive collection; • a three-course meal; • the public

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Word -c lusters in seriou s conversations

sector; • the fishing season; • a shopping spree; • an even chance; • breathing problems; • watchful eye; • a small margin; • the central character; • a well-defined task; • a sharp increase; • the big two; • a tight budget; • an hour’s time; • an expensive mistake; • a secret location; • an obvious choice; • a valuable addition; • income per head; • a smoking-related illness; • the government machine; • love affair with sb/sth; • an exhibition stand; • utter disgrace; • the only person/thing; • plus point; • the current trend; • women’s rights; • the motion was carried; • your old age; • the distinguishing characteristic; • the mid 17th century; • a storm brews; • a step forward; • the happy couple; • a technical hitch; • the worst accident imaginable; • the first left; • a valuable contribution; • the female lead; • a vague feeling; • several hundred/thousand people; • the inside story; • race relations; • an ego trip; • election campaign; • a willing volunteer; • a short spell; • currency crisis; • your big date; • a short time; • a vague suspicion; • exact moment; • an animal lover; • the days that followed. • the defining characteristic; • a sore spot; • an enormous amount; • death by/from starvation; • the diagram opposite; • outside advisers; • imprisonment without trial; • the dry season; • the big three/four; • a short article; • a technical term; • an inadequate substitute; • second post; • deaths from cancer; • the entire episode; • oil interests; • outside shell; • a substantial amount; • the human condition; • the financial sphere; • extravagant demands; • life after death; • a technical problem; • the other night; • inside lane; • a sorry mess; • the struggle against communism; • the earth’s core; • the campaign trail; • the psychiatrist’s couch; • a weekend away/off; • drug problem; • the years that followed; • the medical profession; • a train trip; • the proceeds from a sale; • a severe winter; • that same thing; • a willing helper; • the mating season; • an enthusiastic supporter; • a while back; • an integral element; • the engaged tone; • a strong accent; • high sea; • a visible sign; • your other books/paintings; • a vacant look; • the clever ones; • neither the

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time nor/or the inclination; • a steady supply; • a weight off your mind; • a seeker after truth; • row upon row; • the calm before the storm; • little sister; • the person responsible; • a sweet little bird; • space age; • a vital ingredient; • the pink pound/dollar; • a silver tongue; • the danger zone; • a single mattress; • a strong wind; • a thorough understanding; • the appointed time; • an increasing proportion; • a virtual monopoly; • an attempt at explanation; • the bedside clock; • a slight exaggeration; • a technical violation; • the only thing (is...); • doubts about a system; • the home stretch; • news bulletin; • the right decision; • the final say; • the developing world; • a security light; • the fight against inflation; • a top student; • crimes against humanity; • something like a museum; • a successful career; • little respite.

Group 2 • the then owner; • shock tactics; • a tea break; • a tricky situation; • outside influence; • the airport run; • big sister; • quality control; • a weight problem; • a university education; • the manufacturer’s instructions; • a well-established practice; • a stupid little song etc; • tightly-focused project; • first gear; • a tight fit; • several hundred/thousand things; • the exact centre; • a slow worker; • a smooth talker; • an unfair advantage; • a valid criticism; • a vain attempt; • a sharp rise; • an exhibition hall; • plus factor; • sweeping demands; • the past few; • inside your head; • outside experts; • the lunch time rush; • tiny little piece; • the immediate future; • the walking wounded; • violent death; • the public purse; • an emergency landing; • an important ingredient; • the whole time; • the community at large; • the common good; • my love; • an inch wide; • the sky above/overhead; • an interested party; • crime figures; • the main character; • a winning run; • neck ache; • an eternal truth; • the very beginning; • second most important reason; • intense lobbying; • a universal truth; • my other commitments; • a step along the way; • the ocean depths; • an attempted coup;

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• sb’s own fault; • many thanks; • the maximum possible; • the trip home; • the river’s edge; • a true successor; • the town centre; • drug addiction; • an article entitled/headed (“…”); • the extreme edge; • the whole year (through). • inside information; • coffee-making facilities; • a writer’s guild; • her old age; • a while ago; • last thing at night; • a stroll around (sth); • a willing partner; • a step ahead; • the sporting public; • a valuable resource; • the rainy season; • poor (little) girl; • a useful indicator; • a single sheet; • a trial basis; • the majority opinion; • your own house; • the scientific sphere; • labour relations; • an important factor; • the winning trail; • the last few; • poor (little) kid; • a train strike; • an early frost; • the minimum acceptable; • class conflict; • a substantial increase; • an endless supply; • second try; • the whole night (through); • the political sphere; • a sharp fall; • a vast range; • the most terrible shock imaginable; • a thought enters sb’s mind; • an upward trend; • a safe distance; • many hundreds/thousands; • a sure bet; • a tender spot; • wage levels; • a substantial number; • wage packet; • the food industry; • staff training; • the world over; • high sugar content; • the music business; • young children; • a significant correlation; • a woman with a mission; • a tricky question; • a social circle; • the back bone; • tiny little girl; • the final stretch; • an optional extra; • traffic control; • the landed aristocracy; • the task ahead; • the five senses; • your best efforts; • the desired effect; • the right way up/round; • an integral feature; • a sea change; • a striking resemblance; • mission impossible; • the barest essentials; • fat chance; • the advertising business; • a substantial proportion; • the day’s catch; • the power behind the throne. • conflicting opinions; • a serious danger; • an inch high; • a vain bid; • a vacant smile; • a select few; • profit motive; • an enormous number; • the world stage; • a short period; • cheeky little girl; • dab hand at sth; • a vacant table; • an active supporter; • the motion was passed; • an easy time; • a strange experience; • a vivid memory; • the principal architect; • a

Word -c lusters in serio u s conversations

99

week’s rent; • an enormous volume; • the strange thing (is…); • outside observers; • the lion’s share; • poor (little) boy; • the thought strikes sb; • a well-read person; • number crunching; • the right moment; • a silly little table; • great shock; • a small fraction; • an inch long; • every conceivable sth; • the quickest route; • outside contractors; • a scorch mark; • a snap decision; • the tourist season; • human rights; • the minimum necessary; • some excuse etc. or other; • the means by which sth is done; • a technical fault; • drug abuse; • the most direct route; • the common people; • tender loving care; • outside interference; • the interest rate; • concentration span; • the finished product; • a scratch mark; • the open sea; • the previous month/week; • the good old days; • the current climate; • walking distance; • an hour past sth; • a well-defined plan; • the next best thing; • an evening off/out; • the first time; • ransom demand; • the day may/might come (when); • same old complaints; • the fashion business; • deaths from traffic accidents. • opening credits; • the morning rush; • a terrible shame; • the international stage; • computer error; • limited success; • an opposition party; • his own; • child star; • the festive season; • a sharp bend; • the way home; • an energy-saving feature; • the answer is ‘no’; • a worthy cause; • the front two/three; • your life’s work; • the young ones; • a year’s subscription; • odd jobs; • the odd thing (is that…); • a sweet little box; • a smokingrelated disease; • big date; • little tiny cottage; • a social call; • the full whack; • an hour’s sleep; • small talk; • deaths from disease; • a train ride; • a sure indication; • an awful lot; • an essential ingredient; • a star pupil; • protection from the elements; • a stark choice; • good old joke; • the night sky; • reduced sugar content; • the bare minimum; • an underlying theme; • a step behind; • the very end; • an important element; • a tough decision; • the lucky ones; • opening remarks; • removal from office; • repeated demands; • the book-buying public; • inside pocket; • the best opportunity imaginable; • the bare necessities; • the right time; • a strong supporter; • the lower middle-class;

100

Word -c lusters in seriou s conversations

• a vacant expression; • a tight timetable; • a serious injury; • the funny thing (is…); • the established order; • a young boy; • the security aspect; • a weak showing; • the comeback trail; • an army coup; • civilization as we know it; • beginner’s luck; • the majority view; • a team manager; • only your imagination; • first string; • ransom note; • a traumatic experience; • the time (when) sb does sth; • my old age; • first place; • some distance; • corruption charges; • the summer sky; • the hunting season; • his/her life’s work; • ill-treatment at sb’s hands; • the whole thing; • a vague notion; • a train crash; • a serious mistake; • an infinite variety; • first offence; • forward thinking; • a valid point; • your other friends; • a step down; • engine problems; • the growing season; • a treasured possession; • an hour’s exercise; • security against a loan; • a vague memory; • space travel; • a vain effort; • the animal world; • round table talks; • a set pattern; • an attitude problem; • robbery with violence; • inside knowledge; • an honest living; • a top scientist; • crowd control; • a shock win (against…); • insight into sb’s character.

Group 3 • a thought-provoking speech; • outside surface; • the weird thing (is…); • the far end; • a silly little idea; • another chance; • many millions; • closely-typed pages; • the next few weeks; • sb’s one reservation; • events surrounding sth; • chemist’s (shop); • a smoking-related death; • the nation at large; • inside lining; • a surge forward; • the general reader/viewer; • currency deal; • the far left/right; • a vast collection; • closing remarks; • a top player; • the community as a whole; • mixed reception; • a sharp decline; • love at first sight; • circumstances beyond our control; • an after-dinner speaker; • the private sector; • a sharp frost; • the year when…; • the political stage; • the day after; • a substantial reduction; • court proceedings; • a tense atmosphere; • first draft; • a writer’s union; • an ovalshaped table; • an accident involving two cars etc; • income per capita; • the main focus; • the sole surviving sb/sth; • the whole

Word -c lusters in serio u s conversations

101

episode; • that same person; • a spoilt brat; • death penalty; • the person concerned; • outside lane; • high calorie diet; • a willing pupil; • the devil incarnate; • the trouble (with sb/sth) is (that)…; • the whole day (through). • the minimum needed; • a strong showing; • dividing line between; • the day after tomorrow; • a surprise party; • an empty threat; • a vast number; • an oil leak; • the shortest route; • the exception that proves the rule; • the second time; • a sure thing; • cheeky little boy; • the single largest/biggest; • dear little chair; • the next left; • your own transport; • the then president/governor; • first beginnings; • an airline pilot; • low sugar content; • the present day; • the ruling classes; • the next five years; • the day when…; • the time or the inclination; • a staff shortage; • a soft glow; • a writer’s association; • a step back; • a spider’s web; • an hour away (from sth); • a sharp drop; • independent observers; • the past month; • a trial period; • the medical field; • a smaller size; • second biggest computer company; • a step along the road; • the moral high ground; • the final whistle; • drug trials; • the common man; • an outgoing call; • a sacrifice worth making; • good intentions; • the true extent; • the seven seas; • wedding anniversary; • group pressure; • the only certainty; • house prices; • drug smuggler; • an attempt at reconciliation; • breathing difficulties; • business opportunities; • the landed classes; • a solid performance; • an attempt at conversation; • an only child; • a well-oiled machine; • the appointed place; • a thorough knowledge; • the whole truth; • first course; • a struggle against cancer; • an acquired taste; • the major focus; • the finishing stretch; • a shopping trip; • little success; • drug pusher; • a vast array. • a soft option; • introductory remarks; • a total stranger; • the early 16th century; • a technical infringement; • a vacant seat; • a varied selection; • the health aspect; • a valid excuse; • a serious girlfriend; • a wide vocabulary; • a serious offence; • a trial separation; • a short while; • a sneaking suspicion; • a serious relationship; • the last week; • the argument goes

102

Word -c lusters in seriou s conversations

(that…); • the existing order; • dear old friend; • doctor’s orders; • drug culture; • an empty space; • the upper middleclass; • the only surviving sb/sth; • first impressions; • a tense silence; • my other brother/sister; • a striking difference; • sb’s silver-tongued charm; • main course; • pounds sterling; • the extreme end; • first past the post; • the holiday season; • animal rights; • an adverse effect; • a way out; • the current situation; • the halfway mark; • trial by jury; • sweet dreams; • the country as a whole; • a short stay; • the easy way out; • a star attraction; • outside wall; • the summer holidays; • the nation as a whole; • a sharp tongue; • the political agenda; • drug addict; • poor (little) child; • an infinite number; • the very spot; • a vague impression; • a whole range; • a sneezing fit; • the water’s edge; • early beginnings; • sign language; • a trip overseas; • the previous day; • election fever; • a sleepless night; • a valid reason; • an increasing number; • an enclosed space; • an all-time high; • the time when…; • first post; • an empty house; • a tight deadline; • a serious threat; • death sentence; • a serious illness; • a small dose; • best hope; • the far east/west; • a well-established principle; • a vivid account; • an incoming call; • famine relief; • a sneaking feeling; • second prize; • the earth’s crust; • a travel permit; • the late 17th century; • the way down/up; • a slim hope; • compliance with a regulation; • an isolated incident; • the exact spot; • customer relations; • the final decision; • a substantial sum. • a year’s rent; • the best going; • a single bed; • an outstanding contribution; • a shallow breath; • an essential element; • the most wonderful surprise imaginable; • an economic situation; • a vivid description; • a storm is brewing; • a well-established tradition; • an idle threat; • a sorry business; • the wrong decision; • the extreme left/right; • traffic island; • further details; • the very top; • an export permit; • a seller’s market; • a serious accident; • the next several months; • the last time; • the weeks that followed; • a science class; • an added incentive; • a thorough examination; • the general good;

Word -c lusters in serio u s conversations

103

• a stranger here; • the finer points; • the primary focus; • a sneaking fear; • low-ranking officers; • a writer’s group; • a slim margin; • a stamped addressed envelope; • the norm (rather than the exception); • a substantial improvement; • an hour’s practice; • treasurer’s report; • the earth’s surface; • the other (person/thing); • an electric fire; • the march eastward; • the bare essentials; • an hour ago; • financial troubles; • the folks back home; • an overall majority; • a wide margin; • a tragic accident; • the last month/year; • the whole story; • an added bonus; • your native tongue; • a tea tray; • the whole world; • the smart set; • second place; • an early stage; • a vague recollection; • a snap judgment; • argument by/from analogy; • the motion was defeated; • the diagram above/below; • precious few; • a thumbnail sketch; • mixed success; • foreign observers; • an accident black spot; • the breeding season; • the extreme tip; • the extreme north/south; • the safety aspect; • the judges’ decision; • a thin line; • leadership qualities; • a slim majority; • a vast quantity; • earnings from tourism; • freedom from worry; • a single ticket; • profit margin; • a second chance; • the male lead; • a vast amount; • an undisclosed location; • group dynamics; • a step backwards; • the general drift; • last chance; • the wider community; • a step up; • a tricky problem; • the general public; • the days ahead; • a tight bend. That’s it. Bye for now.

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