Professional Documents
Culture Documents
4. The "unclassifiables"
come came come
do did done
go went gone
show showed show
As you meet new irregular verbs, try to decide in which category they fall.
Present perfect
(Please note that British and American English have different rules for the use
of this tense. The explanation and exercises here refer to British English. In
American English, it is often acceptable to use the past simple in some of these
examples.)
We use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to
the past.
We can use it to look back on the recent past.
I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is.
They have cancelled the meeting.
She's taken my copy. I don't have one.
The sales team has doubled its turnover.
When we look back on the recent past, we often use the words 'just' 'already' or
the word 'yet' (in negatives and questions only).
We've already talked about that.
She hasn't arrived yet.
I've just done it.
They've already met.
They don't know yet.
Have you spoken to him yet?
Have they got back to you yet?
It can also be used to look back on the more distant past.
We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years.
She's done this type of project many times before.
We've mentioned it to them on several occasions over the last six months.
They've often talked about it in the past.
When we look back on the more distant past, we often use the words 'ever' (in
questions) and 'never'.
Have you ever been to Argentina?
Has he ever talked to you about the problem?
I've never met Jim and Sally.
We've never considered investing in Mexico.
We use time expressions like are 'ever', 'never', 'since' with the present
perfect.
I've never seen so many people here before.
Have you ever been more surprised?
I've done a lot since we last talked about it.
Typical time expressions used with the present perfect in British English
but often used with the past simple in American English are 'already',
'just', 'yet'.
I haven't done it yet. (UK)
I didn't do it yet. (US)
I've just done it. (UK)
I just did it. (US)
I've already done it. (UK)
I already did it. (US)
We can use the time phrase 'for' with both forms, but with different
meanings.
I lived in Paris for a couple of years before I moved here.
I've lived in Paris for a couple of years and still love it.
Past perfect
We use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point in
the past. It looks back from a point in the past to further in the past.
I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him.
I checked with the supplier and they still hadn't received the contract.
She had already told him before I got a chance to give him my version.
The company has started the year well but was badly hit by the postal
strike.
The past perfect simple is often used when we report what people had
said/thought/believed.
He told me they had already paid the bill.
He said he believed that John had moved to Italy.
I thought we had already decided on a name for this product.
Past perfect continuous
We use the past perfect continuous to look back at a situation in progress.
It was a good time to invest. Inflation had been falling for several
months.
Before I changed jobs, I had been working on a plan to reduce
production costs.
We had been thinking about buying a new house but then we decided to
stay here.
We use it to say what had been happening before something else happened.
It had been snowing for a while before we left.
We had been playing tennis for only a few minutes when it started
raining.
He was out of breath when he arrived because he had been running.
We use it when reporting things said in the past.
She said she had been trying to call me all day.
They said they had been shopping.
I told you I had been looking for some new clothes.
Past tense review 1
We can use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as
completed in the past.
I left school when I was sixteen.
I was very happy then.
He told me all about his childhood.
We can use the past continuous to talk about past events which went on for a
period of time.
While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me.
I was thinking about him last night.
I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over.
We can use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to
the past.
I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is.
She hasn't arrived yet.
We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years.
Have you ever been to Argentina?
The Present Perfect Continuous can be used to talk about an action or actions
that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the
future.
You look tired. Have you been sleeping properly?
I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived.
He's been phoning me all week for an answer.
We can use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point
in the past. It looks back from a point in the past to further in the past.
I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him.
I thought we had already decided on a name for this product.
We can use the past perfect continuous to look back at a situation in progress.
We had been thinking about buying a new house but then we decided to
stay here.
It had been snowing for a while before we left.
She said she had been trying to call me all day.
Past tense review 2
We can use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as
completed in the past.
I left school when I was sixteen.
I was very happy then.
He told me all about his childhood.
We can use the past continuous to talk about past events which went on for a
period of time.
While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me.
I was thinking about him last night.
I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over.
We can use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to
the past.
I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is.
She hasn't arrived yet.
We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years.
Have you ever been to Argentina?
The Present Perfect Continuous can be used to talk about an action or actions
that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the
future.
You look tired. Have you been sleeping properly?
I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived.
He's been phoning me all week for an answer.
We can use the past perfect simple to talk about what happened before a point
in the past. It looks back from a point in the past to further in the past.
I hadn't known the bad news when I spoke to him.
I thought we had already decided on a name for this product.
We can use the past perfect continuous to look back at a situation in progress.
We had been thinking about buying a new house but then we decided to
stay here.
It had been snowing for a while before we left.
She said she had been trying to call me all day.
Going to
There is no one 'future tense' in English. There are 4 future forms. The one
which is used most often in spoken English is 'going to', not 'will'.
We use 'going to' when we want to talk about a plan for the future.
I'm going to see him later today.
They're going to launch it next month.
We're going to have lunch first.
She's going to see what she can do.
I'm not going to talk for very long.
Notice that this plan does not have to be for the near future.
When I retire I'm going to go back to Barbados to live.
In ten years time, I'm going to be boss of my own successful company.
We use 'going to' when we want to make a prediction based on evidence we can
see now.
Look out! That cup is going to fall off.
Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain soon.
These figures are really bad. We're going to make a loss.
You look very tired. You're going to need to stop soon.
We can replace 'going to go' by 'going'.
I'm going out later.
She's going to the exhibition tomorrow.
Will - future
Some people have been taught that 'will' is 'the future' in English. This is
not correct.
Sometimes when we talk about the future we cannot use 'will'. Sometimes
when we use 'will' we are not talking about the future.
We can use 'will' to talk about future events we believe to be certain.
The sun will rise over there tomorrow morning.
Next year, I'll be 50.
That plane will be late. It always is.
There won't be any snow. I'm certain. It's too warm.
Often we add 'perhaps', 'maybe', 'probably', 'possibly' to make the belief
less certain.
I'll probably come back later.
He'll possibly find out when he sees Jenny.
Maybe it will be OK.
Perhaps we'll meet again some day.
We often use 'will' with 'I think' or 'I hope'.
I think I'll go to bed now.
I'm seeing Julie at 5 and then I'm having dinner with Simon.
He's picking me up at the airport.
The company is giving everyone a bonus for Christmas.
In many situations when we talk about future plans we can use either the
present continuous or the 'going to' future. However, when we use the
present continuous, there is more of a suggestion that an arrangement has
already been made.
I'm going to see him./I'm seeing him.
I'm going to do it./I'm doing it.
We use the present simple to talk about events in the future which are
'timetabled'. We can also use the present continuous to talk about these.
My plane leaves at 6 in the morning.
The shop opens at 9.30.
The sun rises a minute earlier tomorrow.
My plane is leaving at 8.30.
The shop is closing at 7.00.
The sun is rising at 6.32 tomorrow.
Will - other uses
Older textbooks often refer to 'will' as 'the future tense' and this has
confused a lot of learners.
It is important to remember that when we talk about the future we
cannot always use 'will' and that when we use 'will' we are not always
talking about the future.
Here 'will' is clearly referring to the future.
If I speak to her, I'll tell her about it.
I'll probably visit Sue when I go to Oxford.
Next birthday she'll be 32. Or so she says.
In these examples, however, 'will' is referring to events happening at the
present.
The car won't start.
If that's the phone, I'll get it.
Will you have another cup of coffee?
When we use 'will' referring to the present, the idea being expressed is
usually one of 'showing willingness' or 'will power'.
My baby won't stop crying. I've tried everything and I'm really exhausted.
I am the boss. You will do as I say.
I need quiet to write this but he will keep on talking to me. I wish he would
leave me alone.
We use 'will' for requests, orders, invitations and offers.
Will you give me a hand?
Will you please take a seat?
Will you have some cake?
I'll help you.
We use 'will' to make promises or threats.
I'll do it at once.
I'll phone him back immediately.
I won't forget this.
I'll get my own back some day.
We use 'will' for habit.
A cat will always find a warm place to sleep.
My car won't go any faster than this.
We use 'will' for deduction.
I expect he'll want us to get on with it.
The phone's ringing. That will be Mark.
Look again at all of these examples of 'will'. They are all to do with the
present or are 'timeless'.
Shall
We don't use 'Shall' very frequently in modern English, particularly in
American English.
It is used to make offers and suggestions and to ask for advice.
What time shall we meet?
Shall we vote on it now?
What dress shall I wear?
Shall I open the window?
You only really need to know that about 'shall' in modern English.
Read the rest of this only if you want to know more about how some
older speakers still use 'shall'.
Formerly, in older grammar, 'shall' was used as an alternative to 'will'
with 'I' and 'we'.
Today, 'will' is normally used. When we do use 'shall', it has an idea of a
more personal, subjective future.
I shall go to see the boss and I shall ask him to explain this decision.
Notice that the negative of 'shall' can be 'shall not' or 'shan't' though the
second one is now very rare in American English.
I can't drive.
We use 'can' to ask for and give permission. (We also use 'may' for this but
is more formal and much less common.)
Can I speak to you or are you too busy?
You can use my phone.
You can't come in.
We use 'can' in offers, requests and instructions.
Can I help?
Can you give me a hand?
When you finish that, you can take out the garbage.
We use 'can' with 'see' 'hear' 'feel' 'smell' 'taste' to talk about something
which is happening now . (Where you would use the present continuous
with most other verbs.)
I can smell something burning.
Can you hear that noise?
I can't see anything.
We can use 'can't' for deduction. The opposite of 'can't' in this context is 'must'.
You can't be hungry. You've just eaten.
You must be hungry. You haven't eaten anything all day.
He was in London one hour ago when I spoke to him. He can't be here yet.
Could
'Could' can be used to talk about the past, the present or the future.
'Could' is a past form of 'can'
When I was living in Boston, I could walk to work.
He phoned to say he couldn't come.
I could see him clearly but I couldn't hear him and then the videoconference
line went dead.
'Could' is used to make polite requests. We can also use 'can' for these but
'could' is more polite.
Could you help me, please?
Could you lend me some money?
Could I have a lift?
Could I bother you for a moment?
If we use 'could' in reply to these requests, it suggests that we do not
really want to do it.
Unless you've been there yourself, you don't really understand how fantastic it
is.
The first conditional
We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to
happen.
If we take John, he'll be really pleased.
If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
If they tell us they want it, we'll have to give it to them.
If Mary comes, she'll want to drive.
The 'if' clause can be used with different present forms.
If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State
Building.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.
The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as
'will'.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.
The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can' and
'must'.
If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.
If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.
Second conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde
Park.
If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.
Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and
not 'was'.
(Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people
think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)
If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't
there so I didn't.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't
there so it wasn't possible.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure.
Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)
If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")
Wish
Let's start off with the easy part. ' I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want
to' but it is much, much more formal and much, much less common.
I wish to make a complaint.
I wish to see the manager.
You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.
I wish you all the best in your new job.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
Notice that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must
use 'hope ' and not 'wish'.
We wish you the best of luck.
We hope you have the best of luck.
I wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.
However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be
different from what they are, that we have regrets about the present
situation.
I wish I was rich.
He wishes he lived in Paris.
They wish they'd chosen a different leader.
Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than
the tense corresponding to its meaning.
I'm too fat. I wish I was thin.
I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited to parties.
It's raining. I wish it wasn't raining.
I went to see the latest Star Wars film. I wish I hadn't gone.
I've eaten too much. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
I'm going to visit her later. I wish I wasn't going to visit her later.
In the case of 'will' , where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
He won't help me. I wish he would help me.
You're making too much noise. I wish you would be quiet.
You keep interrupting me. I wish you wouldn't do that.
Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use
'hope'.
There's a strike tomorrow. I hope some buses will still be running.
I hope everything will be fine in your new job.
In more formal English, we use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'
after 'wish'.
I wish I were taller.
I wish it were Saturday today.
I wish he were here.
Had better
We use had better plus the infinitive without to to give advice.
Although had is the past form of have, we use had better to give
advice about the present or future.
You'd better tell her everything.
I'd better get back to work.
We'd better meet early.
The negative form is had better not.
You'd better not say anything.
I'd better not come.
We'd better not miss the start of his presentation.
We use had better to give advice about specific situations, not general
ones. If you want to talk about general situations, you must use
should.
You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
I shouldn't listen to negative people.
He should dress more appropriately for the office.
When we give advice about specific situations, it is also possible to use
should.
You shouldn't say anything.
I should get back to work.
We should meet early.
However, when we use had better there is a suggestion that if the
advice is not followed, that something bad will happen.
You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.
I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.
We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.
Used to
Used to do
We use 'used to' for something that happened regularly in the past but no longer
happens.
I used to smoke a packet a day but I stopped two years ago.
Ben used to travel a lot in his job but now, since his promotion, he doesn't.
I used to drive to work but now I take the bus.
We also use it for something that was true but no longer is.
There used to be a cinema in the town but now there isn't.
She used to have really long hair but she's had it all cut off.
I didn't use to like him but now I do.
'Used to do' is different from 'to be used to doing' and 'to get used to doing'
to be used to doing
We use 'to be used to doing' to say that something is normal, not unusual.
I'm used to living on my own. I've done it for quite a long time.
Hans has lived in England for over a year so he is used to driving on the left
now.
They've always lived in hot countries so they aren't used to the cold weather
here.
to get used to doing
We use 'to get used to doing' to talk about the process of something becoming
normal for us.
I didn't understand the accent when I first moved here but I quickly got used
to it.
She has started working nights and is still getting used to sleeping during the
day.
I have always lived in the country but now I'm beginning to get used to living
in the city.
Asking questions 1
The basic rule for asking questions in English is straightforward: Invert
the order of the subject and the first auxiliary verb.
It is snowing. = Is it snowing?
He can speak German. = Can he speak German?
They have lived here a long time. = Have they lived here a long time?
She will arrive at ten o'clock. = Will she arrive at ten o'clock?
Although, the rules are very simple and mechanical, in order to use them
easily in conversation, they have to be automatic. So you need to hear
and practice them very often.
Reported speech
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think
or believe.
He says he wants it.
We think you are right.
I believe he loves her.
Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
She told me he had asked her to marry him.
I told you she was ill.
We thought he was in Australia.
When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we
don't change the tense.
He thinks he loves her.
I'll tell her you are coming.
He has said he'll do it.
When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally
make the tense 'more in the past'.
You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a
message.
I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.
However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but
is still true, it is not obligatory to make the tense 'more in the past'. The
choice is up to the speaker. For example:
"The train doesn't stop here."
He said the train doesn't stop here.
He said the train didn't stop here.
"I like Sarah."
She said she likes Sarah.
She said she liked Sarah.
When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change
other words in the sentence.
Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there.
Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time.
There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in. Suppose I sit there until
somebody comes?
I'm going to ask him for a pay increase. ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would
you do?
Have something done
If you 'have something done', you get somebody else to do something for you.
I'm going to have my hair cut.
She's having her house redecorated.
I'm having a copy of the report sent to you
In informal English, we can replace 'have' by 'get'.
We're getting a new telephone system installed.
They will be getting the system repaired as quickly as they can.
I got the bill sent direct to the company.
We can also use 'have/got something done' in situations where something
bad has happened to people or their possessions. This is not something
they wanted to happen.
John had all his money stolen from his hotel bedroom.
We had our car damaged by a falling tree.
I got my nose broken playing rugby.
Should have
We can use 'should have' to talk about past events that did not happen.
I should have let her know what was happening but I forgot.
He should have sent everybody a reminder by email.
They should have remembered that their guests don't eat pork.
We can also use 'should have' to speculate about events that may or may
not have happened.
She should have got the letter this morning. I expect she'll give us a call about
it later.
He should have arrived at his office by now. Let's try ringing him.
They should have all read that first email by this stage. It's time to send the
next one.
We can use ' should not have' to speculate negatively about what may or
may not have happened.
She shouldn't have left work yet. I'll call her office.
He shouldn't have boarded his plane yet. We can probably still get hold of
him.
They shouldn't have sent the report off for printing yet. There is still time to
make changes.
We can also use 'should not have' to regret past actions.
I shouldn't have shouted at you. I apologise.
We shouldn't have left the office so late. We should have anticipated this bad
traffic.
They shouldn't have sacked him. He was the most creative person on their
team.
Can have / Could have
We can use 'could have' to talk about something somebody was capable
of doing but didn't do.
I could have gone to Oxford University but I preferred Harvard.
She could have married him but she didn't want to.
They could have bought a house here 20 years ago but chose not to.
Often, there is a sense of criticism.
You could have phoned me to let me know.
They could have helped me instead of just sitting there.
I could have done more to help you. Sorry.
We can use 'couldn't have' to talk about something we were not capable
of doing.
I couldn't have managed without you.
I couldn't have got the job. He was always going to appoint his nephew.
I couldn't have enjoyed myself more. Thank you for a lovely day.
We can use 'could have' to speculate about what has happened. (We can
also use 'may have' or 'might have' in these situations.)
She could have taken the earlier train.
Simon could have told her.
They could have overheard what we said.
We can also use 'can have' to speculate about what has happened but only
in questions and negative sentences and with words such as 'hardly',
'never' and 'only'.
Can she have forgotten about our meeting?
He can't have seen us.
They can hardly have thought that I was not interested in the job.
We can also use 'could have' to speculate about something that didn't
happen.
You could have broken your neck, jumping out the window like that.
He could have hurt somebody, throwing a bottle out of the window like that.
Sue was asking after you. I told her you were fine.
He asked after my mother. He wanted to know how she was doing.
'to ask around' means to ask several people for help or information.
I asked around to see if anyone knew someone who could rent me a room.
When I needed to buy a new car, I asked around and someone offered me this one.
I asked for the chicken but you have brought me the beef.
I must remember to ask for a receipt so that I can get reimbursed.
'to ask for' can also mean to do something which is likely to lead to trouble or problems.
Walking around the streets alone at night was asking for trouble.
If you go to that part of town, you're asking for trouble. It's very dangerous there.
He asked for Carol but there is no one working here called Carol.
If you need anything, ask for Henry. He'll be able to help you.
'to ask someone in' means to invite them into the room or your home.
'to ask someone out' means to invite them to go somewhere with you.
'to ask someone over' means to invite them to come visit you in your home.
I've asked Diane from across the road over for a cup of coffee later.
He asked me over to see what they had done in the garden.
These exercises are about using the verb 'to back ' combined with particles:
'to back away from' something or someone means to retreat or move backwards from
something, usually slowly, because you are frightened of them.
When I saw the snake, I slowly backed away from it and called for help.
He tried to back away from the man with the knife but was trapped.
'to back away from' an idea or suggestion means to disassociate yourself from it and not
support it.
He was going to say yes to the proposal but then backed away from it and didn't.
He backed away from plans for a vote of no confidence.
'to back down' means to admit that you were wrong or that you have been defeated.
'to back off' means avoiding a difficult situation by not becoming involved in it.
'to back onto' describes how the back of a house or building faces in a specific direction.
'to back out' means to withdraw from an agreement that has been made.
He is no longer going to pay the amount we agreed. He has backed out of our agreement.
We were going to go on holiday together but then he backed out at the last minute.
'to back out' your car means to reverse it from a place or position.
He had figures from some very reliable sources to back up his arguments.
He didn't have any receipts to back up his insurance claim after the burglary.
'to back up' also means to make a copy of something in case the original is damaged,
especially on the computer.
Prepositions:
1. of
Connects a noun with the preceding word- "most of the books"
Expresses possession or connection- "a friend of mine"; "the house of my
friend"
Indicates parts, content, or quality- "a cup of tea"; "man of honor"
Indicates a point of reference- "Brighton is south of London"
A reason or cause- "she nearly died of it"
2. With:
Expresses the means used- "with my bare hands"
Accompanying- "will you come with me?"
Having something- "I don't have any with me"
3. On: "
Located at or attached to- "the clock on the wall"; "there's a jam on the main
road"
In contact with on top of- "the book on the table"
At some time in the duration of- "I'll come some time on Sunday"
Having something- "I don't have any on me"
Paid for by- "drinks are on the house"; "dinner's on me"
On the topic of- "a book on physics"; "think on it"
4. Without:
Free from- "looking at the house without envy"
In absence of- "without light he couldn't see"
5. By
Used in specifying adjacent dimensions- "a room ten by twenty metres"
By means of; with aid of; through the act or agency of;- "destroyed by fire"
In the neighborhood of, close to- "my house is by the church"
At some time before; before the end of a given time interval- "get it done by
9am tomorrow"
On, in traversing- "came by the path"
6. Under
At a position directly lower than (with the subject just above)- "the floor
under the table"
7. Into
Internal to, not outside; located in the bounds of-"within the house"
Not more or further than, in the limits of-"within a whisker of losing"; "she's
within sight"; "fixed within
an hour"
Internal to, involving members of (a group of people)- "they argued within
themselves"
12. To
In the direction of-"go to school"
Sign of the infinitive case-"to go out"
13. Upon
In contact with, on top of-"the book upon the table"
Adverb
on
With a forward motion- "the circus traveled on to the next city"; "march on"
Indicates continuity or persistence or concentration- "his spirit lives on"; "shall I
read on?"
In a state required for something to function or be effective- "turn the lights on";
"get a load on"
Within
Within-On the inside
Under:
Down to defeat, death, or ruin- "their competitors went under"
Through a range downward- "children six and under will be admitted free"
Into unconsciousness- "this will put the patient under"
Adjective
on
In operation or operational- "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position"
(of events) planned or scheduled- "the picnic is on, rain or shine"; "we have
nothing on for Friday night"
Under
Located below or beneath something else- "the under parts of a machine"
Lower in rank, power, or authority- "an under secretary"
Up on
Being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge"up on the news"
Business English Expressions-Idioms
1. It will never fly - it won't be successful
Example: "We don't have to worry about their idea competing with ours. It will
never fly."
2. It's a jungle out there - it's a difficult market with many, tough competitors
Example: "Do you think a new company can survive without a unique
product? It's a real jungle out there!"
3. Jump through the hoops- trying very hard (like a dog doing all the tricks)
Example: He is a tough boss. All of his subordinates have to jump through
hoops to prove their loyalty to the company
4. Put your cards on the table- be completely honest
Example: I think it is time to put all of our cards on the table. Her; what we
need..
When we get to where we're going, where will we be?'