Initiative

(Noun)

observation
(Noun)

observing

significant
(adjective)

Justification
(Noun)

proficient
(adjective)

conducive
(adjective)
instruct

recently

nor
(conjunction, adverb)

arguably
(adverb)
1. He acted on his own initiative
[DECISIONS] the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for someone to tell you what to do
2. A government initiative to help exporters
[Plan] an important new plan or process to achieve a particular aim or to solve a particular problem.
3. Politicians need to seize the initiative from the terrorists.
[Control] if you have or take the initiative, you are in a position to control a situation and decide what to do next.
1. He spent two nights under close observationin hospital.
the process of watching something or someone carefully for a period of time
2. Some interesting observations emerged from this research.
Some interesting observations emerged from this research.
1. The army was observing a ceasefire.
to do things and obey laws that are part of a religion or custom

1. Please inform us if there are any significant changes in your plans.

having an important effect or influence, especially on what will happen in the future
2. A significant number of drivers fail to keep to speed limits.
large enough to be noticeable or have noticeable effects
1. There is no justification for holding her in jail.
a good and acceptable reason for doing something( )
2. He made a speech in justification of his actions.
in order to explain why an idea or action is right:

1. Martha's proficient in Swedish.

2. There's only one way to become proficient at anything - practice!
able to do something well or skilfully
an environment conducive to learning
if a situation is conducive to something such as work, rest etc, it provides conditions that make it easy for you to work etc:
1. His secretary was instructed to cancel all his engagements.
[order] to officially tell someone what to do
2. Employees are instructed how to make a complaint.
to teach someone something, or show them how to do something
3. I was instructed that 20,000 had been paid into my account.
to officially tell someone about something
1. He has recently been promoted to Assistant Manager.
2. Jerry lived in Cairo until quite recently.
not long ago ()

1. He can neither read nor write. (=he cannot read or write)

neither ... nor ... used when mentioning two things that are not true or do not happen:
2. It was not my fault, nor his.
used after a negative statement in order to introduce another negative statement containing a similar kind of information:
Senna was arguably the greatest racing driver of all time.
used when giving your opinion to say that there are good reasons why something might be true:
although

Until

Before
though

whenever
yet
yet

Since

At the time

Providing (tha

Even if

In case
Once
around
Despite
Regardless
Nevertheless
Because
Owing to
instead
Within
In particular
Toward
Therefore
Besides
In the end
In addition
Still
Otherwise
Next to
In addition to
Apart from
Aside from
with
ahead
alongside
contrary to
Subsequent to
Regarding
As to
If so
Concerning
About
As soon as
By the time
In that
In order that
Provided
Assuming that
The moment
considering
after
Meanwhile
Pertaining to
As of
so far
Given
In accordance with
In the event of
by
However
Because of
To the contrary
Moreover
Nonetheless
over
plus
Inside
never
In spite of
near
Instead of
furthermore
According to
In the mean time
compared to/ with
Following
starting
Among
between
Thus
Beside
through
throughout
next
Afterward
whenever
conjunction
1 used to introduce a statement that makes your main statement seem surprising or unlikely [= though]
Although in poor health, she continued to carry out her duties.
We decided to take rooms in Longwood House, although we knew we could not really aford the rent.
Although I can't help admiring the man's courage, I do not approve of his methods.

2 used to add a statement that balances or reduces the efect of what you have just said [= but]
You can copy down my answers, although I'm not sure they're right.

preposition, conjunction
1 if something happens until a particular time, it continues and then stops at that time
The ticket is valid until March.
He waited until she had fnished speaking.
Until recently, Anna worked as a teacher in Japan.
Up until last year, they didn't even own a car.
Until and till have the same meaning. Till is more usual in spoken English, and is not used in formal writing Tom
waited until he saw the flag. | I'll sit here till you get back.

2 not until used to emphasize that something does not happen before a certain point in time or before somethin
else has happened
'Can I go out and play now?' 'Not until you've done your homework.'
It was not until 1972 that the war fnally came to an end.

conjunction
1 earlier than a particular event or action [ after]
Say goodbye before you go.
I saw her a few days before she died.
see usage note ago

2 so that something does not or cannot happen

Put that money somewhere safe before it gets stolen.
That dog ought to be destroyed before it atacks any more children.
Before I could say anything more, Holmes had rushed of towards the station.

3 used to say that something happens after a period of time

It was several minutes before we realised what was happening.
It will be a while before we know the results.

4 used to say that something must happen in order for something else to be possible
You have to pass a test before you can get a licence.

5 spoken used to warn someone that something bad will happen to them if they do not do something
Get out before I call the police

preposition
1 earlier than something or someone [ after]
The new road should be completed before the end of the year.
Let's meet at our house before the show.
Larry arrived home before me.
fve minutes/two hours etc before something
Hugh arrived just fve minutes before the ceremony.
before doing something
I usually take a shower before having my breakfast.
We only got back from Scotland the day before yesterday (=two days ago).
Other students joined in the protest, and before long (=soon) there was a crowd of 200 or so.
see usage note ago

2 ahead of someone or something else in a list or order [ after]

You were before me in the queue.
The fles are in alphabetical order, so B1 comes before C1.

3 used to say that something happens where it can be watched by people

Italy will face Brazil this afternoon before a crowd of 100,000 spectators.
an actor who had performed before the Queen

4 used to say that someone or something comes to be judged or considered by a person or group of people
The proposal was put before the planning commitee.
5 used to say that one thing or person is considered more important than another
I put my wife and kids before anyone else.
In the air transport business, safety must always come before proft.

conjunction
1 used to introduce a statement that makes the main statement coming after it seem surprising, unlikely, or une
Though she's almost 40, she still plans to compete.
Pascal went ahead with the experiment even though he knew it was dangerous.
though old/tired etc
The rooms, though small, were pleasant and airy.
old though it is/tired though he was etc
Strange though it may seem, I like housework.
2 used like 'but' to add a fact or opinion that makes what you have just said seem less defnite, less important et
I thought he'd been drinking, though I wasn't completely sure.
The ofenders were dealt with frmly though fairly.
3 as though
a) in a way that makes you think something is true [= as if]
It looks as though everyone else has gone home.
b) in a way that might make you think something was true, although you know it is not true [= as if]
She stared at me as though I were a complete stranger.

adverb, conjunction
1 every time that a particular thing happens
Larry always blames me whenever anything goes wrong.
Whenever I hear that tune, it makes me think of you.

2 at any time
Come and visit me whenever you want.
a policy of using recycled paper whenever possible

3 spoken used as a reply to say that it does not mater what time something happens
'I'll call you tomorrow or the day after.' ' Okay. Whenever

adverb

a) used in negative statements and questions to talk about whether something that was expected has happened
I haven't asked him yet (=but I will).
Has Edmund arrived yet?
'Have you fnished your homework?' ' Not yet.'
b) used in negative statements and questions to talk about whether a situation has started to exist
'How are you going to get there?' 'I don't know yet.'
Women didn't yet have the vote (=at that time).
'Is supper ready?' 'No, not yet.'

2 used in negative sentences to say that someone should not or need not do something now, although they may
You can't give up yet
Don't go yet. I like talking to you.

3 used to emphasize that something is even more than it was before or is in addition to what existed before [= s
yet more/bigger/higher etc
He got a call from the factory, telling of yet more problems.
Inflation had risen to a yet higher level.
yet another reason to be cautious
The meeting has been cancelled yet again (=one more time after many others).

4 the biggest/worst etc (something) yet used to say that something is the biggest, worst etc of its kind that has e
This could turn out to be our biggest mistake yet.
Nordstrom's latest novel looks like his best yet.

5 as (of) yet used when saying that something has not happened up to now
We've had no luck as yet.
on an as yet undecided date

6 months/weeks/ages yet used to emphasize how much time will pass before something happens, or how long a
'When's your holiday?' 'Oh, not for ages yet.'
It could be months yet before they know their fate.

7 could/may/might yet do something used to say that something is still possible in the future, in spite of the way
We may win yet.
The plan could yet succeed.

conjunction
used to introduce a fact, situation, or quality that is surprising after what you have just said
Kelly was a convicted criminal, yet many people admired him.
She does not speak our language and yet she seems to understand what we say.
a story that is strange yet true
an inexpensive yet efective solution to our problem

preposition, conjunction, adverb

1 [generally used with a perfect tense in the main clause] from a particular time or event in the past until the pr
We've been waiting here since two o'clock.
I haven't played rugby since I left university.
She left London ten years ago, and I haven't seen her since.
The factory has been here since the 1970s.
It was exactly fve years since her father had died.
Since the end of the war over fve thousand prisoners have been released.
He lost his job fve years ago, but has since found other work.
I left school in 1995, and since then I've lived in London.
ever since (=all the time since)
We've been friends ever since we were at school together.
She's been terrifed of the sound of aircraft ever since the crash.
We came to the UK in 1974 and have lived here ever since.

2 used to give the reason for something

Since you are unable to answer, perhaps we should ask someone else.

3 since when? spoken used in questions to show that you are very surprised or angry
Since when have you been interested in my feelings?

4 long since if something has long since happened, it happened a long time ago
I've long since forgiven her for what she did.

conjunction
at a particular moment in the past ; then

conjunction
used to say that something will only be possible if something else happens or is done [= provided]
You can borrow the car, providing I can have it back by six o'clock.

conjunction
You use even if or even though to indicate that a particular fact does not make the rest of your statement untrue
Cynthia is not ashamed of what she does, even if she ends up doing something wrong.

conjunction
You use in case in expressions like 'in case you didn't know' or 'in case you've forgoten' when you are telling som
 She's nervous about something, in case you didn't notice. 'I'm waiting for Mary Ann,' she said, 'in case you'

adverb
1 on one occasion only
I've only met her once.
Paul's been to Wexford once before.
(just) the once British English spoken
Mrs Peterson came in to see Ruth just the once.

2 once a week/once every three months etc one time every week etc, as a regular activity or event
Staf meetings take place once a week.
They took separate holidays at least once every two years.

3 at some time in the past, but not now

Sonya and Ida had once been close friends.
She and her husband had once owned a house like this.
oncegreat/proud etc It was sad to see the oncegreat man looking so frail.

4 in the past, at a time that is not stated

I once ran 21 miles. Marx once described religion as the 'opium of the people'.

5 at once
a) immediately or without delay
Now, go upstairs at once and clean your room When I saw him I recognized him at once.
b) together, at the same time
I can't do two things at once Don't all talk at once.

6 once more/once again

a) again, after happening several times before
I looked at myself in the mirror once more.
Once again she's refusing to help.
b) used to say that a situation changes back to its previous state
The crowds had all gone home and the street was quiet once more.
c) formal used before you repeat something that you said before
Once again, it must be stressed that the pilot was not to blame.

7 all at once
a) if something happens all at once, it happens suddenly when you are not expecting it
All at once there was a loud banging on the door.
b) together, at the same time
A lot of practical details needed to be atended to all at once.

8 (every) once in a while sometimes, although not often

I do get a litle anxious once in a while.
I saw her in the shop every once in a while.
 9 never once/not once used to emphasize that something has never happened
I never once saw him get angry or upset.

10 (just) for once used to say that something unusual happens, especially when you wish it would happen more

11 once and for all

a) if you deal with something once and for all, you deal with it completely and fnally
Let's setle this mater once and for all.
b) British English spoken used to emphasize your impatience when you ask or say something that you have aske
Once and for all, will you switch of that television

12 once or twice a few times I wrote to him once or twice, but he didn't answer.

13 (just) this once spoken used to emphasize that this is the only time you are allowing something, asking for so
Go on, lend me the car, just this once.
I'll make an exception this once.

conjunction
from the time when something happens
Once I get him a job, he'll be fne.
Once in bed, the children usually stay there.

addition to
ubsequent to

ssuming that

accordance with
the event of

o the contrary

the mean time

ompared to/ with
y, or unexpected [= although]
hey may have to do it later

fore [= still]

hat has existed up to now

ow long a situation will continue

f the way that things seem now

til the present, or in that period of time

elling someone in a rather irritated way something that you think is either obvious or none of their business.
ase you're wondering.'
en more often Be honest for once. Just for once, let me make my own decision.

ave asked or said many times before

ng for something etc, and it will not happen again