1. Before coming here, Maria lived in a small village in the country.

Before coming here, Maria   in a small village in the country. (3)
2. It took her some time to adapt to living in a big city.
It took her some time to   in a big city. (4)
3. In her village for example, they weren't accustomed to so much traffic as in the city.
In her village for example, they   so much traffic as in the city. (3)
4. And she found adapting to the pace of life in the city quite difficult at first.
And she found   the pace of life in the city quite difficult at first. (3)
5. In the beginning she didn't go out much in the evenings.
In the beginning she   much in the evenings. (5)
6. But nowadays she is in the habit of going out three or four evenings a week.
But nowadays she   three or four evenings a week. )(3)
7. I asked her: Didn't you get bored in the village? 
I asked her: Didn't   in the village? (5)
8. But she replied: It wasn't really a problem for me, I suppose.
But she replied: I   , I suppose. (4)
9. But now she has adapted to the pace of city life.
But now she   the pace of city life. (4)
Complete the second sentences with suitable forms of used to, be used to, get used to or usually to mean more or less the same as the first
ones. Use the number of words given in brackets.

She would always bring us presents. (OR She always used to bring ... )

 Every day, he would take the number 27 bus to work. (OR he used to take ... )
Note - we can't do this for past states:
 He used to live in Liverpool. NOT He would live in Liverpool.

 She used to have darker hair. NOT She would have darker hair.

Remember - we only use used to for states or situations which are no longer true, or for repeated or habitual actions in the past. We don't use used to or would (in
this sense) for single actions in the past:

in the past:
Use the verbs from the box in the correct form. Where it's possible, use would. If would is not possible but used to is, use used to. Otherwise use Past
simple.

be   ·   go   ·   have   ·   laugh   ·   live   ·   make   ·   prefer   ·   prepare   ·

put   ·   visit  
We (1)   in Boston before we moved to New York. As we lived quite near my aunt,

we (2)   her occasionally, and every time she (3)   something really

good for us to eat. She (4)   a real flair for cooking in those days, before her illness.

Once she (5)   us a huge pot of clam chowder. It (6)   the first time I'd
ever had it, and I've been hooked on it ever since. From that time on, every Friday

we (7)   to the market to buy some clams and some Oyster crackers to go with the

soup. Crown Pilot crackers (8)   our favorite, but unfortunately the company that

made them (9)   bust in 2008. In those days we(10)   clam chowder

New England style - we (11)   clams, onions and potatoes in it, and nothing much

else. Now we live in New York, we've got used to Manhattan clam chowder with tomatoes, but

when we lived in Boston we (12)   at the idea of putting tomatoes in chowder.

 Ex 1. Match the beginnings and endings in the top section, then check 

 Ex 2. Complete the sentences in the bottom section by entering the pairs

1. ups and a far between

2. fit and b well

3. p's and c dance

4. cloak and d downs

5. few and e sweet

6. song and f q's

7. short and g forth

8. back and h dagger

1. Good restaurants are hard to find round here; they're

rather  .

2.
I hope you are  ; you certainly look in very good
shape.

3.
It's a good old fashioned   tale of secret agents
 and intrigue.

4.
You've got to go already? Well, that was  .

5.
Life has its  , but generally things are good.

6.
Remember to mind your   when you're at Aunt
Maud's.

7. It wasn't that impportant. There's no need to make

a   about it.

8.
The tiger paced   in his cage.

1. pros and a cons

2. ins and b tie

3. bits and c whistles

4. part and d bobs

5. collar and e quiet

6. peace and f parcel

7. bells and g outs

8. facts and h figures

1.
You'll soon get the hang of the   of
this job.

2. We're going to the country for a bit

of  .

3.
Living in the country has its  , but on
the whole I prefer it to the city.

4. He works a lot of weekends, but that's

just   of his job.
5.
OK, so this mobile has lots of  , but is
it any good as a phone?

6. The string and scissors are with all the

other   in that drawer.

7.
We'll need to dress up a bit. It's a   
affair.

8.
It's solid   we need, not
ideas plucked from thin air.

 Ex 1. Match the beginnings and endings in the top section, then check 

 Ex 2.  Complete the sentences in the bottom section by entering the pairs
1. pots a pans
and

2. touch b that
and

3. spick c span
and

4. rise d proper
and

5. rules e miss
and

6. prim f go
and

7. hit and g shine

8. this h regulations
and

1.
Come on,  , don't waste such a lovely morning in bed.

2.
I've lost the manual, so this is going to be a bit  .

3.
Parks often have notices with  , telling you what you can't do.

4.
It was a bit   at times, but we managed it in the end.
5.
What did we talk about? Oh,  , you know, nothing very
important.

6.
She's OK, but she's a bit  , so you need to watch your language.

7.
We keep all the   in a cupboard near the cooker.

8.
Her house is always absolutely  . Not a speck of dust to be seen.

1. length a breadth
and

2. pins b error
and

3. tooth c take
and

4. to and d fro

5. hustle e nail
and

6. trial f change
and

7. chop g bustle
and

8. give h needles
and

1.
I've been going   all day, trying to find exactly what I wanted.

2.
Any relationship needs a bit of  . You can't always have
everything your way.

3.
I never look at the manual, I just do everything by  .

4.
You always   your opinion; you should make your mind up.

5.
They fought   as to who should get the last cake.

6.
I like living in the country, but sometimes I miss the   of city life
7.
The police have searched for him the   of the country.

8.
She had   in her leg after sitting so long in one place.

1. by and a soul

2. coming and b tidy

3. heart and c large

4. up and d going

5. aches and e about

6. safe and f sound

7. neat and g out

8. down and h pains

1.
My leg muscles are all   after that long walk in the mountains.

2.
The children were found   after they had been missing for a few
hours.

3.
He's become a bit of a   since he lost his job.

4.
I agree with you  . I only differ on a couple of minor details.

5.
People have been   all day in preparation for the wedding.

6.
He's very  . He has a place for everything, and everything is its
place.

7.
She's really put her   into this project. She's given it her all.

8.
It's good to see you   again after your illness.

1. black a ends
and

2. sick b foot
and
3. hard c seek
and

4. hand d dont's
and

5. huff e blue
and

6. hide f puff
and

7. odds g fast
and

8. do's h tired
and

1.
Her leg was   after she tripped on the pavement and fell over.

2.
Children probably play   everywhere in the world. One child counts
to 20 and ...

3.
He's all  , he complains a lot, but never does anything about it.

4. I didn't have time to buy anything, so we'll just have to make do

with   for supper.

5.
I'm   of your bad behaviour. So no pocket money this week!

6.
People usually wear a suit to work, but there's no   rule which says
you have to.

7.
If he expects me to wait on him  , he's got another think coming.

8.
There are a few   you should know about this job before you start.

Exercise 1 - Choose the correct options to fill the gaps.

Click and Drop - Click on an option then on the relevant box.

1. flouts, floats, flaunts       MW

She   her rich new boyfriend to all her friends.

He's into birdwatching. Well, whatever   your boat, I suppose.
 
2. affect, effect       MW
 How do you think this will   our future.
The government are trying to   a change in the way we use energy.
The robber got his just   when he was given a long prison sentence.
 
4. station, stationery, stationary       MW
A   vehicle is one that is not moving.
You can buy office stuff, like paper and pens, in a   shop.
The company has been taking a lot of   from the press.
 
6. it's, its       MW
The seaside town has lost some of   Edwardian splendour.
You do know   her birthday today, don't you?
Would you like me to   you some more wine?
 
8. fewer, less       MW
There were   than ten people there.
We've got   than one bag of sugar left. We better get some more.
The ship   on the rocks during the heavy storm.
 
10. principal, principle       MW
The   reason we moved here is the stunning scenery around the house.
Her husband has just been made   of the school.
Exercise 2b - Here are some confusing pairs of words. Use them to fill the gaps.
than / then   ·   imminent / eminent   ·   tortuous / torturous
discrete / discreet   ·   lose / loose

1.
We waited expectantly for the   scientist to start his talk.

2.
He could hear barking. They were apparently going to   the dogs on him.

3.
Climbing the jagged and vertical rock face was a truly   experience.

4.
He looked first at her   at her sister.

5.
We can divide the process of making whisky into several   steps.

6.
He waded into the river. That way he hoped the dogs would   his scent.
7.
They slowly climbed the   track up the mountain.

8.
We could see from the dark sky that a storm was   .

9.
I hope you'll be   about this; I don't want anyone else to know.

10.
He thought perhaps she was even more beautiful   her sister.
Use your instinct: fill the gaps with words from the top box 

laid   lied   lay   lays   lain   lying   lies   laying   
1.
Every morning Mum   the table for breakfast.

2.
Don't believe a word he says. He's always   .

3.
Yesterday, my brother   in bed all morning. He says he has flu.

4.
She wrapped the baby up and   him in his cot.

5.
And today he's   in bed all day.

6.
One of the witnesses   in court yesterday.
Exercise 4 - Fill the gaps with appropriate adjective (phrases) 
untouched   fast asleep   deep   last   open  

1.
The dog was lying   in front of the fire.

2.
The dictionary lay   at the letter 'l'.

3. After the blizzard the snow lay '  and crisp and even'. ?
4.
Those cigarettes have lain   ever since I gave up smoking.
5.
Only five weeks to go, and Rovers are lying   in the league.
xercise 5 - Fill the gaps from the words in the box. You will need to use one of them more than once. 

out   in   by   over   at   on   below   
1.
He had left his clothes lying all   the bedroom floor.

2.
A beautiful schooner lay moored   anchor in the bay.

3.
Money lying   the bank is money lying idle.
4.
London lies   the River Thames.

5.
Far   us, almost hidden in the mist, lay the 'Lost Valley'.

6.
Farmer Arthur Fallowfield thinks the answer lies   the soil.

7.
She laid the clothes   on the bed to photograph them for Ebay.

8.
Could you lay the logs down just   the fire.
ill the gaps with suitable words from the box 

lying   lay   lays   lies   lie   lied   laying   lain   laid   
1.
The hens have hardly   anything all week. Are they OK?

2.
Look at these cans of beer   everywhere. People are so untidy.

3.
You'd never   to me, would you?

4.
He   down on the bed, absolutely exhausted.

5.
I knew he was   from the guilty look on his face.

6.
They   flowers on the path where the King was going to walk.

7. Let's see how the land   before we take a decision. ?

8.
I haven't actually   to you, but I have been economical with the truth.
9.
You're a total couch potato. You've just   there on that sofa all evening.
10.
She  , you know. All the time. But at least it's usually just fibs.
11.
We need to   the foundations for a new type of education.
12.
Mummy, Tommy   to you just then. It wasn't me who did it, it was him.
13.
Just   back and think of England. ?
14.
He always   all the blame on me.
15.
I'm   big money that our side will win.
Complete the sentences by typing the correct form of rise, raise or arise (one word only) into each box

1.
The government are   VAT (value added tax) to 20% next year.

2.
An unexpected problem has   and so we have had to cancel the meeting.
3.
Suddenly the mist that had hidden the canyon   and we had a most
spectacular view.

4.
Prices have   again due to the recent increase in inflation.

5.
Are there any matters   from the minutes (written record) of the last
meeting?

6.
My parents are farmers and   chickens and pigs.

7.
I was born and   on a farm, so I know all about animals.

8.
She   from her chair and went over to the window.

9.
I would love to work in Africa should the opportunity   .

10.
University entry requirements have   sharply over the last decade.

11.
The directors have announced they are   employee salaries across the
board.

12.
After a cold morning temperatures should   in the afternoon.
Use your instinct to complete the sentences with among or between. 
among   ·   between

1.
Our house lies a bit off the road,   some pine trees.

2.
There is a path to the house   two lines of trees.

3.
We are situated   a forest, a river and some hills.

4.
Poland was   the ten countries that joined the EU in 2004.

5.
France lies   Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium.

6.
You shouldn't eat snacks   meals.

7.
That was   the best meals I have ever eaten.

8.
What is the difference   a triangle, a square and a circle?
9.
We walked   the crowds strolling in the park.

10.
We only had five pounds   the three of us.

11.
Don't tell anyone. This is just   you, me and the gatepost. (idiom)

12.
This way of dressing is very common   teenagers.
Complete the sentences with like or as 

as   ·   like   
1.
He looks just   his dad.

2.
Late again, that's just   her.

3.
I'm early again,   usual.

4.
Well,   I was saying before you so rudely interrupted me.

5.
Don't you talk to me   that!

6.
He works   a horse, never stops all day.

7.
He works   a mechanic at the local garage.

8.
David often works at home, and uses the spare room   an office.

9.
The boys room is designed to look   the inside of a spacecraft.

10.
That's 'a'   in apple.

11.
A tangerine looks a bit   a small orange.
here are a lot of idioms which use as ... as ... 
blind   ·   cunning   ·   quiet   ·   stubborn   old   ·   fresh   ·   busy   ·   cool   ·   clear   ·   light

1.
As   as a bat

2.
As   as a bee

3.
As   as a feather
4.
As   as a mouse

5.
As   as a fox

6.
As   as a mule

7.
As   as a daisy

8.
As   as the hills

9.
As   as a bell

10.
As   as a cucumber
There are also quite a few idioms with like. 
drinks   ·   bull   ·   red   ·   eats   ·   sore head   ·   eyes   ·   slept   ·   memory

1.
Watch out for the boss, she's got   like a hawk.

2.
He   like a horse. And a carthorse at that.

3.
Haven't you heard? She   like a fish.

4.
I feel wonderful this morning. I   like a log.

5.
I wish I could tell you, but I've got a   like a sieve.

6.
Mentioning his ex-girlfriend is like a   rag to a bull.

7.
He's so clumsy, he's like a   in a china shop.

8.
Oh, I feel like a bear with a   today.

1. Relations and relatives - members of the family

1a. When both relation and relative can be used
When we are talking about people who are in the same family as somebody else, these two words are interchangeable (and countable):
 They've invited all their friends and relations / relatives.

 She's a relation / relative by marriage.

 He's a close relation / relative of my wife's.

1b. Only relation (uncountable) used
In the following type of sentences, with no and any, we use relation, not relative:
 She may look like me, but we're no relation.

 Is Mary any relation to you?

1c. Only relative (countable) used
When we think of a family as a group of things, for example types of animal or plant, we use relative, not relation:
 The lion is a close relative of the tiger and the leopard.

 Despite their names, strawberries and raspberries are not close relatives.
Exercise 1 - Choose between relation, relative or either
1. I have several .......... in the Unites States.

 relations       relatives       either

2. Debby is not any .......... to me, we're just good friends.

 relation       relative       either

3. Peter isn't a .......... of mine, we're just classmates.

 relation       relative       either

4. The newt is a close .......... of the frog.

 relation       relative       either

5. Sammy often plays with Tommy at his house, but they're no ...........

 relation       relative       either

6. She's a distant .......... of mine.

 relation       relative       either

Mojoceratops was a .......... of the triceratops which lived 75 million years

7.
ago.

 relation       relative       either

2. Relations and relationships - the links between people, groups and
countries.
2a. More general - relations
We use relations (plural) to talk in general about how countries and groups etc behave towards each other:
 The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
 Relations between the UK and the rest of the EU can get a bit strained.
 Teacher-pupil relations in this school are very relaxed.
 Much work is being done to improve doctor-patient relations.
2b. More specific - relationship
Relationship (usually singular) is more about a specific connection between two people and/or groups:
 British politicians like to talk of the special relationship with the US.
 The close relationship between France and Germany is at the heart of the EU.
 This teacher has a particularly good relationship with his pupils.
 The relationship between doctors and nurses is a crucial one in running a hospital.
Nouns and adjectives which collocate with relations
The following words are used with relations, but rarely with relationships, at least not in these contexts.
Exercise 2 - Complete the sentences with the appropriate words. 
 community   ·   race   ·   diplomatic   ·   press   ·   public   ·   investor   ·   industrial   ·   human  ·   customer   ·   labour

1. When referring to the relationship between management and workers generally in a country,
we usually talk about   relations.

2. But when we are talking specifically about management and trade unions, the
term  relations is often used instead.

3. After its embassy was attacked by government-sponsored demonstrators, the British

government broke off   relations with the Middle-eastern country.

4.
Many countries have introduced   relations legislation to counter discrimination
against ethnic minorities.

5.
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was a(n)   relations disaster for BP.

6.
Most retailers have (n)   relations department to deal with queries and
complaints.

7.
Some organisations employ a(n)   relations officer to deal with the media.

8. Helping different ethnic, religious, cultural, political, or linguistic groups live together is
sometimes called   relations.

9. One particular way of studying of how people interact with each other, especially in the
workplace, is known as   relations.

10.
Many public companies have a(n)   relations department to give information to
existing and potential shareholders.

3. Relations and relationships - the way in which things are

connected.
3a. Either relation or relationship can be used (but see graphs below):

 The relation(ship) between smoking and lung disease is well understood.

 The relation(ship) of the fisherman to the sea.

 He's studying youth unemployment and its relation(ship) to crime.

3b. Expressions with the verb bear

 The low salary bears no relation(ship) to the long hours.

 The French we were taught at school bore little relation(ship) to the language spoken in France.

 If what he'd said had borne any relation(ship) to the truth, he might have got off.

3c. The expression in relation to

This expression can mean 'about / concerning' (rather formal), or 'compared with':
 We have some doubts in relation to the wisdom of this move.

 The giraffe's legs are very long in relation to its body size.

omplete the expressions with the verb bear with suitable words from the box. Use the underlined prepositions to help you. 
blame   ·   thought   ·   cost   ·   scars   ·   comparison   ·   way   ·   thinking   ·   grudge   ·  resentment   ·   repeating   ·   resemblance   ·   responsibility
1.
I can't bear the   of losing you.

2.
It just doesn't bear   about.

3.
She had really hurt him, but he bore little   towards her.

4.
In fact he never really bore a   against anybody in his life.

5.
I can't bear the   he's always smoking in the house.

6.
His latest film bears no   with his brilliant early work.

7.
That joke just doesn't bear   , it's so awful.

8.
He bore a distinct   to his father.

9.
He had borne a lot of   in his previous job.

10.
We were all in the wrong, you shouldn't have to bear all the   .

11.
They had to bear most of the   of their son's school fees.

12.
He still bears the   from his last, disastrous relationship.
Exercise 4 - Complete the sentences with the most appropriete adjectives. Be careful withcasual and causal. 
causal   ·   love-hate   ·   stormy   ·   steady   ·   blood-   ·   casual   ·   caring   ·   business   ·  on-off   ·   strained   ·   failed   ·   working

1.
I think they have quite a(n)   relationship, they both see other people.

2.
Britain and France have a bit of a(n)   relationship. Historically they've
been both allies and bitter enemies.

3.
We have a good   relationship with our suppliers.

4.
They'e in a(n)   relationship and have been going out for a few months
now.

5.
Do you think there's a   relationship between computer 'shoot-em-up'
games and street violence?

6.
Ours is a strictly   relationship. We hardly ever meet socially.
7.
He's a bit fragile. He's recovering from a   relationship.

8.
It's a bit of a(n)   relationship; they're always having rows.

9.
We're related by marriage, but we don't have a   relationship.

10.
They seem to have rather a(n)   relationship. One week they're seeing
other, the next it's all over. And the next thing you know, they're back together
again.

11.
He has rather a   relationship with his parents. They don't really approve
of his life choices.

12.
She has a very   relationship with her granny and spends a lot of time
with her.
xercise 5 - Complete the sentences with appropriate words from the box. 
spot   ·   terms   ·   on   ·   trousers   ·   wing   ·   under   ·   foot   ·   in   ·   loggerheads   ·  length   ·   house   ·   call

1.
We got off on the wrong   when we first met, but now we get on really
well.

2.
Tim and the new chap are getting on a like a   on fire. They'll make a
great team.

3.
I think you're well   there, mate. You can see that she likes you.

4.
It's a stormy relationship; they're always at   with each other.

5.
He's got a bit of a soft   for the new girl.

6.
But unfortunately for him, she's keeping him a bit at arm's   .

7.
Paul and Ryan don't often see eye to eye   things.

8.
Everybody has to be at the boss's beck and  ; it's no way to run a
department.

9.
They've had an argument and aren't on speaking   at the moment.

10.
Martin has taken the new starter under his   and will make sure he
doesn't have any problems.
11.
It's not difficult to see who wears the   in that relationship.

12.
She keeps him totally   her thumb. Poor bloke!
 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences. 

1.
We are trying to   good relations through regular contacts with our
opposite numbers.

jeopardise - cultivate - cut off

2.
Relations between the two countries were   when a spy plane was shot
down.

cemented - disrupted - established

3.
We like to   close relationships with all our key clients.

maintain - sever - sour

4.
Relations between management and unions have   as both sides have
increasingly retreated into their own corners.

strengthened - developed - soured

5.
After a year's break they have   their relationship with their previous
supplier.

fostered - resumed - undermined

6.
Although this is a new market for the company, they have already   
close relationships with local suppliers.

severed - established - damaged

7.
Any more anti-British actions will seriously   relations between the two
countries.

cement - break off - jeopardise

8.
They   their new relationship by announcing a joint venture.

cemented - soured - undermined
9.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries have been   after a two-
year break.

broken off - restored - fostered

10.
Cancellation of some debt as well as increased investment has helped   
good relations with this part of Africa.

sever - foster - damage

11.
Relations between the UK and the rest of Europe are constantly   by the
anti-EU section of the British press.

restored - undermined - cultivated

12.
The company has   relations with the star of its advertising campaign
after complaints about his drunken behaviour in public.

damaged - severed - encouraged

Basic rules and a quiz

Full verb - compare with
We use compare with when we examine two things to see what their similarities or differences are:

 The police compared the signature on the stolen credit card with that of the original owner.

 So, let's compare Sinead O'Connor's version with Prince's. How do they stack up?
We also use compare with when we might use a comparative structure:

 Her last album doesn't compare with her previous one. (It's not as good as)

 When we compare our new house with our old one, this one has much more space. (It's bigger)

Full verb - compare to

We use compare to when we find a similarity between two things, even though they might really be quite different from each other. This is often metaphorical:

 The critics compared his work to that of Martin Amis. 

(Oxford)

 Scientists sometimes compare the human brain to a computer. 

(American Heritage Dictionary)
We could often use the word like in these circumstances. To paraphrase Shakespeare and O'Connor:

 Shall I say you are like a Summer's day?

 There is nothing (else) like you.

In gerund and present participle clauses

The same distinction would seem to apply as with full verbs, as these two examples from The Guardian show:

 Why do critics insist on comparing one artist with another?

= making a comparison between one artist and another

 Wild claims comparing YouTube to TV misunderstand what TV is and the reasons why people watch it
= saying YouTube is like TV

In past participle clauses - usually interchangeable

Compared with and compared to are often interchangeable, for example when we are making a general comparison, especially in participle clauses:
 This road is quite busy compared with/to yours
(Cambridge Online Dictionary)

 Standards in health care have improved enormously compared with/to 40 years ago 
(Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

 Compared with/to our old house, this one has more space.

Summary
As a general rule then, it's probably safer to use compare with, except where you are pointing out the similarity of something to something else, where you could
use a construction with like instead ofcompare. Then use compare to.

', and the third can take either (in

Quiz - In each group of three sentences, one definitely takes 'to', one definitely takes 'with

my judgement). Use the selectors to choose which takes what.

1a.
Your garden is so beautiful compared   mine.

1b. There are far more flowers in it, and it's much better designed, when you compare

it   mine.

1c.
I hear the local newspaper has compared it   the famous garden at

Sissinghurst.

2a.
Some people have compared the 2008 crisis   the Great Depression of

the thirties.

2b.
But if we compare now   then, unemployment and inflation have been

much lower.

2c.
And the world economic system is very different, compared   then.

3a.
The snow has come early this year, compared   last year.

3b.
The newspapers are already comparing it   that really cold winter of

2005.

3c.
But we don't have enough statistics to compare it   2005 yet. It's only

November.
4a.
Jenny is very successful, compared   her brother.

4b.
Yes. Compared   him, she has a lot more money and a much better

job.

4c.
Mum compares her   her aunt Susan, you know, the one who started

her own business and became a millionaire.