In this lesson, you will learn how to use six English verbs to talk about change. 


VARY 

If something varies, it changes depending on the situation. 

• Prices vary widely from store to store. 
• The language I speak varies a lot depending on who I'm talking to. 
• The seasons in Sweden vary a lot from north to south. 
• The weather in my country varies a lot throughout the year. It's difficult to say with city has the most unpredictable weather. 
• My taste in music varies greatly, but I usually prefer listening to mainstream music. 

SHIFT 

To change attention or a situation  

• When students have a good knowledge of grammar, they should shift their attention towards conversational English. 
• Retailers like Zara and H&M have shifted their focus towards fast response to changing fashion trends and consumer demand. 

ADAPT 

To change your behaviour in order to deal more successfully with a new situation. 

• I found it hard to adapt to my new school. 
• When I moved to Korea, I could easily adapt to the culture because I've been exposed to it previously and I have a few Korean friends, too. 

To change something to make it suitable for a different purpose.  

• These recipes can easily be adapted to suit vegans and vegetarians. 
• The lesson materials can easily be adapted for use with lower level students. [adapt something for someone] 

SWITCH 

When you change from doing or using one thing to doing or using another. 

• I speak more than one language so I switch from one to the next depending on who I talk to. 
• I can switch easily from Chinese to English. [switch from something to something] 
• I worked as a banking consultant before switching to marketing. [switch to something] ​

To replace one thing with another, or exchange things. 

• It took me a long time to switch to a bigger car. 
• We must have switched our notebooks by mistake. 

​

ALTER 

To change, or to make someone or something change 

• Her new hairstyle has altered her appearance, making her look younger. 
• You can alter the whole appearance of a room by painting the walls in lighter colours. 
• We need to alter the way we see English as either British or American, as it's obviously an international language. 

BECOME 

To change and to start to be something different 

• The weather is becoming warmer. (= is getting) 
• English has become the most important language in the world. 
• She became more confident when her spoken English started to improve. 
• I think customer service has become more important than the product itself. 

Exercise 

Complete the gaps with the correct form of the verbs below. One of the verbs can be used twice. 

vary - shift - adapt - switch - alter - become (2x) 

1. U.S. fast food chains typically have different menus in other countries because they try to .............................. to local tastes. 
2. German .............................. increasingly popular in South America. 
3. You can always .............................. your clothes so that they aren't too big. 
4. I try to .............................. my attention towards learning vocabulary that I will actually need in conversations. 
5. The weather can be quite changeable and it can .............................. between sunshine and rain. 
6. I .............................. from coffee to green tea only for a week. 
7. I .............................. dependent on caffeine. 

Answers:  

1. adapt; 2. is becoming / has become; 3. alter; 4. shift; 5. vary; 6. switched; 7. have become; 



Other lessons: 
Confusing words: Come vs. Go 
Confusing words: Bring vs. Take 
Confusing words in English: Famous vs. Popular 
Confusing words in English: Crowded vs. Congested 

Lessons with English collocations: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Describing a Conversation 

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Have you ever thought about living and studying in the UK? Which city would you choose? 

UK universities rank highest in global university ranking and have good reputations. That's probably the reason why so many international students want to study in the UK. 

Leah is currently a student in Newcastle. Read the conversation below to find out how she decided to study there, what she is studying and what she is planning to do in the future. 


Leah: I'm studying in the UK now. I got here in January this year. 
Reni: Oh, that's great. Which city are you staying in? 
Leah: I'm in Newcastle now, but a few months ago I went to Manchester to do a short course. Then, I went back home and applied for university in the UK. 
Reni: I see. What are you studying? 
Leah: My major is Cross-Cultural Communication, but now I'm taking the pre-master's courses. If I pass the exams, I'll progress to a master's degree. 
Reni: And how long is this programme? 
Leah: It's from January till September. It's not that long. We have three semesters in total. 
Reni: Sounds good. What do you think about your subjects? Do you like what you're studying? 
Leah: I'm taking the compulsory courses to prepare myself for studying at postgraduate level. We have five modules: International Business and Management, EAP (English for Academic Purposes), social and cultural studies, and a few more. It's really academic and the way we study here is totally different from China. I mean, I'm still getting used to everything. 
Reni: I see. What made you choose Newcastle? 
Leah: Well, even though I was accepted in other universities, I really wanted to study at Newcastle University. I checked their website to see what courses they offer, and came across Cross-Cultural Communication. 
Reni: What did you study before that? 
Leah: Well, I didn't major in this field. I studied Financial Management, but that major was chosen by my parents. I didn't like it, actually, and I don't feel like I have taken away much from it. 
Reni: Where in China are you from? 
Leah: I'm from a city called Ningbo. I'm not sure if you've heard it before. It's south of Shanghai. 
Reni: Yes, sounds familiar. Did you study there? 
Leah: Yeah, I studied in my city. I didn't go to college in another city. 
Reni: How old are you? 
Leah: I'm 24 years old now. 
Reni: Well, I think you have a lot of time to explore your interests and to decide what you want to do in the future. 
Leah: Yes, I think so. I feel like it's a really amazing experience for me to come here because it's a very different country and I'm still getting used to everything, especially the food, the transport and the teaching style as well. You know, culture shock. Anyway, I'm glad I can experience what living in the UK is like.
Reni: But you've already been there for about three weeks, so I think that's enough to get used to it. 
Leah: Yes. And I think the experience that I had in Manchester a few months ago helped me a lot as I've been to the UK before. To be honest, my situation was a bit complicated when I was applying for university. I arrived in Newcastle later than anyone else and I missed the orientation week. Basically, when I got here, it took me some time to catch up and I had to deal with everything by myself. That was a little bit frustrating. 
Reni: Was your visa delayed? Was that the reason? 
Leah: The main reason why I was late was because I got my graduate certificate later than others and I registered for my course later. 
Reni: Are there any other Chinese students in your university? 
Leah: Sure. Actually, there are a lot of international Chinese students nowadays. In fact, the UK is a very popular country for Chinese students who want to study abroad. 
Reni: I suppose so. And what are your goals after you finish your education? Are you planning to look for a job in the UK or go back to China? 
Leah: I will definitely go back to China because my friends and parents are there and I'm here just to study something different. I'm not planning on working here – at least not right now. 
Reni: Well, I think that's a great place to be where you can use English every day. 
Leah: Yes, and everybody is really friendly and polite in the UK. They always say 'Thank you', 'Excuse me', 'Sorry'. In my country, we don't say 'Sorry' all the time. We say 'Thank you', but we don't say 'Sorry' a lot unless you make a mistake or something, and you apologise.
Reni: What is your impression of Newcastle and if you compare it with Manchester, which city do you like most? 
Leah: Newcastle is smaller, I think, and it's convenient for me. When I was in Manchester, I lived in a homestay and it would normally take me about 20 minutes to go to university by bus and the transport fee there is quite high. It cost me like £15 per week. In Newcastle, I don't really have to pay for that because I'm living in the city centre and the school is in close proximity. There are also supermarkets around where I go and buy food.
Reni: Do you live on campus? 
Leah: Yes, it's a dormitory, I think. 
Reni: Yes, dormitories are located on campus. 
Leah: Well, the reason why I love living in Newcastle is because it's a very walkable city. I mean, you can get anywhere you want on foot. 
Reni: That's great because you can save money on transport. 
Leah: Yeah, definitely. Before coming here, I was worried about the transport cost but now I know that there's nothing to worry about as it takes me two minutes to get to university and there's no need to pay for transport. 
Reni: How about Ningbo? 
Leah: My city... Well, I mean, in China, the price of transport is not very high. I think, in comparison with the transport fee in the UK, it's much cheaper. And in my city the transport is actually really convenient, but China is really big, so if you travel somewhere, it takes a long time. It's much longer than here in the UK. Everything is in the neighbourhood, so it's convenient here. 
Reni: Yes, everything is withing walking distance. 
Leah: Exactly! 
Reni: How about food prices? 
Leah: The prices of eggs, milk, bread, or chicken are relatively low compared with prices in China, but fruit and vegetables are more expensive. 


VOCABULARY 

• have a good / bad reputation (collocations) 
• ​apply for university (collocation) 
• pre-master's courses - Preparation courses designed for international students which help them prepare academically and make the transition to the British education system, improve their English skills, and progress to their chosen degree. 
• compulsory courses - courses within your programme that you must pass in order to meet the regulations to be eligible to graduate 
• postgraduate level - studying for a master's degree 
• totally different | completely different (collocations) 
• come across (phrasal verb) - discover something by chance 
• take something away from something (phrasal verb) - to learn something from an experience or activity 
• catch up (phrasal verb) - to find out about things that have happened 
• live in a homestay - live with a host family 
• in close proximity - near something 
• campus - the buildings of a university or college and the land around them 
• on campus - Most students live on campus. 
• dormitory - a building for university or college students to live in 
• save on something - to use less money 
• nothing to worry about (spoken) - used to tell someone that something is not as serious or difficult as they think 
• pay for something - I'll pay for the tickets. 
• within walking distance (phrase) - near enough to walk to easily 
• food prices (collocation) 
• compared to/with something - When you consider the size, quality, or amount of something in relation to something similar. 

Other lessons:
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 
Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 
English Lesson: How to talk about your higher education 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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In this lesson, we give you common expressions to talk about your higher education, educational background, student life and university. Read the expressions below and complete them to make them true for you. This lesson will also be suitable for students preparing for the IELTS speaking test. 

Note: You don't have to remember every single expression. Learn the ones that you relate to. 

If you are taking the IELTS exam or any other speaking test where you might be asked to talk about your education and it will be better for you to extend your answers. 

Example: I majored in Financial Management, but that wasn't a course I was interested in. I decided to study something different, so I sent applications to UK universities and registered for a course at Newcastle University. 

​EXPRESSIONS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR UNIVERSITY AND HIGHER EDUCATION 
​

• I went to college in another city. 
• I didn't go to college in another city. 
• I wanted to study at  .................... (university: Newcastle University) 
• My major is .................... (course: Linguistics with Chinese) 
• I majored in .................... (course: Business Accounting and Finance) 
• I majored in Business Management. 
• I majored in economics at the University of Bristol. 
• I'm studying in .................... (place: city, country) 
• I'm a third year media student at Newcastle University. 
• I'm studying part time. | I'm studying full time. 
• I'm a part-time student. | I'm a full-time student. 
• I'm studying an undergraduate course part time. | I'm studying an undergraduate course full time. 
• My first degree is in International Marketing. (= Bachelor's degree) 
• I did English as my undergraduate degree, but I really wanted to change my career path because I didn't want to be an English teacher, so therefore I applied for a master's degree in something completely different. 
• I'm a postgraduate student at .................... (university) 
• I'm doing a PhD in Journalism and Public Relations. 
• Before I enter the lecture, I have to scan my student card on the reader, so that the university can keep a record of my attendance. 
• My attendance on campus is quite flexible. 
• At my university, we have seminars on .................... (subject: Public Relations) 
• I particularly enjoy the Public Relations seminars because they're a lot more practical than other modules. 
• My course has a great variety of modules. 
• .................... is probably my favourite module on the course. (subject: Marketing) 
• 'What modules do you do?' -- 'I do PR and Marketing, so it's a really good mix of practical and theoretical. PR is more practical.' 
• I'm taking a course in marketing. 
• I'm taking German and economics next semester. 
• I didn't major in this field. 
• You can get a job in a field you didn't study. 
• For many jobs you need to have a university degree. 
• For many jobs you need to have a college degree. 
• Students can take advantage of distance learning and study online at their own pace. 
• The location of the university is fantastic. It's right in the centre of town which means you can go anywhere you want fairly quickly. You're five minutes away from everything. 
• Newcastle is a great student city. 
• The annual tuition fee is .................... 
• My tuition fee is not fixed for the duration of my studies. 
• The scholarship pays the tuition fees but students still need to find money for meals, books and accommodation. 
• The university offers a huge variety of postgraduate courses. 
• I graduated from .................... in .................... (university; year) 

VOCABULARY 

• distance learning (also long-distance learning) - when the student is not present at university 
• tuition fee - the money that you pay to be taught, especially in a college or university 
• a university degree | a college degree 
• first degree - an academic qualification given by a university or college, for example a BA or BSc, that is given to somebody who does not already have a degree in that subject 
• bachelor's degree - the first degree that you get when you study at a university. Bachelor's degrees include Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) 
• an undergraduate degree (a Bachelor's degree) 
• a postgraduate degree (a Master's degree) 
• a PhD - the abbreviation for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ (a university degree of a very high level that is given to somebody who has done research in a particular subject) 
• do a PhD | have a PhD 

​TASK: 

1. What did you study at university? | What are you studying at university? 
2. What do you think about your course? 
3. What is your student experience? ​

(Leave a comment below.) 

​
Other lessons: 
City Life – Going out 
Cities – Talk about your area 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 

Lessons with English collocations: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Making Decisions 

Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: How to Concentrate at Work 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 

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In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with DAY that are often used in conversations. 


ONE DAY | SOME DAY 
When you talk about some time in the future. 

Examples: 

• I'd like to visit Sydney one day. 
• One day I'd like to have my own apartment and live there by myself. 
• I lived in Germany for two years and I'll definitely go back there some day. 

​DAY AND NIGHT 
All the time 

Examples: 

• You can hear the traffic noise day and night. 
• The baby has been crying day and night. 
• The store is open day and night so you can go any time. 
• Every member of the team has worked day and night on the new product launch. 

​

DAY IN, DAY OUT 
When you talk about something that you do every day for a long period of time. 

Examples: 

• I have to do the same boring tasks day in, day out. 
• I used to drink coffee day in, day out, but I rarely do now. 
• I don't like eating the same food day in, day out. 

Note: Something that you do every day for a long time, especially in a way that is boring. 


FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT 
If something changes from one day to the next, it changes suddenly. 

Examples: 

• In my job, I never know what to expect from one day to the next. 
• I really don't like it when my boss tells me to complete tasks from one day to the next. 
• I never know what my schedule will be. My shift may change from one day to the next. 

AT THE END OF THE DAY (informal) 
After you have taken everything into consideration. 

Examples: ​

• At the end of the day you will decide for yourself where you want to live. 
• You may ask other people for advice, but at the end of the day, it's up to you. 
• I got a great job offer in China, but at the end of the day, I decided to stay in my country. 

THE OTHER DAY 
At some point in the recent past, a few days ago. 

Examples: 

• We met for a coffee the other day. 
• I met an old friend of mine in the mall the other day. 
• I forgot to tell you that I got an email from him the other day. He's coming back from the States in the summer. 

​
IN THIS DAY AND AGE 
At the present time, nowadays, these days, in the modern world 

Examples: 

• Healthy eating should be one of your main priorities in this day and age. 
• 'Food prices keep going up and up.' -- 'What do you expect in this day and age?' 
• The Internet is the most important source of information in this day and age. 

MAKE SOMEONE'S DAY 
To make someone very happy 

Examples: 

• Just seeing the smile on her face made my day. 
• Thank you all for the birthday wishes. You really made my day. 
• Getting compliments on my appearance always makes my day. 

CALL IT A DAY (informal) 
If you 'call it a day', you stop an activity for the rest of the day. (e.g. work, study) 

Examples: 

• I can't call it a day. I need to work a couple more hours. 
• I have one last question for you and then we can call it a day. 
• Can we call it a day and continue next time? (= to stop a lesson or something else) 

(AS) CLEAR AS DAY | (AS) PLAIN AS DAY 
When something is easy to see or understand. 

Examples: 

• It's as clear as day who's going to win the competition. 
• It's plain as day that they like each other. (= it's obvious) 
• Their furniture is easy to assemble and the instructions are as clear as day, so don't worry.  

Other lessons: 
Phrases with HAVE and TAKE 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good 
6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap 
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 


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In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with TIME that are often used in conversations. 


​AT TIMES 
Sometimes, but not often 

Examples: 

• Being a parent can be hard at times. (= sometimes) 
• At times even A students lose their motivation. (= students who always get A's for their work) 
• You're likely to feel stressed at times, especially in a job like this. 
• I love hanging out with friends, but at times, I just need to be by myself. (= alone) 

​AT ONE TIME 
When you talk about something related to a time in the past, but not now. 

Examples: 

• At one time, I wanted to study law, but now I'm not so sure. 
• At one time, my sister wanted to be a pharmacist, but it's a bit late now. 
• I was a teacher at one time, but then I decided to become a flight attendant, so I could travel the world for a few years before settling down. (settle down - to live a quieter way of life by getting married or living permanently in one place) 

​ALL THE TIME | THE WHOLE TIME 
When something happens continuously or very often.  

Examples: 

• My mum leaves the TV on all the time. 
• Stop complaining all the time - it's really annoying! 
• When my friend was sick, I was worried about her the whole time. 
• I keep practising speaking English and I'm improving all the time. 

When something happens during the whole of a particular period of time. 

• I was trying to find my library card in my wallet while it had been in my handbag all the time. 

AHEAD OF TIME 
Earlier than expected 

Examples: 

• I always prepare my lessons ahead of time. (= before teaching) 
• Sometimes our classes finish ahead of time. (= earlier than expected) 
• My flight landed fifty minutes ahead of time, so I had to wait for my mum to pick me up. 

Note: 'Ahead of time' is mainly used in American English. 


BEHIND TIME 
Later than expected 

Examples: ​

• The train left twenty minutes behind time. (= after it should have left) 
• The plane took off thirty minutes behind time. (= after it should have taken off) 

BEFORE MY TIME 
When something happened before you were born or before you started living somewhere. 

Examples: 

• This type of music was popular before my time. 
• They say he was a great singer but that was before my time. 
• I don't remember the fall of the Berlin Wall - it was before my time. 

BEHIND THE TIMES 
If someone or something is behind the times, they are old-fashioned. 

Examples: 

• My parents are a bit behind the times. (= old-fashioned in ideas and habits) 
• My grandparents are really behind the times - they don't even have a colour television. 
• When my friend got a new smartphone, mine was a bit behind the times. (mine = my phone) 
• I know my camera is behind the times but I can't afford a new one. 

​
TAKE TIME OUT 
To take a break from something; To spend time away from studying or working 

Examples: 

• You look tired. Why don't you take some time out? (= take a break) 
• I took time out after quitting my job to think about the next chapter of my life. 
• Some young adults prefer to take time out between high school and university. 
• I'm taking time out from my job to travel and live abroad for a year. 

​
IN NEXT TO NO TIME | IN NO TIME 
When you do something extremely quickly. 

Examples: 

• We fixed the problem in next to no time. 
• The holiday will be over in next to no time. 
• The test was so easy, I was done in next to no time. 
• The test was so easy, I was done in no time. 

FOR THE TIME BEING 
For a limited period or at this time 

Examples: 

• I'm quite happy at school for the time being. (= at the moment, but not permanently) 
• They've just moved to London and they're renting a flat for the time being. 
• They went on holiday and we're looking after their cat for the time being. (= at the moment, but this will change) 

Other lessons: 
6 Ways to Say that Something is Cheap 
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1) 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2) 
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English 


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In this lesson, you will learn 10 common idioms with MIND that are often used in conversations. 


​ON YOUR MIND 
If someone or something is on your mind, you keep thinking or worrying about it. 

Examples: 

• You've been on my mind all day. (= I've been thinking about you.) 
• It's difficult to study if you have something on your mind. 
• I can't bother my mum right now - she's got a lot on her mind. 
• Sorry I forgot to call you last night. I've got a lot on my mind these days. (= a lot of problems to worry about) 

​COME TO MIND | SPRING TO MIND 
If something comes to mind or springs to mind, it is the first thing you think of. 

Examples: 

• He asked for my opinion, but nothing came to mind. 
• I was thinking about who might be suitable for this position, and your name came to mind. 
• When talking about famous businessmen, three names immediately spring to mind. 

Note: Do not say that something ‘comes to your mind’ or ‘springs to your mind’. Say that it comes to mind or springs to mind. 


SLIP YOUR MIND 
If something slips your mind, you forget it. 

Examples: 

• 'I told you about the event two weeks ago. How could you forget something so important?' -- 'I'm sorry, it just slipped my mind.' 
• I'm sorry I didn't call you back earlier. It completely slipped my mind. 
• I sometimes have so much to do that the most important tasks slip my mind. 
• Her birthday completely slipped my mind. 

CROSS SOMEONE'S MIND 
If something crosses your mind, you think about it for a short time. 

Examples: 

• The idea crossed my mind as you were speaking.
• It never crossed my mind that he might be married. (= I never thought about that.) 
• What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you won the competition? 

KEEP (SOMETHING) IN MIND | BEAR (SOMETHING) IN MIND 
When you remember something, especially something that will be important in the future. 

Examples: 

• Thanks for your advice – I’ll keep it in mind. 
• Keep that in mind when you make your decision. 
• Bear in mind that the price doesn't include flights. 
• Don't spend all your money at once. Keep in mind that it has to last you all week. 

MAKE UP YOUR MIND 
When something makes you stop thinking or worrying about something. 

Examples: 

• I like them both - I can't make up my mind. (= I can't decide which one to buy.) 
• I can't make up my mind which universities to apply to. 
• I can't make up my mind what to study. 

​
CHANGE YOUR MIND | CHANGE SOMEONE'S MIND 
It is used when you change a decision you have made or an opinion that you had. 

Examples: 

• Nothing will make me change my mind. 
• We've changed our minds about selling the car. 
• We changed our minds and decided to go camping instead of skiing. 
• He's already decided to live abroad. It would be impossible to change his mind. 
• She's still very young. She might change her mind about what she wants to do in the future. 

Note: You may change your mind or someone else may change your mind. 

​
TAKE YOUR MIND OFF SOMETHING | TAKE SOMEONE'S MIND OFF SOMETHING 
When something makes you stop thinking or worrying about something. 

Examples: 

• Going back to work helped take my mind off things. 
• I often go for a walk to take my mind off my studies. 
• Why don't you go out for a few hours? It will take your mind off exams. 
• I was upset about my exam results, but I went out with some friends to take my mind off it. 

AT THE BACK OF YOUR MIND | IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND 
If a thought is at the back of your mind, you are aware of it, though it is not the main thing you are thinking about. 

Examples: 

• It's been at the back of my mind to call you for several days now. 
• At the back of my mind, I knew she was lying. 

SOMEONE'S MIND GOES BLANK (informal) 
If you mind goes blank, you suddenly cannot remember something. 

Examples: 

• When he asked me for my number, my mind went completely blank. 
• Even though I studied hard, my mind went blank on the exam day. 

Other lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1) 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2) 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English 


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We usually use the adjective 'cheap' to say that something costs less money than we expected. 
Cheap can suggest that something is poor quality. To avoid the negative connotation of this word, we can use other adjectives when we talk about products and services that cost little money. 

In this lesson, you will learn how to use 6 different adjectives that can replace the word 'cheap'. 

Let's look at the example sentences below. 

LOW (meaning: not costing a lot of money) 
We use 'low' to talk about prices, rents, and fees.  

• Walmart is able to keep prices low. 
• January is always a good month to travel because prices are low. 
• A great way to save money on airline tickets is to use a low-cost carrier. 
• Some airlines offer lower fares and make travelling easier. 

REASONABLE (meaning: not too expensive) 
When a price is 'reasonable', it seems fair – neither cheap nor expensive. 

• I would definitely go to that restaurant again. They offer good food at a reasonable price. 
• Vegetables are very reasonable at this time of year. (= not too expensive) 
• They sell quality products at reasonable prices. 

​
INEXPENSIVE (rather formal) (meaning: cheap; doesn't cost a lot of money) 
When we say that something is 'inexpensive', we actually mean it's good value for its price. 

• It's a simple, inexpensive meal. 
• Can you recommend a relatively inexpensive hotel? 
• I'd rather have an inexpensive cup of coffee. (= prefer to have) 

• What is the best store where I can find inexpensive furniture? 

AFFORDABLE (meaning: not expensive) 
When something is 'affordable', it is cheap enough for most people to be able to buy. 

• The restaurant is fancy, yet very affordable. 
• I love shopping for new clothes but I try to save money at the same time -- that's why I always shop online at affordable prices. 
• Public transport fares in Singapore are more affordable than those in Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei. 
• Many governments are struggling with providing high quality affordable housing. 

COMPETITIVE (meaning: not expensive to make, buy, or use) 
Competitive prices and rates are as low as those charged by other shops and companies. 

• The store sells a large range of kitchen appliances at very competitive prices. 
• Their exchange rates are very competitive if you compare them with other banks. 

ECONOMICAL (meaning: cheap because you do not need to use a lot of money) 
We use 'economical' when something doesn't cost much money. 

• The big packet is more economical than the small one -- it's only 80 cents more. 
• It's more economical to buy a bike rather than renting one every time. 
• It wasn't very economical to get my washing machine repaired, so I bought a new one. 

Other lessons: 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good 
6 Ways to Say that Something is Expensive 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 1) 
Common Phrases in Spoken English (Part 2) 


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We usually use the adjective 'expensive' to say that something costs a lot of money. We can also use other adjectives with the same meaning. 

In this lesson, you will learn how to use 6 different adjectives that can replace the word 'expensive', which can make you sound like a better English speaker. 

Let's look at the example sentences below. 

HIGH (meaning: too expensive and not worth the price) 
We use 'high' to talk about a rent, fee, price, tax, etc. 

• Rent prices in major cities around the world are higher than previous years. 
• Housing shortage and rental demand are the main reasons for high rent prices. 
• The cost of accommodation is extremely high in some neighbourhoods.
• Some countries like the UK and Germany have a progressive income tax, which means that the more money you earn, the higher taxes you pay. ​
• Overseas students entering Dutch universities pay higher tuition fees than EU nationals. 
• The cost of living in Denmark is high even by European standards. 
• Salaries in Denmark are relatively high. 

Note: We can also use high to talk wage, salary, pay, income. 

PRICEY (informal) (meaning: expensive) 
We use 'pricey' when something costs more than we want to pay for it. 

• Everything on the menu is very pricey. 
• The food there is a bit pricey but it's absolutely delicious. 
• Eating out and utility bills in Denmark are especially pricey. 

​
OVERPRICED (meaning: too expensive and not worth the price) 
Something that is overpriced is more expensive than it should be. 
​

• I think the food there is a bit overpriced. 
• The shop sells overpriced clothes. 
• The shoes are nice, but they're really overpriced. 

COSTLY (meaning: costing a lot of money) 
When you say that something is costly, you mean that the price is more than you want to pay. 

• Buying a new car can be costly, so why not look for a used one? 
• We gave up buying a new fridge because it was too costly. 
• It's extremely costly to purchase all the necessary equipment for the business. 

EXORBITANT (meaning: much too expensive; much more than is reasonable) 
We use 'exorbitant' to talk about an amount of money that is much higher than it should be. 

• Some dentists charge exorbitant fees. 
• The company charges exorbitant prices for everything.  
• I decided to cancel my credit card because of the exorbitant interest rate. 

​
ASTRONOMICAL (meaning: extremely high) 
We use 'astronomical' to talk about prices, costs, rates, and fees that are extremely high. 

• The house was sold for an astronomical price. 
• Tuition fees at private universities are astronomical. 
• I can't take out a loan because the interest rate is astronomical. 

​
Other lessons:
​English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
10 Ways to Say that Something is Good 

English collocations: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Saving Money 

​
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In this lesson, we are going to focus on six types of holiday and the activities you can do when you choose each one of them. 

You are going to learn how to describe the type of holiday you like. 

This knowledge is especially important when you want to talk about your holiday and what you did. 

There are different types of holidays. A lot of people choose a tourist destination first instead of thinking about the type of trip they are actually looking for. 


A BEACH HOLIDAY (A SEASIDE HOLIDAY) 

• go and sunbathe | do some sunbathing 
• walk along the sand (phrase) 
• be lying on the sand (phrase) 
• build a sand castle (phrase) 
• play in the sea
• sit in the sun | sit in the shade 

Examples: 

• My ideal holiday is relaxing on the beach and swimming. 
• Our kids love playing in the sea and building sand castles. 
• We love playing volleyball and Frisbee on the beach. 
• I love looking for some seashells to take back home. 
• I always have a great time just lying on the sand or walking along the sand. 
• When I'm on a beach holiday, I tend to sit in the shade and read. 

A CITY BREAK 

A city beak is a short holiday or weekend break spent in a city. 

• buy souvenirs 
• try the local cuisine 
• do some sightseeing | hop on a sightseeing bus 
• a real learning experience 
• stay in a hotel in a historic city 
• spend a fortune on entrance fees 
• meet people and learn about other cultures
• sample the local nightlife 

* When you go on a city break, you can try a hop-on hop-off tour to do some sightseeing. 

Examples: 

• I really like looking around museums and art galleries, and going to cathedrals.
• I usually take photos in front of historic buildings. 
• I like exploring the city I'm in by hopping on a sightseeing bus. 
• Sightseeing is great, but you can easily spend a fortune on entrance fees. 
• The guided tour of the old town was a real learning experience. 
• I spent the weekend in a fascinating small town with lots of impressive buildings. 

A SKIING HOLIDAY 

• go skiing | go snowboarding | go snow scooting | go ice skating 
• horse-drawn sleigh rides 
• go sledding | go dog sledding 
• hit the slopes (= ski on them) 
• snow covered mountains 
• enjoy the mountain air | enjoy the mountain scenery 

Examples: 

• If I’m on a skiing holiday, I enjoy catching the cable car to the top of the mountain and then I like zooming down and enjoying the beautiful scenery. 
• You can gaze at the stars. The clear mountain air can give you a breathtaking view of the stars at night. 
• I'm not a fan of skiing, so when I'm at a ski resort with family or friends, I tend to seek out other winter activities. 
• Some ski resorts offer helicopter rides. You can get a bird's eye view of the snow-covered mountains. 
• You can go sledding or dog sledding, with sleds pulled by huskies. 
• The only reason why I go to ski resorts is simply to enjoy the fresh mountain air. 
• Switzerland has plenty of good skiing. 

AN ACTIVITY (AN ADVENTURE HOLIDAY) 

Some people may want to go on an activity or adventure holiday. 

• go sailing | go surfing | go windsurfing  
• go canoeing | go kayaking
• go snorkelling | go scuba diving 
• go hiking 
• go bungee jumping 

Examples: 

• I really like activity holidays where I can do lots of fun things, like mountain bike riding – that’s my favourite – or canoeing, and I like horse riding too. Personally, I think holidays are for doing exciting things. 
• I'm big on outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking. 
• Bungee jumping seems dangerous to me, so I would think twice about it. 

VOCABULARY 

• be big on something (phrase) - to be very interested in something 
• think twice (phrase) - to consider something more carefully 

A CAMPING HOLIDAY 

Camping can be lots of fun. It's the perfect type of holiday for those who enjoy sleeping outdoors and getting away from the daily routine. 

• pitch a tent | set up a tent | put up a tent (collocations) 
• take down a tent (collocation) 
• sleep in a tent (collocation) 
• sing around the campfire 
• relax and listen to nature 
• go hiking | go rock climbing 
• go fishing | go swimming 
• go bird watching | go animal watching 
• gather rocks or flowers 
• sleep under the stars (collocation) - in a place with no roof 

Examples: 

• We pitched our tent as soon as we got to the campsite. 
• We took down our tent early in the morning. 
• I love camping holidays and being outdoors. I like getting closer to nature, waking up in a tent and then going fishing all day. 
• We went on a camping holiday in southwest France. The campsite was huge -- with a water park and an immense beach stretching as far as the eye can see. We explored the inland on horses and we also hired bikes a few times. That's probably the most memorable holiday I've ever had. 
• We stayed at an amazing campsite in the mountains. 

VOCABULARY 

• a water park - a place where people can have fun in swimming pools or go down water slides 

• as far as the eye can see (phrase) - for a long distance until something is so far away that it cannot be seen any more 
• a memorable holiday (collocation) - one that will always be remembered 
• in the mountains (collocation) - in an area where there are a lot of mountains 

A CRUISE 

• sit on the deck 
• look out to sea 
• watch a sunset (or a sunrise) over the ocean 
• sit in the sun 
• swim in the pool 
• take on-board classes 

Examples: 

• Cruise holidays are great because you can sit on the deck, relax and look out to sea. 
• You can watch a sunset (or a sunrise) over the ocean. 
• You can sit in the sun by the pool or swim in the pool. 

​

Other lessons: 
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 
​Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe your perfect holiday 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty 


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In this lesson, you will learn the most common collocations with 'holiday' as well as key phrases with 'go' that are used to talk about travel and different holiday activities. 

Note: Holiday is used in British English. American speakers say vacation. 

'Holiday' as a noun has three different meanings. 

1. a period of time when you travel to another place for pleasure 
2. a period of time to rest from work or school 
3. a day fixed by law when people do not have to go to work or school 

The collocations in this lesson refer to the first meaning of 'holiday' -- when you travel to another place for pleasure. 


VERB + Holiday 

• go on holiday 
• have a holiday 
• take a holiday 
• book a holiday 
• cancel a holiday 

Examples: 

• We’re going on holiday to Portugal this summer. 
• Are you having a holiday this year? 
• It’s that time of year when we all want to switch off the laptop and take a holiday. 
• 'Have you booked your summer holiday?' -- 'Yes, I booked it online.' 
• I got sick and we had to cancel our holiday to Thailand. 

ADJECTIVE + Holiday 

• a good / great / nice holiday 
• a lovely holiday 
• someone's dream holiday (= the best holiday you can imagine) 
• an exciting holiday 
• a wonderful holiday 
• a disastrous holiday 

Examples: 

• We had a great holiday in the Philippines. 
• What would be your dream holiday? 
• That was the most exciting holiday we’ve ever had. 

Holiday + NOUN 

• a holiday brochure 
• a holiday destination 
• a holiday resort 
• the holiday season 
• holiday photos | holiday snaps 

Examples: 

• We spent a lot of time looking through holiday brochures and searching for information on the Internet. 
• Marmaris is one of Turkey’s most popular holiday destinations.
• Páros is one of Greece's most popular holiday destinations for young people. 
• We went to a holiday resort in Spain. 
• The pool is open throughout the holiday season. 
• I can show you some of our holiday photos. 

VOCABULARY 

• a holiday brochure - a magazine that shows what holidays you can take 
• a holiday destination – a town or country where a lot of people go on holiday 
• a holiday resort – a place with many hotels where a lot of people go on holiday 
• holiday photos (also holiday snaps) (informal) – photographs that you take when you are on holiday 

Phrases with GO 

• go abroad 
• go on holiday 
• go sightseeing 
• go camping 
• go skiing / walking / cycling 
• go for a walk / go for a swim 
• go out at night 
• go away for the weekend 
• go by bus / car / plane / train 
• go swimming / sailing / surfing / skiing 
• go on a trip / tour / cruise 

Other lessons:
Story Time: Travelling in Spain 
Story Time: Travelling in France 

English conversation lessons:
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 

English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 


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According to our survey, the majority of English learners say they need to improve their speaking and listening skills. Even though most of them have been learning English for over 5 years, they still find speaking difficult. 

When they say that their English is not good, they usually mean that they cannot speak the language very well. 

In response to the question 'Where have you studied English?', 80% answered 'at school'.
The other options were: in a language academy, at work, by myself, or abroad. 

In response to the question 'What do you find most effective when learning English?', 90% answered 'developing speaking fluency'. 
'Working on new vocabulary' got only 50%. 

English learners tend to feel shy and embarrassed when it comes to speaking. 

Here is what learners of English usually say: 

• I'm not satisfied with my speaking skills. 
• I want to improve my spoken English and pronunciation. 
• I have a terrible accent. 
• I understand the question but I can't answer immediately. 
• I always use the same sentences and I can't find the words to express myself better. 

Why do you use the same sentences and cannot think of other ways to express yourself? 

You may be one of those learners who read grammar rules and do exercises regularly, but this does not mean that you will easily access this knowledge while speaking. It is one thing to read a rule and do exercises to practise, and another thing to use the grammar structure automatically.

The reason why you struggle with using a large vocabulary and more complex sentences is because you have gained that knowledge, but you have not made it part of the existing one. In other words, you seldom access what you have learned. You may practise by doing different exercises, but when it comes to using that knowledge in spoken or written language, you never do that. 

Let's say you have recently studied irregular verbs. 

Simple example: go - went - gone/been 

Students often forget to use 'went' instead of 'go' when they talk about something that happened in the past. 

To the question, 'What did you do at the weekend?', they would reply whatever they did using 'go'. 

You may have spent a few hours trying to remember every single irregular verb. Yes, you have that knowledge in your head and it really is there, but you still do not use it automatically.

You need to practise using the verb form in order to be able to access this information naturally. 

The same explanation is valid for your range of vocabulary. You cannot think of synonyms of words and phrases to express what you are trying to say because you have not made them part of your active vocabulary. 

Note: In order for a word to be part of your active vocabulary, you need to have used it at least 20 times. Just writing it on paper won't help. You need to use it actively in speaking or writing. 


Is your communication in English effective? 

Foreign people will probably understand what you are saying in English even if you haven't learned grammar very well. You can rely on different strategies to express yourself. 


Examples of communication strategies: 

• inventing words or phrases: 'investition' instead of 'investment' 
• using gestures and mime to convey the meaning 
• language switch: saying a word in your native language when you don't know the English one 
• being vague (not precise or exact) by using words like: stuff (like that), thing(s), kind of, sort of, a bit, a bit of, etc. 
• using more words than necessary, instead of speaking or writing in a clear, direct way: 'They have small work time' to mean They work part-time. 
• asking for help when you can't express something in words: 
  Speaker 1: Young people need to learn how to save money, because if they buy expensive products, the money will end or finish soon. How can I say that? 
  Speaker 2: You can say that the money won't last, so it means you've spent it all. 
  Speaker 1: Ah, OK. 

It is important to know that these strategies usually maintain the illusion that your English is fluent and they can buy you valuable time to process the information when having conversations. 

On the other hand, you may end up relying too much on strategies instead of improving your English competence. There is something called 'interlanguage', which is the current version of the language you are learning. Interlanguage is often influenced by your native language and it usually changes over time, but it can also fossilise when you do not have the chance to improve. 

Most English learners achieve early fluency by using the little language they have. This can prevent them from improving because they overuse memorised words and chunks of information, incorrect word order, throwing in vocabulary to express themselves. 

​
Will studying grammar guarantee you speaking English naturally? 

Even if you study grammar, it doesn't mean you will be able to speak English automatically in face-to-face interactions. What can really help you improve this skill is interactive real-time talk. 

​Regardless of how much vocabulary and grammar you know, you will still feel unprepared in the real world. You need to have opportunities to practise speaking spontaneously. 

​
SUMMARY 

The main difficulties English learners-speakers face: 

• they don't have enough knowledge 
• their knowledge is not automated and this affects their fluency 

​English Study Habits: 
How to learn new vocabulary 
How to remember vocabulary 
How to use a dictionary effectively 

Learn the difference between some English words: 
Confusing verbs: Say vs. Tell 
Confusing verbs: Speak vs. Talk 
Confusing words: Come vs. Go 
Confusing words: Bring vs. Take 


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In this lesson, you will learn how to say 'goodbye' when you are leaving a place and/or other people. 

There are many different phrases you can use in informal conversations. 

​
Phrases to use when you leave a place: 

• I've gotta go. (= I have to go.) 
• I should get going. (= when you are ready to leave a place) 
• I should probably get going. 
• I'd better get going. 
• I'd better go. 

           It's five o'clock. I'd better go now before the rush hour. 


Phrases to use when you leave people: 

• ​See you in a bit. (British English) (= see you soon) 
• See you in a while. (= see you soon) 
• See you. (= saying goodbye to someone you know when you expect to see them again soon) 

           Well, see you there. 

• See you soon. (= saying goodbye to someone you are going to meet again soon) 

           I'll see you soon. 

• See you later. | See ya later. (= saying goodbye to someone you know when you expect to see them again soon, especially later the same day) 
• Catch you later. (= the same as 'See you later.') (an informal way of saying goodbye) 
• See you tomorrow/at seven/on Monday/next week, etc. 
• See you at the airport at 6 o'clock. (place + time) 
• (I’ll) be seeing you! (= you're not sure when you will see this person again) 
• See yourself out. (= to leave a building or room by yourself after visiting someone there) 

           I'll see myself out. (= when the host doesn't have to walk you to the door) 

• I'll talk to you about it later. I gotta run. 
• Take care. (= saying goodbye to someone in a friendly way) 
• So nice to see you. I'll leave so you two can catch up. 
• It was nice seeing you. 

Other lessons:
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations ​

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 
​English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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Do you know which preposition to use when you talk about Christmas? 

In this lesson, you will learn the difference between at Christmas, on Christmas Day, for Christmas and over Christmas. 
​
​
at Christmas 
We say at Christmas when something happens during the Christmas holiday period. (= just before and after December 25th)

Examples: 

• The whole family gets together at Christmas. 
• People usually visit their families at Christmas. 
• I much prefer to be with my family at Christmas rather than at work. 

on Christmas Day 
We say on Christmas Day when something happens on December 25th. 

Examples: 

• There are lots of things people can do on Christmas day apart from sitting under the tree and opening presents. 
• A large number of employees are expected to be at work on Christmas Day. 

for Christmas 

Examples: 

• Are you in the city for Christmas? 
• Are you going home for Christmas? 
• I'm not going home for Christmas this year. 
• My husband and I prefer to go overseas for Christmas and New Year. 
• I got a lot of presents for Christmas when I was a child. (= You get a present for Christmas.) 
• I'm sorry I didn't make it home for Christmas. 

VOCABULARY: 

• make it (phrase) - If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something. 

over Christmas 

Examples: 

• I'll be in Thailand over Christmas. I much prefer hot weather to low temperatures and snow. 
• Eggnog is a popular drink over Christmas. It's made from milk, cream, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and alcohol. In the past, it was a wintertime drink for British aristocracy because only the wealthy could afford the ingredients. 

​

Other lessons: 
English for Describing Festivals: New Year 
English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 


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In this lesson, you will learn common phrases used in informal situations. They will help you sound more natural in English conversations. 

Read the examples to learn how you can use them in your everyday life.


I bet (that) 
You can use it when you are sure about something. 

Examples: 

• You're doing a wonderful job. I bet it's not always easy. 
• I bet the bus will be late. 

​
I owe you 
You can use this phrase to thank someone for something they have done for you. It is also a way of saying that you will do something for them in the future. 

Examples: 

• I owe you a treat. Can I treat you to coffee? 
• Thanks for your help. I owe you a favour. 
• Thanks for helping me out, John. I owe you one! 

up for something 
You can use this phrase to show that you are ready and willing to do something. 

Examples: 

• 'Do you wanna go grab some lunch?' - 'Sure, I'm up for it.' 
• Are you up for going to the cinema tomorrow evening? 
• (in a hospital) I know it’s after visiting hours, but are you up for some company? – Yes, come in. 

Note: You can also use the phrase in questions to ask other people if they would like to do something with you or to go to a place with you. 


off the table 
We use 'off the table' to talk about offers or proposals that are no longer considered or available. 

Examples: 

• (in a publishing company) Children's books are off the table. (= not going to publish them) 
• This offer will be off the table next month. (= it won't be available) 
• Don't wait too long to accept the job offer -- it might be off the table before you know it. 
• (football) His contract expires at the end of the season and the next one is off the table. 

go off the rails 
1. To start behaving in an inappropriate or socially unacceptable manner. 

Examples: 

• ​At 16, she suddenly went off the rails and started skipping school. (skip school = pretending to go to school but actually taking part in activities) 
• He was a promising student but he went off the rails after his parents got divorced. 
• My son started going off the rails in his late teens. (teens = the period of your life when you are between 13 and 19 years old.) [early/late teens] 

2. To no longer work as planned or intended. 

Examples: 

• If this goes off the rails, my dad's whole business could go under. (= become bankrupt) 

​
Note: OPPOSITE: back on the rails (behaving or functioning in a normal way) 

Examples: 

• If we succeed in raising money, the project will be back on the rails. 

learn (something) the hard way 
When you learn how to do something by trying and making a lot of mistakes. 

Examples: 

• Living abroad can be tough and lonely. I had to learn that the hard way. 
• I thought he was going to propose to me and then he broke my heart. I learned the hard way.  
• Being a parent is definitely challenging, but you never really know what it means until you learn about it the hard way. 

(just) for the record 
You can use this phrase when you give a piece of information that you want people to know. 
You make something clear and known publicly. 

Examples: 

• For the record, I'm doing this for the kids. 
• Just for the record, soft drinks are bad for your teeth. 

Note: It can be used to add something that isn't related to the conversation, but needs to be said. 

Synonyms: Let me make myself clear. | Let's get things straight. 


be big on something 
It is used to say that you are very interested in something, or like something a lot. 

Examples: 

• To be honest, I'm not very big on classical music. 
• I'm big on history. I really like reading historical books and learning more about ancient cities and civilizations. 

​
Other lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
English Lesson: 10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
English Lesson: 10 Ways to Say that Something is Good 
​Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 


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In this lesson, you will learn common phrases used in informal situations. They will help you sound more natural in English conversations. 

Read the examples to learn how you can use them in your everyday life. 


speaking of 
You can use this phrase to introduce something you are going to say that is related to what someone else has already mentioned. 

Examples: ​

• Speaking of Jane, where is she? 
• And speaking of gifts, I have one for you. 
• Speaking of holidays, we're planning to spend New Year in Sydney. 

not bother | not bother yourself 
When you tell someone that they do not need to do something for you. 

​Examples: 

• 'I'll get you a drink.' -- 'No, please don't bother.' 
• 'Are you sure you can do this by yourself?' -- 'Sure, I can manage. Don't bother yourself.' 
• 'Why didn't you ask me? I would come with you.' -- 'I didn't want to bother you.' 

off the top of one's head 
When you say something from memory or without much thinking or consideration. 

Examples: 

• 'That's a great idea!' -- 'Right off the top of my head.' 
• 'How many did we sell last month?' -- 'Off  the top of my head, I think around 50, but I'll check the figures again and let you know.' 
• 'How much does the ticket cost?' -- 'I don't know off the top of my head, but I can look it up online.' 

fall into place 
When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they suddenly make sense and become easy to understand. 

Examples: 

• Once they decided how to complete the project, things fell into place. 
• Party planners are coming tomorrow -- everything is falling into place. 
• Keep your options open and you'll see that everything will fall into place. 
• I was really jealous at first, but once I discovered that she was just a friend, everything fell into place. 

keep an eye on (something/someone) 
To look after something or someone or to watch carefully 

Examples: 

• Can you keep an eye on my bag while I'm buying some food for the trip? 
• Can you keep an eye on my cat for two days? I'll be away this weekend. 
• Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the baby while you go to the store. 

​

make (the) time 
To have some time when you are not busy in order to do something you think you should do 

Examples: 

• I'm busy now, but I'll try to make time to do it tomorrow. 
• I'm looking for a new job. I need to make time to work on my résumé this weekend. 
• His work keeps him so busy that he can't even make time for the kids. He should definitely re-evaluate his priorities. 

Other lessons: 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
​Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English 

English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Making Decisions 
English Lesson: Collocations for Describing a Conversation 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


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