Prepositional phrases in English. Verbal-prepositional unity
Many experienced English language researchers complain that no matter how much they read, watch and listen to English-language sources, no matter how many words they learn, they cannot add these single words into an organized and logical statement. Do you know what the problem is? For a long time already experienced teachers say that it is necessary to teach not words, but unity. Then, in the speech stream, words will automatically fly out not separately, but as part of a phrase - correct and prepared in advance. We begin to study such combinations with verbs. It is known that most verbs are connected with other words by means of prepositions - listen to, look at etc. There is a whole set of such unities, and their study will allow you not only to remember the correct preposition for each verb, but also to learn many new and extremely necessary verbs! At the first stage, we will learn only the most frequent, so to speak, first aid verbs.
Table. English verbs with pretexts
| Verb + preposition | Translation | Example |
| AGREE WITH | agree with | Don "t you AGREE WITH Jemy? |
| BEGIN WITH | begin with | Let "s BEGIN WITH an exercise. |
| BELIEVE IN | believe in | Many people don "t BELIEVE IN God. |
| DREAM ABOUT | To dream of | What are you DREAMING ABOUT? |
| EXCUSE FOR | forgive for | Please, EXCUSE me FOR yesterday "s argument. |
| FORGET ABOUT | forget about | Let "s FORGET ABOUT our argument. |
| FORGIVE FOR | forgive for | Please, FORGIVE me FOR yesterday "s argument. |
| HEAR ABOUT | hear about | Have you HEARD ABOUT a new reform? |
| HOPE FOR | hope for | Let "s HOPE FOR the best. |
| INTEREST IN | be interested in something | Children are INTERESTED IN cartoons. |
| KNOW ABOUT | know about | Do you KNOW anything ABOUT yesterday "s argument? |
| LAUGH AT | laugh at | Don "t LAUGH AT his mistakes! |
| LISTEN TO | listen to anything | Let "s LISTEN TO" The Beatles ". |
| LOOK AT | take a look at | LOOK AT that man! He is stealing Rob "s car! |
| PAY FOR | to pay for | Would you like to PAY FOR the dress with a credit card? |
| RESPECT FOR | respect for | We RESPECT him FOR being a talented boss. |
| SMELL OF | smell something | Why does the soup SMELL OF candy? |
| SMILE AT | smile at someone | Look! This handsome guy is SMILING AT you! |
| TALK ABOUT | talk about | The employees were TALKING ABOUT a pay rise. |
| THANK FOR | thank for | I would like to THANK you FOR this romantic dinner. |
| WAIT FOR | wait for someone / something | We are now WAITING FOR the bus. |
| WORRY ABOUT | worry about | Don "t WORRY ABOUT him! He" ll be fine. |
If you have mastered the most frequently used verbs, then we offer you a more complete
In order not to miss new useful materials,
Based on my own teaching experience, I can say with confidence that the work on pretexts is like repair: it cannot be finished, but can only be suspended. We first come across prepositions at the earliest stages of language learning, but we do not forget about them even more. high levels... In this article, we will look at preposition expressions on, in, by, for, at, out of, from, to, up... I think this material will be useful for all students from Elementary to Advanced.
The use of some prepositions is easy to remember because expressions that are similar in meaning are used with the same prepositions. In addition, such phrases are quite logically translated into Russian, which also makes them easier to remember.
- for: for example, for instance- eg ( for example);
- in: in a pair of trousers, in a dress – in some clothes;
- at: at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner – per some kind of meal, meal (but for breakfast, for lunch, for dinner – on the breakfast, lunch or dinner when talking about food).
It often happens that expressions with a similar meaning (place, mode of action, etc.) are formed using different prepositions:
- in cash(cash) - by credit card(by credit card);
- by accident(accidentally) - on purpose(intentionally);
- at the bottom(down below) - in the bottom of the right-hand corner of the page(in the lower right corner of the page);
- by car(by car) - on foot(on foot);
- on holiday(on vacation / on vacation) - at work(at work);
- in a loud voice(in a loud voice) - at the top of his voice(in a loud voice);
- on earth(on the ground) - in the world(in the world).
As for the expression "on the ground", here, of course, we can draw a parallel with a certain surface on which we live. Accordingly, the "world" is the place in which we live. That is, the last pair of expressions will be easy to remember, because they are literally translated into Russian and seem logical to us. Similarly with the expression by car knowledge of the rules for using the preposition helps us by: we use it when we indicate the mode of transport. However, with most prepositional phrases(expressions with prepositions) this number will not work, they should simply be remembered.
To better understand the nature of such expressions, the purpose of their use in a sentence, and also to find out what prepositional phrase or fixed expressions with prepositions in English, I suggest watching the following video:
As we can see, knowing and using preposition phrases helps us write and read better. Our speaking skills also improve significantly with the correct use of these expressions, as they bring more detail and color into our speech.
Prepositional phrases are used to indicate the location ( location), directions ( direction), time ( time), mode of action ( manner), feelings ( feeling), the speaker's attitude to the subject of discussion ( attitude).
We bring to your attention a table with a selection of frequently used expressions with prepositions. on, in, by, for, at, out of, from, to, up:
| on | ||
|---|---|---|
| on behalf of- on behalf of, on behalf of (someone) on condition that- provided that on no account- in no case on my own- independently on purpose- purposefully, intentionally on second thoughts- on second thought, weighing everything again on the whole- generally |
on business- on business on a diet- on a diet on arrival- on arrival on average- average on foot- on foot on the one hand- one side on the other hand- on the other hand on line- in action, in work |
on duty- in the performance of (official) duties on fire- burning, engulfed in fire on horseback- On horse on the left/right- left (right) on my part- from my side on the phone- by phone on the screen- on the screen on holiday- on holiday on my side- on my side |
| in | ||
| in conclusion- Finally in the west- in the West to be in control of- control, manage in danger- in danger in favor of- in defense, in support of someone (something); in favor of someone (something) in general- generally |
in other words- in other words in time- during in cash- in cash in a uniform- in uniform in a dress- in a dress in haste- in a hurry in German- in German in pencil- pencil |
in a group- by group in addition to- in addition to in answer to- in response to in future- in future in the news- in the news in pairs- in pairs in this respect- in this respect |
| by | ||
| by accident- unintentionally by heart- by heart by chance- accidentally by mistake- by mistake by the way- by the way by bus- by bus by sea/land/air- by sea / by land / by air by example- by example (sample) |
by sight- approximately by means of- through by no means- not in any way; in no way by cheque- by check day by day- every day, day by day by Mozart- (written) by Mozart by air mail- by airmail |
by e-mail- by email by fax/phone- by fax (telephone) by far- clearly, generally recognized, unconditionally by the rules- according to the rules by the arm- by the hand (take) by telepathy- using telepathy by hand- manually |
| for | ||
| for a change- for a change for ages- for ages for breakfast- for breakfast for fear of- out of fear for fun- for fun for pleasure- for pleasure for good- forever and ever; for the sake, for the good |
for granted- for granted for ever- forever, forever for luck- for luck for life- for life for nothing- in vain, for nothing for sale- for sale for short- for brevity, abbreviated |
for a walk- for a walk for a while- for some time for now- for now for birthday- for birthday for better or worse- for the better or not; anyway for my sake- for me for the moment- for now |
| at | ||
| at all times- at all times at first sight- at first sight at the moment- in this moment at the age of- aged at the beginning- at first at breakfast- at breakfast at the bottom of- down below at the bus stop- at the bus stop |
at dawn- at dawn at sea- in complete bewilderment, in confusion at the corner- in the corner at last- at last at the door- at the door at the end- in the end at first- first at once- immediately |
at home- at home at arm's length- at arm's length at least- at least at the same time- in the same time at times- sometimes at daybreak- at dawn at work- at work |
| out of | ||
| out of order- spoiled, out of order out of favor- objectionable, not in high esteem, not in honor out of the way- not along the way, aside out of touch- lost contact out of the wood- be out of danger out of work- unemployed |
out of breath Out of breath out of control- uncontrolled out of danger- out of danger out of date- outdated out of doors- outside, on the street out of luck- things are not going my way out of money- without money |
out of print- sold out; outdated (commodity) out of sight- great, great out of tune- out of tune, out of tune out of earshot- out of earshot out of time- out of time |
| from | ||
| from now on- from now on from A to B- from point A to point B from bad to worse- from bad to worse (talking about a situation that is getting worse) |
from place to place- from place to place from time to time- occasionally |
from morning to night- from morning till night from my point of view- from my point of view |
| up | ||
| up to date- modern up to you- at your discretion up and down- up and down |
up till/until- until (some moment) up the hill- up the hill up the spout- in a hopeless position |
up to no good- have nothing good in mind up and about- be on your feet, recover from an illness |
| to | ||
| to some extent/degree- to some extent to the point- relevant to my surprise- to my surprise |
to your benefit- to your benefit to our amazement- to our amazement |
to your health- For your health to some purpose- not without success, with some success |
Difficult cases of using prepositions in fixed expressions
- In the beginning or at the beginning?
Pretext at used with the word beginning when we talk about the beginning of something (stories, books, programs, etc.):
He fell asleep at the beginning of the performance. - He fell asleep at the beginning representation.
As for the preposition in, it is used as part of the phrase in the beginning which has the same meaning as the introductory phrase at first/firstly, - "first", "first". After in the beginning we do not use the preposition of:
In the beginning, he was shocked but then he got used to the idea. - First he was shocked but then got used to the idea.
- At the end or in the end?
The same principle applies with these two phrases as with the previous pair. Pretext at used with the word end when we talk about ending something:
Jane understood who the criminal was at the very end of the detective story. - Jane realized who the culprit was, in the end detective.
Pretext in used as part of a phrase in the end which has the same meaning as finally, - "in the end", "in the end". After in the end we do not use of:
In the end, you will see that I was right. - Finally you will understand that I was right.
- By bus or on the bus?
Pretext by used with the name of a certain type of transport when we say how we like to travel: by car, train, plane, etc.
I like to travel by car because it's fast and comfortable. - I like to travel by car because it is fast and convenient.
We use the preposition on when talking about a specific journey or direction, as well as when we indicate that we are in a vehicle.
I met my husband-to-be on a train... - I met my future husband on the train.
- Made of, made out of or made from?
We use made of when it is obvious what exactly the thing is made of:
The bag is made of leather. - A bag made from skin.
We use made out of, paying special attention to what the thing is made of:
- Is the chain fake? - Is the chain fake?
- Are you kidding ?! It’s made out of pure gold. - Are you kidding ?! She is made from pure gold.We use made from, naming the ingredients from which something was made, and also when the composition is not obvious:
The dish is made from minced meat, vegetables and cheese. - Dish made of minced meat, vegetables and cheese.
- For example or by example?
Everyone knows the enduring expression for example- eg:
I like fruit. For example, oranges and apples - I love fruits. for example, oranges and apples.
By example means "by example" (someone or something), "by example":
I did the task by the example which was given. - I did the task by this sample.
In conclusion, we suggest that you perform a test for prepositional phrases and download a table of set expressions with prepositions in English.
(* .pdf, 212 Kb)
6 cue phrases
I do not know how many "sources" and "constituent parts" of the English language, but two sources of modern English idioms can be named without hesitation - this is the Bible in the version of King James (of course, not James!) - the King James Version of 1611(see article Bible words and phrases ) and Shakespeare. In a famous English joke, a certain lady says that she likes Shakespeare, but one thing annoys - the abundance of cliches! Shakespeare is the most cited author, and words, expressions, sometimes whole passages from Shakespeare are found in the speech of people who have read it for a very long time or have not read it at all. The amazing power of Shakespeare's word, no less than his genius as a playwright, makes many doubt that the author of great works was really an unremarkable and, judging by the fragments that have survived historical information, an unattractive resident of Stratford. I share these doubts, but there is no way to consider this topic here. Unfortunately in concise dictionary there is not enough room for a small fraction of Shakespeare's idiom, with which a self-respecting translator (including those who work mainly orally) should be at least superficially familiar. We will restrict ourselves to a minimal "Shakespearean educational program" in the hope of the reader's ability to educate himself.
Of course, there are few people who do not know that it is Shakespeare who owns the words. To be or not to be: that is the question or A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse(of "Richard III"), or not familiar with their "canonical" translations included in the Russian language ( To be or not to be is the question and Horse, horse! My kingdom for a horse!). Many will correctly point out the origin of another frequently cited passage:
What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
(Romeo and juliet)
Translated by Shchepkina-Kupernik:
What's in a name? What we call a rose
And under a different name kept b
Its sweet smell.
Interesting are two quotations, which in Russian are found almost more often than in English texts.
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
The whole world is a theater, and the people in it are actors.
(From the comedy As you like it- "As you like it")
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
There are many things in the world, friend of Horatio,
What our wise men never dreamed of
(Of "Hamlet" in the translation of 1828 (!) by M. Vronchenko; it is in this form that this quote entered the Russian language.)
But here's another "Shakespearianism", also from Hamlet and also addressed to Horatio: In my mind’s eye, Horatio (in translations, with different variations - In the eyes of my soul, Horatio). The vast majority of English speakers, using this common expression, do not realize that they are "quoting Shakespeare." (In Russian we will say something like in my thoughts I see or mind's eye.)
Several similar examples:
foregone conclusion (of Othello). Firmly entered the language. Used when it comes about a clear result in advance, a predetermined matter, about something beyond doubt. The outcome of the general elections was a foregone conclusion(International Herald Tribune);
to the manner born (from "Hamlet"). It means a natural inclination for something, an innate ability, ease in doing business or performing duties. There is an option to the manor born(the difference is in writing, but not in pronunciation). Successful translation: He has it in his blood;
True it is that we have seen better days (from As You Like It). The translation is obvious: We've seen (we've had) better times. Sometimes they say this about a woman who is not her first youth: She has seen better days or about a politician in crisis;
to wear one’s heart upon one’s sleeve (from "Othello") - do not hide your feelings ... In Russian you can say soul wide open;
a plague on both your houses. Mercutio's words from Romeo and Juliet. They are often used in Russian speech ( a plague on both your houses), often without the slightest idea of the source;
brevity is the soul of wit. It has become proverbial in Russian ( Brevity is the soul of wit). But it's still nice to know that this is also from Hamlet, where the meaning is deeper (translated by M. Lozinsky - "Brevity is the soul of the mind");
brave new world (from "The Tempest" - The tempest). And, of course, from the title of the novel by Aldous Huxley, previously half-banned in our country. Shakespeare: O brave new world that has such people in’t... In Huxley (Brave New World) we are dealing with a typical (and, in my opinion, rather boring) dystopian novel. It should be borne in mind that this expression is used most often ironically or with a shade of condemnation;
honorable men (from "Julius Caesar" - Julius Caesar). A similar case: the ironically condemning use of a seemingly understandable phrase. True, there are often cases when it is used in its direct meaning ( worthy people). But the translator must be careful. Many English speakers remember the passage in Shakespeare's tragedy where Mark Antony calls Brutus an honorable man, meaning quite the opposite. In translation, quotes will help ( "Honorable" citizens), orally you will have to take a chance or say something neutral ( human with a renowned reputation);
there is method in the madness. Modified quote from Hamlet. It is understood that behind the external illogicality, strangeness of some act or phenomenon, there is its own logic, its own meaning;
more in sorrow than in anger (also from "Hamlet"). Pasternak's "rather with longing than with anger" is not very suitable in the translation of this expression in its modern use. Better to say more with regret than resentment / anger;
more sinned against than sinning. My favorite quote from "King Lear"(this is what he says about himself the main character: I am a man / more sinned against than sinning). In the beautiful, undeservedly forgotten translation of M. Kuzmin: Before me are others / more sinners than I am before them. An example of concise and precise!
the wheel has come full circle (from "King Lear"). It is used most often like this: we have come full circle - we have come to where we started;
strange bedfellows (from "The Tempest"). Often quoted as in the play ( Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows - In need with whom you will not lead), but more often than not, unaware of the Shakespearean roots of this phrase, they say Politics makes strange bedfellows. Fresh modification from Time magazine: President Jacques Chirac and newly-elected Prime Minister Lionel Jospin make uneasy bedfellows. This refers to strange (at first glance) political alliances, coalitions, or, as in last example, "Cohabitation" (fr. cohabitation). But it's not just that, but bedfellows! English speakers certainly feel this "bed" connotation. So, in Time magazine, the quoted phrase is accompanied by a corresponding caricature. So, if desired, the translator has a place to turn;
salad days (of Antony and Cleopatra). It is sometimes quoted, as in the play: My salad days, when I was green in judgment.(Translated by M. Donsky: Then I was / a girl I was inexperienced, immature. Perhaps the word girl still inappropriate in the mouth of Cleopatra.) It is used quite often, sometimes with irony: the salad days of detente(W. Safire) - detente (international tension) in its first bloom... In a conversation, you can use Russian young green... More "serious" translation - period / era of formation;
at one fell swoop (of Macbeth). Another example, when the Shakespearean origin of the phrase is almost not felt by anyone (there are others - fight till the last gasp - fight / fight until the last breath from "Henry VI" / Henry VI; as good luck would have it - fortunately; and then luck smiled at me from "Windsor Gossips / Pranksters" / The merry wives of windsor). At one fell swoop - in one fell swoop, overnight, in an instant;
sound and fury. Also from "Macbeth", as well as from the title of Faulkner's novel (Russian translation "Noise and Fury"). For lack of space, it is impossible to fully quote Macbeth's brilliant monologue. The main thing: is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury / Signifying nothing. Translated by M. Lozinsky: This is news, / Told by a fool, where there is a lot / And noise and passions, but there is no sense. Shakespeare sounds scarier. Sound and fury in figurative meaning can have two meanings: one is close to much ado about nothing(by the way, also "Shakespearianism" - the title of the play Much Ado About Nothing), the second means extraordinary passions, dramatic events... And it is not always easy to sense the contextual meaning;
every inch a king (from "King Lear"). Translated by T. Schepkina-Kupernik King, from head to toe. Instead of a word king others are often used - gentleman, lady, statesman, etc. In Russian - real, to the bone... Attention: it is often used humorously, ironically;
'Tis neither here nor there. So in Othello. In everyday speech, of course, it's. In English-Russian phraseological dictionary A.V. Kunin does not indicate the Shakespearean origin of this phrase. You shouldn't translate it into Russian neither to the village nor to the city(Russian flavor is too strong). May be, this is not from that opera? It's probably best to stay within the neutral style: it is irrelevant / irrelevant / I was talking about something else;
cry havoc (from the immortal "Julius Caesar"). In the play: Caesar's spirit ... shall ... cry ‘Havoc!’ And let slip the dogs of war. Translated by I. Mandelstam: "Death to everyone!" - lowering the dogs of war from the chain... Recently (maybe this is the time?), Both parts of this quote have been popular - recall the novel by F. Forsyth The Dogs of War. The figurative meaning is quite diverse - give a signal to rob, engage in incitement; wage a merciless war, ruin everything around etc. But there is another meaning cry havoc - scream guard, spread panic... Wed play havoc with something - wreak havoc, devastate, disorganize.
What to say in conclusion (and in your defense)? “You cannot embrace the immensity” (this, of course, is not from Shakespeare, but from Kozma Prutkov, but it can also confuse the translator. Possible - I confess, not brilliant - translation option You can’t cover what’s boundless. It can be said more simply: I couldn’t do it if I tried!).
8 prepositional
9 prepositional
10 fluent phrases
11 important phrases
12 prepositional
13 sententious phrases
14 prepositional
15 sententious phrases
16 prepositional
17 prepositional
[ˌPrepəˈzɪʃənl]
prepositional gram. prepositional
18 intelligibility of phrases
19 fluent phrases
20 lofty phrases
See also other dictionaries:
prepositional phrase- UK [ˌprepəzɪʃ (ə) nəl ˈfreɪz] / US [ˌprepəzɪʃən (ə) l ˈfreɪz] noun Word forms prepositional phrase: singular prepositional phrase plural prepositional phrases linguistics a phrase consisting of a preposition and the noun or pronoun that…… English dictionary
prepositional phrase- [[t] pre̱pəzɪʃən (ə) l fre͟ɪz] prepositional phrases N COUNT A prepositional phrase is a structure consisting of a preposition and its object. Examples are on the table and by the sea… English dictionary
Phrases with prepositions - Prepositional expressions
In the English language, there are a number of fixed expressions with prepositions that you need to remember:
1. Prepositions with nouns
but. Nouns with the preposition by
by mistake by mistake
by accident by accident
by chance by chance
by the way by the way
by your favor / with your permission
b. Nouns with the preposition for
for a walk / swim etc. walk, swim, etc.
for breakfast / lunch, etc. for breakfast / lunch, etc.
in. Nouns with the preposition in
in somebody "s opinion
in fact in fact, in fact, in fact
in case in case
d. Nouns with the preposition on
on the radio / television, etc. on radio / television
on holiday / business / a trip / an cruise etc. on vacation / on a business trip / on a trip / on an excursion / on a cruise, etc.
2. Prepositions with adjectives
but. Adjectives with the preposition of
to be afraid / frightened of being afraid / frightened by something or someone; to be afraid
to be ashamed / proud of to be ashamed / proud of something or someone
to be aware of to be aware of anything
to be fond of to love something
to be full of to be full of something (strength, energy)
to be jealous / envious of to be jealous / envious of someone or something
to be tired of being tired of
it is nice (kind / good / stupid / impolite, etc.) of someone cute, stupid, impolite, etc. from anyone's side
b. Adjectives with the preposition at
to be bad / good / hopeless etc. at not have ability (success) / have ability (success) / be hopeless, etc. in any activity
to be shocked / surprised, etc. at / by to be shocked / surprised, etc. anything
in. Adjectives with the preposition with
to be disappointed / satisfied with being disappointed / satisfied with something
d. Adjectives with the preposition about
to be angry / annoyed about being angry / annoyed with someone / something
e. Adjectives with the preposition for
to be responsible for
to be famous for being famous for something (record, deed, etc.)
to be / feel sorry for smb. feel sorry for / sympathize with someone
e. Adjectives with the preposition in
to be interested in to be interested
in general in general, in general
f. Adjectives with the preposition to
to be similar to be similar to
to be glad to meet smb. be happy to meet someone
to be married / engaged to be married / engaged
it is nice to meet you nice to meet you
3. Prepositions with verbs
but. Verbs with the preposition for
apply for apply for
care for take care of
look for to look after
punish for to punish
search for search for something, someone
wait for to wait for something, someone
go for a (walk / swim)
b. Verbs with the preposition in
believe in believe in
succeed in
in. Verbs with the preposition to
belong to belong
happen to happen to happen to
listen to listen to anything, anyone
speak to / with say something
d. Verbs with the preposition about / of
complain about complain about
dream about / of dream about
think about / of
consist of consisting of
remind of to be like, remind
e. Verbs with the preposition on
depend on depend on
insist on insist on
live on live on
rely on rely on
be on go happen
e. Verbs with at
laugh at laugh at
mock at to make fun
look at look at
shout at
f. Verbs with the preposition after
look after look after
h. Through verbs
look through view (newspaper, magazine)
and. Verbs with the preposition from
suffer from suffer from
K. Verbs with the preposition by
stand by to be around, to be ready to help
l. Verbs with the preposition off
be off to go
put something off postpone, carry
m.Verbs with the preposition around / about
wait around / about wait
n. Verbs with the preposition up
wake up wake up, wake up
get up get up, get up
- How quickly you got to us! Do you seem to live a long way from here?
- Itook a taxi
.
Correct word combination.
- I am so glad to see you! What an unexpected meeting!
- I didn't expect it myself. Simplytook the plane
and flew to you.
Incorrect word combination.
Well, we do not say, Russians, so. Got on a plane, bought a plane ticket, but not took the plane... Of course, we will understand the meaning of the expression, but the unnatural combination will “cut the ear”.
In English, the principle is the same: some words are combined, others do not.
quick food - fast food
a fast shower - a quick shower
Hence our advice: Learn not only single words, but also popular English expressions.
Even when you learn a single word, immediately look for the context in which it can and should be used (you will find it in dictionaries,). We will dedicate ourselves to how best to learn new words. And today we are talking about phrases.
List of set expressions in English with translation
Yes, we have prepared a small list of ≈ 140 expressions. The same stable phrases are duplicated in our set of words -.
And yes, just in case: stable expressions- these are combinations of 2 or more words that are often used together with each other and sound natural to a native speaker. It can be noun + adjective, noun + verb, verb + adverb, etc.
Translation of set expressions from English into Russian
1. Fixed expressions with the verb to do in English
To do someone a favor
To do the cooking
To do the housework
To do the shopping
To do the washing up
To do your best
To do your hair
2. Fixed expressions with the verb to have in English
To have a good time (To have a good time, often used as a wish)
To have a bath
To have a drink
To have a haircut
To have a holiday
To have a problem
To have a relationship / to be in relationship
To have lunch
To have sympathy
3. Fixed expressions with the verb to break
To break the law
Break a leg (Informal: Good luck! No fluff, no feather!)
To break a promise
To break a record
To break someone's heart
To break the ice (Idiom: break the ice, take the first step, mitigate the situation, start)
To break the news to someone
To break the rules
4. Fixed expressions with the verb to take
To take a break
To take a chance
To take a look
To take a rest
To take a seat
To take a taxi
To take an exam
To take notes
To take someone's place
5. Fixed expressions with the verb to make
To make a difference
To make a mess
To make a mistake
To make a noise
To make an effort
To make money
To make progress
To make room
To make trouble
6. Collocations with the verb to catch
To catch the bus
To catch a ball
To catch a cold
To catch a thief
To catch fire
To catch sight of
To catch someone's attention
To catch someone's eye
To catch the flu
7. Fixed expressions with the verb to pay
To pay respect
To pay a fine
To pay attention
To pay by credit card
To pay cash
To pay interest
To pay someone a visit
To pay the bill
To pay the price
8. Persistent expression with the verb to keep
To keep the change
To keep a promise
To keep an appointment
To keep calm
To keep in touch
To keep quiet
To keep someone's place
9. Collocations with the verb to save
Dictionary of English set expressions
Fyuh, that's a pretty impressive list, right? to learn these expressions through interactive training.
But that's not all. Let's move on to the promised dictionaries. Oxford Collocations Dictionary- a marvelous dictionary of English expressions. It is arranged like this: you open the word that you are learning at the moment, and look at the lists of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, collective words, etc.) that are combined with it.
There is another source where you can find the context of a word - these are English-English online dictionaries: Cambridge Dictionary, Oxford Dictionary, Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. You type a word into the search box and you find a bunch of examples of use next to its meaning. It is immediately clear which independent and service parts of speech are used along with it.
- Learn not only single words, but also stable phrases used by native speakers. Learn and perceive them together as a whole.
- To find them, use a special dictionary with stable expressions or see the context in which the word is used in English-English dictionaries... You need to do this with every new word that you learn!
- When you read lyrics / watch movies / listen to songs in English, also write down the combinations of words that you hear there.
- You can memorize fixed expressions in English in different ways: by topic (food, time, business, etc.) or by keyword(as in our article). If it is more convenient for your memory to memorize by themes, take our examples and divide them into such thematic groups.
- If you are writing a text or composing a story in English on a topic, then look for English-language articles on this topic. Look what expressions are used there (most often, they will be the same). If you find it, feel free to use it: this is what native speakers say about this topic.
: we have a huge amount of authentic materials in English, from where you can pick up fixed expressions, and then run them out in training. 🙂
