Idioms
To clear up a problem
To solve it
Is it cold? > What did you ask?
You asked whether it was cold.
A tsunami hit the island.
The island was hit by a tsunami.
What must he do if he doesn't want to get a speeding ticket? (carefully)
He must drive carefully if he doesn't want to get a speeding ticket.
I'm broke.
I wish I were rich.
I wish I weren't broke.
To get out of hand
To get out of control
Can you close the door? > What did she ask me?
She asked whether I could close the door.
The Chinese restaurant serves Chinese food.
Chinese food is served at the Chinese restaurant.
What would you have been able to do if you had studied harder? (better grades)
I would have been able to get better grades if I had studied harder.
I don't have time.
I wish I had time.
To drop in on
To visit
John is telling jokes. > What did you say?
You said John was telling jokes.
I'll pay the bills on schedule.
The bills will be paid on schedule.
What could you have bought if you had saved more money last year? (a new car)
If I had saved more money last year I could have bought a new car.
She smokes too much.
I wish she wouldn't smoke so much.
I wish she didn't some so much.
To cut down on
To reduce
They've stopped calling. > What did you tell me?
You told me they had stopped calling.
Bill could've sold the house.
The house could've been sold.
Whom would you have been able to hang out with if you had gone to the party? (friends)
I would've been able to hang out with my friends if I had gone to the party.
We didn't see each other last month.
I wish we had seen each other last month.
To cut out
To stop
He shouldn't daydream. > What did she tell him?
She told him not to daydream. = She told him he shouldn't daydream.
The singer had recorded the song before the concert was cancelled.
The song had been recorded...
What should she have done if she didn't want to miss the plane? (wake up early)
She should have woken up earlier if she didn't want to miss the plane.
I didn't watch many movies last year.
I wish I had watched more movies.