Modals for speculation
No one could _________ (be) more helpful than my careers adviser when I was deciding what course to choose
have been
able to be always trusted or believed
ever-reliable
showing behaviour in which you do things suddenly without any planning
impulsive decision
to use a situation to your own advantage
capitalize on
I heard you passed your exams with fl ying colours! You must _________ (feel) on top of the world
be feeling
very carefully
thoroughly
to make a sudden movement into what is not familiar
leap into the unknown
to happen or exist one after the other repeatedly
alternate
You can’t___________ (listen) very carefully at the time if you don’t remember what I said!
have listened/have been listening
a situation that you know well and in which you are relaxed and confident
comfort zone
to do something quickly and confidently, without worry or embarrassment
breeze through
a remark that suggests something sexual or something unpleasant but do not refer to it directly
innuendo
I’m sure this isn’t how you solve this equation. BE
This ___________ way to solve this equation.
can't be the
much too high
exorbitant
encourage something such as an emotion or support in order to be able to do something
muster the energy
power to influence people and get the results you want
leverage
I’m sure they didn’t inform her about the date of the resit exam. BEEN
She ______________about the date of the resit exam.
can’t have been informed
to suddenly become too frightened to do what you had planned to do, especially something important
get cold feet
a bad situation is likely to happen soon
teeter on the edge
extremely eager or interested
Avid