A
Could you watch my suitcases while I go and buy my ticket?
EYE
Would you mind __________ my suitcases while I go and buy my ticket?
KEEPING AN EYE ON
It’s hard to be sure, but I think unemployment rates are beginning to fall.
TELL
As __________, unemployment rates are beginning to fall.
FAR AS I CAN TELL
It would be wonderful to sit down and relax for a few minutes.
UP
I wish that I __________ for a few minutes
We didn´t get to the party until all the food had been eaten.
TIME
There was no food ____________to the party.
By the time we got
As far as I am concerned, this is the best school to study at.
RATHER
There __________ study at than this one
IS NO SCHOOL I WOULD RATHER
You need to make up your mind about the topic for your dissertation soon.
COME
You must __________ about the topic for your dissertation soon.
COME TO A DECISION
Given that Chris hasn’t contacted us, I think he probably caught his flight.
TOUCH
If Chris had missed his flight he would _________with us.
have been/got in touch
My boss said I should do some work on my English so I could take part in the meetings.
BRUSH
My boss encouraged __________ so I could take part in meetings.
ME TO BRUSH UP MY ENGLISH
Ari said she was pleased I had let her know what was going on.
PICTURE
Ari thanked me __________ about what was going on.
FOR PUTTING HER IN THE PICTURE
They all assume that James will be willing to work late.
GRANTED
Everyone __________ that James will be willing to work late.
TAKES IT FOR GRANTED
The tycoon had made it clear how he wished his donation to be allocated, and that was how it was done.
ACCORDANCE
The tycoon’s donation was allocated __________ wishes.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS
I’m sure Maru wasn’t pleased when her ex arrived, because she’s never liked him since then.
CAN’T
Maru has never liked her ex, so she __________ see him arrive.
CAN’T HAVE BEEN PLEASED TO
I eventually realized that the woman waving at me was an old friend.
TURNED
I couldn’t at first see who was waving at me, but she __________ an old friend.
TURNED OUT TO BE
Our view of the world has certainly been affected by new technology.
IMPACT
New technology certainly ______________we view the world.
HAD/ made an impact on how
Silvia very rarely follows other people’s advice.
EVER
Silvia __________ other people advise her to do.
HARDLY EVER DOES WHAT
It´s pointless to go to the station by taxi in such heavy rain
POINT
The traffic is so heavy that _______________a taxi to the station.
There´s no point getting/taking
It can take time to get used to a major change in your life.
TERMS
It can take time to __________ a major change in your life.
COME TO TERMS WITH
The accident was caused by ice on the road.
BLAME
The ice on the road ______________the accident.
Is to blame for
It was difficult to work out what had happened, because of the conflicting witness statements.
PIECE
The conflicting witness statements __________ what had happened.
MADE IT DIFFICULT/HARD TO PIECE TOGETHER
We’ll have to cancel the meeting if we can’t find a suitable venue.
CALL
We’ll have to __________ we find a suitable venue.
CALL OFF THE MEETING UNLESS
Lupita never misses a party if she can help it.
UP
Lupita __________ opportunity.
TURNS/SHOWS UP AT PARTIES AT EVERY
Many people wrongly believe that all Mexicans ride donkeys.
POPULAR
Contrary __________ all Mexicans ride donkeys.
TO POPULAR BELIEF, NOT
Scarlett’s nomination for an award for bravery came as a surprise to her.
ABACK
Scarlett __________ being nominated for an award for bravery.
WAS TAKEN ABACK AT/BY
they tested the car on the race track when they had solved the problem.
TRIED
With _____________ the car on the race track.
the problem solved, they tried
It does not matter how badly he behaved, you shouldn’t have been so rude to him, Marcel.
HOWEVER
You shouldn’t have been so rude to him, _________ was, Marcel.
HOWEVER BAD HIS BEHAVIOUR
HOWEVER BADLY-BEHAVED HE