10 words
- to be honestphrase/too bee ON-ist/
used when giving your true, frank opinion
It's an unpopular opinion, but to be honest, I find football rather boring.
Collocation: well, to be honest · Similar: frankly, honestly
- it dependsphrase/it di-PENDZ/
the answer changes with the situation
Do I prefer cities? Well, it depends on the time of year.
Collocation: it depends on · Similar: that depends, it varies
- having said thatphrase/HAV-ing SED that/
used after a point when adding a contrasting one
Smartphones can be distracting; having said that, they're also brilliant learning tools.
Collocation: having said that, I think · Similar: that said, even so
- by and largephrase/by and LARJ/
generally, when you consider everything together
by and large, people in my town are friendly, with a few exceptions.
Collocation: by and large, it works · Similar: on the whole, generally
- fair enoughphrase/fair i-NUF/
used for accepting that a point is reasonable
He can't come because he's working, which is fair enough, really.
Collocation: that's fair enough · Similar: that's reasonable, OK
- in a wayphrase/in a WAY/
partly true, when seen from one angle
I agree with you in a way, but not completely.
Collocation: in a way, yes · Similar: to some extent, in a sense
- the thing isphrase/the THING iz/
introduces a key problem or reason
Why didn't I go? Well, the thing is, I'd already spent all my money.
Collocation: the thing is that · Similar: the problem is, the point is
- let me seephrase/let mee SEE/
said while pausing for a moment's thought
My favourite book? Hmm, let me see, probably something by Orwell.
Collocation: let me see now · Similar: let me think, hmm
- not necessarilyphrase/not nes-uh-SER-uh-lee/
possibly, but this isn't always true
Expensive products are not necessarily better, in my experience.
Collocation: not necessarily true · Similar: not always, not automatically
- if anythingphrase/if EN-ee-thing/
suggests the opposite may actually be true
Prices haven't fallen; if anything, they've gone up slightly.
Collocation: if anything, it's worse · Similar: actually, rather
Grammar check
Choose the right option, then open the answer.
1. I'd rather you ___ smoke in here.
don't · didn't · won't · not
Show answer
didn't: After 'I'd rather' + another person, use the past simple to talk about the present or future.
2. If I ___ studied harder at school, I'd have a better job now.
had · have · would have · did
Show answer
had: Mixed conditional: a past condition ('had studied') with a present result ('I'd have').
3. It's high time we ___ more seriously about climate change.
think · will think · are thinking · thought
Show answer
thought: After 'It's high time', use the past simple to say something should already be happening.
4. I wish I ___ speak another language fluently.
can · will · am able · could
Show answer
could: For present wishes, move the verb back: 'can' becomes 'could' after 'I wish'.
5. ___ I really enjoy is cooking for friends.
That · Which · What · It
Show answer
What: A 'What' cleft sentence focuses on the thing you enjoy: 'What I enjoy is...'.
Use the words: speaking questions
- Do you think people today have fewer close friends than in the past?
- Why do some people find it hard to switch off from work?
- How has the way families spend time together changed in your country?
Answer them out loud with Dodo in the app for a band and better versions of your answers.