Idioms

about to (do something)

- to be on the point of doing something

I was about to leave when the phone rang.

according to (someone or something)

- as said or told by someone, in agreement with something, in the order of something, in

proportion to something

According to our teacher, there will be no class next week.

We did everything according to the terms of our agreement.

account for (something)

- to provide an explanation or answer for something

The bad weather accounts for the fact that few people came to the meeting.

after all

- considering the fact that something happened, something that is usually assumed

"You don't need to phone him. After all, he never phones you."

all of a sudden

- suddenly, without advance warning

All of a sudden it became cloudy and began to rain.

as a matter of fact

- actually

"As a matter of fact, we have been to the history museum many times."

as far as

- to the extent or degree of something

As far as I know the movie will start in a few minutes.

as for

- with regard to, concerning

"As for me, I think that I will return home now."

as if

- in the same way that something would be, that

The drink tastes as if it were made with orange juice.

It seemed as if the whole town came to the concert.

as long as

- provided that, on condition that

"As long as you promise to be careful you can borrow my car."

as soon as

- just after something, when

I phoned my friend as soon as I finished dinner.

as to

- with regard to, according to

"As to your question, I will answer it tomorrow."

The players were put into groups as to their ability.

as well

- in addition, also, too

I plan to take a computer course this summer as well.

as well as (someone or something)

- in addition to someone or something

"Please bring your swimming suit as well as your towel."

back and forth

- backwards and forwards, first one way and then the other way

The argument went back and forth before the judge made a decision.

better off

- to be in a better situation than before

My friend would be better off if he sold his old car and bought a new one.

break down (something)

- to divide something into parts, to separate something into simpler substances

We tried to break down the problem for further study.

The sugar began to break down soon after it was swallowed.

break up

- to separate, to divide into groups or pieces, to put an end to something

Nobody wanted to break up their groups.

We usually break up into small groups during our class.

by the way

- incidentally

"By the way, could you please bring your laptop computer tomorrow."

carry out (something)

- to put something into action, to accomplish something, to do something

The scientist wanted to carry out several experiments before discussing the new medicine.

come on!

- please, hurry, go faster

"Come on, I only have a few minutes before I must go."

"Come on, stop doing that."

come up

- to happen unexpectedly

I will not be able to go to the party if something else comes up.

come up with (something)

- to produce or find a thought/idea/answer

I tried to come up with a name for the new magazine.

deal with (something)

- to be concerned with something, to take action about something

We will deal with the boxes tomorrow.

end up (doing something or going somewhere)

- to do something that one had not planned to do, to go somewhere one had not planned to go

We ended up going to a restaurant after the movie last night.

figure out (someone or something)

- to try to understand someone or something, to solve something

I finally figured out how to use the new DVD player.

fill in (something)

- to write words in blank spaces

"Please fill in this form and give it to the receptionist."

find out (something)

- to learn or discover something

My mother is angry at me because she found out that I had quit my French class.

first of all

- the very first thing

First of all we prepared the garden and then we planted the seeds.

for good

- permanently

The city will close the public swimming pool for good next week.

for sure

- without doubt, certainly, surely

"I will go to the movie with you for sure next week."

get back to (something)

- to return to something

I was happy to get back to my work after my holiday.

get into (something)

- to become interested or involved in something

I do not want to get into an argument with my friend.

We will get into the details of the plan tomorrow.

get into (somewhere)

- to enter somewhere

My friend wants to get into a good university.

I bumped my head as I was getting into the car.

get out of (somewhere)

- to leave somewhere, to escape from somewhere

I want to hurry and get out of my house.

get rid of (something)

- to give or throw something away, to sell or destroy something, to make a cold or fever

disappear

I bought a new television set so I want to get rid of the old one.

get through (something)

- to complete something, to finish something

My friend is having trouble getting through her final exams.

I have much reading that I must get through before tomorrow.

go ahead

- to begin to do something

"Let`s go ahead and start now. We can`t wait any longer."

go on

- to continue

The game will probably go on for an hour after we leave.

go over (something)

- to examine or review something

The accountant will go over the books tomorrow.

We plan to go over that question tomorrow.

go through (something)

- to discuss something, to look at something, to do something

The teacher decided to go through the exercise before the test.

go with (something)

- to choose one thing rather than another

We decided to go with the small rental car rather than the large one.

hang out (somewhere/with someone)

- to spend one`s time with no great purpose, to spend leisure time with friends

Recently my friend has been hanging out with a group of people who are not a good influence on

him.

have (something) to do with (something)

- to be about something, to be on the subject of something, to be related to something

"The book has something to do with cooking but I am not sure if you will like it."

That problem has nothing to do with me.

hold on

- to wait a minute, to stop, to wait and not hang up the phone

"Please hold on for a minute while I lock the window."

in a way

- to a certain extent, a little, somewhat

In a way I want to go to the new restaurant but in a way I don`t really care.

in case

- if, if something should happen

I will take my umbrella in case it rains.

in common

- shared together or equally, in use or ownership by all

I had nothing in common with the other members of the class.

in detail

- giving all the details, item by item

The saleswoman explained about the new product in detail.

in effect

- for practical purposes, basically

The man's silence was in effect a way of disagreeing with the other people in the meeting.

in fact

- actually, the truth is

The man has been to China before. In fact he has been there three times.

in favor of (someone or something)

- to approve or support someone or something

Everybody is in favor of the new police chief.

My company is not in favor of changing our holiday schedule.

in general

- in most situations or circumstances

In general, most of the people in our apartment are happy with the new manager.

in order to

- for the purpose of

They have decided to close down the school for the summer in order to do some major repairs.

in other words

- in a different (usually more direct) way

"In other words, if you do not finish the assignment by Wednesday you will not pass the course."

in place

- in the proper place or location

Everything in the room was in place when we arrived for the meeting.

in some ways

- in some unspecified way or manner, by some unspecified means

In some ways I know what my friend means but in some ways I do not.

in terms of (something)

- with regard to something

In terms of our agreement with the other company we were not allowed to sell the products

online.

in time

- early enough

I did not come home in time to meet my cousin.

keep (someone or something) in mind

- to remember and think about someone or something

I told my co-workers to keep the new starting time for work in mind.

kind of

- somewhat, more or less, moderately

I was kind of tired when I arrived home last night.

look for (something)

- to try to find something, to hunt/search for something

My friend has been looking for her credit card all morning but she can`t find it.

look up (something)

- to search for something in a dictionary or other book

I will look up my friend's name in the telephone book.

I looked up the word in the dictionary.

make a difference

- to cause a change in a situation

It does not make a difference whether our boss comes to the meeting or not.

make sense

- to seem reasonable

His new proposal really does make sense.

make sure

- to make certain, to establish something without a doubt

I want to make sure that my friend is going to meet me tomorrow.

more or less

- somewhat, to some extent

I more or less have decided to study business next year.

no matter

- regardless

No matter how hard that I try, my piano teacher is never satisfied.

not at all

- certainly not

I am not at all happy with my new computer.

of course

- certainly, definitely, naturally

"Of course you can use my car if you want to."

on the other hand

- however, in contrast, looking at the opposite side of a matter

He is very intelligent but on the other hand he is very lazy and always gets low marks at school.

on time

- at the scheduled time, exactly at the correct time, punctually

Our train arrived exactly on time.

once again

- again, one more time, once more

I tried once again to phone my boss at his home .

open to (something)

- to be agreeable to learn or hear about new ideas or suggestions

Most members of the class were open to the teacher's ideas.

pick up (something)

- to get or receive something

I will pick up my dry cleaning tomorrow.

I picked up a copy of the newspaper at the station.

point out (someone or something)

- to explain or call attention to someone or something

My teacher was very kind when she pointed out the mistakes that I had made.

put out (something)

- to produce or make something (a product/brochure/report/CD/movie/paper)

The company puts out a newsletter every month for the employees.

regardless of (something)

- without considering or thinking about something, without regard to something

Regardless of the weather we are going to go fishing tomorrow morning.

right away

- immediately

"I forgot to bring my book but I will go home and get it right away."

rule out (someone or something)

- to decide against or eliminate someone or something

The police ruled out the man as a possible bank robber.

We decided to rule out Monday as the day to have our meeting.

run into (something - a fact/trouble/problems/difficulty)

- to experience something, to encounter something

The mechanic ran into trouble when he was fixing my car.

I ran into some interesting facts when I was researching my essay.

set up (something)

- to establish something, to provide the money for something

The newspaper company provided the money to set up the new travel magazine.

The company set up a unique situation to test the new product.

show up

- to appear, to arrive, to be present

"What time did your friend show up for the party?"

so far

- until now

So far no one has entered the speech contest at the television station.

so to speak

- as one might or could say, this is one way to say something

We had a good time at the restaurant, so to speak, although the service was not very good.

sort of (something)

- to be almost something, to be similar to something, to be not quite something

"Did you finish cleaning the kitchen?"

"Sort of, but not really."

stick with (something)

- to continue doing something, to not quit something

My brother has been able to stick with his trumpet lessons since he was a child.

take advantage of (someone or something)

- to use someone or something for one's own benefit

We took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the beach.

take care of (someone or something)

- to look after or give attention to someone or something

You should take care of your health or you will become sick.

take out (something)

- to remove something from somewhere, to extract something

The teacher told us to take out our books.

I took out some onions from the refridgerator.

take over (something)

- to take control of something, to take command of something

The large company wants to take over some of the small companies in our area.

take place

- to happen, to occur

The soccer game took place on the coldest day of the year.

to the extent that

- to the degree that, in so far as

I plan to provide information about the new company policy to the extent that I am familiar with

it.

turn in (something)

- to give something to someone, to hand something to someone

I arrived at school early so that I could turn in my essay.

turn out

- to be found or known, to prove to be true

It turned out that more people came to the party than we expected.

up to

- until, as far as a certain point, approaching a certain point

Up to last week I had never been inside a bowling alley.

There were probably up to thirty people at the meeting.

up to (someone) to decide/do (something)

- to be responsible to choose or decide something

It is up to the company president to decide when the meeting will start.

used to

- accustomed to

My friend is not used to living in such a big city.

with respect to (something)

- referring to something, concerning something

I do not know what the company will do with respect to the old computer system.

work out (for the best)

- to end successfully

Idioms, can you guess their meanings? (Answers below)

1. A penny for your thoughts

2. Add insult to injury

3. A hot potato

4. Once in a blue moon

5. Caught between two stools

6. See eye to eye

7. Hear it on the grapevine

8. Miss the boat

9. Kill two birds with one stone

10. On the ball

11. Cut corners

12. To hear something straight from the horse's mouth

13. Costs an arm and a leg

14. The last straw

15. Take what someone says with a pinch of salt

16. Sit on the fence

17. The best of both worlds

18. Put wool over other people's eyes

19. Feeling a bit under the weather

20. Speak of the devil!

Meanings

1. This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about.

2. When people add insult to injury, they make a bad situation even worse.

3. This idiom is used to speak of an issue (especially in current affairs) which many people

are talking about.

4. This is used when something happens very rarely.

5. When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

6. This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.

7. This means ‘to hear a rumour' about something or someone.

8. This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance at something.

9. This means ‘to do two things at the same time'.

10. When someone understands the situation well.

11. When something is done badly to save money. For example, when someone buys

products that are cheap but not of good quality.

12. To hear something from the authoritative source.

13. When something is very expensive.

14. The final problem in a series of problems.

15. This means not to take what someone says too seriously. There is a big possibility that

what he/she says is only partly true.

16. This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.

17. All the advantages.

18. This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.

19. Feeling slightly ill.

20. This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives

Proverbs Next>>

TOEFL Vocabulary

English Conversation

English Grammar

Between the

devil and the

deep sea

To choose between two equally

bad alternatives in a serious

dilemma.

Where there's a

will there's a way

When a person really wants to

do something, he will find a

way of doing it.

A burnt child

dreads fire

A bad experience or a

horrifying incident may scar

one's attitude or thinking for a

lifetime.

First come, first

served

The first in line will be attended

to first.

A friend in need

is a friend indeed

A friend who helps when one is

in trouble is a real friend.

Discretion is the

better part of

valor

If you say discretion is the

better part of valor, you mean

that avoiding a dangerous or

unpleasant situation is

sometimes the most sensible

thing to do.

A hungry man is

an angry man

A person who does not get what

he wants or needs is a frustrated

person and will be easily

provoked to rage.

Empty vessels

make the most

noise

Those people who have a little

knowledge usually talk the

most and make the greatest

fuss.

A man is as old

as he feels

A person's age is immaterial - it

is only when he thinks and feels

that he is ageing that he actually

becomes old.

Great talkers are Those people who talk a lot and

little doers are always teaching others

usually do not do much work.

An idle brain is

the devil's

workshop

One who has nothing to do will

be tempted to do many

mischievous acts.

An ounce of

discretion is

worth a pound of

wit

It is better to be careful and

discrete than to be clever.

Faint heart never

won fair lady

To succeed in life one must

have the courage to pursue what

he wants.

A penny saved is

a penny gained

By being thrifty one will be

able to save up.

A rolling stone

gathers no moss

A person who never settles in

one place or who often changes

his job will not succeed in life ;

one who is always changing his

mind will never get anything

done.

As you sow, so

you shall reap

One will either enjoy or suffer

the consequences of his earlier

actions or inactions.

Barking dogs

seldom bite

Those who make loud threats

seldom carry them out.

Better late than

never

To do something that is right,

profitable, or good a little late is

still better than not doing it at

all.

A bird in hand is

worth two in the

bush

Something that one already has

is better than going after

something seemingly more

worthwhile that one may not be

able to get.

Birds of a feather

flock together

People of the same sort of

character or belief always go

together.

Call a spade a

spade

If you say that someone calls a

spade a spade, you mean that

they speak frankly and directly,

often about embarrassing or

unpleasant subjects; an informal

expression.

Charity begins at

home

A person's first obligation

should be to help the member of

his own family before he can

begin thinking of talking about

helping others.

Dead men tell no

lies

( often used as an argument for

killing someone whose

knowledge of a secret may

cause one loss or get into

serious trouble.)

A great talker is

a great liar

A smooth and persuasive talker

may be a good liar.

Every cloud has

a silver lining

If you say that every cloud has

a silver lining, you mean that

every sad or unpleasant

situation has a positive side to

it. If you talk about silver lining

you are talking about something

positive that comes out of a sad

or unpleasant situation.

All that glitters is

not gold

Do not be deceived by things or

offers that appear to be

attractive.

Eat to live, but

do not live to eat

Man was created for a divine

purpose and he has a destiny

with his Creator - he was not

born just to enjoy food.

Don't put all

your eggs in one

basket

One should not risk everything

he has in a single venture.

Every dog has its

day

Everyone will get a period of

success or satisfaction during

his lifetime.

Every one can

find fault, few

can do better

It is easier to find fault in other

people's actions or methods

than to do it properly or

correctly.

Any time means

no time

When an event is not decided

on or planned earlier it will

never take place.

Fair exchange is

no robbery

A contract is fair as long as

both the parties understand and

agree to the conditions

willingly; after a deal is closed

neither side can turn around and

say that he was unfairly treated.

Fire is a good

servant but a bad

master

Fire, like any other manmade

tool or device, will serve man

well only when it is controlled

and used wisely

Proverbs

Proverb Meanings

"The best things in life are free."

We don't have to pay for the things that are really valuable, like love, friendship and good health.

"A stitch in time saves nine."

Repair something as soon as it is damaged. That's a small repair job. If not, you will have a much

bigger and more expensive repair job later. Do it now and you'll need one stitch. Do it later and

you'll need 9 stitches! (Why nine and not eight or ten? Because "nine" rhymes, approximately,

with "time".)

stitch (noun) = a link made with thread in sewing

in time = not late

"Still waters run deep."

Some rivers have rough surfaces with waves. That's usually because the water is shallow and

there are rocks near the surface. But deep rivers have no rocks near the surface and the water is

smooth and still. "Still waters run deep" means that people who are calm and tranquil on the

outside, often have a strong, "deep" personality.

still (adjective) = calm, motionless

deep (adjective) = going far down

"He teaches ill, who teaches all."

The unusual structure of this proverb may make it difficult to understand. It becomes easier if we

change the structure to "He who teaches all teaches ill." The word "ill" here means "badly". So it

means that the teacher who teaches students everything, does not teach well. A good teacher lets

students discover some things for themselves.

ill (adverb) = badly

"You can't take it with you when you die."

When we die we leave everything on earth. We don't take anything with us. Even the richest

people cannot take their money with them after death. This proverb reminds us that some

material things are not really so valuable as we think.

"Better untaught than ill taught."

This proverb drops the verb "to be". But we understand: "It is better not to be taught at all than to

be taught badly." It's better not to learn something than to learn it badly. This idea is echoed in

Pope's famous line: "A little learning is a dang'rous thing;".

taught = past participle of verb "teach" (here used in passive voice)

ill taught = badly taught

"Don't cross your bridges before you come to them."

Don't worry about problems before they arrive.

"Soon learnt, soon forgotten."

Something that is easy to learn is easy to forget.

"Even a worm will turn."

Everybody will revolt if driven too far. Even the lowest of people, or animals, will revolt and hit

back at some stage. Even a worm, the simplest of animals, will defend itself.

worm (noun) = small thin animal with soft body and no bones or legs

turn (verb) = revolt, fight back

"It was the last straw that broke the camel's back."

There is a limit to everything. We can load the camel with lots of straw, but finally it will be too

much and the camel's back will break. And it is only a single straw that breaks its back - the last

straw. This can be applied to many things in life. People often say "That's the last straw!" when

they will not accept any more of something.

straw (noun) = dried stalk of grain (like dry piece of grass)

camel (noun) = large long-necked animal used for riding and carrying goods in

the desert

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Many women have won a man's love by cooking delicious meals for him. They fed his stomach

and found love in his heart.

way (noun) = path; route

"If the stone fall upon the egg, alas for the egg! If the egg fall upon the stone, alas for

the egg!"

Life just isn't fair, and this realistic Arabic proverb recognizes that. The stone will always break

the egg. Life's like that!

alas = bad luck; pity; tough; regrettable

"Where there's a will there's a way."

If we have the determination to do something, we can always find the path or method to do it.

will (noun) = strong determination, desire.

way (noun) = path, method

"Marry in haste, and repent at leisure."

If we get married quickly, without thinking carefully, we may be sorry later. And we will have

plenty of time to be sorry.

in haste = quickly

repent (verb) = feel sorry, regret

at leisure = slowly, over time

"One tongue is enough for a woman."

Some people think that women talk too much. If they already talk too much, they don't need

another tongue. One tongue is sufficient. This proverb is another way of saying that women talk

too much.

tongue (noun) = large, movable fleshy part in the mouth that we use for talking

and tasting

"If you wish good advice, consult an old man."

Old people have a lot of experience. If you want to have good advice or recommendations, ask

an old person, not a young one.

wish (verb) = want, desire

advice (noun) = recommendation as to what to do

consult (verb) = ask; go to for advice or information

"The best advice is found on the pillow."

If we have a problem, we may find the answer after a good night's sleep. People also often say:

"I'll sleep on it."

advice (noun) = recommendation as to what to do

pillow (noun) = cushion that you rest your head on while you sleep

"All clouds bring not rain."

We can rephrase this: "Not every cloud brings rain." And that's true. Sometimes there are many

clouds in the sky, but it doesn't rain. Sometimes it's the same with problems, or what we think are

problems.

"You can't tell a book by its cover."

We need to read a book to know if it's good or bad. We cannot know what it's like just by

looking at the front or back cover. This proverb is applied to everything, not only books.

"Bad news travels fast."

"Bad news" means news about "bad" things like accidents, death, illness etc. People tend to tell

this type of news quickly. But "good news" (passing an exam, winning some money, getting a

job etc) travels more slowly.

"No news is good news."

This is like the proverb "Bad news travels fast." If we are waiting for news about someone, it's

probably good if we hear nothing because "bad news" would arrive quickly.

"Live and let live."

This proverb suggests that we should not interfere in other people's business. We should live our

own lives and let others live their lives. The title of the famous James Bond story Live and Let

Die was a play on this proverb.

"Birds of a feather flock together."

"Birds of a feather" means "birds of the same type". The whole proverb means that people of the

same type or sort stay together. They don't mix with people of another type.

feather (noun) = part of the soft, light covering of a bird's body

flock (verb) = gather in a crowd

"Tell me who you go with and I'll tell you who you are."

Similar to "Birds of a feather...", this proverb suggests that like minds stick togeth

1000 English Proverbs and Sayings

1. A bad beginning makes a bad ending.

2. A bad corn promise is better than a good lawsuit.

3. A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

4. A bargain is a bargain.

5. A beggar can never be bankrupt.

6. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

7. A bird may be known by its song.

8. A black hen lays a white egg.

9. A blind leader of the blind.

10. A blind man would be glad to see.

11. A broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound.

12. A burden of one's own choice is not felt.

13. A burnt child dreads the fire.

14. A cat in gloves catches no mice.

15. A city that parleys is half gotten.

16. A civil denial is better than a rude grant.

17. A clean fast is better than a dirty breakfast.

18. A clean hand wants no washing.

19. A clear conscience laughs at false accusations.

20. A close mouth catches no flies.

21. A cock is valiant on his own dunghill.

22. A cracked bell can never sound well.

23. A creaking door hangs long on its hinges.

24. A curst cow has short horns.

25. A danger foreseen is half avoided.

26. A drop in the bucket.

27. A drowning man will catch at a straw.

28. A fair face may hide a foul heart.

29. A fault confessed is half redressed.

30. A fly in the ointment.

31. A fool always rushes to the fore.

32. A fool and his money are soon parted.

33. A fool at forty is a fool indeed.

34. A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.

35. A fool may throw a stone into a well which a hundred wise men cannot pull out.

36. A fool's tongue runs before his wit.

37. A forced kindness deserves no thanks.

38. A foul morn may turn to a fair day.

39. A fox is not taken twice in the same snare.

40. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

43. A friend is never known till needed.

42. A friend to all is a friend to none.

43. A friend's frown is better than a foe's smile.

44. A good anvil does not fear the hammer.

45. A good beginning is half the battle.

46. A good beginning makes a good ending.

47. A good deed is never lost.

48. A good dog deserves a good bone.

49. A good example is the best sermon.

50. A good face is a letter of recommendation.

51. A good Jack makes a good Jill.

52. A good marksman may miss.

53. A good name is better than riches.

54. A good name is sooner lost than won.

55. A good name keeps its lustre in the dark.

56. A good wife makes a good husband.

57. A great dowry is a bed full of brambles.

58. A great fortune is a great slavery.

59. A great ship asks deep waters.

60. A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

61. A hard nut to crack.

62. A heavy purse makes a light heart.

63. A hedge between keeps friendship green.

64. A honey tongue, a heart of gall.

65. A hungry belly has no ears.

66. A hungry man is an angry man.

67. A Jack of all trades is master of none.

68. A Joke never gains an enemy but often loses a friend.

69. A lawyer never goes to law himself.

70. A lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy.

71. A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth.

72. A lie begets a lie.

73. A light purse is a heavy curse.

74. A light purse makes a heavy heart.

75. A little body often harbours a great soul.

76. A little fire is quickly trodden out.

77. A man can die but once.

78. A man can do no more than he can.

79. A man is known by the company he keeps.

80. A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

81. A miserly father makes a prodigal son.

82. A miss is as good as a mile.

83. A new broom sweeps clean.

84. A nod from a lord is a breakfast for a fool.

85. A penny saved is a penny gained.

86. A penny soul never came to twopence.

87. A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.

88. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

89. A round peg in a square hole.

90. A shy cat makes a proud mouse.

91. A silent fool is counted wise.

92. A small leak will sink a great ship.

93. A soft answer turns away wrath.

94. A sound mind in a sound body.

95. A stitch in time saves nine.

96. A storm in a teacup.

97. A tattler is worse than a thief.

98. A thief knows a thief as a wolf knows a wolf.

99. A thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich.

100. A threatened blow is seldom given.

101. A tree is known by its fruit.

102. A wager is a fool's argument.

103. A watched pot never boils.

104. A wise man changes his mind, a fool never will.

105. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

106. A wonder lasts but nine days.

107. A word is enough to the wise.

108. A word spoken is past recalling.

109. Actions speak louder than words.

110. Adversity is a great schoolmaster.

Printer Fabulous!

The Clause

Recognize a clause when you see one.

Clauses come in four types: main [or independent], subordinate [or dependent], adjective [or

relative], and noun. Every clause has at least a subject and a verb. Other characteristics will help

you distinguish one type of clause from another.

Main Clauses

Every main clause will follow this pattern:

subject + verb = complete thought.

Here are some examples:

Lazy students whine.

Students = subject; whine = verb.

Cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.

Cola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs.

My dog loves pizza crusts.

Dog = subject; loves = verb.

The important point to remember is that every sentence must have at least one main clause.

Otherwise, you have a fragment, a major error.

Subordinate Clauses

A subordinate clause will follow this pattern:

subordinate conjunction + subject + verb = incomplete thought.

Here are some examples:

Whenever lazy students whine

Whenever = subordinate conjunction; students = subject; whine = verb.

As cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter

As = subordinate conjunction; cola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs.

Because my dog loves pizza crusts

Because = subordinate conjunction; dog = subject; loves = verb.

The important point to remember about subordinate clauses is that they can never stand alone as

complete sentences. To complete the thought, you must attach each subordinate clause to a main

clause. Generally, the punctuation looks like this:

main clause + Ø + subordinate clause.

subordinate clause + , + main clause.

Check out these revisions to the subordinate clauses above:

Whenever lazy students whine, Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

Anthony ran for the paper towels as cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.

Because my dog loves pizza crusts, he never barks at the deliveryman.

Relative Clauses

A relative clause will begin with a relative pronoun [such as who, whom, whose, which, or that]

or a relative adverb [when, where, or why]. The patterns look like these:

relative pronoun or adverb + subject + verb = incomplete thought.

relative pronoun as subject + verb = incomplete thought.

Here are some examples:

Whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser

Whom = relative pronoun; Mrs. Russell = subject; hit = verb.

Where he chews and drools with great enthusiasm

Where = relative adverb; he = subject; chews, drools = verbs.

That had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter

That = relative pronoun; had spilled, splashed = verbs.

Who loves pizza crusts

Who = relative pronoun; loves = verb.

Like subordinate clauses, relative clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences. You must

connect them to main clauses to finish the thought. Look at these revisions of the relative clauses

above:

The lazy students whom Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser soon learned to keep

their complaints to themselves.

My dog Floyd, who loves pizza crusts, eats them under the kitchen table, where he chews and

drools with great enthusiasm.

Anthony ran to get paper towels for the cola that had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the

counter.

Punctuating relative clauses can be tricky. You have to decide if the relative clause is essential or

nonessential and then use commas accordingly.

Essential relative clauses do not require commas. A relative clause is essential when you need

the information it provides. Look at this example:

A dog that eats too much pizza will soon develop pepperoni breath.

Dog is nonspecific. To know which dog we are talking about, we must have the information in

the relative clause. Thus, the relative clause is essential and requires no commas.

If, however, we revise dog and choose more specific words instead, the relative clause becomes

nonessential and does require commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence. Read this

revision:

My dog Floyd, who eats too much pizza, has developed pepperoni breath.

Noun Clauses

Any clause that functions as a noun becomes a noun clause. Look at this example:

You really do not want to know the ingredients in Aunt Nancy's stew.

Ingredients = noun.

If we replace the noun ingredients with a clause, we have a noun clause:

You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew.

What Aunt Nancy adds to her stew = noun clause.

-------------------------

Types of Clauses

Like a phrase, a clause is a group of related words; but unlike a phrase, a clause has a subject and

verb. An independent clause, along with having a subject and verb, expresses a complete

thought and can stand alone as a coherent sentence. In contrast, a subordinate or dependent

clause does not express a complete thought and therefore is not a sentence. A subordinate clause

standing alone is a common error known as a sentence fragment.

Independent clauses

He saw her. The Washingtons hurried home. Free speech has a price. Grammatically complete

statements like these are sentences and can stand alone. When they are part of longer sentences,

they are referred to as independent (or main) clauses.

Two or more independent clauses can be joined by using coordinating conjunctions ( and, but,

for, nor, or, so, and yet) or by using semicolons. The most important thing to remember is that an

independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

In the following example, the independent clause is a simple sentence.

Erica brushed her long, black hair.

Next, the coordinating conjunction and joins two independent clauses.

Fernando left, and Erica brushed her long, black hair.

Next, a semicolon joins two independent clauses.

Fernando left; Erica brushed her long, black hair.

All sentences must include at least one independent clause.

After she told Fernando to leave, Erica brushed her long, black hair.

In the previous sentence, the independent clause is preceded by a clause that can't stand alone:

After she told Fernando to leave.

Erica brushed her long, black hair while she waited for Fernando to leave.

Here, the independent clause is followed by a clause that can't stand alone: while she waited for

Fernando to leave.

Beginning sentences with coordinating conjunctions

Any of the coordinating conjunctions ( and, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet) can be used to join an

independent clause to another independent clause. Can you begin a sentence with one of these

conjunctions?

No one knew what to do. But everyone agreed that something should be done.

An old rule says that you shouldn't. But beginning a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is

acceptable today. (Notice the preceding sentence, for example.) Sometimes beginning a sentence

this way creates exactly the effect you want. It separates the clause and yet draws attention to its

relationship with the previous clause.

Subordinate clauses

A subordinate clause has a subject and verb but, unlike an independent clause, cannot stand by

itself. It depends on something else in the sentence to express a complete thought, which is why

it's also called a dependent clause. Some subordinate clauses are introduced by relative

pronouns ( who, whom, that, which, what, whose) and some by subordinating conjunctions (

although, because, if, unless, when, etc.). Subordinate clauses function in sentences as adjectives,

nouns, and adverbs.

Relative clauses

A relative clause begins with a relative pronoun and functions as an adjective.

In the following sentence, the relative pronoun that is the subject of its clause and won the

Pulitzer Prize is the predicate. This clause couldn't stand by itself. Its role in the complete

sentence is to modify novel, the subject of the independent clause.

The novel that won the Pulitzer Prize didn't sell well when it was first published.

In the next example , which is the relative pronoun that begins the subordinate clause. Celebrities

is the subject of the clause and attended is the verb. In the complete sentence, this clause

functions as an adjective describing ceremony.

The ceremony, which several celebrities attended, received widespread media coverage.

Note that in a relative clause, the relative pronoun is sometimes the subject of the clause, as in

the following sentence, and sometimes the object, as in the next sentence.

Arthur, who comes to the games every week, offered to be scorekeeper.

Who is the subject of the clause and comes to the games every week is the predicate. The clause

modifies Arthur.

In the following sentence , mothers is the subject of the clause, adored is the verb, and whom is

the direct object of adored. Again, the clause modifies Arthur.

Arthur, whom the team mothers adored, was asked to be scorekeeper.

Noun clauses

A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.

What I want for dinner is a hamburger. (subject of the verb is) The host told us how he escaped. (direct object of the verb told) A vacation is what I need most. (complement of the linking verb is) Give it to whoever arrives first. (object of the preposition to)

Pronoun case in subordinate clauses

Who, whom, whoever, whomever. In deciding which case of who you should use in a clause,

remember this important rule: The case of the pronoun is governed by the role it plays in its own

clause, not by its relation to the rest of the sentence. Choosing the right case of pronoun can be

especially confusing because the pronoun may appear to have more than one function. Look at

the following sentence.

They gave the money to whoever presented the winning ticket.

At first, you may think whomever is correct rather than whoever, on the assumption that it is the

object of the preposition to. But in fact the entire clause, not whoever, is the object of the

preposition. Refer to the basic rule: The case should be based on the pronoun's role within its

own clause. In this clause, whoever is the subject of the verb presented.

A good way to determine the right pronoun case is to forget everything but the clause itself:

whoever presented the winning ticket is correct; whomever presented the winning ticket is not.

The following two sentences show how you must focus on the clause rather than the complete

sentence in choosing the right pronoun case.

We asked whomever we saw for a reaction to the play. We asked whoever called us to call back later.

In each sentence the clause is the direct object of asked. But in the first sentence, whomever is

correct because within its clause, it is the object of saw. In the second sentence, whoever is

correct because it is the subject of called.

Adverbial clauses

Many subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Examples of these

conjunctions are because, unless, if, when, and although. What these conjunctions have in

common is that they make the clauses that follow them unable to stand alone. The clauses act as

adverbs, answering questions like how, when, where, why, to what extent, and under what

conditions.

When Mauna Loa began erupting and spewing lava into the air, we drove away as quickly as we could.

In the preceding sentence , when is a subordinating conjunction introducing the adverbial clause.

The subject of the clause is Mauna Loa and the predicate is began erupting and spewing lava

into the air. This clause is dependent because it is an incomplete thought. What happened when

the volcano began erupting? The independent clause we drove away as quickly as we could

completes the thought. The adverbial clause answers the question “When did we drive?”

In the following sentence, because introduces the adverbial clause in which van is the subject

and needed the verb. This clause is an incomplete thought. What happened because the van

needed repairs? The independent clause The group of tourists decided to have lunch in the

village is necessary to complete the thought. Again, the subordinate clause as a whole acts as an

adverb, telling why the tourists decided to have lunch in the village.

Grammar Clause

Anyone who marvels at how a finite system like the English language can be manipulated in

infinite ways will benefit from understanding grammar clauses. This knowledge is particularly

helpful for students, who can use it to improve both their writing and reading comprehension,

and for teachers, who can use it to call attention to specific problems in their students' writing.

Defining a Clause

Words and phrases are the parts of language that make up clauses. Clauses are units of grammar

that contain at least one predicate (verb) and a subject. A clause, therefore, contains a single verb

group.

A clause is different than a phrase. A clause is a group of words with a verb and a subject. A

phrase does not have a verb and subject.

A simple sentence contains only one clause. Here are some examples of simple sentences that are

each comprised of a single clause:

Darby played. Jamie cooked the dinner. A man in Cincinnati swam in the river. Sammy will excel on the varsity team. Jennifer has been dreaming during class.

A verb group can consist of a single word (such as played, cooked, and swam) or combine

multiple words (as in will excel and has been dreaming). The essential component of a clause is

the verb; and a clause only contains one verb or verb group.

Clause Functions

There are two main types of clauses: Independent and Dependent

Independent Clauses

An independent clause could be a sentence by itself or could be combined with other clauses.

Here are some examples of independent clauses (provided by Capital Community College) The

independent clauses are italicized.:

Glaciers often leave behind holes in the ground. These holes are called kettles, and they look just like scooped-out pots.

Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause cannot be a sentence by itself. If it was by itself it would be a sentence

fragment. It needs to be combined with an independent clause to be a full sentence.

Here are some examples of independent clauses (provided by Capital Community College) The

independent clauses are italicized and the dependent clauses are underlined.:

Kettle holes result when a large block of ice is left behind the glacier and then melts away, leaving a large depression.

Connecting Clauses

Connecting Independent Clauses

You can connect two independent clauses in several ways:

1) By adding a comma and a conjunction such as:

And - Joe was afraid of bears and he ran quickly when he saw a bear approaching. But - The boy wanted to go to the movies but he had already spent his allowance. Or - You can start the fire with charcoal lighter or you can use a charcoal chimney. Nor - He wasn't interested in going to the party nor was he invited. Yet - The woman was late for the meeting yet she still stopped to freshen her lipstick. So - The little girl wanted to please her parents so she did everything they told her to do.

2) By using a semicolon

3) By using a semicolon and a conjunctive verb such as:

However Moreover Nevertheless As a result Consequently

Connecting Dependent Clauses

Typically there are no connector words or punctuation when dependent clauses are combined

with independent clauses.

Importance of Clauses

By using clauses correctly you can quickly and easily improve the quality of your writing and

your ability to communicate with your reader. With a clause you can direct the attention of the

reader so that your sentence is understood. You will also avoid incorrectly using dependent

clauses as sentence fragments

Independent & Dependent Clauses

Clauses

A clause is a group of related words. A clause has both a subject and a predicate. There are two types of clauses.

Independent Clause - An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. Here is an example: We walk to school. This sentence expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.

Dependent Clause - A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. Here is an example: when the cake is done baking This clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

Directions: Identify each of the clauses as independent or dependent.

1. when Mr. Jones yelled

Independent Dependent

2. I enjoy the opera

Independent Dependent

3. unless it comes today

Independent Dependent

4. although I lost the library book

Independent Dependent

5. they're going on a picnic

Independent Dependent

6. mom found it in the drawer

Independent Dependent

7. the fifth graders sang

Independent Dependent

8. when the movie is over

Independent Dependent

9. I decided to go along

Independent Dependent

10. the strength of the man might

Independent Dependent

11. we're planning to have a party

Independent Dependent

12. when I'm finished reading

Independent Dependent

Clause Types

Recognition Practice

A clause is a group of

related words that contains

a subject and a verb.

There are two types of

clauses:

Independent or

Main Clause: A

group of related

words containing a

subject and verb -

and makes sense

all by itself.

(Sounds like a

sentence, right? It

is!)

Dependent or

Subordinate

Clause: A group of

related words

containing a

subject and verb -

but it does not

make sense by

itself. A dependent

or subordinate

clause needs the

independent clause

to make sense.

Examples:

When John came into the

room, the children

clapped.

Independent Clause: the

children clapped

Dependent Clause: When

John came into the room

(Note that if there was just

the dependent clause, one

would ask, "what

happened?")

Both clauses have subjects

and verbs: "children

clapped" and "John

came." However, in the

second one, that word,

"when" makes that group

of words a dependent or

subordinate clause.

"When" is a subordinate

conjunction, which you

will learn about in the

miscellaneous subheading

in the clause section.

Subordinate or dependent

clauses are introduced by

either a relative pronoun

(see pronoun section) or a

subordinate conjunction.

Exercise

Directions: Write down

the

independent

clause in the

following

sentences;

then, write

down the

dependent or

subordinate

clause. BE

CAREFUL!

Sometimes

the

dependent

clause will

separate the

independent

clause, as

shown in this

sample

sentence....

The little

boy, who

bought the

candy, is my

brother.

Independent

Clause: The

little boy is

my brother

Dependent

Clause: who

bought the

candy

1. Since I

don't have

the book, I

could not do

the report.

2. The well-

known poet,

who was

immortalized

, is Edgar

Allen Poe.

3. Ginger,

who is a girl

in room 18,

will run for

representativ

e.

4. Before the

rain came,

we were able

to go

swimming.

5. After we

formed the

carpool,

Dave's

driving day

was

Thursdays.

6. Our travel

plans were

changed

since the

plane was

canceled.

7. Although

I am

generally a

confident

person, I

hesitated to

take my first

swimming

lesson.

8. "The

Raven" is a

poem which

was written

by Edgar

Allen Poe.

9. I admire

students who

ask for help.

10. Mr. Jones, who is a former engineer, is our math teacher

Clause type identification exercise Q1. John did his homework before he went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q2. I don't like Mondays.

dependent

independent

Q3. If you help me, I will help you!

dependent

independent

Q4. I need a new calculator.

dependent

independent

Q5. She is very fit because she goes running every day.

dependent

independent

Q6. Can you tell me why you said that?

dependent

independent

Q7. Because the test was so difficult, none of the students got a very good grade.

dependent

independent

Q8. When I lived in Tokyo, I played tennis every day.

dependent

independent

Q9. I usually do my homework while my mother is cooking dinner.

dependent

independent

Q10. I know why she wasn't in school yesterday.

dependent

independent

Q11. I was doing a math test when the fire alarm rang yesterday.

dependent

independent

Q12. Although she was only in grade 8, she was the best basketball player in the school.

dependent

independent

Q13. We decided to have a picnic although the weather wasn't very good.

dependent

independent

Q14. Before you go home today, you need to go to the office and pay for the school trip.

dependent

independent

Q15. After John did his homework, he went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q16. I will be very surprised if I make the school soccer team.

dependent

independent

Q17. Because it had snowed all night, I had terrible problems getting to school.

dependent

independent

Q18. Since it had started to rain, we decided not to play tennis.

dependent

independent

Q19. Although she studied hard for her ESL vocabulary test, she got a bad grade.

dependent

independent

Q20. When you arrive in school every day, you must go to your locker to get your things

ready for class.

dependent

independent

Q21. You must call me as soon as you get home.

dependent

independent

Q22. While my sister was doing her homework, I practised on the piano.

dependent

independent

Q23. Do you know the student who won the tennis tournament?

dependent

independent

Q24. Since I came to Germany I have not once played tennis.

dependent

independent

Q25. You are not going to pass the test unless you start working much harder.

dependent

independent

Q26. I don't know yet whether I can come to your party.

dependent

independent

Q27. You must wait here until I get back.

dependent

independent

Q28. He did his homework and went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q29. As you have come late to class three times this week, you are in detention after

school on Friday.

dependent

independent

Q30. A simple sentence is an independent clause.

dependent

independent

Q1. John did his homework before he went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q2. I don't like Mondays.

dependent

independent

Q3. If you help me, I will help you!

dependent

independent

Q4. I need a new calculator.

dependent

independent

Q5. She is very fit because she goes running every day.

dependent

independent

Q6. Can you tell me why you said that?

dependent

independent

Q7. Because the test was so difficult, none of the students got a very good grade.

dependent

independent

Q8. When I lived in Tokyo, I played tennis every day.

dependent

independent

Q9. I usually do my homework while my mother is cooking dinner.

dependent

independent

Q10. I know why she wasn't in school yesterday.

dependent

independent

Q11. I was doing a math test when the fire alarm rang yesterday.

dependent

independent

Q12. Although she was only in grade 8, she was the best basketball player in the school.

dependent

independent

Q13. We decided to have a picnic although the weather wasn't very good.

dependent

independent

Q14. Before you go home today, you need to go to the office and pay for the school trip.

dependent

independent

Q15. After John did his homework, he went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q16. I will be very surprised if I make the school soccer team.

dependent

independent

Q17. Because it had snowed all night, I had terrible problems getting to school.

dependent

independent

Q18. Since it had started to rain, we decided not to play tennis.

dependent

independent

Q19. Although she studied hard for her ESL vocabulary test, she got a bad grade.

dependent

independent

Q20. When you arrive in school every day, you must go to your locker to get your things

ready for class.

dependent

independent

Q21. You must call me as soon as you get home.

dependent

independent

Q22. While my sister was doing her homework, I practised on the piano.

dependent

independent

Q23. Do you know the student who won the tennis tournament?

dependent

independent

Q24. Since I came to Germany I have not once played tennis.

dependent

independent

Q25. You are not going to pass the test unless you start working much harder.

dependent

independent

Q26. I don't know yet whether I can come to your party.

dependent

independent

Q27. You must wait here until I get back.

dependent

independent

Q28. He did his homework and went to bed.

dependent

independent

Q29. As you have come late to class three times this week, you are in detention after

school on Friday.

dependent

independent

Q30. A simple sentence is an independent clause.

dependent

independent

Relative clauses exercises (intermediate -)

www.vivquarry.com

Join the following sentences to make one sentence using a relative pronoun when necessary.

If the relative pronoun is unnecessary, put it in brackets. You may sometimes have to change the

word order or change 'a' into 'the'.

There's the boy. He broke the window.

_______________________________

The film star gave a party. It cost $10,000.

_______________________________

That's the palace. The Queen lives in it.

_______________________________

You met a man at the party. He is a famous film star. The

man..._______________________________

My friend came to the party. He's a policeman.

_______________________________

There are the policemen. They caught the thief.

_______________________________

What's the name of the lady? She was wearing the blue dress.

_______________________________

I gave her a watch. It stopped after two days.

_______________________________

My car was very expensive. It's a Mercedes.

_______________________________

You're reading a book. I wanted to read it.

_______________________________

The Red Lion is a pub. We met in it for a drink.

_______________________________

There's someone at the door. He wants to speak to George.

_______________________________

Here are the letters. They arrived this morning.

_______________________________

I met Mr Da Silva. He is President of Brazil.

_______________________________

It's very spicy food. I don't like it.

_______________________________

That's the house. I was born in it.

_______________________________

That's the dictionary. Bill gave it to me for Christmas.

_______________________________

Where is the lady? She ordered fish.

_______________________________

Those are the cars. They only take unleaded petrol.

_______________________________

The children went to New York. They speak English.

_______________________________

Do you know the children? They live in that house.

_______________________________

Do you like the people. Sarah invited them to her party.

_______________________________

The clothes come from C&A. They are good quality. _______________________