Advanced English Vocabulary and Grammar Mastery
Unit 1: Advanced Adverbs and Phrasal Verbs
Vocabulary and Synonyms
- By and large: largely
- Staunchly: resolutely
- Swiftly: promptly
- Purportedly: supposedly
- Effectively: essentially
- Untidily: roughly
- Paradoxically: ironically
- Extensively: widely
- Unambiguously: categorically
- Forwards: onwards
- Vaguely: loosely
- Apprehensive: nervous
- Baffled: perplexed
- Disenchanted: disillusioned
- Eager: enthusiastic
- Petrified: terrified
- Reluctant: unwilling
- Uptight: tense
- Remorseful: repentant
Grammar: Essential Phrasal Verbs
- Break down, turn down, allow for, put up with, cheer somebody up, come across somebody, get away with something, go for somebody, pass out, set off, tear something up, do away with something, drop off, fall out with somebody/something, get away, go through something, let somebody down, run into somebody, turn somebody down.
Unit 2: Descriptive Language and Opposites
Key Vocabulary
- Wail: a long high cry of pain or sadness
- Dismal: miserable
- To hack: cut with rough heavy blows
- Baffled: confused
- Vicious: cruel, aggressive
- Snub: insult
- Get somebody down, hang around, get into something, walk out, kick somebody down, hang out with, skip school, loose change, feed/kick one's drug habit, sleep rough.
- Intolerant: narrow-minded
- Sensible: cold-hearted
Adjective Opposites
- Serious vs. Lighthearted
- Believable vs. Far-fetched
- Dull vs. Gripping
- Perfect vs. Flawed
- High-quality vs. Third-rate
Unit 3: Collocations and Verb Patterns
Common Collocations and Synonyms
- Voice an opinion, form a friendship, offer advice, pay attention, take control, resolve a dispute, return the favour, speak your mind, suffer a setback.
- Interesting: captivating, fascinating
- Large: immense, vast
- Old: ancient, historic
- Modern: up-to-date, contemporary
Descriptive Phrases and Idioms
- Renowned for, rich in, reminiscent of, lined with, to date back to, ideally placed for, a stone's throw from/away, teeming with, thanks to, well provided for, to cater for, spoilt for choice, buzzing with, to play host to, steeped in, to hark back to, to be home to, blessed with, to date from, to take pride in.
- Launch a mission, to don a bulletproof vest, to disobey an order, to go back on patrol, to respond to an attack, to make a detour, to stand on guard, to file charges.
Grammar: Gerunds and Infinitives
- Verbs taking the -ing form (Gerund): anticipate, be used to, enjoy, feel like, give up, recall, spend time, risk.
- Verbs taking the infinitive form: happen, have yet, manage, pretend, refuse, seem, take years, tend, allow, be made, choose, claim, demand, fail, guarantee.
- Verbs taking both (often with a change in meaning): go on, hate, love, remember, stop, try.