Essential English Vocabulary and Grammar Guide

Essential English Vocabulary

Common Verbs and Phrases

Cram: To stuff something into a tight space.

Example: I tried to cram all my clothes into one suitcase, but it didn't work.

Figure out: To understand or solve something.

Example: I figured out that math problem.

Nurture: To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something.

Example: Parents need to nurture their children to help them become good people.

Pull yourself together: To regain control of your emotions.

Example: Stop crying and pull yourself together.

Rough and ready: Done quickly and without much care; basic.

Example: Today's homework is rough and ready.

Scheme: A plan or plot, often secret or dishonest.

Example: The officials schemed against the president.

Shift: To move something from one place to another.

Example: The movers shifted the table one meter to the left.

Skive: To avoid work or school by pretending to be sick or busy.

Example: I'm in trouble for skiving off again.

Substantial: Large in amount or importance.

Example: I have received a substantial number of job offers this week.

Trigger: To cause something to happen.

Example: The antibiotic triggered several side effects.

Descriptive Words

Distress: A state of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

Example: The mark I got for the exam distressed me.

Praise: The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.

Example: She was praised for her volunteer work.

Outwardly: On the surface or exterior; appearing as such but not necessarily so.

Example: Outwardly, the fruit was rough to the touch.

Threatening: Having a menacing or intimidating quality.

Example: She gave me a threatening look.

Unfriendly: Not kind or welcoming.

Example: They were so unfriendly to us when we met them.

Despise: To feel a strong dislike or contempt for someone or something.

Example: I despise some politicians.

Upset: Unhappy, disappointed, or worried.

Example: She was upset about her friend's actions.

Uninterested: Not interested in or concerned about something.

Example: I switched off the TV because I was uninterested in the program.

Fed up: Bored, annoyed, or disappointed, especially by something that has been happening for a long time.

Example: She was fed up with the bad weather.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

Relationships and Personality

See eye to eye: To agree with someone.

Example: I have never seen eye to eye with my father.

Do as you are told: To obey instructions or rules.

Example: I never did as I was told at school, which used to get me into trouble.

Get your own way: To do or have what you want, even if others disagree.

Example: I like to get my own way all the time because I'm obstinate.

Keep myself to myself: To be introverted and not share personal information or feelings.

Example: I prefer to keep myself to myself rather than telling people everything.

Rub people up the wrong way: To annoy someone, often unintentionally.

Example: She meant to be helpful, but her suggestion really rubbed me up the wrong way.

On a whim: Suddenly and without much thought.

Example: I frequently do things on a whim, which is the complete opposite of my parents, who plan everything.

Family and Resemblance

Look up to: To admire and respect someone.

Example: I tended to look up to my sister because she was older than me.

Become close: To develop a strong bond or connection with someone.

Example: I became quite close to my sister.

Come across: To give a particular impression.

Example: He came across as a little eccentric.

Be good fun: To be enjoyable to be around.

Example: It was always good fun going shopping with my mom.

Take after: To resemble someone in appearance or personality.

Example: Many people say that I take after my grandmother.

Set your heart on: To have a strong desire for something.

Example: She had set her heart on a trip to Japan.

Run in the family: To be a common characteristic or trait among family members.

Example: Artistic talent runs in Paul's family; they are all painters.

Have high expectations: To believe that someone will achieve a lot or that something good will happen.

Example: My parents have high expectations for my future.

Other Useful Phrases

Close relatives: Family members you feel close to.

Play a key role: To be significant or important in a particular situation.

Stand a better chance of something: To have a higher probability of success.

Relay on someone: To trust and depend on someone.

Alternative emergency contact: A person to contact in case of an emergency if the primary contact is unavailable.

Otherwise: Used to introduce an alternative or contrasting situation.

Example: You can do this; otherwise, you can do that.

Widely accepted: Generally agreed upon or believed.

Particularly important: Especially significant or crucial.

Put something at risk: To endanger something.

Expressing Feelings and Reactions

Amused: Entertained or made to laugh.

Delighted: Extremely happy or pleased.

Flattered: Pleased and honored by something said or done.

Irritated: Annoyed or slightly angry.

Self-conscious: Nervous or uncomfortable about what other people think of you.

Taken aback: Surprised or shocked.

Tolerant: Willing to accept different opinions or behavior.

Feel accountable: To feel responsible for something.

Astounded: Extremely surprised or shocked.

Awkward: Embarrassing or uncomfortable.

Catch unawares: To happen unexpectedly.

Cotton on: To begin to understand something.

Example: I began to cotton on to the math problem.

(To be) Glued to: To be looking at something with all your attention.

Go over old ground: To repeat ideas or discussions that have already been covered.

Liable: Likely to do or say something.

Example: If someone is hurt, a normal person would be liable to call an ambulance.

Lurk: To wait somewhere secretly, especially because you intend to do something bad.

Example: The cat lurked in the bushes, waiting for potential prey.

Sneak: To take something secretly and without permission.

Example: I sneaked a pencil.

Grammar Essentials: Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns connect clauses (parts of sentences) by referring to a noun or pronoun mentioned earlier. Here's a quick guide:

• Which: Used for things and animals.
• Who: Used for people, and animals when we want to give them a personality.
• When: Used for times.
• Where: Used for places.
• Why: Used for reasons.
• Whose: Used to show possession.