previously
Previously, Mr Cruickshank had always let us off homework, but not today.
sooner
If I had got the invitation sooner, I would have come to the party.
begin VERB
If you begin something, you start it.
commence
The king shouted “Let battle commence!” and the two knights thundered towards each other.
embark on
As soon as we’d embarked on our journey to the park, it started to rain.
set about
We set about digging the vegetable garden.
start
Dad told me to start my homework soon.
ANTONYM: end
beginner NOUN
A beginner is someone who has just started to learn something.
learner
Swimmers use the big pool, while learners use the shallower pool.
novice
Although a complete novice, Britney showed a flair for ski jumping.
ANTONYM: veteran
beginning NOUN
The beginning of something is when or where it starts.
introduction
In the introduction, the author explains how she came to write the book.
opening
The band played at the opening of the fête.
origin
The origin of the universe is still a mystery.
ANTONYM: end
behave VERB
If you behave in a particular way, you act that way.
act
Emir is acting like a spoilt child.
function
“The girls are finally functioning as a team!” exclaimed the coach.
operate
Sally operates in a certain way to get what she wants.
work
Anoup worked methodically in order to get the work done.
believe (1) VERB
If you believe someone, you accept that they are telling the truth.
accept
It took some people a long time to accept that the world was round.
be certain of
“We have to be certain of your story before we can take action,” warned the sergeant.
have faith in
It is important to have faith in your own ability, Grandad says.
trust
I trust my sister, even if she is rotten to me sometimes.
ANTONYMS: disbelieve or doubt
believe (2) VERB
If you believe that something is true, you think that it is true.
feel
“How do you feel the match will go?” asked the interviewer.
presume
Mr Jackson said, “I presume you will all be handing in your homework tomorrow.”
suppose
I suppose that the school sports day will be in July as usual.
bell NOUN
A bell is a cup-shaped metal object with a piece inside it called a clapper that hits the side and makes a ringing sound.
Verbs that express the sound of bells:
chime
clang
jingle
peal
ring
sound
strike
tinkle
toll
belongings NOUN
Your belongings are all the things that you own.
possessions
Almost all their possessions were destroyed in the fire.
property
“Make sure your property is labelled,” insisted Miss Carter.
stuff
The firefighters grabbed their stuff and jumped in the cab.
below PREPOSITION OR ADVERB
If something is below something else, it is in a lower position.
beneath
Beneath the trees, bluebells were waving in the breeze.
under
With the help of a torch, I could read secretly under my duvet.
underneath
Underneath the streets are hundreds of miles of sewers.
ANTONYM: above
bend (1) VERB
When something bends, it becomes curved or crooked.
buckle
The car buckled when the elephant sat on it.
curve
After the village, the road curves to the left.
twist
The ornament was made of glass twisted into patterns.
warp
My DVD warped when I left it in the sun.
ANTONYM: straighten
bend (2) VERB
When you bend, you move your head and shoulders forwards and downwards.
crouch
Lyra crouched behind the bushes, waiting for the policeman to turn away.
duck
Duck, or you’ll hit your head on the beam!
stoop
Farouk stooped to pick up a coin from the path.
beside PREPOSITION
If one thing is beside another, it is next to it.
adjacent to
Adjacent to the station was an old signal box.
alongside
The lifeboat rowed up alongside the stricken yacht, and the crew jumped across.
next to
The boy sitting next to me kept prodding me with a ruler.
besides PREPOSITION
Besides can mean in addition to.
apart from
Apart from some shorts and a T-shirt, I’m taking very