(1) PREPOSITION
If you talk or write about a particular thing, you say things that are to do with that subject.
concerning
The police interviewed the bank manager concerning the robbery.
regarding
Parents were sent a letter regarding half term.
to do with
Mum had a long phone conversation to do with our holiday plans.
about (2) ADVERB
You say about in front of a number to show it is not exact.
approximately
The theatre held approximately 800 people.
around
Around 50 000 people attended the big game.
in the region of
The bike cost in the region of £100.
more or less
Each jar holds more or less five litres.
roughly
We had to wait for roughly three hours.
about (3) ADVERB
About can mean in different directions.
around
“Stop dancing around while I’m talking to you,” Mum said irritably.
here and there
My sister’s clothes were scattered here and there in her room.
hither and thither OLD-FASHIONED
The bee flew hither and thither collecting pollen from the flowers.
about to PREPOSITION
If you are about to do something, you are just going to do it.
on the point of
I was on the point of closing the front door, when the phone rang.
ready to
The pilot was ready to turn back, when he saw the missing boat.
above (1) PREPOSITION
If one thing is above another, it is directly over or higher than it.
on top of
Ali balanced the bag of flour on top of the door, so that it would fall on Craig when he came in.
over
A cloud of smoke hung ominously over the grumbling volcano.
ANTONYM: below
above (2) PREPOSITION
Above can mean greater than something in level or amount.
beyond
The dancer’s skill was beyond anything we could have imagined.
greater than
The number of visitors to the museum this year is greater than last year.
higher than
The cost of the repairs was higher than Mum had expected.
ANTONYM: below
absolutely ADVERB
If you are absolutely sure about something, you are completely sure of it.
completely
Anoop was completely satisfied with his new computer.
thoroughly
“I am thoroughly fed up of washing dishes,” moaned Cinderella.
totally
We sat totally enthralled by the magician’s amazing tricks.
utterly
The instructions to the board game left me utterly confused.
abuse (1) Said “ab-yooss” NOUN
Abuse is the cruel treatment of someone.
cruelty
Sadly, many animals are injured through cruelty or neglect.
harm
Fortunately, the two lost children were found with no harm done to them.
ill-treatment
Oliver Twist suffered much ill-treatment in the workhouse.
abuse (2) Said “ab-yooz” VERB
To abuse someone is to treat them cruelly.
harm
Now the dog was at the rescue kennels, no one could harm it any more.
ill-treat
People who ill-treat their animals should face heavy fines.
mistreat
Cinderella was constantly mistreated by her two ugly sisters.
misuse
The dictator misused his power by giving jobs to his relatives.
accident NOUN
An accident is something that happens suddenly or unexpectedly, causing people to be hurt or killed.
collision
Eight vehicles were involved in a collision during the heavy rain.
crash
The police advised that the airport should be closed because of the plane crash.
mishap
Falling off my bike was a minor mishap, but luckily I wasn’t hurt.
➔ See disaster
accidental ADJECTIVE
Something that is accidental has not been planned.
unexpected
The sail’s tearing in the wind was a totally unexpected problem.
unintentional
“I didn’t mean to stand on the flowers. It was quite unintentional,” I apologized.
unplanned
Although our beach volleyball tournament was unplanned, it was a great success.
ANTONYM: deliberate
accurate ADJECTIVE
If something is accurate, it is absolutely correct.
exact
In order to set my watch, I need to know the exact time.
factual
Non-fiction books are factual accounts of real people and events.
faithful
The French version of the book is a faithful translation of the English original.
precise
Tightrope walkers must be very precise in their movements.
spot-on INFORMAL
Your guess about the train’s arrival time was spot-on.
true
“Is this statement a true record of where you were?” queried the police officer.
ANTONYM: inaccurate
ache VERB
If a part of your body aches, you feel a continuous, dull pain there.
be sore
Jane’s leg muscles were sore after aerobics.
hurt
“Ouch!” said Devendra as the nurse cleaned his cut knee. “That hurts!”