clean, David,” Auntie Julie said. “I know you’ve been at the chocolates.”
own up
The head teacher demanded that the person responsible for the damage should own up.
confused ADJECTIVE
If you are confused, you are uncertain about what is happening or what to do.
baffled
Lyra was baffled. What on earth was the significance of the dust?
bewildered
Bewildered by his sudden fame, Robbie went completely off the rails.
muddled
The useless new parking scheme was a prime example of muddled thinking.
perplexed
Frank stood at the crossroads, totally perplexed by the map he’d been given.
puzzled
“Then I’m puzzled,” Mum said. “How did the biscuit tin fly to your room?”
confusing ADJECTIVE
If something is confusing, it makes you uncertain about what is happening or what to do.
baffling
No body. No weapon. No witnesses. The whole thing was baffling.
bewildering
There was a bewildering choice of stereos.
perplexing
The mystery got more perplexing. Where on earth had the shoe gone?
puzzling
Sergeant Assad found it puzzling that everyone had volunteered for the job.
connect (1) VERB
If you connect two things, you join them together.
attach
When Mum receives nice postcards, she attaches them to the fridge with magnets.
couple
The man in the overalls dropped from the platform to couple the engine to the coaches.
fasten
Phil fastened the papers together with a clip.
join
The plumber joined the two pipes underneath the sink.
link
“This deal,” said the chairman, “will link two fine companies.”
unite
On their wedding day, the couple were united in marriage.
connect (2) VERB
If one thing or person is connected with another, there is a link between them.
associate
He claims that he no longer associates with any of those people.
relate
In good non-fiction writing, each sentence should relate to the one before.
connection NOUN
A connection is a link or relationship between two things.
association
Dad has always had a close association with the school. He attended as a pupil when he was a boy and is now a governor.
bond
There was a bond between the two brothers that could not be broken.
link
There are strong historical links between Britain and India.
relationship
Luis’ relationship with his stepfather was not always an easy one.
contact VERB
If you contact someone, you telephone them or write to them.
communicate with
Television reporters often communicate with the studio by satellite phone.
get in touch with
Message for Mr Sample: please urgently get in touch with your son.
make contact
Joe wants me to make contact when I arrive in New York.
Different ways to make contact:
card
fax
letter
postcard
telegram
telephone
text message
contain VERB
The things that something contains are the things in it.
accommodate
The narrowboat could accommodate up to nine people.
comprise
Our cottage comprises six rooms: three upstairs and three down.
consist of
Pancake mix mainly consists of flour, eggs and milk.
hold
An average household bucket will hold ten litres of liquid.
include
The holiday package includes all flights, accommodation and meals.
container NOUN
A container is something that you keep things in, such as a box or a jar.
receptacle
“What we need,” said Mr Vanstone, “is some sort of receptacle for these tadpoles.”
vessel
A pitcher is a vessel for carrying liquids.
contest NOUN
A contest is a competition or game.
battle
The Cup Final was a battle between a giant club and one of the league’s minnows.
bout
The wrestling announcer began, “This is a bout of eight rounds of three minutes each.”
competition
Mum is a fanatic for entering competitions. She’s always thinking up catchy slogans.
head-to-head INFORMAL
The finish of the sack race was a close-run head-to-head between Mrs Robinson and Miss Penn.
match
The match against Holcombe was played in pouring rain.
tournament
The chess tournament featured players from all over the country.
continue VERB
If you continue to do something, you keep doing it.
carry on
“If you carry on prodding me, I’ll prod you back,” I said to Barry.
keep on
“If you keep on forgetting your homework, you’ll get detention,” I told Anita.
persevere
Although she was tired, Jamilah persevered with her drawing.
persist
Although I hate it, Dad persists in calling me by my nickname.
continuous ADJECTIVE
Something that is continuous goes on without stopping.
ceaseless
The ceaseless noise of drilling was