Unit 7

snippet 1.a small piece of Have you got any interesting snippets
information or news for me?
2.piece of a conversation, a snippet of information
piece of music, etc.
in aid of sth/sb in order to help sth/sb collecting money in aid of charity
novice a person who is new and I'm a complete novice at skiing.
has little experience in a computer software for novices/the
skill, job or situation novice user
assembly a group of people who state/legislative/local assemblies
have been elected to
meet together regularly
and make decisions or
laws for a particular
region or country
gathering a meeting of people for a a social/family gathering
particular purpose
conspicuous easy to see or notice; Mary's red hair always made her
likely to attract attention conspicuous at school.
The event was a conspicuous success (=
a very great one).
Defective having a fault or faults; If the goods are defective you should
synonym faulty not perfect or complete get a full refund.
commute (from A) (to to travel regularly by bus, She commutes from Oxford to London
B) train, car, etc. between every day.
your place of work and
your home
compute something to calculate something The losses were computed at £5
(formal) million.
conduct something to organize and/or do a to conduct an
(formal) particular activity experiment/inquiry/investigation/inter
view
to conduct a survey/poll/study/review
chill out (informal) to spend time They sometimes meet up to chill out
relaxing; to relax and and watch a movie.
stop feeling angry or
nervous about something
by means of (formal) with the help of The load was lifted by means of a
something something crane.
on account of sb/sth because of She retired early on account of ill
somebody/something health.
on behalf of sb | on as the representative of On behalf of the department I would
sb’s behalf sb or instead of them like to thank you all.
in/with regard to (formal) relating to The company's position with regard to
somebody/something somebody/something overtime is made clear in their
contracts.
in keeping (with appropriate or expected The latest results are in keeping with
something) in a particular situation; our earlier findings.
in agreement with sth
pass down to give or teach
synonym hand down something to your
children or people
younger than you, who
will then give or teach it
to those who live after
them, and so on
forerunner (of a person or thing that Country music was undoubtedly one of
somebody/something) came before and the forerunners of rock and roll.
influenced sb/sth else
that is similar; a sign of
what is going to happen
dry up 1.(of rivers, lakes, etc.) to During the drought the river dried up.
become completely dry
2.if a supply of
something dries up, As she got older, offers of modelling
there is gradually less of work began to dry up.
it until there is none left
Misleading giving the wrong idea or misleading
synonym deceptive impression and making information/advertisements
you believe something
that is not true
wither (something) 1.if a plant withers or The grass had withered in the warm
something withers it, it sun.
dries up and dies
2. wither (away) to All our hopes just withered away.
become less or weaker,
especially before
disappearing completely
inception the start of an institution, The club has grown rapidly since its
an organization, etc. inception in 2007.
pay off (informal) (of a plan or The gamble paid off.
an action, especially one
that involves risk) to be
successful and bring
good results
overriding more important than the overriding
anything else in a factor/consideration/concern
particular situation
self-confessed admitting that you are a a self-confessed thief
particular type of person
or have a particular
problem, especially a bad
one
Quiver to shake slightly; to make Her lip quivered and then she started to
synonym tremble a slight movement cry.
1.confer (with 1.to discuss something He wanted to confer with his
somebody) (on/about with somebody, in order colleagues before reaching a decision.
something) to exchange opinions or
get advice 
2confer something 2.to give somebody an
(on/upon somebody) award, a university
degree or a particular
honour or right An honorary degree was conferred on
him by Oxford University in 2019.
catchy (of music or the words of a catchy tune
an advertisement)
pleasant and easily
remembered
release somebody 1.to let somebody come to release a prisoner
out of a place where they
have been kept or stuck
and unable to leave or
move. release a statement/report/document/
2.to make information study
available to the public
feud between A and B an angry and bitter a long-running feud between the two
feud with somebody argument between two artists
people or groups of a feud with the neighbours
people that continues
over a long period of
time
segregate somebody to separate people of a culture in which women are
(from somebody) different races, religions segregated from men
or sexes and treat them in a segregated school (= one for students
a different way of one race or religion only)
lure to persuade or trick The child was lured into a car but
synonym entice somebody to go managed to escape.
somewhere or to do
something by promising
them a reward
rent something to regularly pay money to rent a house/an apartment
to somebody so that you to live in rented
can use something that accommodation/housing/property
they own, such as a
house, a room, some
land, etc.
earn (something) to get money for work He earns about $40 000 a year.
that you do She earned a living as a part-time
secretary.
pay somebody back to return money that you I'll pay you back next week.
(something) borrowed from
pay something back somebody
(to somebody)
make a fast/quick to earn money quickly
buck and easily
(informal, often
disapproving)
make (both) ends to earn just enough Many families struggle to make ends
meet money to be able to buy meet.
 the things you need
take out to obtain an official to take out an insurance policy/a
document or service mortgage/a loan
have money to burn to have so much money
that you do not have to
be careful with it
peanuts (informal) a very small I won’t work for peanuts.
amount of money
put your money (informal) to support
where your mouth is what you say by doing
something practical; to
show by your actions
that you really mean
something
hard cash money, especially in the The drugs are sold for hard cash.
form of coins and notes,
that you can spend
pay through the nose (informal) to pay too
(for something) much money for sth
pay your way to pay for everything
yourself without having
to rely on anyone else’s
money
purse the amount of money that We have holidays to suit every purse.
is available to a person, Should spending on the arts be met out
an organization or a of the public purse (= from government
government to spend money)?
a way of referring to
money and how it is
controlled or spent
purse strings a way of referring to Who holds the purse strings in your
money and how it is house?
controlled or spent The government will have to tighten
the purse strings (= spend less).
not break the bank if you say something We can just get a sandwich if you want
won’t break the bank, —that won’t break the bank.
you mean that it won’t
cost a lot of money, or
more than you can afford
cover something to be or provide enough $100 should cover your expenses.
money for something The show barely covered its costs.
Your parents will have to cover your
tuition fees
incentive (for/to something that There is no incentive for people to save
somebody/something) encourages you to do fuel.
(to do something) something There is an added incentive for you to
buy from our catalogue—a free gift
with every purchase.
premises the building and land The company is looking for larger
near to it that a business premises.
 owns or uses
with a view to (formal) with the He's painting the house with a view to
something/to doing intention or hope of selling it.
something doing something
freight goods that are to send goods by air freight
transported by ships,
planes, trains or lorries;
the system of
transporting goods in this
way
established respected or given They are an established company with
official status because it a good reputation.
has existed or been used
for a long time
extensive covering a large area; The house has extensive grounds.
great in amount The fire caused extensive damage.
put somebody up to let somebody stay at We can put you up for the night.
your home
comply (with to obey a rule, an order, They refused to comply with the UN
something) etc.; to meet particular resolution
standards
get-together an informal meeting; a a family get-together at Christmas
party
of the day of the present time the political issues of the day
of all time that has ever existed Many rated him the best singer of all
time.
keep pace (with to move, increase, The younger children struggled to keep
somebody/something) change, etc. at the same pace with the older ones.
speed as
somebody/something
inception the start of an institution, The club has grown rapidly since its
an organization, etc. inception in 2007.
a walk of life a person’s job or position She has friends from all walks of life.
in society
set out to to begin a job, task, etc. They succeeded in what they set out to
with a particular aim or do.
goal
wipe sb/sth out to destroy or remove Whole villages were wiped out by the
somebody/something earthquake
completely
Relative pronouns
who people and sometimes pet animals defining and non-defining
defining and non-defining;
which animals and things clause referring to a whole
sentence
that people, animals and things; informal defining only
possessive meaning;
whose for people and animals usually; defining and non-defining
sometimes for things in formal situations
people in formal styles or in writing; often with a
whom preposition; rarely in conversation; used instead of defining and non-defining
who if who is the object
no relative when the relative pronoun defines the object of the
pronoun clause
defining only

We don’t know the person who donated this money.

We drove past my old school, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
He went to the school (that) my father went to.
The Kingfisher group, whose name was changed from Woolworths earlier this year, includes
about 720 high street shops.
The parents (whom/who/that) we interviewed were all involved in education in some way.

1.Relative pronouns: who

►(defining)
I think there’d be a lot of children who’d love to have a climbing wall in school.
►(defining; referring to a pet animal)
That’s the dog who doesn’t like me.
►(non-defining)
There’s this guy at work, who’s one of my friends, well he’s never been on a train.

2.Relative pronouns: whom

►We use whom in formal styles or in writing to refer to people when the person is the object
of the verb. It is much more common in writing than in speaking:
The response of those managers whom I have consulted has been very positive and we are
looking forward to meeting together. (whom refers to those managers and is the object of
consulted in the relative clause)
She was a celebrated actress whom he had known and loved, on and off, almost since her
first appearance on the stage.
►Whom + prepositions
The first book was a terrible historical novel for children which was turned down by every
publisher to whom it was sent. (whom refers to every publisher and is the complement of the
preposition to)
more formal less formal
There was only one person to whom the old There was only one person who the old man
more formal less formal
man spoke. spoke to.
She smiled as she remembered the quiet She smiled as she remembered the quiet
scholar with whom she had shared a love of scholar who she had shared a love of books
books. with.

3.Relative pronoun: whose

He’s marrying a girl whose family don’t seem to like him. (The family of the girl he’s
marrying don’t seem to like him.)
There was me and there was Kate, whose party it was, and then there were two other people.
(It was Kate’s party.)
It is a rambling Tudor house, whose sitting room looks out over a wonderful walled garden.
(The sitting room of the house looks out over …)
►Whose + prepositions
We can use whose + noun as the complement of a preposition:
Kate, whose sister I used to share a house with, has gone to work in Australia. (whose sister
refers to Kate and is the complement of with)
We can put the preposition immediately before the relative pronoun (more formal written
styles) or at the end of the relative clause (more informal).
Compare
more formal more informal
Thomas Goldney III, in whose house and Thomas Goldney III, whose house and garden
garden several generations of Bristol students several generations of Bristol students have
have now lived, was described in the late 18th now lived in, was described in the late 18th
century as ‘a very curious gentleman’. century as ‘a very curious gentleman’.

4.Relative pronouns: which(animals and to things)

►(defining) You need to tick the box which says yes.
►(non-defining) He won’t have much time to prepare for the meeting, which is this
afternoon.
►Which + prepositions
We can use which as the complement of a preposition:
Early in the Autumn Term there is a reception at which you can meet current staff and
students. (which refers to a reception and is the complement of at)
Close by, in the churchyard, is the famous Rudston stone, from which the village takes its
name. (which refers to the famous Rudston stone and is the complement of from)
We can put the preposition immediately before the relative pronoun (more formal) or at the
end of the relative clause (more informal).
Compare
more formal more informal
The title of the poem indicates that the poet knows himself I’ve never felt close to the
to be separated from the community in which he grew up. community which I grew up in.

5.Relative pronouns: when, where and why

In informal language, we often use where, when or why to introduce defining relative clauses
instead of at which, on which or for which.
wher I know a restaurant where the food is excellent.
places
e (… a restaurant at which the food is excellent)
There isn’t a day when I don’t feel rushed off my feet.
when times
(… a day on which I don’t feel rushed …)
Do you know the reason why the shop is closed
why reasons today?
(… the reason for which the shop is closed …)

Defining and Non-defining

A defining relative clause tells which noun we are talking about:
 I like the woman who lives next door.
(If I don't say 'who lives next door', then we don't know which woman I mean).
A non-defining relative clause gives us extra information about something. We don't need
this information to understand the sentence.
 I live in London, which has some fantastic parks.
(Everybody knows where London is, so 'which has some fantastic parks' is extra
information).
Defining relative clauses:
1: The relative pronoun is the subject:
We can use 'who', 'which' or 'that'. We use 'who' for people and 'which' for things. We can use
'that' for people or things.
For example (clause after the object of the sentence):
 I'm looking for a secretary who / that can use a computer well.
 She has a son who / that is a doctor.
 We bought a house which / that is 200 years old.
 I sent a letter which / that arrived three weeks later.
More examples (clause after the subject of the sentence):
 The people who / that live on the island are very friendly.
 The man who / that phoned is my brother.
 The camera which / that costs £100 is over there.
 The house which / that belongs to Julie is in London.
2: The relative pronoun is the object:
In this case we can drop the relative pronoun if we want to. Again, the clause can come after
the subject or the object of the sentence. Here are some examples:
(Clause after the object)
 She loves the chocolate (which / that) I bought.
 We went to the village (which / that) Lucy recommended.
 John met a woman (who / that) I had been to school with.
 The police arrested a man (who / that) Jill worked with.
(Clause after the subject)
 The bike (which / that) I loved was stolen.
 The university (which / that) she likes is famous.
 The woman (who / that) my brother loves is from Mexico.
 The doctor (who / that) my grandmother liked lives in New York.
Non-defining relative clauses:
We don't use 'that' in non-defining relative clauses, so we need to use 'which' if the pronoun
refers to a thing, and 'who' if it refers to a person. We can't drop the relative pronoun in this
kind of clause, even if the relative pronoun is the subject of the clause.
(Clause comes after the subject)
 My boss, who is very nice, lives in Manchester.
 My sister, who I live with, knows a lot about cars.
 My bicycle, which I've had for more than ten years, is falling apart.
 My mother's house, which I grew up in, is very small.
(Clause comes after the object)
 Yesterday I called our friend Julie, who lives in New York.
 The photographer called to the Queen, who looked annoyed.
 Last week I bought a new computer, which I don't like now.
 I really love the new Chinese restaurant, which we went to last night.
Prepositions and relative clauses
If the verb in the relative clause needs a preposition, we put it at the end of the clause:
For example:
 listen to
The music is good. Julie listens to the music.
→ The music (which / that) Julie listens to is good.
 work with
My brother met a woman. I used to work with the woman.
→ My brother met a woman (who / that) I used to work with.
 go to
The country is very hot. He went to the country.
→ The country (which / that) he went to is very hot.
 come from
I visited the city. John comes from the city.
→ I visited the city (that / which) John comes from.
 apply for
The job is well paid. She applied for the job.
→ The job (which / that) she applied for is well paid.
Whose
'Whose' is always the subject of the relative clause and can't be left out. It replaces a
possessive. It can be used for people and things.
The dog is over there. The dog's / its owner lives next door.
→ The dog whose owner lives next door is over there.
The little girl is sad. The little girl's / her doll was lost.
→ The little girl whose doll was lost is sad.
The woman is coming tonight. Her car is a BMW.
→ The woman whose car is a BMW is coming tonight.
The house belongs to me. Its roof is very old.
→ The house whose roof is old belongs to me.