FLASH CARD 9
(20 cards)
attempt to escape vs try to escape
The prisoners attempted to escape by digging a tunnel.
She changed jobs frequently, attempting to escape her toxic work environment
He attempted to escape his loneliness by traveling alone
Attempt to escape is more formal than “try to escape.” Often used in news, stories, or serious contexts.
My dog tried to escape bath time by hiding under the bed.
During the meeting, I tried to escape the boring discussion by pretending to get a phone call
When asked about homework, my dog attempted to escape by hiding under the bed!
live on vs live off (verb)
He lives on coffee and fast food.
She lives on $500 a month.
Many elderly people live on pensions
(l@ư@ơ@n@g h@ư@u)
live off
He lives off his parents.” (Depends on them for money/food.)
Meaning: To regularly eat, use, or depend on something to survive or function. Similar to survive on but more natural in daily speech.
”s@ố@n@g n@h@ờ v@à@o…, t@ồ@n t@ạ@i n@h@ờ v@à@o…”
live off: similar to live on but depend on someone
Instead (adverb) vs Instead of (preposition)
- At the end of a sentence:
She didn’t go to school. She stayed home instead.”*
He didn’t apologize. He laughed instead - Before a clause (with “of” → “instead of”):
He drank tea instead of coffee.
Use olive oil instead of butter
Simple meaning: Used to say what is done or happens in place of something else.
Instead of (preposition)
- Instead of + noun/pronoun:
- “We ate noodles instead of rice.”
- Instead of + verb (-ing):
- “She walked instead of driving.”
(t#h#a#y v#ì)
work environment
Our work environment is dynamic, with open spaces that encourage team discussions.
Good managers create a positive work environment by recognizing employee efforts
Similar to
-
Workplace culture
- “The company’s workplace culture emphasizes work-life balance and employee wellness programs.”
-
Office atmosphere
- “The office atmosphere became tense after the merger announcement.” -
Working conditions
- “The factory improved its working conditions after the safety inspection.” -
Employment atmosphere
- “The employment atmosphere in the tech industry remains competitive despite layoffs.” -
Business environment
- “The current business environment demands adaptability to technological changes.”
frequently = regularly
1. “Frequently”
- Meaning: Often, many times (focuses on high frequency but not necessarily a fixed pattern), “a lot,” sometimes even “too much”).
✅ She frequently checks her phone. (She does it often, but not at set times.)
✅ He frequently travels for work. (Many trips, but no fixed schedule.)
✅ This error occurs frequently. (Happens often, but unpredictably.)
Both “frequently” and “regularly” describe how often something happens, but they have subtle differences in meaning and usage.
2. “Regularly”
- Meaning: At fixed intervals, consistently (focuses on predictable repetition).
- Usage: Suggests a pattern, routine, or scheduled recurrence.
- Tone: More structured than “frequently.”
✅ She regularly goes to the gym on Mondays and Thursdays. (Fixed schedule.)
✅ The magazine is published regularly every month. (Strict periodicity.)
✅ He takes medication regularly at 8 AM and 8 PM. (Strict routine.)
as well vs also
1. “Also”
✅ She also speaks Spanish.
✅ I have also been to Paris.
✅ They are also coming to the party.
✅ Also, don’t forget to call her. (formal addition)
❌ Are you coming as well? (Unnatural → Use “too” or “also”.)
Both “also” and “as well” mean “too” or “in addition,”, but they are used differently in sentences.
2. “As well”
- Position: Always at the end of a clause.
- Used in: Only positive statements (not in negatives or questions).
- Formality: More casual (common in spoken English).
✅ She speaks Spanish as well.
✅ He’s bringing his sister as well.
❌ She doesn’t like coffee as well. (Incorrect → Use “either” instead.)
(c@ũ@n@g hoặc n@ữ@a)
By then = At that time
1. “By then”
- I will have finished the report by then.
- He had already left by then.
Meaning: At or before a specific point in the future or past.
- It emphasizes that something is completed before a moment in time.
- Often implies a deadline.
2. “At that time”
- I was living in Hanoi at that time.
- The company was still small at that time.
- I was in school at that time
Meaning: Exactly during a specific moment in the past or future.
- Refers to what was happening at a particular moment, not before or after.
V@à@o l@ú@c đ@ó
someone else
Someone else owned the restaurant at that time, not the current chef.
I hope someone else can fix the issue by then
Someone else had already taken the job by then, so I missed the opportunity.
a#i k#h#á#c
a power outage (N) = Power went out (V) = lose power (V)
There was a power outage at my house yesterday.
My house lost power for 3 hours yesterday
The power went out at my house for 3 hours yesterday
Daily spoken is:👉 “The power went out.”
-
Thể tích (Volume)
- Cubic meter (m³): Mét khối
- Liter (L): Lít
- Milliliter (mL): Mi-li-lít
- Cubic centimeter (cm³): Xăng-ti-mét khối
- Gallon (gal): Ga-lông
- Quart (qt): Quạt
- Pint (pt): Panh
- Fluid ounce (fl oz): Ao-xơ chất lỏng -
Diện tích (Area)
- Square meter (m²): Mét vuông
- Square kilometer (km²): Ki-lô-mét vuông
- Hectare (ha): Héc-ta
- Square foot (ft²): Feet vuông
- Square inch (in²): Inch vuông
- Acre (ac): Mẫu Anh
-
Chu vi (Perimeter)
- Meter (m): Mét
- Centimeter (cm): Xăng-ti-mét
- Foot (ft): Feet
- Inch (in): Inch -
Khối lượng (Mass/Weight)
- Kilogram (kg): Ki-lô-gam
- Gram (g): Gam
- Milligram (mg): Mi-li-gam
- Tonne (t): Tấn
- Pound (lb): Pao
- Ounce (oz): Ao-xơ
occur = happen (verb)
Occur – To happen or take place.
The meeting will occur at noon.
Happen – To take place or occur.
Accidents can happen anytime.
imply (verb)
Her smile implied that she knew the secret.
His tone implied he was unhappy, even though he didn’t say it.
The rules imply that late submissions won’t be accepted.
N@h@ấ@n m@ạ@n@h
injure myself/s.o
I injured myself while lifting heavy boxes.
The reckless driver injured a pedestrian in the accident.
(bất cẩn/liều lĩnh)
Meaning: show how “injure” is a simple verb used to describe causing harm.
He injured himself badly when he fell off the ladder.
icy vs ice
Ice (noun)
- Meaning: Frozen water (solid state of H₂O)
The lake was covered with ice.”
Her stare was as cold as ice.”
(Nhìn sững sờ)
Icy (adjective)
- Meaning:
1. Covered with/slippery from ice
2. Extremely cold
3. Emotionally cold/unfriendly
> “The roads are icy after the storm.” (literal)
> “An icy wind blew through the valley.” (temperature)
> “She gave him an icy glare.” (metaphorical)
(Ánh nhìn giận dữ / Cái nhìn nảy lửa)
Key Difference
- Ice = the noun (the frozen material)
- Icy = the adjective (describing ice-like conditions/temperatures/attitudes)
Memory Tip
Think:
- “Ice” = the thing ❄️
- “Icy” = how something is (cold/slippery/unfriendly) 🥶
ahead of schedule
Finish ahead of schedule – To complete something earlier than planned.
The construction crew worked efficiently and finished the project ahead of schedule.
-
Deliver ahead of schedule – To provide something before the expected time.
The manufacturer delivered the order ahead of schedule, surprising the customer.
Meaning: show how “ahead of schedule” is a simple phrase used to describe completing or arriving earlier than expected.
v@ư@ợ@t t@i@ế@n đ@ộ
-
Arrive ahead of schedule – To reach a destination earlier than planned.
Thanks to light traffic, we arrived at the airport ahead of schedule.
They didn’t say
Pair 1:
A. Where are they living now?
B. I don’t know where they are living now
Pair 2:
A: How are their children?
B: I’m not sure how their children are
Combine with Embedded Questions
Pair 3:
A: When will their new house be finished?
B: I don’t know their new house will be finished
I’m not the person to ask
Here are 3 completed pairs following the pattern of Pair 1 (embedded questions with indirect responses):
Pair 2:
A: Why does Robert always get to school so early?
B: I don’t know why Robert always gets to school so early.
Pair 3:
A: When did the ice cream truck come by?
B: I have no idea when the ice cream truck came by.
(Tôi không biết/Tôi mù tịt)
Pair 4:
A: Where does Margaret work?
B: I don’t remember where Margaret works.
Key Structure:
- Embedded Question: Turn the direct question (e.g., “Where does Margaret work?”) into a noun clause (“where Margaret works”) after phrases like:
- I don’t know…
- I have no idea…
- I’m not sure…
Well done you:
-
“You passed the exam? Well done you!”
→ “Bạn thi đậu rồi á? Giỏi lắm đó!” -
“Well done you for finishing the project on time!”
→ “Làm tốt lắm, hoàn thành dự án đúng hạn đấy!” -
“You helped your little sister with her homework? Well done you!”
→ “Em giúp em gái làm bài tập à? Đáng khen đấy!”
- “Làm tốt lắm!” (thông dụng, khen chung)
- “Giỏi lắm!” (khen cá nhân)
- “Bạn làm tốt đấy!” (khen cụ thể một người)
Tùy ngữ cảnh, bạn có thể chọn cách dịch phù hợp. Nếu là lời khen động viên, “Làm tốt lắm!” thường tự nhiên nhất. 😊
a few = some
-
“A Few”
- Used with countable plural nouns
- Means a small but noticeable number (typically 3-5)
- I have a few books to return.*
- I have a few questions
-
“Some”
- Works with both countable and uncountable nouns
- Means an unspecified amount (small or moderate)
- Examples:
- Can I have some water? (uncountable)
- She bought some apples. (countable)
When to Use Which?
✔ Use “a few” for small, countable amounts
✔ Use “some” for general quantities or uncountable nouns
Bonus Tip:
- “A few” is positive (“I have a few friends” = enough)
- “Few” (without “a”) is negative (“I have few friends” = not enough)
to be up late vs to wake up late
-
Be up late = Stay awake until late at night (intentional)
- “I was up late studying.”
-
Wake up late = Get out of bed late in the morning (often unintentional)
- “She woke up late and missed breakfast.”
Key Difference:
- Up late = Night (choosing to stay awake)
- Wake up late = Morning (sleeping past normal time)
Tip:
- ❌ Don’t say “awake late”
- ✔ “Stay up late” = same as “be up late”
thức khuya
