LangSumm6 Flashcards
initiative (noun) = initiative
[countable]
a plan of action, or a plan to solve a particular problem
This new initiative will hopefully solve our quality control problems.
initiate (verb)
scope (noun) = scope
[uncountable]
the maximum limit of what is allowed or acceptable
What’s the scope of the project? How much financing will it require?
vision (noun) = vision
[countable]
a mental picture of a possible situation
Karen has a very interesting vision of where the company could be in a few years.
envision (verb)
visionary (noun)
be in charge (of something or someone) (verb phrase)
be in charge (of something or someone)
to be responsible for and in control of a situation or group of people
You should direct your question to Bob Smith. He’s in charge of the department.
explore (verb) = explore
[used with or without an object]
to examine or discuss an idea, plan, or suggestion carefully to find out more about it
I’d like to explore some other options before we decide what to do.
exploration (noun)
to receive official permission
We can’t begin construction until we get approval from the city.
get approval (verb phrase) = get approval
head (verb) = head
[used with an object]
to lead an organization or group of people
She heads a team of ten graphic designers.
head (noun)
persuade (verb) = persuade
[used with an object]
to use argument or discussion to convince someone to do or think something
Were you able to persuade the boss to give you a raise?
persuasion (noun)
persuasive (adjective)
position (verb) = position
[used with an object]
(to design a product to appeal to a particular consumer group) to design or try to sell a product in a way that appeals to a particular consumer group
We’re positioning the new service to attract young couples with children.
position (noun)
positioning (noun)
resist (verb) = resist
[used with or without an object]
to refuse to accept an idea, suggestion, or plan
I just don’t understand why some people always resist change.
resistance (noun)
resistant (adjective)
frustrated (adjective) = frustrated
impatient and annoyed because you have no control over a situation and cannot accomplish what you want to
I was so frustrated! I tried to call him for three hours and couldn’t reach him.
frustrate (verb)
frustration (noun)
frustrating (adjective)
sharp (adjective) = sharp
intelligent and quick to understand things
He’s a sharp guy. He always seems to know what’s going on.
sharpness (noun)
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns can follow a or an in the singular.
Adding s or es makes them plural.
Uncountable nouns cannot follow a or an and cannot be made plural.
Examples: Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
idea
chair
message
time*
problem
change
people
water
time*
confidence
space
experience
paper
interest
Quantifiers with Countable Nouns
a couple of* = two
a few* = approximately 2-4
few* = almost none (not usually used in questions)
several* = more than a few (not usually used in questions)
many = a large number * (can’t be used in negative statements)
I only have a few dollars.
There are many cars in the parking lot.
Quantifiers with Uncountable Nouns
Use these quantifiers to describe the amount of an uncountable noun.
a little = a small amount (not used in negative statements)
little = almost none (not used in questions or negative statements)
much = a large amount (used in questions and negative statements)
a great deal of = a large amount
How much money do you have?
He has a great deal of love for his dog.
Quantifiers with Countable or Uncountable Nouns
These quantifiers can be used with either countable or uncountable nouns.
any = even the smallest number or amount (used only in questions and negative statements)
enough = as many or as much as necessary
some = an indefinite number or amount (not used in negative statements)
a lot of = a large number or amount
Does he have any children?
I have a lot of emails to answer.
Use these expressions to suggest a topic to be reviewed. They are all followed by a noun phrase.
Use “at this point” and “at this stage” to summarize the present situation. Use “so far” to summarize what has happened up to now. All of these expressions are followed by S + V.
so far
at this particular time
So far, only two Democrats have entered the race for governor.
gather
gather verb (COLLECT)
[ T ] to collect several things, often from different places or people:
“I went to several libraries to gather information about the plans.”
[ T + adv/prep ] to put your arms around someone and hold or carry them in a careful or loving way
“She gathered the children up and hurried into the house.”
gather speed, strength, momentum, etc.
to become faster, stronger, etc.:
“Economic recovery is gathering pace.”
gather (up) strength/courage
to prepare to make a great effort to be strong or brave:
“I spent a week gathering the courage to say no”
gather verb (COME TOGETHER)
When people or animals gather, they come together in a group:
“A crowd had gathered to hear her speak.”
to get thicker and closer:
“Storm clouds were gathering”
gather verb (UNDERSTAND)
[ T ] to understand or believe something as a result of something that has been said or done
“Harry loves his new job, I gather.”
gather verb (CLOTH)
[ T ] to pull cloth into small folds by sewing a thread through it and then pulling the thread tight:
“a gathered skirt”
[ T ] If you gather a piece of clothing or loose cloth around yourself, you pull it close to your body:
“She shivered, and gathered the blanket around her.”
noun
a small fold that has been sewn into cloth:
“a skirt with gathers at the back”
approve
approve verb (HAVE A GOOD OPINION)
to have a positive opinion of someone or something:
“She doesn’t approve of my friends.”
approve verb (AGREE)
to accept, allow, or officially agree to something:
“The court approved the sale of the property.”
This, is not about words I don’t understand, but
words that I still don’t use
increase
verb
to (make something) become larger in amount or size:
“ncidents of armed robbery have increased over the last few years”
noun
a rise in the amount or size of something
“Any increase in production would be helpful.”
on the increase
“Homelessness is on the increase in many cities.”
adjective
increasing
An increasing number of customers shop online.
excited
adjective (PERSON)
feeling very happy and enthusiastic:
“I was excited that he was coming to visit.”
be nothing to get excited about
to not be especially good:
“It’s a competent enough first novel but nothing to get excited about.”
adjective (PHYSICS)
(of an atom, etc.) in a higher than normal state of energy:
When an electron reverts from an excited to an unexcited state, it gives out light.
spend
spend verb (MONEY)
to give money as a payment for something:
“How much did you spend?”
spend verb (TIME)
to use time doing something or being somewhere:
“I think we need to spend more time together.”
spend verb (FORCE)
to use energy, effort, force, etc., especially until there is no more left:
“For the past month he’s been spending all his energy trying to find a job.”
noun
the amount of money that is spent on something
“The total spend on the project was almost a million pounds”
frustrate
verb [T] (DISCOURAGE)
to make someone feel annoyed or less confident because they cannot achieve what they want:
It frustrates me that I’m not able to put any of my ideas into practice.
flagship
flagship noun [C] (BEST PRODUCT)
the best or most important product, idea, building, etc. that an organization owns or produces:
“The company’s flagship store is in New York.”
flagship noun (BEST ONE)
the best or most important thing among a group:
“The retail chain has its flagship in New York and branches in 19 states.”
a company that is one of the most important in a particular area or industry
“Tata Steel is the flagship company of the Tata Group”
case
case noun (SITUATION)
a particular situation or example of something:
“She was suffering from an extreme case of sunburn.”
in that case
“There’s no coffee left? In that case I’ll have tea.”
because of a possibility of something happening, being needed, etc.:
“I don’t think I’ll need any money but I’ll bring some just in case.”
as the case might be (also whatever the case might be)
one of the stated possibilities that is true:
“When the election is called in April, or June, as the case might be, we shall be ready for”
case noun (PROBLEM)
a problem, a series of events, or a person being dealt with by police, doctors, lawyers, etc.
“a murder case”
case noun (CONTAINER)
a container or box for storing something in:
“The telescope comes with a case.”
a box holding twelve bottles of wine or another type of alcoholic drink, or the twelve bottles and their contents:
“a case of beer/wine”
sharp
sharp adjective (ABLE TO CUT)
having a thin edge or point that can cut something or make a hole in something
“a knife with a sharp edge/blade.”
producing or describing a quick, strong pain that makes you feel like you have been cut
“I have this sharp pain in my chest, doctor.”
used to describe a part of someone’s face that is very pointed:
“a thin face with a sharp nose”
If someone is sharp or makes a sharp statement, they speak or act in a severe and angry way that can hurt other people:
“He was a little sharp with me when I asked him to help.”
sharp adjective (SUDDEN)
happening suddenly, quickly, and strongly:
“a sharp drop in temperature”
sharp adjective (TASTE)
sour in taste:
“Lemons have a sharp taste”.
sharp adjective (CLEAR)
clear; easy to see or understand:
“This TV gives a very sharp picture.”
sharp adjective (CLEVER)
intelligent or quick to notice things:
“Our new director is very sharp.”
sharp adjective (FASHIONABLE)
fashionable:
“Tony is a very sharp dresser.”
sharp adverb (SUDDENLY)
suddenly or immediately:
“After the church, turn sharp left/right.”
sharp adverb (EXACTLY)
exactly at the stated time:
“The performance will start at 7.30 sharp.”
sharp noun [C] (MUSIC)
(a symbol for) a note that is a semitone higher than the stated note
sharp adjective [-er/-est only] (SEVERE)
intended to be strong enough to be felt as painful:
“The candidate delivered a sharp attack on her opponent’s voting record.”
sharp adjective [-er/-est only] (CLEAR)
easy to see or understand; clear:
“High-definition television produces a very sharp picture.”
input
something such as energy, money, or information that is put into a system, organization, or machine so that it can operate:
“I didn’t have much input into the project (= the help I gave was small).
the part that carries information to a machine, or the place where this is connected
“an input device”
to put information into a computer or other piece of electronic equipment:
“I’ve spent the morning inputting data into the computer.”
information, money, or energy that is put into a system, organization, or machine so it can operate:
[ U ] “The city plans to get input from local community groups”.
help, ideas, or knowledge that someone gives to a project, organization, etc.
“We had a very productive meeting with a lot of good input from the technical department.”
rely
to need a particular thing or the help and support of someone or something in order to continue, to work correctly, or to succeed:
[ + -ing verb ] “The success of this project relies on everyone making an effort.”
to trust someone or something or to expect him, her, or it to behave in a particular way:
“British weather can never be relied on - it’s always changing.”
stage
stage noun [C] (PART)
a part of an activity or a period of development:
“They did the last stage of their journey on foot.”
a particular area of public life:
“The president was extremely popular on the world stage but was disliked in his own country.”
he area in a theater, often raised above ground level, on which actors or entertainers perform:
“He made his first stage appearance at the age of six.”
to arrange and perform a play or show:
The local drama group is staging a production of the musical “Grease”.
to organize an event:
London staged the Olympic Games in 2012.
persuade
verb
to make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or by talking to that person and making them believe it:
“If she doesn’t want to go, nothing you can say will persuade her.”
scope
noun
scope noun [U] (RANGE)
the range of a subject covered by a book, programme, discussion, class, etc
“Oil painting does not come within the scope of a course of this kind.”
scope noun [U] (OPPORTUNITY)
the opportunity for doing something:
“There is limited scope for further reductions in the workforce”
scope verb (EXAMINE)
to watch or examine something carefully:
“They think their house is being scoped by burglars.”
scope verb (PLAN)
to plan something in detail before it happens, looking at everything that is involved:
“If the whole thing is scoped and evaluated, with sound project management, then perhaps it will be OK.”
scope noun [U] (RANGE)
the range of matters considered or dealt with:
“We are going to widen the scope of the investigation”
noun
the range of things that an activity, company, law, etc. deals with:
“large/ambitious in scope”
reach out
reach out (to someone)
to try to communicate with a person or a group of people, usually in order to help or involve them:
“We have to be more welcoming, and reach out more.”
chief
chief adjective [before noun] (MOST IMPORTANT)
most important or main:
“The chief problem we have in the area now is the spread of disease.”
chief adjective [before noun] (PERSON IN CHARGE)
highest in rank:
“the chief fire officer/accountant”
borrow
borrow verb (RECEIVE)
to get or receive something from someone with the intention of giving it back after a period of time:
“I had to borrow a pen from the invigilator to do the exam.”
to take money from a bank or other financial organization and pay it back over a period of time:
“We could always borrow some money from the bank.”
“to take and use a word or idea from another language or piece of work:
English has borrowed many words from French”
sight
sight noun (ABILITY TO SEE)
the ability to see:
“If your sight is poor, you should not drive a car.”
sight noun (VIEW)
something that is in someone’s view:
“The flowers at the annual flower show were a beautiful sight.”
places of interest, especially to visitors:
“We spent a week in Rome looking at all the sights.”
sight noun (GUN PART)
a part of a gun or other device through which you look to help you aim at something:
“Make sure you line up the sights before you fire the gun.”
verb
to suddenly see something or someone:
“After days at sea, the sailors finally sighted land.”
sight noun (VIEW)
something that is in someone’s view, or the view someone has:
[ C ] “The finish line was a welcome sight for the runners.”
sight noun (SEEING)
the ability to see, or the act of seeing something:
Machines don’t have a sense of sight.
pamphlet
noun
a few sheets of paper folded together to form a thin magazine that contains information or opinions about something:
“a voter’s information pamphlet”
lobby
lobby noun [C] (SPACE)
a large, open space just inside the main entrance of a public building such as a hotel, office building, or theater:
“As you enter the lobby, you’ll see the elevators on your right.”
lobby noun [C] (PERSUADE)
to try to persuade an elected official to take a particular action or change a law:
[ T ]” Council members have been lobbying colleagues on how to vote.”
leverage
leverage noun [U] (ACTION)
the action or advantage of using a lever:
“Using ropes and wooden poles for leverage, they haul sacks of cement up the track.”
leverage noun [U] (POWER)
power to influence people and get the results you want:
“If the United Nations had more troops in the area, it would have greater leverage”
leverage noun [U] (BUSINESS)
FINANCE & ECONOMICS specialized
the act of using borrowed money to buy an investment or a company:
“With leverage, the investor’s $100,000 buys $500,000 or more of stock if he wants”
leverage verb [T] (USE)
to use something that you already have in order to achieve something new or better:
“We can gain a market advantage by leveraging our network of partners.”
equity
equity noun (VALUE)
the value of a company, divided into many equal parts owned by the shareholders, or one of the equal parts into which the value of a company is divided:
“He sold his equity in the company last year.”
equity noun (FAIRNESS)
the situation in which everyone is treated fairly according to their needs and no group of people is given special treatment:
“a society based on equity and social justice”
FINANCE, PROPERTY
(US also home equity)
the value of a property for the owner after it has been sold and any loan paid back:
“The equity in your home can be a cheap source of cash.”
delight
noun
(something or someone that gives) great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness:
“My sister’s little boy is a real delight.”
verb
to give someone great pleasure or satisfaction:
“Peter’s academic success delighted his family.”
hesitant
adjective
If you are hesitant, you do not do something immediately or quickly because you are nervous or not certain:
“She gave me a hesitant smile”
scrap
scrap verb (THROW AWAY)
to not continue with a system or plan:
We scrapped our plans for a trip to France.
to get rid of something that is no longer useful or wanted, often using its parts in new ways:
“Hundreds of nuclear weapons have been scrapped.”
scrap noun (METAL)
old cars and machines or pieces of metal, etc. that are not now needed but have parts that can be used to make other things:
“We sold our old car for scrap.”
scrap noun (SMALL PIECE)
a small piece of something or a small amount of information:
“Do you have a scrap of paper I could write on?”
scrap noun (ARGUMENT)
a fight or argument, especially a quick, noisy one about something not important:
“A couple of kids were having a scrap in the street.”
weaken
verb
to (cause to) become less strong, powerful, determined, or effective:
“We know that prolonged exposure to vibration can weaken aircraft components.”
to make or become weak or weaker:
“The country’s economy continues to weaken”
to become or make something or someone become less powerful, successful, effective, etc.:
“A series of scandals weakened investor confidence.”
long-term
adjective
continuing a long time into the future:
“long-term unemployment”
brand equity (noun phrase) = brand equity
[uncountable]
the value that a brand name has in the opinion of the public
Brand equity can be one of a company’s most valuable assets.
market identity (noun phrase) = market identity
[countable]
the particular set of characteristics that the public associates with a certain product, brand, or company
We’ve spent more than ten years developing our market identity. It’s not something that comes overnight.
the green light (noun phrase) = the green light
[countable]
consent or approval to go ahead
As soon as we get the green light from my manager, we can get started.
assume (that) (verb) = assume (that)
[used with an object]
to believe something is true before you have proof that it is true
I haven’t asked her yet, but I assume that she’ll want to go.
assumption (noun)
be worth (doing something) (verb phrase) = be worth (doing something)
to be valuable or helpful if you do it
Climbing a mountain isn’t the most relaxing way to spend a vacation, but it’s definitely worth doing.
leverage (verb) = leverage
[used with an object]
to use assets effectively to gain money, power, or other benefits
Management believes that we can leverage our position in the market to successfully introduce the new product.
leverage (noun)
scrap (verb) = scrap
[used with an object]
to stop using or considering an idea, plan, or system because it no longer has value
We’ve decided to scrap the old system and buy new computers.
weaken (verb) = weaken
[used with or without an object]
to lose strength or make something lose its normal strength
Our sales continue to weaken. Our market share is down to 6 percent!
weakness (noun)
weak (adjective)
hesitant (adjective) = hesitant
reluctant to do something or unsure about doing it
It seems like a good deal, but I’m hesitant to spend so much money.
hesitate (verb)
hesitation (noun)
price-sensitive (adjective) = price-sensitive
paying careful attention to prices because you are not willing to pay too much
It’s a very competitive, price-sensitive market. If we raise our prices too much, we’ll lose customers.
reasonable (adjective) = reasonable
logical, fair, and not extreme
It seems like a reasonable offer to me. What do you think?
reason (verb)
reason (noun)
thorough (adjective) = thorough
careful about details and completion
He’s always very thorough in his reports. He never leaves out any details.
Verbs with That Clauses
Verbs that show a person’s thoughts or feelings can be followed by a that clause.
think
feel
believe
assume
I believe (that) we have a lot of competition.
The Verb Be with That Clauses
The verb to be can also be followed by a that clause. In each of these sentences, the subject is a problem, idea, or situation.
problem
issue
point
difficulty
The difficulty is (that) our sales department is too small.
The issue is (that) we don’t have enough money.
Adjectives with That Clauses
Like verbs, adjectives that show a person’s thoughts or feelings can be followed by a that clause.
sure
glad
sorry
worried
I am worried (that) Greg will be promoted.
I’m glad (that) tomorrow is a holiday.
Adjectives That Describe a Situation
Adjectives that describe a situation can also be followed by a that clause. Note that it is the subject of the sentence.
true
strange
obvious
too bad
It’s too bad (that) she missed the meeting.
It’s strange (that) he didn’t call.
Expressing Certainty
Use the following expressions when you are certain about something.
These expressions are followed by a comma plus S + V.
Clearly, + S + V
Obviously, + S + V
“Clearly, he doesn’t understand the problem.”
These expressions can be followed by (that) + S + V. The word that is optional.
I’m sure (that) + S + V
I’m positive (that) + S + V
I’m certain (that) + S + V
I’m positive (that) he’ll accept the offer.
Expressing Uncertainty
Use these expressions when you are uncertain about something. The word not makes them negative. They can be followed by (that) + S + V. The word that is optional.
I’m not sure (that) + S + V
I’m not positive (that) + S + V
I’m not certain (that) + S + V
forward
forward adverb (DIRECTION)
toward the direction that is in front of you:
“She leaned forward to whisper something in my ear.”
forward adverb (FUTURE)
toward the future:
“I always look forward, not back”
after that point:
“From that day forward they never spoke to each other.”
forward adverb (PROGRESS)
used in expressions related to progress:
“This is a big step forward for democracy.”
used, especially in business, to mean “in the future”:
“This could become a problem going forward”
forward adjective (CONFIDENT)
confident and honest in a way that ignores the usual social rules and might seem rude:
“Do you think it was forward of me to invite her to dinner when we’d only just met?”
to send a letter, etc., especially from someone’s old address to their new address, or to send a letter, email, etc. that you have received to someone else:
“I’ll forward any mail to your new address.”
asset
noun
a useful or valuable quality, skill, or person:
“He’ll be a great asset to the team.”
something valuable belonging to a person or organization that can be used for the payment of debts:
“A company’s assets can consist of cash, investments, specialist knowledge, or copyright material.”
stockholder
a person who owns shares in a company and therefore gets part of the company’s profits and the right to vote on how the company is controlled:
“Stockholders will be voting on the proposed merger of the companies next week.”
stakeholder
stakeholder noun [C] (SHARE)
a person or group of people who own a share in a business
a person such as an employee, customer, or citizen who is involved with an organization, society, etc. and therefore has responsibilities toward it and an interest in its success
stakeholder
noun [ C ] ECONOMICS, MANAGEMENT
an employee, investor, customer, etc. who is involved in or buys from a business and has an interest in its success:
“Corporate executives need to think about the whole business and how it creates value for customers and stakeholders.”
thought
noun
the act of thinking about or considering something, an idea or opinion, or a set of ideas about a particular subject:
“Ask me again tomorrow. I’ll have to give it some thought.”
thought noun [C/U] (THINKING)
the act of thinking about something to form ideas and opinions, or an idea or opinion produced by thinking:
[ U ] “I have given this matter considerable thought.”
steal
steal verb [I or T] (TAKE)
to take something without the permission or knowledge of the owner and keep it:
“She admitted stealing the money from her employers”
steal verb [I or T] (DO QUICKLY)
to do something quickly or without being noticed:
“She stole a glance at her watch.”
a product that has a very low price, or a price that is much lower than the original cost:
“I picked up a new iron on sale - it was a steal.”
through
through preposition, adverb (PLACE)
from one end or side of something to the other:
“They walked slowly through the woods.”
through preposition, adverb (TIME)
from the beginning to the end of a period of time:
“She had just enough energy to get through the day.”
through preposition (RESULT)
as a result of:
“The company lost the order through production delays.”
through preposition (USING)
by; using:
“I got my car through my brother who works in a garage.”
adjective
through adjective (FINISHED)
having finished using or doing something:
“Are you through with that atlas?”
through adjective (SUCCESSFUL)
to achieve success in an exam, competition, etc. and progress to the next stage or a higher level:
“She’s through to the next round of interviews.”
through adjective (DIRECT)
A through train or bus goes all the way from one place to another place without the passenger having to change trains or buses.
dressing (noun) = dressing
[countable/uncountable]
a mixture of liquids, herbs, and spices that is put on raw vegetables, salads, or other foods
Oil and vinegar is a common salad dressing.
dress (verb)
entree (noun) = entree
[countable]
the main dish in a meal
Are you going to have an appetizer before your entree?
