(1) The main topic of conversation was Tom's new girlfriend.
(2) The article covered a wide range of topics.
(3) The weather is a constant topic of conversation in Britain…

(1) The population has increased from 1.2 million to 1.8 million.
(2) The rate of inflation increased by 2%.
(3) The price of oil increased.

(1) the maximum speed/temperature/volume
(2) For maximum effect do the exercises every day.
(3) a maximum security prison

(1) I hadn't bargained on them being here.
(2) I didn't bargain on finding them here as well.
(3) When he agreed to answer a few questions, he got more than he bargained for (= he got more questions, or more difficult ones, than he had expected) .

(1) Flat wall paint was on sale at the store.
(2) Among the horses on sale he saw his own lost horse.
(3) Are these items on sale?

(1) The instructions look very complicated.
(2) It's all very complicated─but I'll try and explain.
(3) a complicated system

(1) He's the image of his father.
(2) Slowly, an image began to appear on the screen.
(3) poetic images of the countryside

(1) Her decision to cancel the concert is bound to disappoint her fans.
(2) He's building me up too much — I may disappoint him.
(3) I'm sorry to disappoint your hope.

(1) But it was the Spanish explorer Cortes who understood that chocolate could be a valuable investment.
(2) This branch will allow the explorer to conduct espionage into enemy territories.
(3) The explorer organized an expedition to the North Pole.

(1) We've certainly improved on last year's figures.
(2) I need to improve my French.
(3) to improve standards

(1) reduce speed now (= on a sign) .
(2) Costs have been reduced by 20% over the past year.
(3) Giving up smoking reduces the risk of heart disease.

(1) Her tight-fitting dress left nothing to the imagination.
(2) With a little imagination , you could turn this place into a palace.
(3) His writing lacks imagination.

(1) He surrounds himself with attractive, intelligent, or well-known people...
(2) He is well-known to the local police...
(3) It may be a well-known fact, but I didn't know it...

(1) I'll send the original to you by post .
(2) I'll put the information in the post to you tomorrow.
(3) My application got lost in the post .

(1) a population of half a million
(2) tens of millions of dollars
(3) It must be worth a million (= pounds, dollars, etc.)

(1) ‘Can we still buy tickets for the concert? ’ ‘I imagine so . ’
(2) I don't imagine (that) they'll refuse.
(3) There's nobody there. You're imagining things .

(1) on this/that occasion
(2) I've met him on several occasions.
(3) I can remember very few occasions when he had to cancel because of ill health.

(1) The bad weather ruined our trip.
(2) That one mistake ruined his chances of getting the job.
(3) My new shoes got ruined in the mud.

(1) ‘Was he very angry? ’ ‘indeed he was. ’
(2) ‘Do you agree? ’ ‘indeed I do/Yes, indeed. ’
(3) ‘You said you'd help? ’ ‘I did indeed─yes. ’

(1) a research project
(2) a building project
(3) to set up a project to computerize the library system

(1) a minimum charge/price
(2) the minimum age for retirement
(3) The work was done with the minimum amount of effort.

(1) Steps taken now to maximise your health will pay dividends later on.
(2) This is only going to cause me more problems later on.
(3) later on I learned how to read music.

(1) She just grunted, not deigning to look up from the page.
(2) to look up a number in the telephone directory
(3) look up the trains to Beijing in the timetable.

(1) He drove too fast with tragic consequences.
(2) to suffer/face/take the consequences of your actions
(3) Don't worry. It's of no consequence .

(1) a documentary film about the war
(2) documentary evidence/sources/material
(3) a television documentary about/on the future of nuclear power

(1) They ought to apologize.
(2) ‘Ought I to write to say thank you? ’ ‘Yes, I think you ought (to). ’
(3) They ought to have apologized (= but they didn't) .

(1) Can I introduce my wife?
(2) He introduced me to a Greek girl at the party.
(3) We've already been introduced.

(1) emotionally damaged children
(2) The allegations are likely to damage his political career.
(3) Smoking seriously damages your health.

(1) improvements to the bus service
(2) This is a great improvement on your previous work.
(3) a slight/steady improvement

(1) to guarantee a bank loan
(2) You can guarantee (that) the children will start being naughty as soon as they have to go to bed.
(3) These days getting a degree doesn't guarantee you a job.

(1) We eventually took off at 11 o'clock and arrived in Venice at 1.30.
(2) They need to expand the number of farmers who are involved if the scheme's going to really take off...
(3) In 1944, he met Edith Piaf, and his career took off.

(1) It is, however, necessary on occasion to work outwith these hours.
(2) He treated them seriously and, on occasion, entertained them hilariously.
(3) Nobody is perfect, and everyone acts thoughtlessly on occasion.

(1) a box of matches
(2) to strike a match (= to make it burn)
(3) to put a match to sth (= set fire to sth)

(1) to plan/lead/go on an expedition to the North Pole
(2) Three members of the Everest expedition were killed.
(3) a shopping expedition

(1) For the more adventurous tourists, there are trips into the mountains with a local guide.
(2) Many teachers would like to be more adventurous and creative.
(3) The menu contained traditional favourites as well as more adventurous dishes.

(1) He cut down on coffee and cigarettes, and ate a balanced diet...
(2) Car owners were asked to cut down travel...
(3) A vandal with a chainsaw cut down a tree.

(1) We occasionally meet for a drink after work.
(2) This type of allergy can very occasionally be fatal.
(3) I've had occasional mild headaches all my life...

(1) Several windows had been smashed.
(2) He smashed the radio to pieces.
(3) The glass bowl smashed into a thousand pieces.

(1) I knitted this cardigan myself.
(2) She's knitting the baby a shawl.
(3) Lucy was sitting on the sofa, knitting.