(1) the relative merits of the two plans
(2) the position of the sun relative to the earth
(3) They now live in relative comfort (= compared with how they lived before) .

(1) The city has trebled the number of its prisoners to 21,000.
(2) the number of commuters to London has dropped by 100,000.
(3) the number of women who become pregnant after adopting children is legion.

(1) I'll ring the hotel. I'll tell them we'll check in tomorrow.
(2) I'd like to cash this check in, please.
(3) You must check in the equipment after using.

(1) a driving licence
(2) a licence for the software
(3) Is there a licence fee?

(1) She was so depressed she took to drugs.
(2) I would rather go out tonight, if you don't mind.
(3) I would rather die than compromise.

(1) The show was good entertainment value .
(2) a budget for the entertainment of clients
(3) radio, television and other forms of entertainment

(1) Remember, keep a positive attitude and good things will happen.
(2) For showbiz newcomers, he advises keeping a positive attitude.
(3) Jerry : Of course, Chinese literators also accept the positive attitude of Confucianism.

(1) He is likely to get off with a small fine.
(2) At eight I said 'I'm getting off now.'
(3) I told you. get off the farm.

(1) Can you describe him to me?
(2) The man was described as tall and dark, and aged about 20.
(3) Jim was described by his colleagues as ‘unusual ’.

(1) surgical/optical/precision, etc. instruments
(2) instruments of torture
(3) Is he learning an instrument?

(1) He had to laugh despite himself.
(2) Her voice was shaking despite all her efforts to control it.
(3) despite applying for hundreds of jobs, he is still out of work.

(1) None of the passengers and crew were injured.
(2) crew members
(3) the officers and crew

(1) One said he could not see anything except the blue of the sky.
(2) That kind of money is no longer going about now.
(3) no longer trammel by his responsibility as chairman, he can say what he wish.

(1) It wasn't a ghost; it was a real person.
(2) pictures of animals, both real and mythological
(3) In the movies guns kill people instantly, but it's not like that in real life .

(1) the latest unemployment figures
(2) the latest craze/fashion/trend
(3) her latest novel

(1) And the teddy bear you gave me that I held so tight.
(2) He lost his job as a result of the dispute.
(3) He was made king as a result of various intrigues.

(1) It's fashionable but wearable, and it's easy to look after.
(2) I just can't be bothered to look after the house.
(3) They wanted someone responsible to look after the place at night-time.

(1) She plays the flute in the school orchestra.
(2) the Scottish Symphony orchestra
(3) ...the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic orchestra.

(1) We were greatly encouraged by the positive response of the public.
(2) Banks actively encourage people to borrow money.
(3) They claim that some computer games encourage violent behaviour in young children.

(1) The host fears the guests won't get on...
(2) What are your neighbours like? Do you get on with them?
(3) Jane got on with her work...

(1) She conveniently forgot to mention that her husband would be at the party, too (= because it suited her not to say) .
(2) Fruit is a convenient source of vitamins and energy.
(3) A bicycle is often more convenient than a car in towns.

(1) You have to learn to take care of your possessions.
(2) Don't worry yourself about me, I can take care of myself.
(3) I take care of them to the best of my abilities.

(1) The crisis had a negative effect on trade.
(2) The whole experience was definitely more positive than negative.
(3) Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory.

(1) Looks has the source of goods factory fast to relate with us!
(2) This paper introduce the rules of law relate with medical record management.
(3) Welcome the domestic and foreign merchants to relate with Our company consults!

(1) The country experienced a foreign currency shortage for several months.
(2) We lost a lot of money, but we just put it down to experience.
(3) experience has taught me that life can be very unfair.

(1) Only in this way can the critical mass of participation be reached.
(2) Each year, hundreds of animals are killed in this way.
(3) in this way we get better results in teaching.

(1) obviously, we don't want to spend too much money.
(2) Diet and exercise are obviously important.
(3) He was obviously drunk.

(1) Let's talk just about investment generally.
(2) The male is generally larger with a shorter beak.
(3) I generally get up at six.

(1) They have only a vague idea of the amount of water available.
(2) the amount of sleep we need varies from person to person.
(3) the amount of paperwork involved is mind-boggling.

(1) This was an amount of compliance which he had not at all expected.
(2) I have to do an amount of homework every day.
(3) Quite an amount of rain has fallen during the night.

(1) The air seemed to be full of pink mist.
(2) Your garden will be full of green grass and gay flowers.
(3) The club seemed to be full of eccentrics.

(1) The weakest students can end up with a negative score.
(2) They could end up with a 50-point winning margin.
(3) That's what you'll end up with, you mark my words.

(1) They eat mainly fruit and nuts.
(2) ‘Where do you export to? ’ ‘France, mainly. ’
(3) The population almost doubles in summer, mainly because of the jazz festival.

(1) Some birds which were once a common sight are now becoming rare.
(2) a common spelling mistake
(3) They share a common interest in photography.

(1) The photograph showed him to advantage.
(2) He took advantage of my generosity (= for example, by taking more than I had intended to give) .
(3) A small car has the added advantage of being cheaper to run.

(1) historically, there has always been a great deal of rivalry between the two families.
(2) The book is historically inaccurate.
(3) a historical novel

(1) For instance, if you want to exercise more, arrange to do it with a friend.

(1) The king was attended upon [ on ] by a number of servants.
(2) He consulted a number of relevant books and periodicals.
(3) The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.

(1) G: No , son ! No pain , no gain ! We are following the fish.
(2) No pain, no gain Many people tend to overdo their exercise programs looking for quick results.

(1) The device had been used operationally some months previously.
(2) He may suddenly take a dislike to foods that he's previously enjoyed.
(3) He had first entered the House 12 years previously.