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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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) 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.

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

(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) 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.