(1) Can you confirm what happened?
(2) It has been confirmed that the meeting will take place next week.
(3) The walk in the mountains confirmed his fear of heights.

(1) He opened the window and looked out...
(2) The church doors would open and the crowd would surge out.
(3) The Inspector opened the packet of cigarettes...

(1) The dog was chewing on a bone.
(2) to chew your nails
(3) After the operation you may find it difficult to chew and swallow.

(1) Their early arrival was just an accident.
(2) It is no accident that men fill most of the top jobs in nursing.
(3) an accident of birth/fate/history (= describing facts and events that are due to chance or circumstances)

(1) soluble aspirin
(2) Glucose is soluble in water.
(3) Uranium is soluble in sea water.

(1) I'll do my homework after supper.
(2) What's for supper?
(3) We'll have an early supper tonight.

(1) At least ten people were killed in the crash.
(2) There were a lot of people at the party.
(3) Many young people are out of work.

(1) Patients with the disease should be isolated.
(2) He was immediately isolated from the other prisoners.
(3) This decision will isolate the country from the rest of Europe.

(1) I'm going to complain to the manager about this.
(2) She never complains, but she's obviously exhausted.
(3) The defendant complained of intimidation during the investigation.

(1) ...the ultimate triumph of communism in the world.
(2) There can be no communism with pauperism, or socialism with pauperism.
(3) Marx's ideas gave birth to communism.

(1) gradually, the children began to understand.
(2) The weather gradually improved.
(3) gradually we learned to cope.

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

(1) scarce resources
(2) Details of the accident are scarce.
(3) Food was becoming scarce.

(1) the United kingdom
(2) the kingdom of God (= heaven)
(3) the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms

(1) an ordinary sort of day
(2) in the ordinary course of events
(3) ordinary people like you and me

(1) You can't see colours at night...
(2) I saw a man making his way towards me...
(3) I saw him yesterday...

(1) The branches were swaying in the wind.
(2) Vicky swayed and fell.
(3) They danced rhythmically, swaying their hips to the music.

(1) to deliver/give a lecture to first-year students
(2) to attend a series of lectures on Jane Austen
(3) a lecture room/hall

(1) The report provides a framework for further research.
(2) We need to establish a legal framework for the protection of the environment.
(3) the basic framework of society

(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) 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 is wonderful and strange and who knows how old he is, he thought.
(2) Your behavior is causing our name to be dragged through the mud.
(3) His behavior under fire approved him a man of courage.

(1) changing patterns of behaviour
(2) an irregular sleeping pattern
(3) The murders all seem to follow a (similar) pattern (= happen in the same way) .

(1) He cracked his whip and the horse leapt forward.
(2) the chief whip
(3) A branch whipped across the car window.

(1) readily/freely/publicly/generally available
(2) Tickets are available free of charge from the school.
(3) When will the information be made available ?

(1) a bus/train timetable (= when they arrive and leave)
(2) We have a new timetable each term (= showing the times of each class in school) .
(3) Sport is no longer so important in the school timetable (= all the subjects that are taught at schools) .

(1) What was the name again?
(2) I'd like the same again (= the same amount or the same thing) .
(3) And again, we must think of the cost.

(1) waterproof clothing
(2) a waterproof camera
(3) You'll need waterproofs (= a waterproof jacket and trousers/pants).

(1) I'll get round to mending it eventually.
(2) She hopes to get a job on the local newspaper and eventually work for ‘The Times ’.
(3) Our flight eventually left five hours late.

(1) A sensor channels the light signal along an optical fibre.
(2) Money for the project will be channelled through local government.
(3) He channels his aggression into sport.

(1) Sounds of voices and commotion could be heard downstairs now.
(2) The downstairs of the two little houses had been entirely refashioned.
(3) He was in an argument with his landlord downstairs.

(1) a rattling noise
(2) What's that noise?
(3) Don't make a noise .

(1) Any investment involves an element of risk.
(2) Many of the crimes involved drugs.
(3) The test will involve answering questions about a photograph.

(1) a style of management
(2) a management style
(3) furniture to suit your style of living

(1) When she opened the door she was greeted by a scene of utter confusion.
(2) Loud cheers greeted the news.
(3) The team's win was greeted as a major triumph.

(1) The actors inspired the kids with their enthusiasm.
(2) The actors' enthusiasm inspired the kids.
(3) His superb play inspired the team to a thrilling 5–0 win.

(1) The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries.
(2) Local businesses are well represented on the committee (= there are a lot of people from them on the committee) .
(3) The President was represented at the ceremony by the Vice-President.

(1) tourists sunbathing on the beach
(2) a sandy/pebble/shingle beach
(3) a beach bar

(1) to be/look/feel tired
(2) I'm too tired even to think.
(3) They were cold, hungry and tired out (= very tired) .

(1) a careless mistake/error
(2) He seemed careless of his own safety.
(3) She gave a careless shrug.