(1) The operation could prolong his life by two or three years.
(2) Don't prolong the agony (= of not knowing sth) ─just tell us who won!
(3) Mr Chesler said foreign military aid was prolonging the war...

(1) His arms swung as he walked.
(2) A set of keys swung from her belt.
(3) As he pushed her, she swung higher and higher (= while sitting on a swing) .

(1) The dial records very slight variations in pressure.
(2) Currency exchange rates are always subject to variation.
(3) regional/seasonal variation (= depending on the region or time of year)

(1) to pull/squeeze the trigger
(2) He kept his finger on the trigger.
(3) The trigger for the strike was the closure of yet another factory.

(1) an indignant letter/look
(2) She was very indignant at the way she had been treated.
(3) They were indignant that they hadn't been invited.

(1) maternal instincts
(2) Children do not know by instinct the difference between right and wrong.
(3) His first instinct was to run away.

(1) the intrinsic value of education
(2) These tasks were repetitive, lengthy and lacking any intrinsic interest.
(3) Small local shops are intrinsic to the town's character.

(1) [可数名词, 不可数名词]Her story was a complete fabrication from start to finish.
(2) The evidence was totally fabricated.
(3) ...a plant which fabricates airplane components.

(1) This tax should be abolished.
(2) The whole system should be abolished.
(3) The following year Parliament voted to abolish the death penalty for murder...

(1) The defendant will not be liable for every act that is caused by their negligence.
(2) Another defendant was given a suspended prison term.
(3) Are you ready to plead against the case offered by the defendant?

(1) There was a triumphant glitter in his eyes.
(2) the superficial glitter of show business
(3) gold/silver glitter

(1) the transition from school to full-time work
(2) We need to ensure a smooth transition between the old system and the new one.
(3) He will remain head of state during the period of transition to democracy.

(1) a crude drawing of a face
(2) crude jokes/language
(3) crude oil/metal

(1) The way she puts on that accent really irritates me.
(2) Some drugs can irritate the lining of the stomach.
(3) I found her extremely irritating.

(1) an obedient child
(2) He was always obedient to his father's wishes.
(3) blind/complete/unquestioning/total obedience

(1) Do you have to be so cynical about everything?
(2) a cynical view/smile
(3) I'm a bit cynical about the benefits of the plan.

(1) Here the river is confined in a narrow channel.
(2) The soldiers concerned were confined to barracks (= had to stay in the barracks , as a punishment)
(3) She was confined to bed with the flu.

(1) She contrived to spend a couple of hours with him every Sunday evening.
(2) I decided to contrive a meeting between the two of them.
(3) They contrived a plan to defraud the company.

(1) a gas/surgical mask
(2) The robbers were wearing stocking masks.
(3) The kids were all wearing animal masks.

(1) startling/sensational revelations about her private life
(2) The company's financial problems followed the revelation of a major fraud scandal.
(3) ...the seemingly everlasting revelations about his private life.

(1) You are welcome to come in and browse.
(2) She browsed the shelves for something interesting to read.
(3) I found the article while I was browsing through some old magazines.

(1) a patriotic man who served his country well
(2) patriotic songs
(3) Woosnam is fiercely patriotic...

(1) a feasible plan/suggestion/idea
(2) It's just not feasible to manage the business on a part-time basis.
(3) [不可数名词]a feasibility study on the proposed new airport

(1) to refute an argument/a theory, etc.
(2) She refutes any suggestion that she behaved unprofessionally.
(3) [可数名词, 不可数名词]a refutation of previously held views

(1) When does your driving licence expire?
(2) His term of office expires at the end of June.
(3) an expired passport

(1) a convert to the cause
(2) a convert to Islam
(3) converts from other faiths

(1) The project is being allocated more resources.
(2) More resources are being allocated to the project.
(3) A large sum has been allocated for buying new books for the library.

(1) The country was descending into chaos.
(2) Hundreds of football fans descended on the city.
(3) They descended to the level of personal insults.

(1) An injury was hindering him from playing his best.
(2) Some teachers felt hindered by a lack of resources.
(3) a political situation that hinders economic growth

(1) America wants to eliminate tariffs on items such as electronics.
(2) The daily tariff includes accommodation and unlimited use of the pool and gymnasium.
(3) ...electricity tariffs and telephone charges.

(1) The room was furnished with antiques.
(2) She furnished him with the facts surrounding the case.
(3) Many proprietors try to furnish their hotels with antiques.

(1) a paved area near the back door
(2) This decision paved the way for changes in employment rights for women.
(3) The avenue had never been paved, and deep mud made it impassable in winter.

(1) profound changes in the earth's climate
(2) My father's death had a profound effect on us all.
(3) profound insights

(1) Take the coast road─it'll be less of a haul (= an easier journey) .
(2) Our camp is only a short haul from here.
(3) They began the long slow haul to the summit.

(1) There is no incentive for people to save fuel.
(2) tax incentives to encourage savings
(3) Many companies in Britain are keen on the idea of tax incentives for R&D.

(1) The pub is a favourite haunt of artists.
(2) That decision came back to haunt him .
(3) For years she was haunted by guilt.

(1) He said he would appeal after being found guilty on four counts of murder.
(2) The company is appealing against the ruling.
(3) The prospect of a long wait in the rain did not appeal.

(1) rotting leaves
(2) The window frame had rotted away completely.
(3) Too much sugar will rot your teeth.

(1) a life assurance company
(2) There was an air of easy assurance and calm about him.
(3) Unemployment seems to be rising, despite repeated assurances to the contrary .

(1) the Minister of State for external Affairs
(2) The building has been restored externally and internally.
(3) The university has many externally funded research projects.