(1) The college principal promised to look into the matter.
(2) ‘promise not to tell anyone! ’ ‘I promise. ’
(3) They arrived at 7.30 as they had promised .

(1) You must ask permission for all major expenditure.
(2) The school has been refused permission to expand.
(3) No official permission has been given for the event to take place.

(1) a stressful job
(2) It was a stressful time for all of us.
(3) I think I've got one of the most stressful jobs there is.

(1) spectacular scenery
(2) Vieira scored a spectacular goal.
(3) It was a spectacular achievement on their part.

(1) Consumers are very nervous about the future.
(2) He had been nervous about inviting us.
(3) The horse may be nervous of cars.

(1) The game has already been postponed three times.
(2) We'll have to postpone the meeting until next week.
(3) It was an unpopular decision to postpone building the new hospital.

(1) exotic birds with feathers of gorgeous colours
(2) It was absolutely gorgeous .
(3) gorgeous weather (= warm and with a lot of sun)

(1) Are you absolutely certain about this?
(2) I'm not certain who was there.
(3) To my certain knowledge he was somewhere else at the time (= I am sure about it) .

(1) Go on, ask her; she can hardly refuse.
(2) He flatly refused to discuss the matter.
(3) She refused to accept that there was a problem.

(1) The hospital has a commitment to provide the best possible medical care.
(2) We are here to provide a service for the public.
(3) We are here to provide the public with a service.

(1) The key issue was whether the four defendants acted dishonestly.
(2) It's not a case of whether anyone would notice or not.
(3) whether such properties are a good deal will depend on individual situations.

(1) an incredible story
(2) It seemed incredible that she had been there a week already.
(3) The hotel was incredible.

(1) I suggest doing it a different way.
(2) I suggest doing it in a different way.
(3) It's all very well to suggest doing that, but where's the money coming from?

(1) She was anxious that he should meet her father.
(2) to ask/look/wait anxiously
(3) Residents are anxiously awaiting a decision.

(1) Getting a visa isn't as simple as you might suppose.
(2) Prices will go up, I suppose .
(3) This combination of qualities is generally supposed to be extremely rare.

(1) academic/educational/professional/vocational qualifications
(2) a nursing/teaching, etc. qualification
(3) He left school with no formal qualifications .

(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) Nothing satisfies him─he's always complaining.
(2) The proposed plan will not satisfy everyone.
(3) The food wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger .

(1) This drink doesn't contain any alcohol.
(2) Her statement contained one or two inaccuracies.
(3) a brown envelope containing dollar bills

(1) The Taj Mahal is a magnificent building.
(2) She looked magnificent in her wedding dress.
(3) You've all done a magnificent job.

(1) Breakfast is provided at no extra charge.
(2) You have your choice of adding a number of sauces and vegetables at no extra charge.
(3) Yes, but there is an extra charge of 50 %.

(1) sales forecasts
(2) The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers.
(3) Experts are forecasting a recovery in the economy.

(1) She felt very depressed about the future.
(2) an attempt to bring jobs to depressed areas
(3) depressed prices

(1) What I am saying applies only to some of you.
(2) The word ‘unexciting ’ could never be applied to her novels.
(3) You would pass your exams if you applied yourself.

(1) as long as I live, the bridge lives.
(2) It can take as long as eight days to rig up rope ladders and to establish supply bases before a descent can be made into a very deep cave.
(3) I kept a straight face as long as I could, but I finally had to crack up.

(1) an unexpected result
(2) an unexpected visitor
(3) The announcement was not entirely unexpected .

(1) When convening the assembly , however , you shall blow without sounding an alarm.
(2) It would be better to rely on ourselves than on others.
(3) Don't rely on going to Japan.

(1) a delivery van
(2) Please pay for goods on delivery (= when you receive them) .
(3) Allow 28 days for delivery .

(1) Your team is bound not to be qualified for the next round.
(2) This product has been tested and proved to be qualified for delivery in conformity with standard.
(3) A woman might be qualified for a position in the field of law, medicine, or engineering.

(1) a two-year diploma course
(2) She is taking a diploma in management studies.
(3) a High School diploma

(1) He's generally considered to have the finest tenor voice in the country.
(2) You should consider other people before you act.
(3) He stood there, considering the painting.

(1) Can you recommend a good hotel?
(2) I recommend the book to all my students.
(3) She was recommended for the post by a colleague.

(1) I called the station to enquire about train times.
(2) She enquired as to your whereabouts.
(3) Might I enquire why you have not mentioned this until now?

(1) If you don't do it now, you'll only regret it .
(2) The decision could be one he lives to regret .
(3) ‘I've had a wonderful life, ’ she said, ‘I don't regret a thing. ’

(1) Mozambique became independent in 1975.
(2) an independent inquiry/witness
(3) She went to a lawyer for some independent advice .

(1) a reliable method of predicting earthquakes
(2) Nobody could predict the outcome.
(3) It is impossible to predict what will happen.

(1) It is expected that the report will suggest some major reforms.
(2) to expect a visit/call/letter from sb
(3) Are you expecting visitors?

(1) I've come to the conclusion that he's not the right person for the job.
(2) It took the jury some time to reach the conclusion that she was guilty.
(3) New evidence might lead to the conclusion that we are wrong.

(1) to win/lose an argument
(2) After some heated argument a decision was finally taken.
(3) There are strong arguments for and against euthanasia.

(1) She was taken to hospital, apparently amnesiac and shocked.
(2) I was shocked, brought down to earth by this revelation.
(3) We were amazed, shocked, dumbfounded, shaking our heads in disbelief.