(1) Why should they get first call on the best property?
(2) He called me over the Tannoy.
(3) I made a phone call to the United States to talk to a friend...

(1) (British English)I haven't received a letter from him yet.
(2) (North Amercian English)I didn't receive a letter from him yet.
(3) ‘Are you ready? ’ ‘No, not yet. ’

(1) I have to make a phone call .
(2) The phone rang and Pat answered it.
(3) They like to do business by phone/over the phone .

(1) Will you have dinner with me tonight?
(2) It's cold tonight.
(3) Here are tonight's football results.

(1) We think it wrong to tell a lie.
(2) She scorned to tell a lie.
(3) It is wrong to tell a lie.

(1) He said he might come tomorrow.
(2) He might get there in time, but I can't be sure.
(3) I know Vicky doesn't like the job, but I mightn't find it too bad.

(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) He was hardworking and energetic.
(2) Flexible, hardworking, loyal and responsible.
(3) I also have a strong ability to adapt, hardworking spirit, also a high team spirit.

(1) He picked his cap up from the floor and stuck it back on his head...
(2) Ridley picked up a pencil and fiddled with it.
(3) Anthony picked himself up and set off along the track.

(1) the high/low cost of housing
(2) A new computer system has been installed at a cost of £80 000.
(3) The plan had to be abandoned on grounds of cost.

(1) You must be able to speak French for this job.
(2) A viral illness left her barely able to walk.
(3) I didn't feel able to disagree with him.

(1) My grandson's birthday was on Tuesday.
(2) The old man hobbled along with the help of his grandson.
(3) Li Bai is the descendent of Li Chong'er , grandson of Li Hao , King Liang Wuzhao.

(1) a colour/black-and-white photo
(2) a passport photo
(3) a photo album (= a book for keeping your photos in)

(1) He likes no sports game except badminton.
(2) They play badminton, or walk briskly backwards.
(3) Do you always play badminton at home?

(1) (British English)It was only a friendly match.
(2) friendly rivalry
(3) a friendly argument

(1) ...a two-week period of time...
(2) time passed, and still Ma did not appear...
(3) 'What time is it?' — 'Eight o'clock.'...

(1) There's someone at the door.
(2) someone's left their bag behind.
(3) It's time for someone new (= a new person) to take over.

(1) A promise is a promise. ( made a promise and keep a promise ) .
(2) It is easier to make a promise than to keep a promise.
(3) Herod had John beheaded to keep a promise.

(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) to lie on your back/side/front
(2) The cat was lying fast asleep by the fire.
(3) Clothes were lying all over the floor.

(1) The area is of great botanical interest.
(2) ...botanical gardens.
(3) The most effective new botanicals are extracts from cola nut and marine algae.

(1) After the accident they tried to find out who the people were, but the bodies were too badly mangled to be recognized.
(2) What measures shall we take to find out the thief?
(3) The editor at once sent the journalist a telegram instructing him to find out the exact number of steps and the height of the wall.

(1) With so much homework to do, her playtime is now very limited.
(2) Any child who is caught will be kept in at playtime.
(3) She sat through lessons aching for playtime to come.

(1) if I were you, Mrs Gretchen, I just wouldn't worry about it...
(2) I am surprised by the fuss she's making. It's not as if my personality has changed.
(3) Asthma drugs are not addictive and you don't need to keep increasing the dose. if anything, the reverse is true.

(1) I am planning a 25th birthday party for my nephew.
(2) My nephew, George, has a box but it is always empty.
(3) He was my wife's nephew.

(1) ...a drawing of my granddaughter Amelia.
(2) I got a present for my baby granddaughter in a hurry.
(3) My young granddaughter is as pretty as a picture in her party dress.

(1) a pleasant working/learning environment
(2) An unhappy home environment can affect a child's behaviour.
(3) They have created an environment in which productivity should flourish.

(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) Sonia, we are reliably informed, loves her family very much.
(2) The attitude of the medical profession is very much more liberal now.
(3) I'm very much a loner — I never go out.

(1) She helpfully suggested that I try the local library.
(2) The staff couldn't have been more helpful.
(3) I called the police but they weren't very helpful.

(1) I got married last July...
(2) He never made it home at all last night...
(3) Much has changed since my last visit...

(1) Huaguang Construction Company is an affiliated company of Far Eastern department store.
(2) He volunteered to serve as the manager of our department store.
(3) Hangzhou Area companies are the leading department store industry, with strong industry competitiveness.

(1) You should remember it, and what's more, you should get it right.
(2) There is something wrong with the radio, and I can't get it right.
(3) She couldn't get it right — she never knew the lines and we had to do several takes.

(1) She doesn't seem to have any idea of what I'm talking about.
(2) I had some idea of what the job would be like.
(3) The brochure should give you a good idea of the hotel.

(1) You will be fined the sum of £200.
(2) a large sum of money
(3) a six-figure sum

(1) I've just bought a new house...
(2) The two had only just met...
(3) I'm just making the sauce for the cauliflower...

(1) Attempts are being made to solve the problem of waste disposal.
(2) to solve an equation/a puzzle/a riddle
(3) to solve a crime/mystery

(1) ...his niece from America, the daughter of his eldest sister.
(2) The President and Mrs. Bush are the adoptive uncle and aunt of a niece and nephew.
(3) She will tend after her niece and nephew for the weekend.

(1) three kinds of cakes/cake
(2) music of all/various/different kinds
(3) Exercises of this kind are very popular.

(1) What is right for us need not be right for others.
(2) I imagined the eyes of the others in the room upon me.
(3) Some people moved in silky, liquid movements, others were jerky, probably drunk.