(1) He kept a tight grip on her arm.
(2) She twisted her hair into a tight knot.
(3) The screw was so tight that it wouldn't move.

(1) She's gunning for the top job.
(2) He gunned the cab through the red light.
(3) a line of motorcycles with their engines gunning

(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) the keeper of geology at the museum
(2) 'I don't know where he is,' Hughes replied. 'I'm not his keeper.'
(3) The book keeper figured well.

(1) mommy and I went in an aeroplane.
(2) My son screamed: " mommy, don't touch those , they are disgusting ! "
(3) My mommy says that you lost your daughter and you're very, very sad a broken heart.

(1) a herd of cattle
(2) twenty head of cattle (= twenty cows)
(3) dairy/beef cattle

(1) to study composition
(2) the chemical composition of the soil
(3) the composition of the board of directors

(1) The photochemical reactions transform the light into electrical impulses.
(2) A new colour scheme will transform your bedroom.
(3) It was an event that would transform my life.

(1) His only experience of gardening so far proved immensely satisfying.
(2) I think the young man is getting interested in gardening.
(3) Eric's sister had nobly volunteered to help with the gardening.

(1) to sleep well/deeply/soundly/badly
(2) I couldn't sleep because of the noise.
(3) I had to sleep on the sofa.

(1) The room was in a mess .
(2) The kids made a mess in the bathroom.
(3) ‘ What a mess ! ’ she said, surveying the scene after the party.

(1) This time next week I shall be in Scotland.
(2) We shan't be gone long.
(3) I said that I should be pleased to help.

(1) If I was just a sailor could I sail without a boat.
(2) The sailor put in for time to visit his family before the ship went to sea.
(3) I know he is a sailor by the cut of his jib.

(1) There is a maid to do the housework.
(2) A maid brought me breakfast at half past eight.
(3) Lady ( at party ): Where is that pretty maid who was passing us a while ago?

(1) theirs are the children with very fair hair.
(2) It's a favourite game of theirs.
(3) There was a big group of a dozen people at the table next to theirs...

(1) No westerner could fly in without a visa.
(2) Elias, unspeaking, continued to stare at Eolair after the westerner had finished.
(3) She said that although her face was oriental she was, at heart, a westerner.

(1) She had no comprehension of what was involved.
(2) listening comprehension
(3) a reading comprehension

(1) a swarm of bees
(2) a bee sting
(3) bees were buzzing in the clover.

(1) They didn't reach the border until after dark.
(2) I hope this letter reaches you.
(3) The rumours eventually reached the President.

(1) a few words of encouragement
(2) He needs all the support and encouragement he can get.
(3) With a little encouragement from his parents he should do well.

(1) She laughs too much...
(2) Thank you very much...
(3) He said that his father never talked much about the war...

(1) I only play jazz as a hobby.
(2) Her hobbies include swimming and gardening.
(3) My hobbies are letter writing, football, music, photography, and tennis.

(1) a pudding basin
(2) the Amazon basin
(3) the Pacific basin

(1) ...a 42-year-old housewife from Brisbane.
(2) The housewife crushes out juice from oranges.
(3) Long time ago, Mui Koo always wanted to be a housewife.

(1) They made a request for further aid.
(2) He was there at the request of his manager/at his manager's request (= because his manager had asked him to go).
(3) The writer's name was withheld by request (= because the writer asked for this to be done) .

(1) Both Chile and Argentina feel very strongly about their territorial claims to antarctica.
(2) antarctica, that bleak, white place, still defies full understanding.
(3) antarctica has always inspired grandiose schemes.

(1) The decision was based upon two considerations.
(2) mile upon mile of dusty road
(3) thousands upon thousands of letters

(1) The cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1136 ad.
(2) The original castle was probably built about ad 860.
(3) He's good at ad-libbing his way out of trouble.

(1) They arrived yesterday.
(2) I can remember our wedding as if it were yesterday.
(3) Where were you yesterday morning?

(1) Most of the houses are built of stone.
(2) stone walls
(3) a stone floor

(1) his childhood fantasies about becoming a famous football player
(2) Her books are usually escapist fantasies.
(3) a work of fantasy

(1) to follow/obey/observe the rules
(2) It's against all rules and regulations .
(3) to break a rule (= not follow it)

(1) an enterprise with a turnover of $26 billion
(2) state-owned/public enterprises
(3) small and medium-sized enterprises

(1) Give the tube of toothpaste a squeeze.
(2) DEG in toothpaste has a low but meaningful risk of toxicity and injury to these populations.
(3) Let me see, poison toothpaste, poison dog food, human rights violations.

(1) I've made a few adjustments to the design.
(2) Some adjustment of the lens may be necessary.
(3) She went through a period of emotional adjustment after her marriage broke up.

(1) the cross-channel ferry service
(2) We caught the ferry at Ostend.
(3) the Dover-Calais ferry crossing

(1) Put the maple leaves in between the pages.
(2) maple leaves have turned crimson.
(3) The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.

(1) a pair of granny glasses
(2) ...my old granny.
(3) The old granny talked endlessly, but we listened to her with great patience.

(1) general education
(2) a general hospital
(3) They fired in the general direction of the enemy.

(1) a person of high/average/low intelligence
(2) He didn't even have the intelligence to call for an ambulance.
(3) intelligence reports