(1) I was unaware of his existence until today.
(2) This is the oldest Hebrew manuscript in existence .
(3) Pakistan came into existence as an independent country after the war.

(1) a car/computer manufacturer
(2) Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
(3) Faulty goods should be returned to the manufacturers.

(1) The story was completely untrue and was successfully challenged in court.
(2) She does not like anyone challenging her authority.
(3) This discovery challenges traditional beliefs.

(1) If you are a student, you can omit questions 16–18.
(2) People were surprised that Smith was omitted from the team.
(3) She omitted to mention that they were staying the night.

(1) The royalties enabled the inventor to re-establish himself in business.
(2) He became famous as an inventor of astonishing visual and aural effects.
(3) Edison won his spurs as an inventor while rather young.

(1) When the doors opened, there was a mad dash for seats.
(2) a 60-mile dash to safety
(3) He jumped off the bus and made a dash for the nearest bar.

(1) The true consequences will only be known several years hence.
(2) We suspect they are trying to hide something, hence the need for an independent inquiry.
(3) ...the much larger peacekeeping force that is meant to be fully deployed five months hence.

(1) a shopping/wine/price list
(2) to make a list of things to do
(3) (formal)to draw up a list

(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) The school pays for heating and the maintenance of the buildings.
(2) car maintenance
(3) the maintenance of international peace

(1) a suitable candidate
(2) This programme is not suitable for children.
(3) a suitable place for a picnic

(1) It's a long grind to the top of that particular profession.
(2) the daily grind of family life
(3) She grinds out romantic novels at the rate of five a year.

(1) medical/historical/scientific, etc. research
(2) to do/conduct/undertake research
(3) He has carried out extensive research into renewable energy sources.

(1) cow's milk
(2) a herd of dairy cows (= cows kept for their milk)
(3) You stupid cow!

(1) a member of the senate
(2) a senate committee
(3) the senate of London University

(1) He sighed deeply at the thought.
(2) She sighed with relief that it was all over.
(3) ‘Oh well, better luck next time, ’ she sighed.

(1) food/housing/water shortages
(2) a shortage of funds
(3) There is no shortage of (= there are plenty of) things to do in the town.

(1) Some birds which were once a common sight are now becoming rare.
(2) a common spelling mistake
(3) They share a common interest in photography.

(1) [只用于名词前] household bills/chores/goods (= connected with looking after a house and the people living in it)
(2) low-income/one-parent, etc. households
(3) the head of the household

(1) a wise old man
(2) I'm older and wiser after ten years in the business.
(3) a wise decision

(1) The British received the loudest cheer of the night, whilst the Italians were given the bird.
(2) Upon their arrival and whilst enjoying a drifting trip down a river, it began to rain.
(3) whilst I disagree with you on this matter, I respect your choice.

(1) the benefits of modern medicine
(2) It was good to see her finally reaping the benefits (= enjoying the results) of all her hard work.
(3) The insurance plan will provide substantial cash benefits to your family in case of your death.

(1) roast pork
(2) pork chops
(3) a leg of pork

(1) The baskets are woven from strips of willow.
(2) The strips of willow are woven into baskets.
(3) Most spiders weave webs that are almost invisible.

(1) She works in a bank. She did when I last saw her, anyway.
(2) It's too expensive and anyway the colour doesn't suit you.
(3) It's too late now, anyway.

(1) a slice of bread
(2) Cut the meat into thin slices.
(3) Our firm is well placed to grab a large slice of the market.

(1) She was standing beside my bed staring down at me...
(2) They told me to stand still and not to turn round...
(3) Becker stood and shook hands with Ben.

(1) Do you know what happened to Gill Lovecy (= have you any news about her) ?
(2) What's happened to your car?
(3) It's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

(1) Try to keep the stitches small and straight.
(2) to drop a stitch (= to lose one that you have made)
(3) chain stitch

(1) the fight against terrorism
(2) We're playing against the league champions next week.
(3) We were rowing against the current.

(1) They went on a long train journey across India.
(2) (British English)Did you have a good journey?
(3) on the outward/return journey

(1) pale pink roses
(2) She went bright pink with embarrassment.
(3) the pink pound (= money spent by homosexuals as an influence in the economy)

(1) He showed great courage and determination.
(2) I haven't yet plucked up the courage to ask her.
(3) moral/physical courage

(1) ultimately, you'll have to make the decision yourself.
(2) A poor diet will ultimately lead to illness.
(3) All life depends ultimately on oxygen.

(1) You will be paid in American dollars.
(2) Do you have a dollar?
(3) a dollar bill

(1) a good/bad workman
(2) In University Square workmen are building a steel fence...
(3) Millson saw the workman, Terry, descending the ladder.

(1) ...a glass of chilled, dry white wine.
(2) He's just milking the company dry.
(3) Fulton has retained his dry humour...

(1) We outlined our proposals to the committee.
(2) They saw the huge building outlined against the sky.
(3) This is a brief outline of the events.

(1) a zebra's black and white stripes
(2) a white tablecloth with red stripes
(3) She wore a bright green jogging suit with a white stripe down the sides...

(1) They stood in silence with their heads bowed.
(2) The pines bowed in the wind.
(3) She bowed her head in shame.