Phrases & Expressions

In a way that is skilled, polite and suitable for a work situation.

• Students should write emails to their lecturers in a professional manner, with a clear subject line and a polite greeting.
• Even when passengers became angry, the cabin crew dealt with them in a calm and professional manner.

Arranged from the smallest or lowest to the largest or highest.

• Please list the numbers in ascending order, starting with the smallest one.
• The results table shows the participants' scores in ascending order, from the lowest to the highest.

Written in separate capital letters that are not joined together, as often required on forms.

• Labels on international parcels should be printed in block capitals to avoid delivery mistakes.
• Because my handwriting is so messy, I always fill in official forms in block capitals.

Including every small fact or feature, very thoroughly.

• The report describes in great detail how plastic waste from rivers ends up in the ocean.
• She explained the experiment in great detail, so everyone in the lab knew exactly what to do.

During the Middle Ages, the long period of European history that ended around 1500.

• In medieval times, most people never travelled more than a few miles from the village where they were born.
• The castle was built in medieval times to protect the town from invading armies.

One after the other, following a fixed order.

• The instructions must be followed in sequence, otherwise the software will not install correctly.
• The photographs are displayed in sequence to show how the city has changed over a century.

Between the brackets [ ], often used to add your own words to a quotation.

• When you add a word to a quotation to make it clear, put that word in square brackets.
• In the transcript, the researcher's comments appear in square brackets after each answer.

In the central and usually busiest part of a place.

• Many traditional markets in the heart of the old town have been replaced by chain stores and cafés.
• Living in the heart of a big city is exciting, but rents there are often extremely high.

With the tax that is added to the price of most goods and services already included.

• The laptop costs £800 including VAT, which is cheaper than in most other shops.
• All prices on the menu are shown including VAT and service.

To make it more likely that something harmful or unpleasant will happen.

• Smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and many other illnesses.
• Spending long hours in front of screens may increase the risk of eye problems in young children.