Phrases & Expressions

To officially tell a patient which medicine to take and give them a written order for it.

• Doctors are being urged not to prescribe medication such as antibiotics unless it is really necessary.
• The doctor prescribed some medication for my headaches and told me to come back in two weeks.

To show or present facts or documents that prove something is true.

• Scientists have yet to produce evidence that the popular supplement actually improves memory.
• If you want a refund, you will need to produce evidence that you bought the item in this shop.

To show publicly, often together with other people, that you strongly disagree with something.

• Thousands of students marched through the capital to protest against the sharp rise in tuition fees.
• Farmers blocked the motorway with their tractors, protesting against cheap imports that they say are ruining their business.

To give money, food or other help to a country or people in need.

• Wealthy nations have a moral duty to provide aid to countries affected by natural disasters.
• Several charities provided aid to the flood victims within hours, delivering food, blankets and clean water.

To give people the treatment and help they need when they are ill or injured.

• Charities provide medical care to refugees living in crowded camps near the border.
• The new law requires employers to provide basic medical care for workers who are injured on the job.

To keep working towards something you want to accomplish, often over a long period.

• The scholarship allows talented students from poor families to pursue their goals without worrying about tuition fees.
• Despite losing her sight at twelve, she continued to pursue her goal of becoming a lawyer.

To pay for something with your credit card, so that you pay the bank back later.

• Don't worry about the bill – just put it on my credit card and I'll sort it out later.
• Financial advisers warn young people not to put everyday expenses on their credit cards if they cannot pay them off each month.

To speak more loudly, especially because you are angry or want to be heard.

• A good teacher can keep control of a noisy class without ever raising their voice.
• The café was so noisy that I had to raise my voice to make myself heard.

To settle a disagreement by each side giving up some of what it wanted.

• After weeks of talks, the union and management finally reached a compromise on working hours.
• My brother wanted to go to the beach and I wanted the mountains, so we reached a compromise and did both.

To arrive at an opinion or decision that everyone in a group can accept.

• After two days of discussion, the committee finally reached a consensus on how to spend the budget.
• It can be difficult to reach a consensus when members of a group have very different priorities.