Phrases & Expressions

To look or seem so similar to something that people cannot tell the two apart.

• Some images created by artificial intelligence are now almost indistinguishable from real photographs.
• At first glance, good-quality artificial grass is indistinguishable from a natural lawn.

To be a natural, built-in feature of something that cannot easily be separated from it.

• Certain risks are inherent in any new technology, so careful testing is essential before it is widely used.
• Uncertainty is inherent in weather forecasting, so predictions more than a week ahead are rarely reliable.

To have firmly decided to do something and not intend to change your mind.

• She was resolved to finish her degree, however long it took.
• The new head teacher is resolved to reduce bullying in the school during her first year.

To show that a particular situation or problem, usually a negative one, exists.

• Many observers see the low turnout at the election as symptomatic of declining trust in politicians.
• Long waiting times in hospitals are symptomatic of a health service that is badly underfunded.

Official rules that cause too much work, cost or difficulty for the people who must follow them.

• Small business owners often complain about burdensome regulations that take time away from running their companies.
• The new government promised to cut burdensome regulations in order to encourage foreign investment.

Used to say how many times bigger or smaller an amount becomes.

• The cost of solar panels has fallen by a factor of ten over the past two decades.
• Since the new railway line opened, passenger numbers in the region have increased by a factor of four.

To help explain something or make it clearer by providing new information.

• More research is needed to cast light on the long-term effects of screen time on young children.
• The old letters cast new light on the writer's early life.

To stop doing business or operating completely, used of companies and organisations.

• The decision to cease operations at the mine left hundreds of local workers without jobs.
• If its funding is not renewed, the charity may be forced to cease operations by the end of the year.

To mark the 100th anniversary of an important event with special activities.

• Orchestras around the world celebrated the centenary of the composer's birth with special concerts.
• The university will celebrate the centenary of its foundation next year with a series of public lectures.

To make a relationship or agreement between people or groups stronger and more lasting.

• The two governments hope the new trade agreement will cement the relationship between their countries.
• Regular team-building events can help cement relationships between colleagues from different departments.