Phrases & Expressions

A formal greeting used at the start of a letter to an unnamed reader, such as an organisation.

• If the advert gives no contact name, start your cover letter with Dear Sir or Madam.
• Some people find Dear Sir or Madam rather impersonal, so they try to find out the reader's name.

To do the regular, often boring jobs needed to keep a home clean and tidy.

• Flatmates who agree on a fair way to do household chores tend to argue much less.
• Now that we both work full-time, we have made a rota so that we do household chores equally.

To take action in order to solve a problem or improve a bad situation.

• Unless governments do something about rising air pollution, the number of people with breathing problems will keep increasing.
• The tap in the bathroom has been dripping for weeks; can you please do something about it?

To work without pay, usually to help a charity or the local community.

• Many universities encourage students to do voluntary work, as it develops skills that employers value.
• Since retiring, my grandmother has been doing voluntary work at a local food bank twice a week.

A lot of people or things, used when the exact number is not important.

• The library has dozens of past exam papers that students can borrow for practice.
• I've applied for dozens of jobs since graduating, but I've only had two interviews.

To finally be in a situation or do something that you did not plan or expect.

• Many students who choose a degree only for the salary end up feeling bored in their jobs.
• We meant to stay in for the evening, but we ended up going to a concert with some friends.

To write the required personal details in the spaces on an official document when applying for something.

• Many older people struggle to fill in application forms for benefits, so the charity offers free help.
• It took me nearly two hours to fill in the application form for the scholarship.

To travel by plane in the more comfortable and expensive section, between first class and economy.

• My company lets me fly business class on flights longer than six hours.
• Senior executives usually fly business class so that they can sleep properly before important meetings.

Used to give a second reason, usually after 'for one thing'.

• I'm not taking the job: for one thing, the pay is low, and for another thing, the commute is two hours.
• Why don't I like the flat? Well, for one thing it's tiny, and for another thing, it's miles from the station.

To arrange the layout and appearance of text so that it looks right on the page or screen.

• Before submitting your dissertation, check that you have formatted the document according to the university's guidelines.
• It took me longer to format the document than to write it, because the tables kept moving around.