Phrases & Expressions

A story so interesting that you want to keep reading or listening until the end.

• The book tells a compelling story of two brothers who emigrate to Canada in search of work.
• Good journalists know how to turn dry statistics into a compelling story that readers will remember.

To tell someone that you admire something they have done or something about them.

• The examiner complimented her on her wide range of vocabulary and natural pronunciation.
• Several guests complimented the chef on the dessert, which was made with local fruit.

To accept less than you want on a particular point in order to reach agreement.

• The university refused to compromise on academic standards, even though it needed more international students.
• When you share a flat, you have to compromise on things like noise, cleaning and guests.

To ask someone a set of questions officially, for example for a job or a research study.

• The researchers conducted interviews with over 300 teachers to find out why so many leave the profession.
• Two senior managers will conduct the interviews, which usually last around forty-five minutes.

Roads carrying so many vehicles that traffic moves slowly or stops altogether.

• Introducing a charge for driving into the city centre could reduce pollution on congested roads.
• Ambulances lose valuable minutes every day trying to get through heavily congested roads at rush hour.

To change your religion or beliefs and accept a new one.

• Her grandfather converted to Buddhism after spending several years living in Thailand.
• After reading about factory farming, he converted to vegetarianism and has not eaten meat since.

A reason why something happened that people find believable and sensible.

• When asked why her essay was almost identical to a classmate's, the student could not give a convincing explanation.
• The company failed to give a convincing explanation for the sudden rise in its prices.

To invent a false explanation, usually to avoid getting into trouble.

• The teenagers cooked up a story about studying at a friend's house, but their parents knew they had been at a concert.
• The two suspects had cooked up a story to give each other an alibi, but the police soon found holes in it.

To write something again by hand, exactly as it appears somewhere else.

• Before printing was invented, monks had to copy out entire books by hand.
• I copied the recipe out from my grandmother's notebook before it fell apart completely.

Used to say you were sure something was true, although it now seems you were wrong.

• I could have sworn I locked the front door, but when I got home it was wide open.
• Sorry, I could have sworn the seminar started at ten, not nine.