Phrases & Expressions

Used when you believe what you are saying is true but are not completely sure.

• If I remember rightly, the lecturer said the essay should be no longer than 2,000 words.
• Your grandmother grew up in a fishing village near the coast, if I remember rightly.

Used politely before giving a criticism or personal opinion that the listener may not welcome.

• Your CV is rather long, if you don't mind my saying so – try to cut it to two pages.
• The presentation was interesting, but, if you don't mind me saying so, your slides had far too much text on them.

To make it easier for people to obtain or use a service or resource they need.

• Cheaper mobile data has improved access to online banking in many rural communities.
• Online courses have helped improve access to higher education for students who cannot afford to move away from home.

Written in a friendly, relaxed way, as if the writer were talking to the reader.

• The blog is written in a chatty style, which makes complex scientific ideas easy for teenagers to follow.
• Avoid writing in a chatty style in formal emails, as it may sound unprofessional to the reader.

Very quickly or very soon.

• This soup is easy to make, and it'll be ready in a jiffy.
• Hold on, I'll be with you in a jiffy.

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.