Phrases & Expressions

To begin official contact between two countries, usually by opening embassies in each other's capitals.

• The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, shortly after the end of the Cold War.
• After decades of hostility, the two neighbours finally agreed to establish diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors.

Added after the first author's surname in a reference to show that other people also wrote the work.

• In your reference list, give the first author's surname followed by et al. if there are many authors.
• The study by Patel et al. is cited in almost every article on the topic.

To describe a problem as larger or more serious than the facts show.

• Early reports exaggerated the extent of the damage; in fact, only two houses were badly affected.
• The company was accused of exaggerating the extent of its recycling programme in its advertisements.

(of two people getting married) to make formal promises to each other during the wedding ceremony.

• The couple exchanged vows on a quiet beach with only their closest friends watching.
• After exchanging vows in the town hall, the newlyweds celebrated with a picnic in the park.

To put a heavy strain or demand on something, such as natural resources or public services.

• The new airport will exert pressure on local roads, which are already crowded at rush hour.
• Mass tourism exerts pressure on fragile coastal ecosystems, especially during the summer months.

To make it easier for people to share information and ideas with each other.

• Online discussion forums can facilitate communication among students who are too shy to speak up in class.
• Translation apps can facilitate communication between doctors and patients who do not share a language.

To start to develop in a satisfactory way as the different parts of a plan come together.

• After months of uncertainty, everything finally fell into place when she was offered a scholarship and a room in halls.
• Once the funding was approved, the other parts of the research project quickly began to fall into place.

To experience a sudden, brief feeling that you have done something wrong.

• I felt a pang of guilt when I saw my mother doing all the housework on her own.
• Many working parents feel a pang of guilt when they miss important moments in their children's lives.

To feel naturally close to someone or something because you share similar qualities or ideas.

• Many first-generation university students feel an affinity with teachers who come from similar backgrounds.
• Having grown up by the sea, I've always felt a strong affinity with people who live in fishing villages.

To feel sad and disappointed, especially after a failure.

• Students often feel dejected when their hard work does not lead to the grades they had hoped for.
• The players felt dejected after losing the final in the last minute of the match.