I. EXAMPLES:

It’s not that I don’t like the car, but I think it is too expensive.
It’s not that I am unwilling to help you, but I’m tied up with extra work these days.
It’s not that he doesn’t need your help, but he thinks it will be an inconvenience to you.
A mountain is not famous because it is high, but because it has some spirit dwelling in it.

II. DIALOGUES:

Mother: You have to finish your dinner before you leave the table.
Son: But, Mom, I can’t eat anymore. I’m stuffed.
Mother: What’s the matter? It doesn’t taste good?
Son: It’s not that I don’t like your cooking, but I ate some cookies before we had dinner.
Mother: And now you don’t have an appetite. You know you’re not supposed to have any snacks before dinner.
Son: Sorry, Mom. I promise I’ll try and finish eating everything.


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055. It’s on the tip of my tongue.

->This expression is used when you are sure that you know something, but somehow it doesn’t quite come to you.

I. EXAMPLES:

It’s on the tip of my tongue, let me see.
His address is on the tip of my tongue, wait a minute.
The question she wanted to ask was on the tip of her tongue.


II. DIALOGUES:

A: Did you see the new employee in our company?
B: Yeah. Do you know her name?
A: It’s on the tip of my tongue but I just can’t remember.
B: Well, let’s just ask the manager?
A: I’ve got a better idea. Let’s just ask her instead.


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056. It’s said that…


I. EXAMPLES:

It is said that he is quite a handsome young man.
It’s said that a new president will be appointed.
It should be pointed out that your proposals are theoretically correct but practically impossible.
It has been proven that your method is the best.
It will be noted that what they have done to him is wrong.

II. DIALOGUES:

Judge: So, you’ve come to beg for the life of your son?
Woman: Yes, Your honor.
Judge: And why do you think I should pardon him?
Woman: It is said that you are a just but merciful man.
Judge: Mercy is given to those who show mercy.
Woman: But, Your honor, he’s my son, my own flesh and blood.
Judge: He may be your own flesh and blood, but he’s a cold-blooded murderer.

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I. EXAMPLES:

A: Do you want to eat a Western or Chinese meal?
B: It’s up to you.
It’s up to us to help those in need.
It’s not up to you to tell me how to do my job.


II. DIALOGUES:

Father: I’m looking forward to our son’s graduation this weekend.
Mother: Yes, so am I. But what will he do after graduation? He really needs to go to college.
Father: Well, Dear, we can’t force him to go to college. It’s up to him.
Mother: I know that but he has to learn to be independent. He can’t just keep living at home.
Father: You’re right. I’ll talk to him about getting a job. Maybe he can work at my store.
Mother: That’s up to you, Dear. You just have to make sure that he does his work and doesn’t loaf around.


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-> you’re on next .Someone’s turn is the time when they can or
must do something, because they are with other people who are
each doing the same activity one after the other

I. EXAMPLES:
It’s your turn to tell a story.
It’s your turn to cook.
It’s your turn to sweep the floor.
It’s your turn to give a presentation.
It’s your turn to perform.


II. DIALOGUES:
A: I have been washing the dishes for over a week now.
B: Well, I think you are very good at doing the dishes, so maybe you should do them for another week.
A: No, we made an agreement that we would take turns doing the dishes. Now it’s your turn to do them.
B: OK, I’ll do them. But I’ll warn you I don’t think I can do them as well as you.
A: That’s OK. I’ll give you plenty of chances to practice until you get really good at it.
B: I knew you would say something like that.


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I. EXAMPLES:

It may surprise you, but I paid off all the debts in a year.
It may surprise you, but Maggie refused my proposal.
It may surprise you, but I bought all these books for 20 Yuan.
It may surprise you, but he’s just been promoted to manager.
It may surprise you, but he was once in prison.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: How come you never go to McDonalds?
B: This may surprise you, but I’m a vegetarian.
A: So you don’t eat any meat?
B: That’s right; no meat or dairy products.
A: Why dairy products?
B: Because they come from animals.


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->something started in the past and has continued up until now

I. EXAMPLES:
I have been learning English for almost ten years.

I have been living here for thirty years.

Where have you been? We have been looking for you everywhere.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: What’s the matter? You look so tired lately.

B: I haven’t been sleeping very well these past few nights.

A: Why not?

B: I’ve been worried about my financial troubles and when I try to go to bed I can’t sleep.

A: Why don’t you try reading before you go to bed? Maybe that will make you tired.

B: I’ve tried that but it doesn’t work. I end up reading books about money.

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I. EXAMPLES:
I’ve had enough of her continual chatter.

I’ve had enough of your complaining.

Haven’t you had enough of him? I found him so boring.

I’ve had enough of the traffic here.

I’ve had enough of this city.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: New York City is a tough place to live.

B: Yeah, it’s so crowded and the pollution is so bad.

A: You know, I’ve had enough of this city. I’m going to quit my job and move to the country.

B: What will you do for a job?

A: I don’t know. I’ll do anything as long as it means getting out of here.

B: Well, I don’t think changing your environment will make things better. You should learn to be content where you are first.



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I. EXAMPLES:

I wonder if it would be convenient to visit you next Monday.
I wonder if Mr. Wang could arrange a meeting with me.
I was wondering if the manager would agree with my design.
I was wondering if you could come to the meeting this afternoon.

II. DIALOGUES:

Salesman: Excuse me, Miss, I wonder if I could have a few minutes of your time?
Woman: Why?
Salesman: Well, I’d like to introduce you to the new super model ZX-2000 vacuum cleaner.
Woman: I’m sorry but I’m in a hurry now. I don’t have time to try it out.
Salesman: That’s no problem. Excuse me for interrupting you. Here, have my card.
Woman: Thanks. If I get a chance, I will check out your vacuum cleaner another time.

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063. I would rather… than…


->express a preference when making a choice

I. EXAMPLES:

I would rather stay than leave.
He would rather work all day long than do nothing.
The mother would rather die than lose her child.
She’d rather resign than take part in such shameful business deals.


II. DIALOGUES:

A: I’m desperate for money right now.
B: What’s the matter?
A: I don’t have enough money to pay for my rent.
B: Why don’t you ask Kurt to loan you some money?
A: I’d rather dig trenches with a spoon than ask for his help.
B: I wouldn’t be so proud if I were you. Sounds to me you don’t have much of a choice.


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064. No matter what…


I. EXAMPLES:
No matter what he says, don’t believe him.
No matter how you do it, it will be wrong.
No matter where he goes, he carries his suitcase.
No matter how you spend your holiday, tell me about it.

II. DIALOGUES:
A: What’s bothering you?
B: I want to get out of here and get away from all my problems.
A: Are you sure that changing your location will solve your problems?
B: No but at least things will be different.
A: No, matter where you go, you will bring your problems with you.
B: I guess you’re right.

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065. No wonder…


->it is not surprising

I. EXAMPLES:

You eat so little. No wonder you are so slim.
Are you a librarian? No wonder you are so well read.
There is something wrong with your leg? No wonder you walk so slowly.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: Is there something wrong? You look so sad.
B: My house was robbed last night and the thieves stole all my furniture.
A: No wonder you look so upset.
B: Yeah. I called the police but they said there was little they could do.
A: Why not?
B: Because there were no witnesses and the thieves didn’t leave any traces.



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066. Now that I (come to) think about it,…


->indicate that you have suddenly realized something, often something obvious.

I. EXAMPLES:
Now that I come to think about it, you’re right to dismiss him.
Now that I come to think about it, how ignorant I was!
Now that I think about it, you are wise not to have accepted him.
Now that I think about it, he is a person really worth trusting


II. DIALOGUES:
A: Where did you put my dictionary?
B: I’m sorry, but I can’t remember where I put it last.
A: But that’s my favorite dictionary.
B: Wait, now that I think about it, I left it on the kitchen table.
A: How could you be so careless? You should be more careful with other people’s things.
B: Sorry. I’ll be more careful next time.

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067. Once you…


I. EXAMPLES:
Once you decide, you can’t change your mind.
Once you have a stomachache, take the medicine twice a
day.
Once he finds out what you’ve done, he’ll get mad.

II. DIALOGUES:
A: My friends have been asking me to smoke cigarettes
with them.
B: Be careful! You don’t give in to peer pressure.
A: Why?
B: First of all, smoking is bad for your health and
second, once you start smoking it will be hard to stop.
A: Yeah, you’re right. I know a lot of people who are
addicted to smoking.
B: I bet most of them started because their friends also
smoked.
A: You’re right. I won’t do it. I won’t smoke with my
friends.

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068. … only to find…


I. EXAMPLES:
I ran to the station only to find that the train had
left.
She came home excitedly only to find nobody was in.
I search desperately for my purse, only to find all my
money was gone.
I arrived at the restaurant, only to find I had no money
on me.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: Why are you so late?
B: I’m sorry but I missed the bus.
A: How could you miss the bus?
B: I hurried to get to the bus stop only to find I
didn’t have enough change to pay the fare.
A: I’m sorry to hear that.
B: I had to go back home and get some change and wait
for the next bus.



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069. On one hand…on the other hand…

-> use this expression when you are speaking about two different facts
or two opposite ways of thinking about a situation.


I. EXAMPLES:
On one hand, it’s convenient, but on the other hand, it’s time-
consuming.

On one hand, he is very obedient to his wife; on the other hand, he
treats his parents badly.

On one hand, Jason does everything in the office; on the other hand,
he does nothing at home.

As a teacher, he is very patient in class; but on the other hand, he is
not so patient with his own child.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: What do you think of Shakespeare?
B: On one hand his plays are very interesting to watch but on the
other hand they are hard to read.
A: I feel the same way sometimes.
B: So what do you do?
A: I just try to catch the general meaning of each sentence.
B: That sounds like a good idea.


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070. See that…


->to make sure that someone does something or that something happens

I. EXAMPLES:
See that the door is locked before you leave.
See that you have enough sleep every day.
See that you go to see your parents often.

II. DIALOGUES:

Employer: You were late to work again this morning.
Employee: Yes, I’m sorry but I had to help my mother go to the
hospital. She was sick.
Employer: I don’t care what you had to do. You’re supposed to be on
time. See that you’re not late again.
Employee: But this was an emergency.
Employer: It’s your third emergency this month.
Employee: Yeah well, my mother gets sick a lot.


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-> say speaking of something that has just been mentioned as away of introducing a new topic which has some connection with that thing.

I. EXAMPLES:
Speaking of the movies, have you seen “The Patriot”?
Speaking of honesty, I know a lot of people who don’t pay bus fares.
Speaking of Ben, have you seen him recently?
Speaking of bicycles, China is called “the kingdom of bicycles”.


II. DIALOGUES:

A: I can’t wait until Valentine’s Day.
B: Speaking of Valentine’s Day, how is your girlfriend?
A: She’s doing well. I took her out to dinner last night.
B: Did you have a good time?
A: Yeah, the food was delicious.
B: Hey, speaking of food, are you hungry? Let’s grab a bite to eat.
A: That sounds great. Let’s get some Chinese food.



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072. Thanks to…

-> similar meaning with “Because of” , express gratitude being due to someone or something; with the benefit of help from

I. EXAMPLES:
Thanks to their help, we accomplished the task on time.
Thanks to computers, lots of tasks are now easier.
Thanks to your timely warning, I didn’t make a mistake.
Thanks to your stupidity, we lost our game.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: I’m so glad we won the game.
B: Thanks to you, you scored the final goal and won.
A: Actually, you deserve the credit. Thanks to you, the ball was passed to me and I scored.
B: Yeah, we all worked together.
A: I hope that we can win the next game.
B: If we work together like we did this past game, I’m sure we will.


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073. Thank you for…

I. EXAMPLES:

Thank you for what you have done for me.
Thank you for your help.
Thank you for the gift.
Thank you for giving me a lift.
Thank you for your advice.

II. DIALOGUES:

A: I have a big favor to ask.
B: What is it?
A: Well, I need to borrow $1,000 for the down payment on a car.
B: OK, I’ll lend you the money but you have to pay it back as soon as you can.
A: I promise I will. Thanks a million.
B: You’re welcome.


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