Daily Converstation 25

Ravi	I have good news to tell you. I was selected for the job.
Kamal	Really nice. My congratulations ! I knew that you were going to be selected. So, when are you going to start your work?
Ravi	They wanted me to come as early as possible. But, I need some time to get ready. I want some new dresses as well.
Kamal	And don't forget the party. We must celebrate this.

Grammar tips .....

Prepositional phrases

At

• at any rate:  whatever happens or is happening
• at one's disposal:  available for one’s use
• at fault:  causing a problem or accident
• at first:  in the beginning
• at last:  finally, after some delay
• at a loss:  unsure of what to do or say; speechless

Behind behind the scenes:  influencing events secretly; unseen
Beside beside the point:  irrelevant
By by accident:  not on purpose by all means:  by any possible method by hand:  without the use of machinery by heart:  from memory by mistake:  accidentally by oneself:  alone by the way:  incidentally (used to introduce a new, unrelated topic
For for a living:  as a profession for one thing:  because of one reason (out of several) for sale:  intended to be sold for sure:  definitely for now/ for the time being:  until some other arrangement/decision is made for a while:  for a period of time From from scratch:  from raw ingredients/materials; without anything pre-made from time to time:  occasionally In in advance:  before something begins; early in any case:  whatever happens in charge:  in command; responsible for in common:  shared by two or more people in danger:  likely to be harmed (opposite: out of danger/out of harm’s way) in a daze:  unable to think clearly; confused in debt:  owing money (opposite: out of debt) in demand:  wanted by many people in the end:  after everything is finished (describes a final outcome) in fact:  in reality; really in a hurry:  doing something quickly in itself:  without anything else in the long run:  in the end; eventually in mint condition:  perfect; as though brand-new in a minute/moment/second:  soon; quickly (used to tell how much longer it will be until something happens) in no time:  very soon; very quickly (used to tell how quickly something happened) in season:  (fruit or vegetables) ripe and available for sale at that time of year (opposite: out of season) in trouble:  blamed or punished for doing something wrong; in a difficult situation (opposite: out of trouble) in vain:  without success in the wrong:  responsible for an error; guilty Inside inside out:  with the inner side out Of of course:  certainly; as one would expect; as everyone knows Off off and on:  (describes a situation that exists at some times, but not others, over a period of time) On on account of:  because of on the air:  in the process of broadcasting (on radio or television) on all fours:  (people) on hands and knees; (animals) on all four feet on demand:  when requested or demanded on fire:  burning; in flames (not burning as in turning black from staying in the oven too long) on hand:  available; in stock on the lookout:  watchful on the one hand:  (used to introduce the first side of an argument) on one's own:  alone; without assistance on the other hand:  alternatively (used with “on the one hand” to introduce a contrasting side of an argument) on purpose:  deliberately on sale:  being sold at a reduced price on second thought:  after thinking further on a shoestring:  with very little money on the spur of the moment:  spontaneously; on a sudden impulse on time:  at the correct time on the verge of:  very close to (an achievement) Out out of the blue:  unexpectedly out of breath:  panting from a shortage of oxygen (usually due to physical exertion) out of character:  different from a person's known character out of order:  not functioning out of the ordinary:  unusual out of practice:  unable to do something as well as one once could because of lack of recent practice out of the question:  not to be considered; not an option out of shape:  not in top physical condition because of lack of exercise (opposite: in shape) out of sight:  not able to be seen; hidden (opposite: in sight) out of town:  not in the city/town where one normally resides (opposite: in town) out of tune:  (of music/musical instruments) not at the correct pitch (opposite: in tune) out of work:  unemployed To to a certain extent:  partly Under under one's breath:  in a whisper; not intending to be heard under the circumstances:  because of the current situation/circumstance under control:  able to be controlled or influenced (opposites: out of control/out of hand) under fire:  being shot at; being criticized under the impression that:  having the idea/belief that under the influence of:  affected by (usually alcohol or drugs) Up up in the air:  uncertain (with regard to the outcome of a situation) With with the naked eye:  without the use of a lens with regard/respect to:  concerning; about with a vengeance:  more than usual; angrily Within within reason: that is reasonable