Situation Flashcards
[countable] the highest mark that a student can get in an examination or for a piece of work
“I got an A in French.
/aɪ ɡɒt ən eɪ ɪn frɛntʃ/.”
“I got an A on the test.
/aɪ ɡɒt ən eɪ ɒn ðə tɛst/.”
“Julia got straight A’s in high school.
/ˈdʒuːliə ɡɒt streɪt eɪz ɪn haɪ skuːl/.”
“Jane got all A’s in high school.
/dʒeɪn ɡɒt ɔːl eɪz ɪn haɪ skuːl/.”
[countable, uncountable] an examination that students in England and Wales take, usually when they are 19
A level
“She decided to stay on at school to take her A levels.
/ʃiː dɪˈsaɪdɪd tuː steɪ ɒn æt skuːl tuː teɪk hər eɪ ˈlɛvəlz/.”
“He decided to stay on at school to do his A levels.
/hiː dɪˈsaɪdɪd tuː steɪ ɒn æt skuːl tuː duː hɪz eɪ ˈlɛvəlz/.”
“I took Maths, Physics, and Chemistry at A level.
/aɪ tʊk mæθs, ˈfɪzɪks, ænd ˈkɛmɪstri æt eɪ ˈlɛvəl/.”
(American English): someone who regularly gets the best marks possible for their work in school or college
A student
“I was A student on my way to medical school.
/aɪ wɒz eɪ ˈstjuːdənt ɒn maɪ weɪ tuː ˈmɛdɪkəl skuːl/.”
your first plan, which you will use if things happen the way you expect
“We are going to find a restaurant and buy a meal. That’s plan A.
/wiː ɑːr ˈɡəʊɪŋ tuː faɪnd ə ˈrɛstrɒnt ænd baɪ ə miːl ðæts plæn eɪ/.”
“Plan A is for Christen to come down on the bus.
/plæn eɪ ɪz fɔːr ˈkrɪstən tuː kʌm daʊn ɒn ðə bʌs/.”
from one place to another
**from A to B
“Hiring a car was the best way to get from A to B.
/ˈhaɪərɪŋ ə kɑː wɒz ðə bɛst weɪ tuː ɡɛt frɒm eɪ tuː biː/.”
“It doesn’t have to be fancy. I just need a car to get me from A to B.
/ɪt ˈdʌzənt hæv tu bi ˈfænsi. aɪ ˈdʒʌst nid ə kɑr tu ɡɛt mi frɒm eɪ tu biː/.”
“The arrow pointing from A to B illustrates the functional dependency in the definition.
/ðə ˈæroʊ ˈpɔɪntɪŋ frɒm eɪ tu biː ˈɪləstreɪts ðə ˈfʌŋkʃənəl dɪˈpɛndənsi ɪn ðə ˌdɛfəˈnɪʃən/.”
“An eagle looking down from above implies a threat whereas a heron flying from A to B suggests a more peaceable purpose.
/æn ˈiɡəl ˈlʊkɪŋ daʊn frɒm əˈbʌv ɪmˈplaɪz ə θrɛt wɛrˈæz ə ˈhɛrən ˈflaɪɪŋ frɒm eɪ tu biː səˈdʒɛsts ə mɔr ˈpisəbəl ˈpɜrpəs/.”
“The wavelength of the light increases when it passes from A to B for 2 reasons.
/ðə ˈweɪvˌlɛŋθ əv ðə laɪt ɪnˈkrisɪz wɛn ɪt ˈpæsɪz frɒm eɪ tu biː fɔr tuː ˈrizənz/.”
describing, including, or knowing everything about a subject
from A to Z
“The history of art from A to Z.
/ðə ˈhɪsˌtɔri əv ɑrt frɒm eɪ tu ziː/.”
“He wants his whole oeuvre to be seen from A to Z without any cuts.
/hi wɑnts hɪz hoʊl ˈɜːvrə tu biː sin frɒm eɪ tu ziː wɪˈðaʊt ˈɛni kʌts/.”
the name of a road in Britain that is smaller than a motorway, but larger than a B-road
B-road → A-road → M-road
B123, A1, A12, M1, M12 etc
[countable, uncountable] the highest mark that a student can get in a GCSE examination
“I got two A* in the GCSEs.
/ˌeɪ ˈstɑː $ -ˈstɑːr/ “
to leave someone, especially someone you are responsible for
“A child was found abandoned outside a hospital.
/ə ʧaɪld wəz faʊnd əˈbændənd ˈaʊtsaɪd ə ˈhɑːspɪtəl/.”
“He abandoned his family and went to live with another woman.
/hiː əˈbændənd hɪz ˈfæməli ænd wɛnt tuː lɪv wɪð əˈnʌðər ˈwʊmən/.”
“Her family largely/virtually abandoned her, and she just saw her son occasionally.
/hər ˈfæməli ˈlɑrʤli/ˈvɜrʧuəli əˈbændənd hər, ænd ʃiː ʤʌst sɔː hər sʌn əˈkeɪʒənəli/.”
to go away from a place, vehicle etc permanently, especially because the situation makes it impossible for you to stay
“The thief abandoned the car when it ran out of fuel.
/ðə θiːf əˈbændənd ðə kɑr wɛn ɪt ræn aʊt ʌv fjuːl/.”
“The captain gave the order to abandon ship.
/ðə ˈkæptən ɡeɪv ðə ˈɔrdər tuː əˈbændən ʃɪp/.”
“We had to abandon the building when its roof began to collapse.
/wiː hæd tuː əˈbændən ðə ˈbɪldɪŋ wɛn ɪts ruːf bɪˈɡæn tuː kəˈlæps/.”
“They had to hastily/quickly abandon ship when it started sinking.
/ðeɪ hæd tuː ˈheɪstəli/ˈkwɪkli əˈbændən ʃɪp wɛn ɪt ˈstɑrtɪd ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/.”
“Residents had to temporarily abandon their home because of the flood warning.
/ˈrɛzɪdənts hæd tuː ˈtɛmpərɛrɪli əˈbændən ðer hoʊm bɪˈkɔz əv ðə flʌd ˈwɔrnɪŋ/.”
“Guests were forced to abandon the hotel on account of the fire.
/ɡɛsts wər fɔrst tuː əˈbændən ðə hoʊˈtɛl ɒn əˈkaʊnt əv ðə ˈfaɪər/.”
“The soldiers had to abandon their tank because it had become bogged down in the mud.
/ðə ˈsoʊldʒər hæd tuː əˈbændən ðer tæŋk bɪˈkɔz ɪt hæd bɪˈkʌm bɔɡd daʊn ɪn ðə mʌd/.”
to stop doing something because there are too many problems and it is impossible to continue. Or because it’s too difficult or unsuccessful.
“Poor weather forced them to abandon their attempt to climb the mountain/ attempt at climbing the mountain. abandon any further attempt.
/pʊr ˈwɛðər fɔrst ðɛm tuː əˈbændən ðɛr əˈtɛmpt tuː klaɪm ðə ˈmaʊntən/ /əˈtɛmpt æt ˈklaɪmɪŋ ðə ˈmaʊntən əˈbændən ˈɛni ˈfɜrðər əˈtɛmpt/.”
“They had to abandon their futile effort to reopen Mekong supply line.
/ðeɪ hæd tuː əˈbændən ðeɪr ˈfjuːtaɪl ˈɛfərt tuː riˈoʊpən ˈmiːkɔŋ səˈplaɪ laɪn/.”
“When night fell, the police had to abandon their search for the missing boy.
/wɛn naɪt fɛl ðə pəˈlis hæd tuː əˈbændən ðeər sɜrtʃ fɔr ðə ˈmɪsɪŋ bɔɪ/.”
“Because of the rain, we had to abandon our plan to go for a walk/ abandon our plan for walking outside.
/bɪˈkɔz ʌv ðə reɪn wiː hæd tuː əˈbændən aʊər plæn tuː ɡoʊ fɔr ə wɔk/ /əˈbændən aʊər plæn fɔr ˈwɔkɪŋ ˈaʊtsaɪd/.”
“The government was forced to abandon its economic policies.
/ðə ˈɡʌvərnmənt wəz fɔrst tuː əˈbændən ɪts ˌiːkəˈnɑmɪk ˈpɑləsiz/.”
“The research project had to be abandoned because of a lack of funds.
/ðə rɪˈsɜrtʃ ˈprɑdʒɛkt hæd tuː biː əˈbændənd bɪˈkɔz ʌv ə læk ʌv fʌndz/.”
“She appeared in a few films in the 1990s, but has largely abandoned her acting career.
/ʃiː əˈpɪrd ɪn ə fjuː ˈfɪlmz ɪn ðə ˈnaɪntiz, bʌt hæz ˈlɑrʤli əˈbændənd hər ˈæktɪŋ kəˈrɪr/.”
“The rescue attempt had to be temporarily abandoned until the weather improved.
/ðə ˈrɛskju əˈtɛmpt hæd tuː biː ˈtɛmpərɛrɪli əˈbændənd ənˈtɪl ðə ˈwɛðər ɪmˈpruvd/.”
“They abandoned their plan to start up a business altogether/totally/completely.
/ðeɪ əˈbændənd ðer plæn tuː stɑrt ʌp ə ˈbɪznəs ˌɔltəˈɡɛðər/ˈtoʊtəli/kəmˈpliːtli/.”
“The police eventually/finally had to abandon their hunt for the man when all signs of him had disappeared.
/ðə pəˈlis ɪˈvɛnʧuəli/ˈfaɪnəli hæd tuː əˈbændən ðer hʌnt fɔr ðə mæn wɛn ɔːl saɪnz əv ɪm hæd ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/.”
“He never abandoned his ambition to rule the country.
/hiː ˈnɛvər əˈbændənd hɪz æmˈbɪʃən tuː rul ðə ˈkʌntri/.”
“Severe storms forced them to abandon their expedition.
/sɪˈvɪr stɔrmz fɔrst ðɛm tuː əˈbændən ðer ˌɛkspəˈdɪʃən/.”
“The original plan was abandoned in favor of a cheaper one.
/ðə əˈrɪʤənəl plæn wəz əˈbændənd ɪn ˈfeɪvər əv ə ˈʧiːpər wʌn/.”
to stop having a particular idea, belief, or attitude
“Helen abandoned her idea of becoming a doctor, and studied Law instead.
/ˈhɛlən əˈbændənd hər aɪˈdiə ʌv bɪˈkʌmɪŋ ə ˈdɑktər ænd ˈstʌdɪd lɔ ɪnˈstɛd/.”
“There’s no sign that Henry would abandon his decision to earn a living as a writer.
/ðɛrz noʊ saɪn ðæt ˈhɛnri wʊd əˈbændən hɪz dɪˈsɪʒən tuː ɜrn ə ˈlɪvɪŋ æz ə ˈraɪtər/.”
“The party was accused of abandoning its principles to win the votes.
/ðə ˈpɑrti wəz əˈkjuzd ʌv əˈbændənɪŋ ɪts ˈprɪnsəpəlz tuː wɪn ðə voʊts/.”
“She never abandoned her hope of seeing him again.
/ʃiː ˈnɛvər əˈbændənd hər hoʊp əv ˈsiːɪŋ hɪm əˈɡɛn/.”
“She would never realise and abandon that false hope.
/ʃiː wʊd ˈnɛvər ˈriːəlaɪz ænd əˈbændən ðæt fɔːls hoʊp/.”
“He had to abandon his idea of traveling to Italy due to his ill health.
/hiː hæd tuː əˈbændən hɪz aɪˈdiə əv ˈtrævəlɪŋ tuː ˈɪtəli duː tuː hɪz ɪl hɛlθ/.”
literary to feel an emotion so strongly that you let it control you completely
abandon yourself to something
“She abandoned herself to grief.
/ʃiː əˈbændənd hərˈsɛlf tuː ɡriːf/.”
“They danced wildly down the street, abandoning themselves to the night and the moon.
/ðeɪ dænst ˈwaɪldli daʊn ðə striːt əˈbændənɪŋ ðəmˈsɛlvz tuː ðə naɪt ænd ðə mun/.”
(noun) [uncountable]
they behave in a careless or uncontrolled way, without thinking or caring about what they are doing
with carefree/ joyous/ reckless/wild abandon
“They drank and smoked with wild/ reckless abandon.
/ðeɪ dræŋk ænd smoʊkt wɪθ waɪld/ ˈrekləs əˈbændən/.”
“With most people’s standards, Marilyn was fairly uninhibited, bathing infrequently, belching and farting with carefree abandon.
/wɪθ moʊst ˈpipəlz ˈstændərdz, ˈmɛrəlɪn wəz ˈfɛrli ʌnɪnˈhɪbɪtəd, ˈbeɪðɪŋ ɪnˈfriːkwəntli, ˈbɛlʧɪŋ ænd ˈfɑrtɪŋ wɪθ ˈkɛrˌfri əˈbændən/.”
“Rather than joyous abandon, I was full of thought.
/ˈræðər ðæn ˈʤɔɪəs əˈbændən, aɪ wəz fʊl əv θɔt/.”
to leave an organization because you believe that it is going to fail soon
abandon ship
“The chairman and most of the board members had already abandoned ship.
/ðə ˈtʃɛərmən ænd moʊst ʌv ðə bɔːrd ˈmɛmbərz hæd ɔlˈrɛdi əˈbændənd ʃɪp/”
leave someone in a bad situation with no one to help them
abandon sb to their fate
“The wounded soldier was abandoned to his fate.
/ðə ˈwʊndɪd ˈsoʊldʒər wəz əˈbændənd tuː hɪz feɪt/.”
to no longer continue with a legal case etc
“He decided to abandon his claim for damages.
/hiː dɪˈsaɪdɪd tuː əˈbændən hɪz kleɪm fɔːr ˈdæmɪʤɪz/.”
describe both being abandoned and abandoning someone or something.
“The child felt a sense of abandonment when their parents left them.
/ðə tʃaɪld fɛlt ə sɛns əv əˈbændənmənt wɛn ðɛr ˈpɛrənts lɛft ðɛm/.”
“The abandonment of the project was a disappointment to everyone involved.
/ðə əˈbændənmənt əv ðə ˈprɑdʒɛkt wɑz ə dɪs. əˈpɔɪnt. mənt tu ˈɛvriwʌn ɪnˈvɑlvd/.”
“The dog showed signs of abandonment, wandering the streets alone.
/ðə dɔg ʃoʊd saɪnz əv əˈbændənmənt, ˈwɑndərɪŋ ðə strits əˈloʊn/.”
“The feeling of abandonment overwhelmed her after the breakup.
/ðə ˈfilɪŋ əv əˈbændənmənt ˌoʊvərˈhwɛlm hər ˈæftər ðə ˈbreɪkʌp/.”
[countable] the state of being able to do something
“The ability to walk.
/ðə əˈbɪləti tuː wɔːk/.”
“The health center services all patients regardless of their ability to pay.
/ðə hɛlθ ˈsɛntər ˈsɜrvɪsɪz ɔːl ˈpeɪʃənts rɪˈɡɑrdləs əv ðer əˈbɪləti tuː peɪ/.”
[countable, uncountable] someone’s level of skill at doing something
“She has the ability to make people feel relaxed.
/ʃiː hæz ðə əˈbɪləti tuː meɪk ˈpiːpl fiːl rɪˈlækst/.”
“She possesses the ability to make people feel relaxed.
/ʃiː pəˈzɛsɪz ðə əˈbɪləti tuː meɪk ˈpipəl fiːl rɪˈlækst/.”
“A chance for candidates to show their ability.
/ə ʧæns fɔr ˈkændɪˌdeɪts tuː ʃoʊ ðer əˈbɪləti/.”
“A chance for candidates to demonstrate their ability.
/ə ʧæns fɔr ˈkændɪˌdeɪts tuː ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt ðer əˈbɪləti/.”
“As a young man, he lacked the ability to say No.
/æz ə jʌŋ mæn, hiː lækst ðə əˈbɪləti tuː seɪ noʊ/.”
“Students are encouraged to develop the ability to work independently.
/ˈstjuːdənts ɑr ɪnˈkɜrɪʤd tuː dɪˈvɛləp ðə əˈbɪləti tuː wɜrk ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/.”
“Students are encouraged to acquire the ability to work independently.
/ˈstjuːdənts ɑr ɪnˈkɜrɪʤd tuː əˈkwaɪər ðə əˈbɪləti tuː wɜrk ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəntli/.”
“Roger lost his ability to walk following the horrific accident.
/ˈrɑːdʒər lɒst hɪz əˈbɪləti tuː wɔːk ˈfɒləʊɪŋ ðə həˈrɪfɪk ˈæksɪdənt/.”
“The noise was affecting her ability to concentrate.
/ðə nɔɪz wəz əˈfɛktɪŋ hər əˈbɪləti tuː ˈkɒnsəntreɪt/.”
“He has a medical condition to limit his ability to work.
/hiː hæz ə ˈmɛdɪkəl kənˈdɪʃən tuː ˈlɪmɪt hɪz əˈbɪləti tuː wɜːrk/.”
“He has a medical condition to reduce his ability to work.
/hiː hæz ə ˈmɛdɪkəl kənˈdɪʃən tuː rɪˈdjuːs hɪz əˈbɪləti tuː wɜːrk/.”
“Surely, anything which helps you to improve your ability to learn is a good thing.
/ˈʃʊəli ˈɛniθɪŋ wɪtʃ hɛlps juː tuː ɪmˈpruːv jɔːr əˈbɪləti tuː lɜːrn ɪz ə ɡʊd θɪŋ/.”
“Surely, anything which increases your ability to learn is a good thing.
/ˈʃʊəli ˈɛniθɪŋ wɪtʃ ɪnˈkriːsɪz jɔːr əˈbɪləti tuː lɜːrn ɪz ə ɡʊd θɪŋ/.”
“Jones quickly demonstrated his ability to score goals.
/ʤoʊnz ˈkwɪkli ˈdɛmənˌstreɪtɪd hɪz əˈbɪləti tuː skɔr ɡoʊlz/.”
“As a young man, he lacked the ability to communicate feelings.
/æz ə jʌŋ mæn, hiː lækst ðə əˈbɪləti tuː kəˈmjunɪˌkeɪt ˈfilɪŋz/.”
“He showed his ability as a leader.
/hiː ʃoʊd hɪz əˈbɪləti æz ə ˈlidər/.”
“She thought they were criticizing her ability as a mother.
/ʃiː θɔt ðeɪ wər ˈkrɪtəˌsaɪzɪŋ hər əˈbɪləti æz ə ˈmʌðər/.”
“There are musicians of all abilities.
/ðɛr ɑr mjuˈzɪʃənz əv ɔːl əˈbɪlətiz/.”
“A group of low-ability pupils.
/ə ɡrup əv loʊ əˈbɪləti ˈpjuːpəlz/.”
“Many of these students are of above average ability.
/ˈmɛni əv ðiːz ˈstjuːdənts ɑːr əv əˈbʌv ˈævərɪdʒ əˈbɪləti/.”
“Children of high ability demand for more absorbing tasks.
/ˈtʃɪldrən əv haɪ əˈbɪləti dɪˈmænd fɔːr mɔːr əbˈsɔːrbɪŋ tɑːsks/.”
“Mixed ability classes.
/mɪkst əˈbɪləti ˈklɑːsɪz/.”
“He was a young man of great ability.
/hiː wəz ə jʌŋ mæn əv ɡreɪt əˈbɪləti/.”
“Those drawings required a considerable ability on the part of the artist.
/ðoʊz ˈdrɔɪŋz rɪˈkwaɪrd ə kənˈsɪdərəbl əˈbɪləti ɒn ðə pɑːrt əv ðiː ˈɑːrtɪst/.”
(considerable: fairly large, especially large enough to have an effect or be important)
“A writer of remarkable ability.
/ə ˈraɪtər əv rɪˈmɑːrkəbl əˈbɪləti/.”
(remarkable: unusual or surprising and therefore deserving attention or praise)
“The company aims to select people of outstanding ability.
/ðə ˈkʌmpəni eɪmz tu sɪˈlɛkt ˈpipəl əv ˌaʊtˈstændɪŋ əˈbɪləti/.”
(outstanding: extremely good)
“His exceptional ability as a swimmer.
/hɪz ɪkˈsɛpʃənəl əˈbɪləti æz ə ˈswɪmər/.”
(exceptional: unusually good/ better than usual)
“He has an uncanny ability to spot investment opportunities.
/hi hæz ən ʌnˈkæni əˈbɪləti tu spɑt ɪnˈvɛstmənt ˌɑpərˈtunətiz/.”
(uncanny: very strange and difficult to explain)
“The princess showed a unique ability to relate to ordinary people.
/ðə ˈprɪnsɛs ʃoʊd ə juˈnik əˈbɪləti tu rɪˈleɪt tu ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈpipəl/.”
(unique: unusually good and special)
“The princess showed a rare ability to relate to ordinary people.
/ðə ˈprɪnsɛs ʃoʊd ə rɛr əˈbɪləti tu rɪˈleɪt tu ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈpipəl/.”
(rare: very good or surprising)
“Companies often valued proven ability and reliability of old employees.
/ˈkʌmpəniz ˈɔfən ˈvæljud ˈpruvən əˈbɪləti ænd rɪˌlaɪəˈbɪləti əv oʊld ɪmˈplɔɪˌiz/.”
“He doesn’t have the natural ability of his brother.
/hi ˈdʌzənt hæv ðə ˈnætʃərəl əˈbɪləti əv hɪz ˈbrʌðər/.”
“Babies have an innate ability to do simple maths.
/ˈbeɪbiz hæv ən ɪˈneɪt əˈbɪləti tuː duː ˈsɪmpəl mæθs/.”
(innate ability: something you are born with)
“He has a considerable physical ability.
/hi hæz ə kənˈsɪdərəbl ˈfɪzɪkəl əˈbɪləti/.”
“He has a considerable athletic ability.
/hi hæz ə kənˈsɪdərəbl əˈθlɛtɪk əˈbɪləti/.”
“These exercises are supposed to help you improve your mental ability.
/ðiz ˈɛksərsaɪzɪz ər səˈpoʊzd tuː hɛlp juː ɪmˈpruːv jɔːr ˈmɛntəl əˈbɪləti/.”
“No one doubts his intellectual abilities.
/noʊ wʌn daʊts hɪz ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl əˈbɪlətiz/.”
“A degree is an evidence of your academic ability in a particular subject area.
/ə dɪˈɡriː ɪz ən ˈɛvɪdəns əv jɔːr ˌækəˈdɛmɪk əˈbɪləti ɪn ə pərˈtɪkjələr ˈsʌbdʒɪkt ˈɛriə/.”
“The test is intended to measure the children’s verbal ability.
/ðə tɛst ɪz ɪnˈtɛndɪd tuː ˈmɛʒər ðə ˈtʃɪldrənz ˈvɜːrbəl əˈbɪləti/.”
(verbal: dùng từ, lời nói)
“The test is intended to measure the children’s linguistic ability.
/ðə tɛst ɪz ɪnˈtɛndɪd tuː ˈmɛʒər ðə ˈtʃɪldrənz lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk əˈbɪləti/.”
(linguistic: ngôn ngữ, cấu trúc, ngữ pháp…)
“These students have a higher level of mathematical ability.
/ðiz ˈstjuːdənts hæv ə ˈhaɪər ˈlɛvəl əv ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl əˈbɪləti/.”
“These students have a higher mathematical ability level.
/ðiz ˈstjuːdənts hæv ə ˈhaɪər ˌmæθəˈmætɪkəl əˈbɪləti ˈlɛvəl/.”
“You don’t have any artistic ability.
/ju ˈdoʊnt hæv ˈɛni ɑːrˈtɪstɪk əˈbɪləti/.”
“You don’t have any creative ability.
/ju dəʊnt hæv ˈɛni kriˈeɪtɪv əˈbɪləti/.”
“Tim showed his musical ability at an early age.
/tɪm ʃoʊd hɪz ˈmjuːzɪkəl əˈbɪləti æt æn ˈɜrli ˈeɪdʒ/.”
“His acting ability was obvious straightaway.
/hɪz ˈæktɪŋ əˈbɪləti wəz ˈɑbviəs ˈstreɪtəˌweɪ/.”
“Applicants of the job need to demonstrate their ability in English.
/ˈæplɪkənts əv ðə ʤɑb nid tu ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt ðɛr əˈbɪləti ɪn ˈɪŋglɪʃ/.”
“The children were of the same age and ability level.
/ðə ˈʧɪldrən wər əv ðə seɪm eɪʤ ænd əˈbɪləti ˈlɛvəl/.”
“The children were of the same age and the level of ability.
/ðə ˈʧɪldrən wər əv ðə seɪm eɪʤ ænd ðə ˈlɛvəl əv əˈbɪləti/.”
“There is a wide range of ability within the class.
/ðɛr ɪz ə waɪd reɪndʒ əv əˈbɪləti wɪˈðɪn ðə klɑːs/.”
“Disruptive behavior is more prominent in the lower range of ability.
/dɪsˈrʌptɪv bɪˈheɪvjər ɪz mɔːr ˈprɒmɪnənt ɪn ðə ˈloʊər reɪndʒ əv əˈbɪləti/.”
“Disruptive behavior is more prominent in the lower ability range.
/dɪsˈrʌptɪv bɪˈheɪvjər ɪz mɔːr ˈprɒmɪnənt ɪn ðə ˈloʊər əˈbɪləti reɪndʒ/.”
“Examinations are not always a good ability test.
/ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃənz ɑːr nɒt ˈɔːlweɪz ə ɡʊd əˈbɪləti tɛst/.”
“Examinations are not always the good test of ability.
/ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃənz ɑːr nɒt ˈɔːlweɪz ðə ɡʊd tɛst əv əˈbɪləti/.”
“The class was given the verbal test of ability.
/ðə klɑːs wəz ˈɡɪvən ðə ˈvɜːrbəl tɛst əv əˈbɪləti/.”
“The class was given the verbal ability test.
/ðə klɑːs wəz ˈɡɪvən ðə ˈvɜːrbəl əˈbɪləti tɛst/.”
“Children were divided into different ability groups.
/ˈʧɪldrən wər dɪˈvaɪdɪd ˈɪntu ˈdɪfrənt əˈbɪləti ɡruːps/.”
“Children were divided into different groups of ability.
/ˈʧɪldrən wər dɪˈvaɪdɪd ˈɪntu ˈdɪfrənt ɡruːps əv əˈbɪləti/.”
as well as you can
“He completed his job to the best of his ability.
/hi kəmˈpliːtɪd hɪz dʒɑb tuː ðə bɛst əv hɪz əˈbɪləti/.”
“All the children competed and performed to the best of their ability.
/ɔːl ðə ˈtʃɪldrən kəmˈpiːtɪd ænd pərˈfɔːrmd tuː ðə bɛst əv ðeər əˈbɪləti/.”
“Players must perform to the best of their ability.
/ˈpleɪərz mʌst pərˈfɔːrm tuː ðə bɛst əv ðeər əˈbɪləti/.”
“Players must play to the best of their ability.
/ˈpleɪərz mʌst pleɪ tuː ðə bɛst əv ðeər əˈbɪləti/.”
“I’ve always done my job to the best of my ability.
/aɪv ˈɔːlweɪz dʌn maɪ dʒɑb tuː ðə bɛst əv maɪ əˈbɪləti/.”
clever or good at doing something
“One of my ablest students.
/wʌn əv maɪ ˈeɪbəlst ˈstjuːdənts/.”
“She is an able assistant.
/ʃi ɪz ən ˈeɪbəl əˈsɪstənt/.”
“Mr. Khanh is an able teacher.
/mɪs. tər kɑːn ɪz ən ˈeɪbəl ˈtiːʧər/.”
to have the skill, strength, knowledge etc needed to do something
“My grandpa’s getting old now and he can’t do all the things he used to be able to do.
/maɪ ˈɡrænpɑz ɡɛtɪŋ oʊld naʊ ænd hi kænt duː ɔl ðə θɪŋz hi juzd tuː bi ˈeɪbəl tuː duː/.”
“John is expected to be able to play again next week.
/ʤɑn ɪz ɪkˈspɛktɪd tu bi ˈeɪbəl tuː pleɪ əˈɡɛn nɛkst wik/.”
to be in a situation in which it is possible for you to do something
be able to do st
“I’d like to do gardening, but I never seem able to find the time.
/aɪd laɪk tuː duː ˈɡɑrdnɪŋ bʌt aɪ ˈnɛvər sim ˈeɪbəl tuː faɪnd ðə taɪm/.”
“I haven’t been able to read the report yet.
/aɪ ˈhævənt bɪn ˈeɪbəl tu rid ðə rɪˈpɔrt jɛt/.”
highlight the successful completion of a specific task or action in the past. The emphasis is on the accomplishment itself.
“She was able to finish the project before the deadline.
/ʃi wəz ˈeɪbəl tu ˈfɪnɪʃ ðə ˈprɑːʤɛkt bɪˈfɔr ðə ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/.”
“She managed to finish the project before the deadline.
/ʃi ˈmænɪd tu ˈfɪnɪʃ ðə ˈprɑːʤɛkt bɪˈfɔr ðə ˈdɛdˌlaɪn/.”
“He was able to catch the last train home.
/hi wəz ˈeɪbəl tuː kætʃ ðə lɑːst treɪn hoʊm/.”
“He managed to catch the last train home.
/hi ˈmænɪdʒd tuː kætʃ ðə lɑːst treɪn hoʊm/.”
express a general ability or possibility. It suggests that the person has the capability to perform the action, but it does not specify a particular instance or outcome.
“She could finish the project before the deadline if she works diligently.
/ʃi kʊd ˈfɪnɪʃ ðə ˈprɒdʒɛkt bɪˈfɔːr ðə ˈdɛdlaɪn ɪf ʃi wɜːrks ˈdɪlɪdʒəntli/.”
“He could catch the last train if he leaves now.
/hi kʊd kætʃ ðə lɑːst treɪn ɪf hi livz naʊ/.”
cleverly, skilfully, or well
“She completed the project ably, showcasing her excellent organizational skills.
/ʃi kəmˈpliːtɪd ðə ˈprɒʤɛkt ˈeɪbli, ˈʃoʊˌkeɪsɪŋ hər ˈɛksələnt ˌɔrgənaɪˈzeɪʃənl ˈskɪlz/”
“The team worked ably together to solve the complex problem.
/ðə tim wɜrkt ˈeɪbli təˈɡɛðər tuː sɒlv ðə ˈkɒmplɛks ˈprɒbləm/”
“He ably defended his position during the debate, presenting strong arguments.
/hi ˈeɪbli dɪˈfɛndɪd hɪz pəˈzɪʃən ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə dɪˈbeɪt, prɪˈzɛntɪŋ strɔŋ ˈɑrgjəmənts/”
In everyday English, people usually say that they **** do something rather than are/were unable to do something
“Unable to sleep, I got up and made myself a drink.
/ʌnˈeɪbəl tuː sliːp, aɪ ɡɒt ʌp ænd meɪd maɪˈsɛlf ə drɪŋk/”
“Couldn’t sleep, I got up and made myself a drink.
/ˈkʊdnt sliːp, aɪ ɡɒt ʌp ænd meɪd maɪˈsɛlf ə drɪŋk/.”
[singular, uncountable]
the fact of being unable to do something
“Due to his inability to swim, he decided not to join the water sports club.
/djuː tuː hɪz ˌɪnəˈbɪləti tuː swɪm, hiː dɪˈsaɪdɪd nɒt tuː ʤɔɪn ðə ˈwɔtər spɔrts klʌb/”
“Her inability to concentrate affected her performance in the exam.
/hər ˌɪnəˈbɪləti tuː ˈkɒnsənˌtreɪt əˈfɛktɪd hər pərˈfɔrməns ɪn ðə ɪɡˈzæm/”
“The company recognized the employee’s inability to meet deadlines and provided additional training.
/ðə ˈkʌmpəni ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzd ðə ɪmˈplɔɪˌiz ˌɪnəˈbɪləti tuː miːt ˈdɛdˌlaɪnz ænd prəˈvaɪdɪd əˈdɪʃənl ˈtreɪnɪŋ/”
verb [transitive]
to make it possible for someone to do something, or for something to happen
“There are plans to enlarge the runway to enable jumbo jets to land.
ðɛr ɑr plænz tuː ɪnˈlɑrdʒ ðə ˈrʌnˌweɪ tuː ɪˈneɪbəl ˈʤʌmboʊ ʤɛts tuː lænd.”
“This new programme will enable older people to study at college.
ðɪs njuː ˈprəʊɡræm wɪl ɪˈneɪbəl ˈəʊldər ˈpiːpl̩ tuː ˈstʌdi æt ˈkɒlɪdʒ.”
“This approach enables the company to focus on its core business.
ðɪs əˈprəʊtʃ ɪˈneɪbəlz ðə ˈkʌmpəni tuː ˈfoʊkəs ɒn ɪts kɔːr ˈbɪznəs.”
“Insulin enables the body to use and store sugar.
ˈɪnsəlɪn ɪˈneɪbəlz ðə ˈbɒdi tuː ˈjuz ænd stɔːr ˈʃʊɡər.”
“The tool enables users to test their computer’s exposure to a wide range of online threats.
ðə tuːl ɪˈneɪbəlz ˈjuːzərz tuː test ðeər kəmˈpjuːtərz ɪkˈspoʊʒər tuː ə waɪd reɪndʒ ʌv ˈɒnˌlaɪn θrɛts.”
“A new train line to enable easier access to the stadium.
ə njuː treɪn laɪn tuː ɪˈneɪbəl ˈiːziər ˈæksɛs tuː ðə ˈsteɪdiəm.”
“To enable this feature, go to Account Settings and click ‘Security’.
tuː ɪˈneɪbəl ðɪs ˈfiːʧər, ɡoʊ tuː əˈkaʊnt ˈsɛtɪŋz ænd klɪk ‘sɪˈkjʊrəti’.”
a person or thing that makes something possible // a person or thing that encourages or makes it possible for somebody to engage in behaviour that is negative or that does them harm : kẻ xúi giục, người/ vật hỗ trợ, tạo điều kiện, thúc đẩy
“She was an enabler in her friend’s destructive behavior.
/ʃi wɑz ən ɪˈneɪblər ɪn hər frɛndz dɪsˈtrʌktɪv bɪˈheɪvjər/.”
“The new technology acted as an enabler for increased productivity.
/ðə nuː tɛkˈnɑləʤi ˈæktɪd æz ən ɪˈneɪblər fɔr ɪnˈkrist prɒdʌkˈtɪvəti/.”
“The supportive environment served as an enabler for their creativity.
/ðə səˈpɔrtɪv ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt sɜrvd æz ən ɪˈneɪblər fɔr ðɛr kri(ə/ˈtɪvɪti/.”
“Air transport is a key enabler of world trade.
/ɛr trænˈspɔrt ɪz ə kiː ɪˈneɪblər ʌv wɜrld treɪd/.”
“Quality education is the critical enabler for the development of any nation.
/ˈkwɑləti ˌɛdʒʊˈkeɪʃən ɪz ðə ˈkrɪtɪkəl ɪˈneɪblər fɔr ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt ʌv ˈɛni ˈneɪʃən/.”
“If you buy drugs for a friend, you are an enabler.
/ɪf juː baɪ drʌgz fɔr ə frɛnd, juː ɑr ən ɪˈneɪblər/.”
“Even things like cable television can be an enabler of poor habits.
/ˈivən θɪŋz laɪk ˈkeɪbəl ˌtɛlɪˈvɪʒən kæn biː ən ɪˈneɪblər ʌv pʊr ˈhæbɪts/.”
to make someone unable to use a part of their body properly
“The accident disabled him from walking.
/ðə ˈæksɪdənt dɪsˈeɪbəld hɪm frɒm ˈwɔːkɪŋ/.”
“The illness temporarily disabled her ability to speak.
/ðə ˈɪlnəs ˈtɛmpərɛrɪli dɪsˈeɪbəld hər əˈbɪləti tuː spiːk/.”
to deliberately (done in a way that is intended or planned) make a machine or piece of equipment impossible to use
“The hacker disabled the security system.
/ðə ˈhækər dɪsˈeɪbəld ðə sɪˈkjʊrəti ˈsɪstəm/.”
“The software update accidentally disabled some features.
/ðə ˈsɒftwɛːr ʌpˈdeɪt ˌæksɪˈdɛntəli dɪsˈeɪbəld sʌm ˈfiːʧərz/.”
“The government implemented policies to disable illegal activities.
/ðə ˈgʌvənmənt ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪd ˈpɒləsiz tuː dɪsˈeɪbəl ɪˈliːgəl ækˈtɪvɪtiz/.”
[countable] a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult for someone to use a part of their body properly, or to learn normally
“Public places are more accessible for people with disabilities.
/ˈpʌblɪk ˈpleɪsɪz ɑːr mɔːr əkˈsɛsəbəl fɔːr ˈpiːpl wɪð ˌdɪsəˈbɪlətiz/.”
“Children with severe learning/mental/physical/intellectual disabilities.
/ˈtʃɪldrən wɪð sɪˈvɪər ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/ˈmɛntəl/ˈfɪzɪkəl/ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəl ˌdɪsəˈbɪlətiz/.”
“Severely learning/mentally/physically/intellectually disabled children.
/sɪˈvɪərli ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/ˈmɛntəli//ˈfɪzɪkli//ˌɪntəˈlɛktʃuəli dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈtʃɪldrən/.”
“Severe learning disabilities in children.
/sɪˈvɪər ˈlɜːrnɪŋ dɪsəˈbɪlətiz ɪn ˈtʃɪldrən/.”
[uncountable] when you have a physical or mental disability
disability
“Learn to cope with disability.
/lɜːrn tuː koʊp wɪð dɪsəˈbɪləti/.”
“The conference aims to promote dialogue and exchange of ideas on disability issues.
/ðə ˈkɒnfərəns eɪmz tuː prəˈmoʊt ˈdaɪəˌlɔɡ ænd ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ əv aɪˈdiəz ɒn dɪsəˈbɪləti ˈɪʃuːz/.”
“The organization focuses on raising awareness about disability rights.
/ðə ˌɔːrɡənaɪˈzeɪʃən ˈfoʊkəsɪz ɒn ˈreɪzɪŋ əˈwɛənəs əˈbaʊt dɪsəˈbɪləti raɪts/.”
[uncountable] (American English) money that is given by the government to people who have physical disabilities
“Even lives on disability because of an accident that left her paralyzed.
/ˈiːvən lɪvz ɒn dɪsəˈbɪləti bɪˈkɔːz əv ən ˈæksɪdənt ðæt lɛft hər ˈpærəlaɪzd/.”
(adj) cannot use a part of their body properly, or cannot learn easily
“A support group for parents of disabled children.
/ə səˈpɔːrt ɡruːp fɔːr ˈpɛərənts əv dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈtʃɪldrən/.”
“A severely disabled polio patient.
/ə sɪˈvɪəli dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈpoʊlioʊ ˈpeɪʃənt/.”
“If you are elderly or physically/mentally disabled, massage can be beneficial.
/ɪf juː ɑːr ˈɛldərli ɔːr ˈfɪzɪkli/mɛnˈtəli dɪsˈeɪbəld, məˈsɑːʒ kæn biː ˌbɛnɪˈfɪʃəl/.”
“Teachers work with learning disabled students.
/ˈtiːtʃərz wɜːrk wɪð ˈlɜːrnɪŋ dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈstjuːdənts/.”
“They are equipped with 18 escalators and 10 lifts to provide full disabled access.
/ðeɪ ɑːr ɪˈkwɪpt wɪð ˈeɪtiːn ˈɛskəˌleɪtərz ænd tɛn lɪfts tuː prəˈvaɪd fʊl dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈæksɛs/.”
“Entries include information on facilities such as disabled access and interpretation services.
/ˈɛntriz ɪnˈkluːd ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən ɒn fəˈsɪlɪtiz ˈsʌtʃ æz dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈæksɛs ænd ɪnˌtɜːprɪˈteɪʃən ˈsɜːrvɪsɪz/.”
“Public disabled toilet facilities are available at a wide variety of places within York.
/ˈpʌblɪk dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈtɔɪlɪt fəˈsɪlɪtiz ɑːr əˈveɪləbl æt ə waɪd vaɪˈɛriəti əv ˈpleɪsɪz wɪˈðɪn jɔːrk/.”
“Money raised will go towards building a mountain hut with disabled access in the Lake District National Park.
/ˈmʌni reɪzd wɪl ɡoʊ təˈwɔːrdz ˈbɪldɪŋ ə ˈmaʊntən hʌt wɪð dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈæksɛs ɪn ðə leɪk ˈdɪstrɪkt ˈnæʃənəl pɑːrk/.”
“I finally get there, screeching a halt in a disabled parking slot.
/aɪ ˈfaɪnəli ɡɛt ðeər, ˈskriːtʃɪŋ ə hɔːlt ɪn ə dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈpɑːrkɪŋ slɒt/.”
“In addition to a ramp for wheelchairs, more disabled parking spaces are provided.
/ɪn əˈdɪʃən tuː ə ræmp fɔr ˈwilˌtʃɛrz mɔr dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈpɑrkɪŋ ˈspeɪsɪz ɑr prəˈvaɪdɪd/.”
“There are several disabled parking spaces in TuKy, most of them are quite close to the main town center.
/ðɛr ɑr ˈsɛvrəl dɪsˈeɪbəld ˈpɑrkɪŋ ˈspeɪsɪz ɪn TuKy, moʊst əv ðɛm ɑr kwaɪt kloʊs tuː ðə meɪn taʊn ˈsɛntər/.”
