Give your own examples making use of these phrases

•Be unwilling to make concessions •stand firm •not take no for an answer •stay put •hold out for all you can get •remain adamant

•reject compromise •stick to your principles

1…………………………………………………………………….

2…………………………………………………………………….

3…………………………………………………………………….

4…………………………………………………………………….

5…………………………………………………………………….

Weighing things up

Here are some phrases we use to show we are undecided and are considering issues. Underline the ones which are typical of academic writing.

1. You’resitting on the fence / hedging your bets.
2. I must weigh things up / see both sides of the issue / get an overview / get a balanced view.
3. We must bear in mind his lack of qualifications, but we should take his experience into account/ consideration.
4. We should also make allowances for his youth.
5. Considering his age, he has done remarkably well.
6. He’s suitable, albeitrather young, for the job.
7. For a young salesman his track record is good.
8. Wecan’t ignorethe specific requirements of the job, and mustn’t rule outthe need for computer skills.
9. Perhaps we need to compromise / balance the pros and cons.
10. Let’s ponder awhile / give it some thought / sleep on it / not rush into anything.
11. Eventually we’ll reach / make a decision, and I’m sure we’ll arrive at amutually satisfactory solution.

Giving in

Useful vocabulary

I’llallow you that.I’llgo along with that.

Just this once we’llmake an exception for you.

We’lltreatyouas a special case.

Have it your way.

You win. I give in.

I admit defeat.

She’s thrown in the towel.

All right, I’ll meet you halfway.

3. All these gaps, except one, can be filled by the same verb. What is the verb and what is the exception?

………….the green light

………….and take

………….clearance for something

………….allowances

………….them an inch and they’ll take a mile

………….ground

………….I’ll………you that.

………….way

………….the go-ahead

………….him your blessing

Rewrite each of the following sentences using prompt words so that it is as close as possible in meaning to the printed sentence.

Example:I don’t want to be dogmatic, but I don’t think we can give way on this point.

Wishing / stand

Without wishing to be dogmatic, I think we have to stand firm on this point.

1. When you‘re judging him, you have to remember he’s only fourteen.

Assessment / allowances

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

1. We’ll treat your child as a special case as he already has a sister at the school.

Exception / grounds

………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. I’m undecided as to whether I should stand firm on this matter or not.

Quandary / adamant

………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. You have to remember that not everyone is a football fanatic.

Consideration / keen

………………………………………………………………………………………………

1. Fill each of the numbered blanks with one suitable word.

As you can imagine, my first day in my first full-time job was somewhat less than idyllic. (1) ………all the preparatory mental work I have done, I arrived at the office virtually speechless. I had (2) ………..a mind to turn round and walk out on the spot. By lunchtime I was absolutely shaking with nerves, but I stubbornly refused to (3)…….in the towel. I had studied hard for this career; I just couldn’t bring myself to (4)…….up quite yet, (5) ……..unlikely my prospects of survival appeared. On the other hand, I didn’t (6)………out the possibility of my manager asking me to go away and (7) ………my future some careful consideration. Anyway, I refused point (8) ………...to (9) ………..defeat. It was clear my new colleagues were (10) ……….allowances for me and giving me the benefit of the (11) ……….. . They probably thought I was on the way out in any case. Looking back after twenty-seven years I’m glad I (12) ………..it out, (13) ……….put and didn’t buckle (14) ……….. . I’m pleased and proud to hold the position of Director General in this multi-national company, (15) ……….only the third biggest in the world.

Academic context

Words used instead of more everyday words in an academic context

Academic verb	Everyday verb
append	add (at the end)
conceive	think up
contradict	go against
convene	meet
demonstrate	show
denote	be a sign of, stand
negate	make useless, wipe
perceive	see
reside	lie, live
trigger	cause
utilize	use