English Fixed Phrases and Grammar Rules

A comprehensive vocabulary set focused on English fixed phrases, idiomatic expressions, and specific grammar rules for article usage when referring to names and geographic locations.

a large amount of

A great quantity of something, used with uncountable nouns.

a number of

A phrase meaning 'many' or 'several'.

a great deal of

Equivalent to 'many' or 'a lot', typically used with uncountable nouns.

a wide range

A broad variety or selection of items.

as a consequence

A transition phrase meaning 'as a result'.

as a matter of fact

Actually, in reality, or in truth.

ask for advice

To seek guidance or recommendations from someone.

ask for permission

To request authorization to do something.

at least

Not less than; at the minimum.

at the front of

To be at the head or lead of something.

at the end of the day

Ultimately or in the final analysis.

at hand

Nearby, available, or happening soon.

at the moment

Right now; currently.

be at a loss

To be confused or uncertain about what to do.

be beside the point

To be irrelevant or off-topic.

be/feel under the weather

To feel slightly ill or unwell.

bear in mind / keep in mind

To remember or consider identifying information.

by chance

Accidentally or without planning.

come into use

To start being used or become established.

cost a fortune

To be very expensive.

for instance

As an example.

give a helping hand

To assist or help someone.

have a head for heights

To be able to look down from high places without feeling fear or vertigo.

have a negative impact on

To affect something or someone in a bad way.

in a nutshell

Summarized in a few words; briefly.

in the meantime

Meanwhile; during the intervening time.

make a difference

To have a positive effect or influence.

off the top of your head

From memory, without preparation or research.

on the tip of my tongue

Used when a word is almost remembered but not quite.

ring a bell

To sound familiar or remind someone of something.

take into consideration

To take into account or think about a fact when making a decision.

Article: Streets, Squares, and Parks

No article is used (e.g., Downing street, Trafalgar square, Hyde park).

Article: Families

Use 'the' with the plural form of a surname (e.g., The Ivanovs) to refer to the whole family.

Article: Ordinal Numbers

Use 'the' before first, second, etc. (e.g., The first).

Article: Geographical Water Bodies

Use 'the' for oceans, seas, and rivers (e.g., The Pacific, The Black sea, The Thames).

Article: Baikal

Use 'the Baikal' when using the name alone, but no article if preceded by 'Lake' (e.g., Lake Baikal).

Article: Mountain Ranges

Use 'the' for mountain groups (e.g., The Himalayas, The Andes).

Article: Cardinal Directions within a Country

Use 'the' (e.g., the north of a country).