Everyday expressions
Sound natural in conversation and essays.
The rules
- The fixed expression is "on the other hand", no other preposition works.
- "In the long run" is fixed, it means "over a long period of time".
- The idiom is "a piece of cake" = very easy.
- "Break the ice" = make people comfortable in a new situation.
- "Under the weather" = feeling slightly unwell.
- "In terms of" (no article) frames which aspect you are comparing.
Examples
- Public transport is cheap. On the other hand, it can be crowded at rush hour.
- In the long run, exercise pays off.
- The exam was a piece of cake, I finished early.
- His joke broke the ice.
- They are slightly ill.
- In terms of cost, the train is better than flying.
Quick check
Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1.Public transport is cheap. _____, it can be crowded at rush hour.
2.Which sentence uses "in the long run" correctly?
3.The exam was _____ of cake, I finished early.
4.Your friend says "I'm feeling under the weather." What do they mean?
5._____ cost, the train is better than flying.