Vocabulary practice · Episode 139

Review the useful expressions from the episode

Study the episode’s central expressions with English definitions, nuance and examples, plus reviewed support-language versions where available.

B1VocabularyAbout 6 min + dynamic ads5 PDF versions available
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A short study session

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  1. Choose one expression. Read its definition, nuance and examples.
  2. Make it yours. Write one true sentence from your own life.
  3. Return to the episode. Listen for the expression in its original context.

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Vocabulary from the episode

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Expression 1

likely

Expected or probable, but not completely certain.

Nuance: Useful patterns are “something is likely”, “something is likely to happen” and “it is likely that...”. “It will likely...” is also common, especially in American English.

It is likely to rain tomorrow.

The band is likely to arrive before eight.

Expression 2

unlikely

Not expected or not probable, although still possible.

Nuance: It uses the same patterns as “likely” but points in the opposite direction. Do not confuse “unlikely” with “impossible”: an unlikely event can still happen.

It is unlikely that the concert will be cancelled.

The band is unlikely to arrive late.

Expression 3

inevitable

Certain to happen or impossible to avoid because of the circumstances.

Nuance: Much stronger than “likely”. It often describes problems or consequences, but it can be positive. Avoid “very inevitable”: something is unavoidable or it is not.

Without an umbrella, getting wet was inevitable.

Some delays were inevitable during the building work.

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