Example Sentences

Able to get and retain ideas or information; concerned with acquiring wealth or property

(Example: In an acquisitive society, there is a great deal of emphasis on buying and selling.)

Easy way to remember it is by remembering that acquire sounds like acquisitive

The triathlete was exhausted by the time the competition was completed.

A triathlete typically competes in running, swimming, and cycling.

You could burnish any metal object, like a trophy or cutlery, a door knob or anything like that.

I would say:

He is flying in from London that day. -- (I would give his departure point).

I think flying in is OK too, again I would probably say the departure point eg

He is flying down from Whangarei that day.

The opposite of the verb to loiter (stand around) could be to proceed, or to hasten.

Yes, for example.

It is important to accurately measure the ingredients to get the best result.

Charlotte the spider's web was carefully spun.

The dancer spun like a top!

The mail could have been delayed. The payment could have been wrongly applied to a different account. Always pay by check, or obtain a receipt if you pay in cash.

We have a specialty today.

The machine had stopped working due to a malfunction in its engine.

Visualisation is well visualising, kind of like imagining. For example, close your eyes and visualise a waterfall in a forest. To visualise it you get an image in your mind of this scenery.

To be appalled by something is to be horrified, shocked, even disgusted. It is not a word with positive connotations-- rather, if you say you are appalled by something, you are quite unhappy or upset about it. For example: He was appalled when he found out his best friend had been stealing from him.

The turkey was plump, which was just what they were looking for to feed everyone.

He had put on a bit of weight and looked plump now.

This is a question asking you if you plan on being present at this event. The reason for asking is that the organizer needs to order the food. If the organizer has no idea how many people are attending, he or she could order too much (or too little). So, when scheduling an event like a luncheon, it is often customary to request that people reply with whether they will or will not be there. An announcement that is sent out to certain people may include something called an RSVP (from the French words that mean "please answer; please let us know"). People either RSVP by telephone or by mail, or in some cases, e-mail is acceptable.

They did not recognise him or understand what he said and they thought it was all very mysterious.

Yes, I am interested in dessert.

CSI is a fictional group. Most police department investigators do not normally wear a uniform, but may wear coveralls (sometimes disposable coveralls). Some crime scenes are very messy.

I like to sight-see!

You can write a command sentence, "You cut up up the vegetables", or "(you) Cut up the vegetables." Or you can insert a person's name instead of using 'you'.

There were a lot of police at the demonstration.

Sometimes fiction writers use autobiographical details in their writing.

An autobiographical novel may actually be written mostly by a co-author.

Peoples is a plural term referring to different types of people, such as people from different areas or countries. The earthquake affected many different peoples.

"Turn out" is an idiom that means to gather together. There was a large turn out for the town meeting.