Vocabulary

= Mary: Oh, Peter’s the best sportsman in town, the best writer in the country and the best son in the world.

= Mary praised her son to the skies.

Mary lavished praise on her son.

= John: Mr Brown’s latest book is no good at all. The plot is far too complicated, the characters are unconvincing and the dialogue is poor.

= John criticised Mr Brown’s book for its complicated plot, unconvincing characters and poor dialogue.

1. John praised

Peter (for his contribution to the relief fund).

Peter (for helping his friend).

the meal (as very delicious).

Peter/his film to the skies.

2. John spoke in praise of Peter who had contributed greatly to the just cause.

3. John sang

Peter’s praises.

the praises of Peter’s book.

4. John heaped/lavished praise(s) on Peter.

5. John gave praise to Peter.

6. John complimented

Peter (on his organisational talent).

Mary (on her new hat).

7. John paid

Peter a nice/sincere compliment (on his

progress in his studies).

a nice/sincere compliment to Mary (on her new

coat).

8. John lavished/rained/showered compliments on Peter (on his success).

9. Peter was showered with compliments (on his success).

10. John was highly complimentary about Peter’s work.

11. John extolled

Peter (to the skies).

Peter as a hero/great footballer.

the merits/virtues of free enterprise.

12. John flattered

Peter (on his skill at using the computer).

himself (on his knowledge of geography).

himself that he was the best tennis player

in the office.

13. John was flattered

at/by Peter’s invitation.

to be invited.

that he had been invited.

14. John spoke highly/well of Peter/his book.

15. The newspapers rhapsodised about / over the young singer’s performance.

16. Mary was in/went into rhapsodies about/over the beauty of the view from her bedroom window.

John

The report

criticised

Peter/his sloppy work.

Peter for sleeping too long.

Peter’s book for its poor plot.

his book for being sentimental.

2. John was critical of Peter’s views/work.

3. John expressed/offered a lot of criticism(s).

4. John levelled criticism(s) at Peter/his work.

5. John’s book / speech / words came in for / aroused / provoked / stirred up a great deal of criticism.

6. John spoke critically of Peter/his ideas.

7. John

condemned

censured

denounced

Peter (for his treacherous behaviour).

Peter (for robbing the bank).

Peter (as a traitor).

Peter’s treacherous behaviour.

Peter’s behaviour as treacherous.

Peter’s behaviour as an attempt to

mislead the public.

8. John slashed Peter’s new book (for its poor dialogue).

9. John made a slashing attack on Peter/his new book.

10. John found fault with Peter’s work.

11. John blamed

Peter.

Peter/bad weather for their defeat.

their defeat on Peter.

12. John laid/placed/put the blame (for their defeat) on Peter.

13. John shifted the blame (for their defeat) onto/to Peter.

14. Peter assumed/took the blame for their defeat.

John

The article

accused Peter

(of treachery).

(of taking bribes).

(of having accepted a bribe).

16. The police charged Peter

with robbery.

with neglecting his duty.

17. John brought / levelled / made an accusation of gross negligence / theft / neglect of duty against Peter.

18. The police brought / levelled / made a charge of robbery / murder against Peter.

19. Peter denied/refuted the accusation/charge of theft.

20. Peter recriminated against Peter.

21. Peter recriminated by saying that it was John who had neglected his duty.

22. John and Peter indulged in recriminations (against each other).

23. John

reproached Peter

(with/for his mistake).

(with/for making a mistake).

24. John

reproved

rebuked

reprimanded

scolded

told off

dressed down

Peter

(for his foolish behaviour).

(for making glaring mistakes).

(for having made a mistake).

25. John heaped reproaches on Peter.

26. John gave him a

reproof

rebuke

reprimand

admonition

scolding

telling-off

dressing-down

(for his careless mistake).

(for making careless

mistakes).

27. John got/received a

reproof

rebuke

reprimand

admonition

scolding

telling-of

dressing-down

(for his foolish

behaviour).

(for being late).

28. John admonished Peter (for his conduct/being late).

29. John expostulated with Peter about/on his treatment of children.

30. John lashed (out) against/at

his opponents.

the government’s policy.

31. John lectured Peter for his slapdash/slipshod/sloppy work.

32. John gave/read Peter a lecture about/on the importance of good spelling.