Expressions with bring

Here is a list of idiomatic expressions with bring.

Bring yourself to do something

To bring yourself to do something is to force yourself to do something unpleasant.

Bring something about

To bring something about is to cause something to happen.

• He brought about many reforms.

Bring something forward

To bring something forward is to move an event to an earlier time.

Bring the house down

When you bring the house down, you make your audience applaud or laugh enthusiastically.

Bring something off

To bring something off is to achieve something.

Bring something on

To bring something on is to cause something unpleasant to occur.

Bring something out

To bring something out is to launch a new publication or product.

• They are bringing out a revised version of this book.

Bring someone round

To bring someone round is to make them conscious again.

• They sprinkled some water on her face to bring her round.

Bring something to bear

Bring something to bear is to apply influence or pressure.

Bring someone up

To bring someone up is to look after a child until s/he is an adult.

• She has to work hard to bring up her children.

Bring something up

To bring something up is to raise a matter for discussion.

• You shouldn’t have brought up the topic of his alcohol addiction.

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Conjunctions exercise

Complete the following sentences using appropriate conjunctions.

1. I will not come …………………….. you need me. (unless / except)

2. ………………… you apologize, I shall punish you. (unless / except)

3. I will not go ……………… you do. (unless / without)

4. I will not go ………………… you. (unless / except / without)

5. He speaks ………………… his father does. (as / like)

6. Scarcely had he gone ……………….. a policeman knocked at the door. (when / than)

7. If I do not speak of them it is …………………. they do not come within my subject. (because / that)

8. Such goods are made for export and are …………………….. used in the country. (seldom or never / seldom or ever)

9. He lost ……………….. his ticket, but also his bag. (not / not only)

Answers

1. I will not come unless you need me.

2. Unless you apologize, I shall punish you.

3. I will not go unless you do.

4. I will not go without you. (Here without is a preposition, not a conjunction.)

5. He speaks as his father does.

6. Scarcely had he gone when a policeman knocked at the door.

7. If I do not speak of them it is because they do not come within my subject.

8. Such goods are made for export and are seldom or never used in the country.

9. He lost not only his ticket, but also his bag.

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How to write a thank-you letter?

Somebody has just offered you a good job or sent you a nice gift. Writing a ‘Thank you letter’ is the best way to show your appreciation. Here are a few tips to write a courteous thank-you letter.

Address your letter to a specific person

Whether you are writing a thank-you letter or some other letter, it is always a good idea to address your letter to a specific person.

Be sincere

Do not send a thank-you letter just for the sake of sending it. The tone of your letter must be sincere. Most people can easily sense it when are being dishonest.

The purpose of a thank-you letter is to express your gratitude. And hence stick to that point. Avoid the temptation to discuss other things in a thank-you letter.

Close the letter appropriately. For example, you may reaffirm the gratitude. Or you can indicate your intention to continue contact.

Send it as soon as possible

Write the letter as soon as possible. For example, somebody has sent you a gift. Ideally, you should write a thank-you letter within 24 hours of receiving the gift. A thank-you letter sent two or three weeks later doesn’t have much value.

Be concise

Keep it short and simple. A thank-you letter has to be short. You must still be able to convey the message clearly. Choose the right words that would remind the person of your appreciation.

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Changing rules of formal and informal writing

Writing has generally been more formal and speech more informal. However, these distinctions are beginning to change.

In fact, English used in business situations has started becoming less formal. Many forms (for example, the use of personal pronouns) that were once considered inappropriate in formal writing are now considered perfectly acceptable. Similar changes are being witnessed in the academic field too.

Here is a look at some features that are slowly but steadily making their presence felt in formal writing.

The use of personal letters

The personal pronouns I and we are now quite acceptable in business letters. In fact, businesses are actively promoting this trend because they believe that the use of personal letters will help them personalize the message. The use of I in personal letters is an indication that the writer is willing to take responsibility. We, on the other hand, is used to refer to the company.

Split infinitives

A split infinitive is an expression where an adverb is placed between ‘to’ and the ‘verb’. Some writers still avoid them, but they are also gaining acceptance.

Beginning a sentence with and or but

In the olden days beginning a sentence with the conjunction and orbut was considered a serious crime; now they have become acceptable too. However, you must not begin a sentence with a conjunction just for the sake of it. Avoid it if it is possible, but if the situation demands it, don’t hesitate to use it.

Contractions

Contractions should be avoided in academic writing. However they are perfectly acceptable in emails and personal business correspondence.

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