Englishfor English speakers
a
Determinative
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A is used when the following word could be any of a certain type.
Compare "A book I saw on the shelf" and "The book I gave you yesterday".
a
Noun
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A is the first letter of the alphabet.
The letter "a" comes before "b".
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In some schools, an A is a very high grade.
Ron got an A on his earth science test.
positive
Adjective
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If something is positive, it is good, happy, or wanted.
A balanced diet, exercise, and a positive attitude are all things that give you a sense of well being.
After using the new skin cream for four weeks, most women showed positive results, reporting that their skin felt smoother and softer and looked better.
The changes in the prices were all positive.
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If you are positive about something, you are sure that you are not mistaken.
The guard at Euston was positive that on that particular day he had locked the door.
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If a test result is positive, the test found what it was testing for.
I'm sorry, the HIV test is positive.
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A positive electrical charge is one carried by a proton.
Attach the wire to the positive pole of the battery.
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A positive number or value is more than zero.
A positive number multiplied by a negative number results in a negative.
The Kelvin scale of temperature is absolute since only positive temperatures are possible.
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A positive symptom is one where something is there that should not be. Usually this is for schizophrenia.
His positive symptoms included hearing voices of people that were not there.
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Based on something being there or being true, in some other way.
I tie-bleached my shirt to make a negative image, then tie-dyed it to add a positive image.
There were negative rules, telling us what not to do, as well as positive ones telling us what to do.
positive
Noun
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A positive is a good thing or part of something.
It's been a bad week, but at least the sun is one positive.
displacement
Noun
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Displacement is when something is made to move out of its place.
The war has caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people.
The displacement of folk music by western pop music has happened in many countries.
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Displacement is the amount of liquid or gas that is moved when something floats in it.
pump
Verb
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To make water or any other liquid move using a machine.
We pumped water from the river onto the field to help the plants grow.
The heart pumps blood through the body.
pump
Noun
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A pump is a machine for making water move.
There was water on the floor of the house, so we had to buy a pump.
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A pump is a machine that gives a liquid, often fuel.
Before a car journey, go to the gas station and fill up your tank at the pump.
in
Preposition
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Used to show that something is inside something else.
The cat is in the box.
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Used to show that someone is at home, or is available.
Is John in?
The Doctor is now in.
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Used to show movement towards the inside.
The rain came in through the window.
which
Determinative
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You use which to ask for the selection of one or more members of some set.
There are a lot of new books this year. Which ones do you like?
Excuse me, which way is the toilet?
Which of the two wines is cheaper?
Which of the following cheeses are usually made from sheep's milk? A. pecorino B. vaccino C. provolone D. chevre.
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You use which to add a clause to explain what thing you're talking about.
For several seconds he sat in silence, during which time the tea and sandwiches arrived.
I'm thinking of getting a new car, in which case I'd get a red one.
which
Pronoun
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You use which to add a clause to give more information about the thing you're talking about.
We've met some problems which are very difficult to handle.
He walked by a door with a sign which reads: PRIVATE OFFICE.
He had to leave, which was very difficult.
We have to protect the environment in which we live.
No art can be properly understood apart from the culture of which it is a part.