Englishfor English speakers
a
Determinative
—
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
—
A is the first letter of the alphabet.
The letter "a" comes before "b".
—
In some schools, an A is a very high grade.
Ron got an A on his earth science test.
constant
Adjective
—
If something is constant, it doesn't change over time.
I have this constant pain in my back. I wish it would stop.
The rain has been constant all morning.
constant
Noun
—
A constant is a value that doesn't change.
In the formula math7x^2+3y+5=z/math, 5 is a constant.
check
Verb
—
If you check something, you look at it to see if there is a problem, or something new or different.
Hi, I heard some noises, so I'm just checking to see if you were O.K.
Can you check that the lights are off?
Please check your test before handing it to the teacher.
I just checked my e-mail and found 50 new messages.
He checked the mirror to see if the police car was still behind him.
—
If you check something out, you look at it because it might be interesting.
I found this great video online. Check it out.
When you're in Toronto, you should check out the CN tower.
—
If you check an answer, or choice, you make a check mark (✓) beside it.
If you want to get mail from us, check the box at the bottom of the page.
—
If you check out of a hotel, you pay your bill and leave.
I called the hotel, but they said you had already checked out.
—
If you check in to a hotel, you go to the front desk to tell them you've arrived and you get your key.
After we checked in, we went to our room and unpacked our bags.
—
If you check something, usually something bad, you stop it.
He put out his hands but could not check his fall.
Senegal, which acted early, was able to check the spread of the disease.
—
If you check your coat or bags, you give them to a worker to take care of.
Reid was traveling alone without any checked luggage.
You can check your luggage inside and show them your passport with your ticket.
check
Noun
—
A check is a piece of paper that gives someone else the right to receive some money from your bank account. (Other spelling: cheque)
She wrote him a personal check for $250.
Could you please pay in cash instead of checks?
I found out about the problem when I tried to cash her bad checks.
—
A check is something you do to make sure that there is no problem.
The town must conduct regular checks on drinking water quality.
They did background checks on all the teachers before hiring them.
We stood in line at the airport for the extra security checks.
I want to get a quick check of the weather before going.
—
A reality check is an opportunity to think about reality and make sure your hopes and thoughts are reasonable.
I think this injury is a real reality check for him. He can't keep working like this.
—
If you keep something in check, you stop it from getting bigger or worse.
There aren't enough birds to keep the insects in check.
I had difficulty keeping my anger in check.
—
A check is something that controls or stops something else.
The company didn't have the right checks and balances, and that's why they lost all the money.
—
In a restaurant, the check is the bill.
Waiter, can you bring us the check please?
—
A check is this mark: ✓
Put a check next to today's date and sign here.
He finished it up and put a check mark in the box.
—
Check is a pattern of squares, especially on cloth.
Michael was a big man in a red wool check shirt.
—
A coat check is a place where you can give your coat, bags, etc. to a worker to take care of.
The lines were long at the coat check, so we put our jackets on the backs of our chairs.
—
In chess, check the position of the king where it can be directly attacked by the opponent's pieces but from which it may escape.
You can't move that piece because your king is in check.
is
Verb
—
A form of the verb be when talking about someone or something else.
He is late for class.
Is it hot in here?
kept
—
adjective
(= unbroken)
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
unbroken promises
promises kept
on
Preposition
—
positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above
The apple is on the table.
—
at the date of
Tim was born on the 4th of July.
—
along, forwards (continuing an action)
drive on, rock on
—
about, dealing with the subject of
I have a book on history.
There was a World Summit on the Information Society a few weeks ago.
—
touching; hanging from
I have no money on me at the moment.
I would like to eat the fruit on the trees.
—
because of, due to
He was arrested on suspicion of bribery.
I contacted Joanne on a hunch that she would know about it.
The stock price increased on news of a new product.
on
Adjective
—
If something is on, it is active, functioning or operating.
The television is on.
The lights are on, so it is very bright.