Englishfor English speakers
switch
Verb
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If you switch something, you change it to something else.
He switched his book with mine.
We switched to a cheaper brand of coffee.
When they didn't seem to understand, he switched to French.
Jump ten times, switch legs and repeat.
I just switched jobs, and at my new job I don't have insurance.
When his team was losing, he switched sides.
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If you switch a light or machine on, you change something so that it has power and can work.
She sat up in bed and switched on the light.
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If you switch a light or machine off, you change something so that it doesn't have power and can't work.
I switched off the computer and went to bed.
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If you switch over to something, you change to it, often with no plan to change back to the first thing.
We used to watch CNN, but we've switched over to BBC World News.
It was difficult when I switched over from writing to acting.
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If you switch gears, you change the way you think or act to match a particular situation.
When I come home from work, it takes me a while to switch gears.
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If you switch with somebody, you do something that they usually do and they do the thing that you usually do.
Sibyl couldn't work on Tuesday, so I switched with her.
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If you switch a machine to a particular setting or function, you set it to work that way.
She switched the TV to another channel.
She switched the plane to automatic pilot.
switch
Noun
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A switch is what you use to turn lights or other machines and equipment on and off.
The light switch is on the wall behind the door.
Where's the on/off switch on this printer?
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A switch is a change from one thing to another.
It's often difficult for older people to make the switch to living alone.
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A switch is a place on the track where trains can chose between two tracks.
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A switch is a networking device that connects networks together by sending data (packets) only to the devices that need them.
Switches are more efficient than hubs because they understand which device needs the data that other devices send them.
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A switch is a thin stick.
on
Preposition
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positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above
The apple is on the table.
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at the date of
Tim was born on the 4th of July.
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along, forwards (continuing an action)
drive on, rock on
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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.
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touching; hanging from
I have no money on me at the moment.
I would like to eat the fruit on the trees.
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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
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If something is on, it is active, functioning or operating.
The television is on.
The lights are on, so it is very bright.
light
Noun
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The energy that our eyes sense is light.
And dance by the light of the moon.—Buffalo Gals, American folksong
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If someone talks about a light, he or she means something bright that can be seen.
The lights of the city shine all over the valley.
When you leave the room, turn off the light.
light
Adjective
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Something that is light in color is close to white.
The morning sky was very light.
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Something that is light in weight does not weigh much.
I lifted her easily because she was so light.
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Light may also mean that something is not serious.
The light bruise on my leg didn't hurt much.
I enjoy light comedy, where lots of funny things happen.
light
Verb
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If someone lights a fire, the fire starts to burn.
Let's light the wood in the fireplace.
The match lit and I could see around me.
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Something that lights a place makes it less dark.
The moon lighted the forest path.