500 Vocab

Issues
嚴峻問題
1. Acute problems ( )
有破壞性
2. Devastating ( )
負⾯影響
3. Catastrophic impacts ( )
構成威脅
4. Pose a threat to XXX ( )
5. Detrimental effects (= harmful effects)
E.g. The acute problems in society are

devastating many poor citizens. We must find a
good solution, or the catastrophic impacts will
pose a threat to their livelihood and create
detrimental effects.
silvback.com/kenli silverbackedu
ConfusingSituation
奇怪
6. Bizarre / odd ( )
奇怪
7. Peculiar ( )
感到困擾
8. Perplexed about ( )
感到困擾
9. Bewildered about ( )
令⼈困惑
10. Confounding ( )
11. Many people / experts are left scratching their
heads (毫無頭緒 )
E.g. Recently, plenty investors are perplexed

and bewildered by the bizarre movements in
the stock market – many experts are left
scratching their heads because they have no
idea what to do.
Phenomenon
12. Trending (= popular)

13. 越來越流⾏
Gaining popularity ( )
14. 越來越流⾏
Gaining traction ( )
15. 流⾏度下降
Diving popularity ( )
16. Plummeting ( 暴跌 )
17. 城中熱話
Under the spotlight( )
18. 城中熱話
Talk of the town( )
19. 吸引⼤眾⽬光)
Captivated the public’s attention (
20. 備受關注
Heavily scrutinized ( )
E.g. Online dating is becoming a trending culture

that has captivated the public’s attention. While
such ‘dating culture’ is now the talk of the town, it
is being heavily scrutinized by many disapproving
citizens.
SolvingIssues
21. High time to XXX ( 當務之急 )

22. 緊急事務)
It is a matter of urgency (
23. 袖⼿旁觀)
Watch with folded arms (
24. 不歸路
The point of no-return ( )
25. Reverse the tide ( 扭轉逆勢 )
26. Clear the hurdles (清除障礙 )
E.g. It is high time for the government to tackle the

mask-shortage problem instead of watching the
situation with folded arms. It is a matter of urgency
and we must reverse the tide by producing our own
masks.
Attack
受抨擊
27. Drawing criticism ( )
有進步空間)
28. Has plenty of room for improvements (
有進步空間
29. Leaves much to be desired ( )
被批評
30. Slammed for XXX ( )
被受攻擊
31. The gov’t has been under fire ( )
32. Condemned ( 被抨擊 )
33. Denounced (被抨擊 )
34. Censured ( 被抨擊 )
E.g. The government has been denounced and

slammed for how they handled the coronavirus
crisis. While officials claim to have tried their
best, their performance leaves much to be
desired.
Worsening
雪上加霜
35. To make things worse ( )
雪上加霜
36. Rub salt into the wound ( )
37. Exacerbate ( 令事情變差 )
38. Aggravate ( 令事情變差 )
⽕上加油
39. Add oil to fire ( )
每況愈下)
40. Going down the downward spiral (
41. Going downslope (越來越差 )
E.g. HK students’ critical thinking ability has been

going downslope and cancelling LS will only
aggravate the issue. The government’s plan will
certainly add oil to fire and make things worse.
PositivePersonalities
42. Modest / humble (謙虛的 )

43. Approachable / amiable (平易近⼈ )
實制 / 貼地)
44. Down-to-earth / practical / pragmatic (
可信的
45. Credible / trustworthy ( )
富有同情⼼的)
46. Compassionate / sympathetic (
勤奮
47. Driven / hard-working / diligent ( )
有禮貌
48. Courteous / respectful ( )
E.g. The best way to earn respect is to stay modest and

approachable with your peers; down-to-earth and
trustworthy with your superiors; courteous and
compassionate with your subordinates.
Improve
49. Augment ( 加強 )
50. Elevating ( 提升提⾼ / )
51. Alleviate (緩和紓解/ )
發展推向新⽔平)
52. Take it to the next level (
來增加推動
53. Give it a boost ( / )
重振及復興)
54. Revitalize and rejuvenate (
E.g. To augment and elevate Hong Kong’s STEM

development is never an easy task – the authority
must give the industry a boost by revitalizing it with
enough funding.
Bad
不能掉以輕⼼/是不
55. Should not be taken lightly (
容輕視的 )
56. Appalling (令⼈震驚的觸⽬驚⼼) /
57. Horrible ( 可怕的 )
58. Abhorrent ( 令⼈髮指痛恨 / )
59. Dreadful ( 可怕糟糕的 )
60. Atrocious (極其殘暴的 )
E.g HK’s retail sector is experiencing a dreadful

stage as the overall economy is highly appalling.
If we don’t want this trend to persist, we must not
take it lightly.
Worrying
令⼈擔⼼)
61. Concerning / alarming (
如坐針墊)
62. Squirming in the seat (
冒出冷汗)
63. Break into a cold sweat (
令⼈擔⼼
64. Unsettling ( )
65. Unnerving ( 令⼈擔⼼ )
E.g HK students’ lack of financial knowledge is

highly alarming as this unsettling situation can
have a long-lasting effect in the future. Sadly,
many parents are squirming in the seat
whenever they need to teach their children about
money or investment.
Important
不能取代)
66. Indispensable / irreplaceable (
67. Paramount importance ( ⾮常重要)
重要
68. Vital ( )
重要
69. Crucial ( )
70. Consequential (極具重要性 )
71. It is imperative that we XXX ( 我們必須 XXX)
E.g Respecting your friends is an indispensable
quality that we should have because good social
skills are highly consequential to our future
success. It is imperative that we grow and
develop such skills.
Shocked
⽬定⼝呆
72. Flabbergasted ( )
73. Leave a person’s mouth hanging open ( 啞⼝無⾔)
令⼈詫異
74. Stunned ( )
令⼈詫異
75. Mind-blowing ( )
E.g Many Europeans are flabbergasted after

witnessing the selfish actions of some Asian
tourists. Behaviors such as peeing on the streets
stunned many locals and left their mouths’
hanging open.
Angry
76. Make someone’s blood boil ( 令⼈髮指)

令⼈憤怒
77. Infuriating ( )
令⼈憤怒
78. Maddening ( )
79. Enraged (憤怒 )
E.g Cyber bullying problems are certainly very

infuriating and maddening because many
victims have no one to turn to for help – many
educators are enraged that the government
has done nothing to help so far.
Sad
80. Break down in tears (落淚 )

落淚
81. Burst into tears ( )
淚如⾬下)
82. Tears rolling down your cheeks (
感到傷⼼
83. Sorrowful / dejected ( )
感到傷⼼
84. Depressed / upset about ( )
令⼈不悅
85. To someone’s dismay ( )
感到不快
86. Feel miserable ( )
E.g Those in the retail and tourism sectors are

feeling miserable right now because they are
highly depressed about the current economic
situation. To their dismay, the economy has
shown no sign of recovery in these recent
months.
Relatedtoarguments
強烈提出
87. Argue / assert /claim ( )
反駁、堅持
88. Contend / counter / insist ( )
89. Maintain / hold the opinion / hold the view /
認為
hold the belief ( )
90. Absurd / preposterous / ludicrous ( 無稽滑稽 )
並不成⽴
91. Do not hold much water ( )
錯誤論調
92. Flawed argument ( )
錯誤論調
93. Misguided idea ( )
並不成⽴
94. Unjustifiable ( )
E.g While some are contending that more should

be done for our athletes in HK, our ex-CE made
the flawed argument that athletes are not
producing any ‘economic value’. This unjustifiable
idea is clearly misguided, and we should not
believe in such a preposterous claim.
Attractive
⼗分吸引
95. Fascinating ( )
⼗分吸引
96. Appealing ( )
97. Leaves many drooling after XXX ( 令⼈垂涎三尺)
引⼈⼊勝
98. Intriguing ( )
引⼈⼊勝
99. Mesmerizing ( )
引⼈⼊勝
100. Breath-taking ( )
E.g The James Bond movie franchise is highly

appealing to many male fans as Bond lives a
fascinating lifestyle that is very intriguing to
them. In addition, the mesmerizing plot has kept
it popular around the world.
Organization/Government
101. Incompetent (無能 )

102. Red tapes ( 官僚主義 )
毫無反應
103. Irresponsive ( )
104. Disconnected from society ( 離地 )
105. Indifferent and apathetic to XXX ( 漠不關⼼)
E.g Incompetent government officials have been
irresponsive to the desperate needs of the
citizens as people are severely out of masks.
From their answers in interviews, you can tell
that they are indifferent and apathetic to what
the citizens want.
Doyourbest
出盡全⼒)
106. Strive to do your best (
不遺餘⼒)
107. Spare no pain to (
不遺餘⼒)
108. Make every effort (
109. Endeavor to ( 嘗試 )
E.g In face of difficulties, you need to strive to

do your best and spare no pain to achieve
success. When you endeavor to push yourself
out of the comfort zone, you will grow as a
person.
SocialProblems
110. Breaking news (突發新聞 )

111. In the pressing need of XXX ( 急需)
毫無希望
112. Bleak ( )
差勁情況
113. A dire situation ( )
114. An avalanche of problems ( 排⼭倒海的問題)
E.g Our future is bleak as our business sector is
in a dire situation right now. With an avalanche of
problems closing in on us, we are in the pressing
need of some good news.
Solutions
115. Antidote (改善⽅案 )

值得我們關注)
116. Warrants our attention (
預防勝於治療)
117. Prevention is better than cure (
從根本解決問題)
118. Solve the problem at its root (
是標不是本)
119. Symptom but not the cause (
120. Remedy the issue ( 解決問題 )
E.g If we wish to remedy the issues in our

healthcare system, we need to come up with a
good antidote and solve the problem at its root.
Surely, this is an issue that warrants our
attention.
Adjectivesdescribingpeople'spersonality
Obnoxious 可憎的，令⼈討厭的
Regardless of any circumstances, she remains obnoxious to
everyone.
Triumphant 取得巨⼤成功的; 歡欣⿎舞的

It seemed as though the whole city had turned out for their
team's triumphant homecoming.
Twisted 扭曲的，變形的
It was nothing serious -- just a twisted ankle.
Enchanting 迷⼈
Jessica has the most enchanting smile.
Dynamic 活潑的
Tiffany's dynamic personality attracted many suitors.
Charismatic 充滿個⼈魅⼒的
The charismatic Diana princess was adored by people around
the world.
Whimsical 離奇的；古怪的；異想天開的
Despite his kindly, sometimes whimsical air, he was a shrewd
observer of people.
Witty ⾵趣的，詼諧的
It was obvious from their witty intimacies that they had been
good friends for many years.
Dazzling 燦爛
Michelle has a dazzling good look.
Dreary 沈悶的
The math lessons were putting me in a dreary mood.
Elusive 難懂的
The solution to these maths questions are elusive.
Dull 乏味
Lab work is dull and repetitious.
*Synonyms: tedious, mundane, monotonous, humdrum,

wearisome, prosaic
Adjectivesdescribingthesubjectyouhate
Mind-numbing 極其乏味的
To Kelly, chemistry is extremely mind-numbing.
Repetitive 重複的，反復的
Maths exercise is nothing but repetitive.
Adjectivesdescribingfuture
Fanciful 空想的;想像的
He has some fanciful notions about converting his apartment
into a gallery.
*Synonyms: imaginative, unreal
Fascinating 吸引⼈的
I think the buildings nearby are fascinating.
*Synonyms: appealing, captivating
Futuristic 未來派的；超前新奇的
She writes futuristic novels about distant galaxies.
Adjectivesdescribingfuture
Mysterious 神秘的
The future will always remain mysterious as
technological advance is unpredictable
Other adjectives about the future:
● intricate
● frightening
● confusing
● dystopian
● fragmented
● hard-edged
● far-off
Adjectivesusedtodescribetravelling
Glorious 極其令⼈愉快的
We had a glorious time in France last summer .
*Synonyms: enjoyable, delightful
Glamorous 令⼈嚮往的
He can bring me to the United States, a glamorous land that I
want to visit.
*Synonyms: attractive, alluring
Gripping 引⼈⼊勝的
I found the book so gripping that I couldn't put it down.
*Synonyms: Intriguing, engrossing
Exhilarating 使⼈興⾼采烈的
I am flying back after an exhilarating trip to Tibet.
*Synonyms: enjoyable, delightful
Adjectivesusedtodescribemovie
Hilarious 引⼈發笑的
They all had tea together in the kitchen, and the meal was
noisy and hilarious.
*Synonyms: amusing, humorous
Historical 歷史的
Some historical movies help us understand past events.
*Synonyms: classical, ancient
Informative 提供資訊的
This advertising is informative.
*Synonyms: descriptive, explanatory
Adjectivesusedtodescribemovie
Insightful 有⾒識的
Some general discussion can be insightful to the participants.
*Synonyms: penetrating, intelligent
Inspirational ⿎舞⼈⼼的
I think it is one of the most inspirational movies of our
generation.
*Synonyms: expressive, meaningful
Poignant 令⼈痛苦的深深打動⼈的

The movie awakens poignant memories of the past.
Adjectivesusedtodescribenegative
emotion
Heart-wrenching 令⼈⼼痛的
This is a heart-wrenching tale.
*Synonyms: upsetting, depressing
Heartbreaking 令⼈⼼碎的
It is heartbreaking for him that he cannot see his children.
*Synonyms: distressing, agonizing
Adjectivesusedtodescribescammer
Deceptive 騙⼈的
The deceptive woman led me to believe that she was divorced
when in fact she was married with children.
Devious 會耍⼿段的
She used devious means to gain power.
Deceitful 虛假的
The deceitful salesman sold the elderly woman the broken
vacuum cleaner even though he knew it was junk
*Synonyms: dishonest, cunning, fraudulent, unscrupulous,

sketchy, dubious
Adjectivesusedtodescribeincidents
Adventurous 喜歡冒險的；⼤膽創新的
Many teachers would like to be more adventurous and
creative.
Amusing 好笑的，有趣的；引⼈發笑

Dad would occasionally break in with an amusing comment.
Breathtaking 極其刺激的；美得驚⼈的，驚⼈的
Our car was driving at a breathtaking speed down the
expressway.
Realistic 現實的
His goals and objectives towards fulfilling his dream are
realistic.
Predictable 可預料的
He's usually very predictable but he surprises everyone once in
a while with something totally off the wall.
*Synonyms: affable, agreeable, amiable, harming, likeable,

considerate, sympathetic, understanding, straight-forward,
generous, observant, quick-witted, bright, organised, diligent,
versatile, kooky, convivial, humorous
Unique 獨⼀無⼆的；與眾不同的

As many as 100 species of fish, some unique to these waters,
may have been affected by the pollution.
Magnificent 極好的；莊麗的
What a magnificent sea view!
*Synonyms: alive, bustling, cosmopolitan, enchanting,

fascinating, picturesque, unspoiled, vibrant.
Adjectivesusedtodescribeview
Riveting 引⼈⼊勝的，吸引⼈的
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, one of the Seven Wonders of
the Ancient World is riveting.
Spectacular 壯觀的；壯麗的；令⼈驚歎的
We've had spectacular success with the product.
Adjectivesusedtodescribeplot
Romantic 浪漫的
We thought that France was an incredibly romantic country.
Spine-tingling 特殊⽽令⼈激動的；緊張刺激的
Watching Bolt win the Olympic hundred metres was one of
those spine-tingling moments.
Tear-jerking 催淚/⼗分傷感
Bring a pile of tissues with you when you see that film - it's
tear-jerking.
Thought-provoking 引⼈深思的，發⼈深省的
The speech delivered by the professor Smith of the University
of Oxford is simply thought-provoking.
Tragic 哀痛的；悲慘的
His friends were deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic
news of his death.
Unexpected 出乎意料的
How lovely to see you here - this really is an unexpected
pleasure!
Spell-binding 使⼈著魔的，迷⼈的
He gave a spellbinding performance.
Nonsensical 愚蠢的；荒謬的
The fundamentally nonsensical drama has lost all its viewers.
Intriguing ⾮常有趣；引⼈⼊勝
The movie looks intriguing so I'm definitely going to see it.
Synonyms: abridged, autobiographical, epic, fictional, gory,

knockabout, overripe, racy, suspenseful, unconvincing
Adjectivesusedtodescribeimportant
subject
Indispensable 必不可少的
This book is an indispensable resource for researchers.
Irreplaceable 不可替代的
Most of the porcelain you see in the display cabinets is
irreplaceable.
Paramount importance ⾸要
There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is
paramount/ is of paramount importance.
Adjectivesusedtodescribeimportant
subject
Vital 極其重要的
The kidney plays a vital role in the removal of waste products
from the blood.
Crucial ⾄關重要的
It is crucial that the problem is tackled immediately.
Consequential 隨之⽽來的
There have been several consequential innovations in their
computer software.
High-FrequencyExpressions
Opinion ( 意⾒)
Have/ Hold ( 持有意⾒)

發表意⾒)
Voice out/ State (
Ask for/ Seek ( 徵求意⾒)
Adjectives:
Subjective/Objective ( 主觀/客觀)
Mixed/ Different (不同 )
Conflicting ( 相反)
Popular/ Public ( 普遍 )
Examples:
1. When faced with difficult situations, seek an opinion from

someone else.
2. There are no good or bad opinions, just different ones.
3. Never let yourself go unheard, state your opinion more
frequently.
Ideas( 主意)
Come up with/ Have/ Think of ( 想出)

Get (得到 )
⽀持
Encourage ( )
反對
Reject ( )
Put into Practice ( 實⾏
)
Adjectives:
Innovative/ Fresh ( 新穎 )
Ambitious( ⼤膽 )
Clever/ Brilliant/ Marvellous ( 良好)
Examples:
1. Innovative ideas should never be buried in its infancy, share

it with others.
2. Ambitious ideas should be encouraged and embraced.
3. Getting inspiration is important for coming up with fresh
ideas.
Suggestion( 提議)
Verb transitive: Adjectives:

Open to Strong
Voice Practical
Give out Alternative
Innovative
Constructive
Impractical
Examples:
1. There’s a fine line between an impractical and an innovative

suggestion.
2. A leader must be open to suggestions, otherwise, he will
never be respected.
Advice( 忠告)

Give Useful
Offer Bold
Obtain Sincere
Take Sensible
Get Impartial
Reject Constructive
Disregard Misleading
Professional
Examples:
1. When people are giving sensible advice, make sure you pay
attention and act on such advice.
2. Professional advice should always be impartial and constructive.
View( 看法)

Have Subjective
Hold Objective
Take Unorthodox
Express Conflicting
Open to Opposing
Endorse Divergent
Present Optimistic
Pessimistic
Conventional
Examples:
Our creative director has an unorthodox view on the current
situation.
It’s important to have an opinion while remaining open to

others’ views.
Recommendation( 建議)

Come up with Latest
Have Wide-ranging
Think of Key
Act on
Carry out
Follow
Accept
Put forward
Examples:
1. The company is acting on the latest recommendations from

the Department of health.
2. We’ll adopt the recommendations put forward by our
superiors.
Proposal( 提案)

Draw up Detailed
Bring forward Tentative
Submit Well thought out
Approve
Adopt
Back
Consider
Turn down
Reject
Examples:
1. Our team has formulated a well thought out proposal, we hope

to see it being adopted.
2. Even a tentative proposal should be properly examined and not
approved hastily.
Question( 問題)

Receive Pointed
Raise Loaded
Bombard (subject Awkward
with) Difficult
Answer Tricky
Respond
Evade
Examples:
1. The chief executive tried to evade pointed questions during

the press conference.
2. When bombarded with difficult questions, avoidance is often
not a good response.
Problem( 問題)

Cause Acute
Create Complicated
Raise Complex
Face Minor
Address Major
Resolve/Solve Pressing
Settle Insurmountable
Combat Long-standing
Avoid
Worsen
Examples:
1. The government has caused a major problem in our current

society.
2. The Coronavirus is a pressing problem and should be dealt
with immediately.
Complication( 困難)

Run into Awkward
Facing New
Create Serious
Cause Unfortunate
Overcome Minor
Surmount Unforeseen
Examples:
1. Another serious complication we’re facing currently is the

lack of medical supplies.
2. This has created a new complication in the current situation.
Issue( 問題)
Examples:
1. The government does not need to address this minor issue

now.
2. This issue must be resolved if we’re to continue on the
negotiation.
Dilemma( 兩難)

Present with Perplexing
Resolve Troubling
Personal
Long-standing
Unpleasant
Examples:
1. People are now presented with a dilemma, either quarantine

themselves for weeks or to go back to work.
2. It is often difficult to resolve long-standing dilemmas.
Obstacles( 障礙)

Overcome Formidable
Avoiding Insurmountable
Encounter Unforeseen
Removing Additional
Eliminating Common
Considerable
Serious
Minor
Examples:
1. The Coronavirus has been a serious obstacle for China’s

growing economy.
2. The ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles
is often what separates the elites from the rest.
Hindrance( 阻滯)

Face Major
Encounter Minor
Small
Constant
Fatal
Significant
Example:
1. The lack of money is the greatest hindrance we face in

starting our business.
2. His leg injury is a major hindrance in his ability to run.
Difficulty( 難點)

Run into Enormous
Experience Considerable
Pose Severe
Lead to
Clear up
Cope with
Resolve
Example:
1. We had enormous difficulty in getting hold of the equipment.

2. We’ve experienced some difficulties when looking for the right
candidate.
Hardship( 困苦)

Face Dreadful
Bear Immense
Endure
Undergo
Overcome
Example:
1. We must learn to endure immense hardship or we’ll never

succeed.
2. The ability to overcome hardship is a valuable skill that most
do not possess.
Trouble( ⿇煩)

Cause Deep
Stir up Real
Get into
Avoid
Keep out of
Invite
Example:
1. Stirring up trouble in an already unstable city is how disasters

are made.
2. You’ve got yourself into some deep trouble.
Adversity( 逆境)
Expressions:
Face
in the face of
Overcome
Struggle against
Example:
1. We must not panic when in the face of adversity.

2. Everyone has struggled against adversity, it is how you cope
with it that helps you grow.
SamplePhrases
Nothing more than …
Don’t worry, it’s nothing more than a flesh wound.
The government tried to cover up the Chernobyl

incident as nothing more than a fire drill.
SamplePhrases
Not only… But also
War causes not only damages on victims’ body, but

also long term psychological scarring.
Not only is our new product cheaper than everything

else on the market, but also performs better than
most.
SamplePhrases
In other words
The United States of America has the largest and

strongest military in the whole world, in other
words, forget about invading her.
Humans require oxygen to survive. In other words,

we can’t live on the moon.
SamplePhrases
Not to mention
Working as an i-Banker is a stressful job, not to

mention the lack of sleep that gets coupled with it.
Committing a crime could get you behind bars, not to

mention the hefty fine that always comes with it.
SamplePhrases
Having said that
Our new employee has been doing very good, having

said that, I still think there’s room for improvement.
Game of Thrones has one of the best visuals in

cinematic history. Having said that, the ending of the
show is still quite a letdown.
SamplePhrases
Little/Not much is known about …
Little is known about the operations of the secret

service.
Not much is known about NASA’s research into

extraterrestrial life.
SamplePhrases
It would seem that
It would seem that children learn better when they

are given more freedom and time.
Research has shown that Hong Kong people work

faster when closing their deadlines. It would seem
that Hong Kong people tend to work faster when
they’re under pressure.
SamplePhrases
Although…
Although most people think nuclear technology is

nothing more than a ticking timebomb, they have in
fact been integrated into many parts of our lives.
Although it may seem unreasonable at first, it is a

very plausible outcome when you take everything
into account.
SamplePhrases
… can by no means be done without …
Launching a successful campaign can by no means

be done without proper planning beforehand.
Never underestimate the preparation it takes for an

athlete to be in the state they are in now. Winning in
sports can by no means be done without extensive
amounts of training and practice.
SamplePhrases
... puts … in jeopardy (danger)
Your arrogance has put our whole project in

jeopardy.
The lack of government support is putting

everyone’s health in jeopardy.
SamplePhrases
Only through … can we
Only through trial and error can we truly understand

how certain things work. For instance, you must fall
to learn how to pick yourself up.
Only through quarantining the sick can we have a

chance of containing the virus from spreading
further.
SamplePhrases
Without a doubt
Without a doubt, the services that we provide are

among the best this industry has to offer.
We have proved time and time again that this plan

does not work, without a doubt it will fail again this
time.
SamplePhrases
By no means
He may not be the worst teacher available. But by

no means is he a good one.
He is by no means the most suitable person for the

job, but he is the only one we’ve got.
SamplePhrases
In pursuit of … / in hopes of …
In pursuit of scoring 5** in the upcoming exam, it is

of utmost importance that we train on our writing
skills.
In hopes of succeeding in the business, our

company has placed extra care on providing
excellent after-sales support.
SamplePhrases
One of a kind
From modern aesthetics to its pleasing scent, our

product is truly one of a kind.
The iPhone was a one of a kind design back in the

day, and that is why it gained such massive support
from everyone around the globe.
SamplePhrases
… plays a vital role in …
Many students try to prepare as much as possible

when going into an interview, little do they know,
the ability to improvise also plays a vital role in
distinguishing yourself over others.
Students often forget that having a clear mind also

plays a vital role in doing well in exams.
SamplePhrases
When it comes to…
When it comes to deciding on university offers, it’s

often a smart move to consult your parents before
making any decisions hastily.
Many parents believe mathematical skills play a big

part when it comes to kindergarten interviews, but is
that the case?
SamplePhrases
… is of utmost/paramount importance
The safety of the president is of utmost importance

for the national security agency.
Some world leaders believe that the safety of the

people is of utmost importance, even surpassing his
own.
In the eyes of the UN, world peace is of utmost

importance.
SamplePhrases
It’s a common misconception
It’s a common misconception that paper 3 is the only

paper students can improve in a short period of
time.
It’s a common misconception that Hong Kong people

think only about money.
SamplePhrases
be it… or …
I’m going to release the track tonight, be it finished or

not.
We must share every news we have on the situation

with the general public, be it good or bad.
SamplePhrases
How (adjective) it is to …
How ridiculous it is to assume everyone else shares

the same set of moral values as you do.
How creative it is to joint pickup trucks and electric

cars up together.
SamplePhrases
If … had been…,
If the borders had been closed, Hong Kong would not

be in such deep trouble now.
If you had been working harder before taking the

exam, you wouldn’t be struggling as much now.
SamplePhrases
If only…
If only I knew what I would be missing out on, I

would have worked so much harder.
If only we could stop ourselves from overthinking,

and concentrate only on the tasks at hand.
SamplePhrases
… came as a shock
The death of his parents came as a shock, he

wasn’t the same after receiving the tragic
news.
The launch of a new smartphone came as a

shock for everyone, a pleasant surprise it sure
is.
SamplePhrases
The likelihood/odds of … is
The odds of you dying in a plane crash is

minuscule, so don’t stress yourself too much
next time you’re taking a flight.
The likelihood of you failing the test is

microscopic, stop being so paranoid of it.
SamplePhrases
SPORTS
VOCABULARY MEANING & USAGE
Staying in shape 保持⾝材

Doing sports helps people stay in shape.
Fair play 公平競爭

Fair play is an unspoken rule when it comes to
playing sports.
Stamina 耐⼒
It’s important for an athlete to have good
stamina so he doesn’t get tired easily.
Professional vs Amateur 專業 vs 業餘
Professional players are much better at their
game than amateur athletes.
SamplePhrases
SPORTS
Veteran ⽼⼿
Michael Jordan is a veteran player, he knows the
game better than most.
Novice/beginner 新⼿
There is no shame in being a novice, everyone has to
start at some point.
Coach (Verb) 指導
The mentor is coaching him on ways to stay focused.
Tournament 錦標賽
Winning a tournament is something many athlete
dream of but few succeed.
SamplePhrases
ANIMALS
Safari 觀察野⽣動物之⾏
In a safari, animals are allowed to roam freely in the
confines of the park.
Fierce 兇猛
Lions are considered one of the fiercest animals of all.
Docile 溫順
Elephants although seem intimidating, are in fact
very docile animals.
Domesticated 馴化
Most dogs we see nowadays are domesticated, rarely
do we see them running wild anymore.
SamplePhrases
ANIMALS
Parasite 寄⽣蟲
Locusts are nothing more than a parasite to farmers
mammals.
Mammal 哺乳類動物
Maybe people still don’t know that dolphins are in
fact, mammals.
Hind 後
The hind legs of a horse is extremely powerful, be
careful around them.
SamplePhrases
BUSINESS
Pitching 竭⼒勸說
Pitching with potential investors is often the best way
to get funding.
Investment 投資
Investment always involve risks. Don’t make decisions
hastily.
Running (a business) 經營; 管理

Running a business is no easy task, you must always
remain alert for any potential problems.
Stiff competition 激烈競爭

There is very stiff competition in this industry, it’ll be
hard for us to squeeze ourselves in.
SamplePhrases
BUSINESS
Niche market 針對特定客⼾群的市場

Since the market is so saturated, we should look into
the niche market instead.
Mentor 導師
Many businessman have mentors who have taught
them valuable lessons on running businesses.
Public relations 公共關係

Public relations is something many businesses
neglect.
SamplePhrases
BUSINESS
Authorization 授權
With the authorization from our boss, we can go on
and execute the plan
Commercial 廣告
The TV commercials are a good way to advertise our
business
SamplePhrases
WORKPLACE

Outsource 委外辦理
It’s very common for small business to outsource in order
to hire less employees.
Enthusiastic 熱情
Many fresh graduates find it hard to stay enthusiastic at
their jobs.
Portfolio 作品集
It’s important to have a portfolio if you’re going into the arts
industry.
Commission 佣⾦
Salesperson usually get paid commission for each
transaction.
Retail 零售
The retail industry is suffering hard due to the virus
outbreak.
SamplePhrases
MOVIE
Blockbuster 賣座鉅⽚
Endgame is a record breaking blockbuster.
Off the charts (informal) 處於極⾼⽔準的

Positive reviews of the new movie is off the charts.
Cast 演員
The show features an all-star cast.
SamplePhrases
MOVIE
Documentary 紀錄⽚
Documentaries are one of the most underrated
genres of the movie industry.
Create suspense 製造懸疑

Stephen King is best known for creating suspense in
his horror films.
Director/Screenwriter 導演/編劇
The director and screenwriter are the two most
important crew members.
SamplePhrases
MOVIE
Cinematic (masterpiece) 電影的(傑作)

Dunkirk is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece.
Cinematic history (Film history)
Joker is going to set a new standard in cinematic history.
Massive hit ⼤熱
No one expected joker to be such a massive hit.
Climax ⾼潮
The climax of the film usually lies near the end of it.
SamplePhrases
TECHNOLOGY
Artificial intelligence ⼈⼯智能

Artificial intelligence may be impressive, but is it safe?
Biometric security ⽣物識別安全系統

Fingerprint scanning is a king of biometric security we
use everyday.
Augmented Reality 擴增實境

Augmented Reality bridges the gap between reality
and virtual reality.
SamplePhrases
TECHNOLOGY
Virtual Reality 虛擬現實

It’s often easy to lose yourself in virtual reality.
Indispensable 不可或缺
Smartphones has turned into an indispensable part of
our lives.
Innovative 創新
Innovative designs are what set Tesla apart from her
competition.
SamplePhrases
TECHNOLOGY
E-commerce 電⼦商務
E-commerce is one of the most important part
of running a business nowadays.
Breakthrough 突破
There hasn’t been any real breakthroughs in
smartphone technology since Apple’s iPhone.
Obsolete 過時
The flip-phones have completely become
obsolete.
SamplePhrases
TECHNOLOGY
Cutting-edge 尖端(技術)
Our cutting-edge technology is what sets us apart.
Intuitive 直觀
Apple’s success is largely due to its intuitive products.
Viral 病毒的
This trend has gone viral on social media.
SamplePhrases
TECHNOLOGY
Censorship 審查
Censorship plays a big part in controlling information
on the internet.
Online presence 網絡存在感

Many teenagers put too much emphasis on their online
presence, but forget about their true personality.
Revolutionise ⾰新
Our design is going to revolutionise the smartphone
industry.
SamplePhrases
HEALTH/MEDICAL
Surgery ⼿術
Only professionals can perform surgery on patients.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 個⼈保護裝備

Personal Protective Equipment is on high demand
during outbreaks.
Vaccine 疫苗
Medical experts from around the globe are working day
and night, trying to develop a vaccine for the virus.
SamplePhrases
HEALTH/MEDICAL
Medicine 藥物
We should always take our medicine on time,
otherwise they might not perform as well as they
should’ve.
Medical Experts 醫學專家

Medical experts are urging people to stay indoors
during the outbreak.
Origin 源頭
The origin of the outbreak remains uncertain.
SamplePhrases
HEALTH/MEDICAL
Contaminated 污染
This person might be contaminated with the virus, he
should be examined first.
Quarantine 隔離
Suspected carriers should be quarantined in order to
prevent any further spreading.
CommonErrors
Adopt/adapt
Teachers sometimes adapt the tasks in the textbook to

make them more suitable for us.
Teachers sometimes adopt the tasks in the textbook

to make them more suitable for us.
● To modify something to make it more suitable is to

‘adapt’ it.
● To ‘adopt’ something is to choose it as one’s own or

approve it in some way, it doesn’t include the idea of
changing it.
E.g. The school has adopted a different English

textbook this year.
CommonErrors
Apology/sorry
I feel very sorry about this case.
I feel very apology about this case.
● To describe your own feelings, it is best to use a

different word, the adjective, ‘sorry’.
● ‘Apology’ is a noun. The adjective form is

‘apologetic’, but it usually describes what someone
says rather than a feeling that isn’t necessarily
expressed.
E.g. When she met him, she was very apologetic about
what she had done.
CommonErrors
Audience/spectators
Most of the spectators at the football match were

young people.
Most of the audience at the football match were young

people.
● The noun for people watching a sporting event is

‘spectators’.
● ‘Audience’ is used for those attending performances

of music, drama, dance, etc, but also for TV and radio
programmes, including those watching or listening to
sport at home.
E.g. The audience applauded and cheered the

orchestra.
CommonErrors
Client/customer
The shop assistant is talking to a customer.
The shop assistant is talking to a client.
● Someone buying things in a shop is a

‘customer’.
● ‘Client’ is used for people seeing professionals

such as lawyers as well as in big business:
E.g. That accountancy firm has a lot of clients.
CommonErrors
Concern/worry
That’s not important; don’t worry about it.
That’s not important; don’t concern about it.
● ‘Worry about’ is the correct verb form to use here.
● The alternatives to ‘concern’ are to ‘be concerned

about’ or ‘concern yourself about’
E.g. That’s not important; don’t be concerned about it.
CommonErrors
Doubt/suspect
Miss White says she wants to help but I suspect (that)

he wants publicity.
Miss White says she wants to help but I doubt (that) he

wants publicity.
● ‘Doubt that’ is to think sth may not be true or

probable, but here the writer does think Miss white
wants publicity for himself.
● ‘Suspect that’ is to think sth may be true or probable,

so is appropriate here. -Doubt that’ can be used here for
whether Miss White wants to help.
E.g. When she met him, she was very apologetic about
what she had done. -With a very few nouns such as
‘motive’, the verbs ’doubt’ and ‘suspect’ can be used in
the same way.
E.g. Miss White says she wants to help but I

doubt/suspect his motives.
CommonErrors
Fee/fare
The bus fare is a lot less than the taxi fare.
The bus fee is a lot less than the taxi fee.
● The Cantonese 費⽤ is used for fees and fares. In

English ‘fares’ are charged for public transport,
including planes.
● ‘Fees’ are charged by lawyers, doctors, schools, etc,

and for membership of associations, government
licences, etc
E.g. 1. Many people cannot afford private doctors’ fees.
2. The fee for a driver’s licence is going up soon.
CommonErrors
Materials/ingredients
He loved the dessert and asked what the ingredients

were.
He loved the dessert and asked what the materials

were.
● The things you mix and/or cook together to make a

particular type of food or drink are ‘ingredients’.
● ‘Materials’ is a broader word associated with building,

clothing, printed matter, etc.
E.g. There were a lot of reading materials for the course.
CommonErrors
Poor/unfortunate
When his wife and child died, I felt Mr. Chan was
very poor.
When his wife and child died, I felt Mr. Chan was
very unfortunate.
● When you say that someone ‘is poor’ (the

adjective coming after the verb ‘to be’) it means
she/he doesn’t have much money.
● But when ‘poor’ is used in front of a noun or

pronoun, it can mean unfortunate.
E.g. 1. They are so poor they can’t afford new

clothes for their children.
2. Poor Mr. Lau has lost his wife and children.
CommonErrors
Popular/common
The most common cancer in Hong Kong is lung

cancer.
The most popular cancer in Hong Kong is lung cancer.
● ‘Popular’ means well-liked, which can hardly be true

of a disease.
● Sth with the highest numbers (good or bad) would

be the most ‘common’ or most ’widespread’.
E.g. The most popular film of 2018 was Avengers:

Infinity War
CommonErrors
Prepared/ready
It’s time to leave for the picnic; are you ready to come?
It’s time to leave for the picnic; are you prepared to

come?
● The Cantonese 準備好 means ‘ready’ in English.

● In English, to ‘be prepared’ to do sth is to be willing
to do it, and is often used negatively.
● It is also used for sth you don’t really want to do but

are willing to do because there is some other benefit.
E.g. 1. I’m not prepared to pay such a high price.
2. I’m prepared to go hiking this weekend if you’ll

agree to go to the beach next weekend.
CommonErrors
Record/time
Cherry came second in the 100 metres and her record

was 11.6 seconds.
Cherry came second in the 100 metres and her time was
11.6 seconds.
● The Cantonese 紀錄 means both ‘to record’ (i.e. write

down) and ‘the best performance’ in a particular event.
● The results sheets used on Sports Days in Hong Kong

schools often have a column headed ‘Record’ for each
competitor.
● It should be ’Time’, ‘Distance’ or ’Height’.
● In this context, the English noun ‘record’ means ‘best

performance’:
E.g. Christy won the high jump and set a new record for
Under 17 girls.
CommonErrors
Section/session
We went to the morning session of the conference but

not the afternoon one.
We went to the morning section of the conference but

not the afternoon one.
● A period of time for a meeting or activity is a ‘session’.
● A ‘section’ is a segment of something more physical,

including text, or of an organization.
● The confusion may come from a tendency of some

Hong Kong learners to insert a ’k’ sound before the ‘sh’
sound in the middle of some words such as ‘session’ or
‘fashion’.
E.g. 1. This chapter has five sections.
2. She sings in the soprano section of the choir.
CommonErrors
Shameful/embarrassed
Parents may feel embarrassed giving their children sex

education.
Parents may feel shameful giving their children sex

education.
● ‘Embarrassed’ is a better adjective for the awkward

feeling some parents may have here.
● ‘Shameful’ describes a bad situation or bad behaviour

(not a person) for which those responsible should feel
guilty.
E.g. Their treatment of prisoners of war was quite

shameful.
CommonErrors
Standard of living/cost of living
The cost of living is rising so much we can’t afford to go

to restaurants so often.
The standard of living is rising so much we can’t afford

to go to restaurant so often.
● It is the ‘cost of living’ that is rising, making it difficult

for people to afford what they want.
● ‘Standard of living’ is the material quality of life that

people have.
E.g. The standard of living is much higher in South

Korea than in developing countries.
CommonErrors
Stationary/stationery
We need to buy a lot of stationery for the new school

year.
We need to buy a lot of stationary for the new school

year.
● The noun for paper, pens, folders and other writing

materials is ‘stationery’, spelt ‘-ery’ at the end.
● ‘Stationary’ with ‘-ary’ is an adjective, meaning not

moving, standing still.
E.g. Passengers should not get off the bus until it is

stationary.
CommonErrors
Traffic/transport
Transport in this area is very convenient.
Traffic in this area is very convenient.
● The Cantonese 交通 can mean ‘traffic’ or ‘transport’

in English but ‘transport’ is appropriate in this
sentence, meaning the system of buses, trams, trains,
etc, which are available.
● ‘Traffic’ is the actual movement of vehicles on the

roads, or the number of them.
E.g. It will be a slow journey today as the traffic is very

congested.
CommonErrors
Watcher/viewer
The new TV channel hopes to attract many viewers.
The new TV channel hopes to attract many watchers.
● People who watch TV are ‘viewers’
● People can, however, be bird watchers (studying

birds) or weight-watchers (being careful about their
weight), etc.
E.g. The Mai Po Marshes are a favourite site for bird

watchers.

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Issues

E.g. The acute problems in society are

E.g. Recently, plenty investors are perplexed

12. Trending (= popular)

E.g. Online dating is becoming a trending culture

21. High time to XXX ( 當務之急 )

E.g. It is high time for the government to tackle the

E.g. The government has been denounced and

E.g. HK students’ critical thinking ability has been

42. Modest / humble (謙虛的 )

E.g. The best way to earn respect is to stay modest and

E.g. To augment and elevate Hong Kong’s STEM

E.g HK’s retail sector is experiencing a dreadful

E.g HK students’ lack of financial knowledge is

E.g Many Europeans are flabbergasted after

76. Make someone’s blood boil ( 令⼈髮指)

E.g Cyber bullying problems are certainly very

80. Break down in tears (落淚 )

E.g Those in the retail and tourism sectors are

E.g While some are contending that more should

E.g The James Bond movie franchise is highly

101. Incompetent (無能 )

E.g In face of difficulties, you need to strive to

110. Breaking news (突發新聞 )

115. Antidote (改善⽅案 )

E.g If we wish to remedy the issues in our

Triumphant 取得巨⼤成功的; 歡欣⿎舞的

*Synonyms: tedious, mundane, monotonous, humdrum,

*Synonyms: imaginative, unreal

*Synonyms: appealing, captivating

Other adjectives about the future:

*Synonyms: enjoyable, delightful

*Synonyms: attractive, alluring

*Synonyms: Intriguing, engrossing

*Synonyms: enjoyable, delightful

*Synonyms: amusing, humorous

*Synonyms: classical, ancient

*Synonyms: descriptive, explanatory

*Synonyms: penetrating, intelligent

*Synonyms: expressive, meaningful

Poignant 令⼈痛苦的 深深打動⼈的

*Synonyms: dishonest, cunning, fraudulent, unscrupulous,

Amusing 好笑的，有趣的； 引⼈發笑

*Synonyms: affable, agreeable, amiable, harming, likeable,

Unique 獨⼀無⼆的； 與眾不同的

*Synonyms: alive, bustling, cosmopolitan, enchanting,

Synonyms: abridged, autobiographical, epic, fictional, gory,

Have/ Hold ( 持有意⾒)

1. When faced with difficult situations, seek an opinion from

Come up with/ Have/ Think of ( 想出)

1. Innovative ideas should never be buried in its infancy, share

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

1. There’s a fine line between an impractical and an innovative

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

It’s important to have an opinion while remaining open to

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

1. The company is acting on the latest recommendations from

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

1. Our team has formulated a well thought out proposal, we hope

Verb transitive: Adjectives:

1. The chief executive tried to evade pointed questions during

Poignant 令⼈痛苦的深深打動⼈的

Amusing 好笑的，有趣的；引⼈發笑

Unique 獨⼀無⼆的；與眾不同的