78 CAE Key Word Transformation Expressions

Image credit: Cambridge English

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This is a list of 78 expressions from key word transformations in the CAE exam. The expressions are taken from the fantastic quizlet set that someone made. Have students study 10-15 of the expressions for homework and the use the quizlet set to test them in class; great for intensive preparation courses when you’re pressed for time. Download the handout below:

cae-key-word-transformation-expressions

Quizlet set – 82 key word transformations

Expressions

Study the expressions carefully, focus on the prepositions and patterns (gerund/infinitive etc.)

1. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU undo your seatbelt during take-off.
2. A new manager HAS TAKEN OVER THE running of the finance department.
3. THERE IS NO KNOWING what’s going to happen in the next few days.
4. The burglar must HAVE GAINED ENTRY/ACCESS through the bathroom window.
5. An ant IS CAPABLE OF carrying ten times its own body weight.
6. The news that my favourite teacher was leaving CAME AS A DISAPPOINTMENT TO ME.
7. Sometime I feel as if my children TAKE ME FOR GRANTED.
8. I need TO GET MY PASSPORT RENEWED before our trip to Greece.
9. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WERE willing to donate some money to our cause.
10. I SEE NO POINT IN asking Tina for help, she always refuses.
11. Playing video games is JUST AS MUCH FUN AS playing sports.
12. The defendant DENIED HAVING SEEN the woman before.
13. Everyone’s opinions must BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT before a decision is made.
14. It’s IN YOUR INTEREST to take good notes during class, you’ll need them for the final exam.
15. I really need to GET that broken window REPAIRED.
16. MUCH TO THEIR DELIGHT, Jon and Ana didn’t have to pay to get in.
17. The cat REFUSED TO COME down from the tree.
18. Georgina SAID SHE WOULD NOT WEAR the yellow dress her mother had chosen for her.
19. Don’t FORGET TO KEEP IN TOUCH while you’re travelling.
20. You need to be ON THE LOOKOUT FOR pickpockets in this area.
21. Plans ARE BEING DRAWN UP for a new shopping centre on the outskirts of the city.
22. MUCH TO OUR HORROR, when we got back to the hotel all our stuff had been stolen.
23. Would YOU RATHER I HAD NOT told them about the party?
24. LET ME KNOW if you can come to the party, I need to buy the food tonight.
25. Andrés WAS AT A LOSS TO EXPLAIN why he was late for class again.
26. Failure to show a valid ticket is LIKELY TO RESULT IN you having to pay a fine.
27. It is HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THE FILM WILL win several awards.
28. Quick ACTION ON THE PART OF the ambulance crew saved the little girl’s life.
29. How can I GET IT ACROSS TO HIM that I’m just not that into him.
30. Don’t be silly, there IS NO SUCH THING as vampires.
31. I’m so sorry I’m late, I(COMPLETELY) LOST TRACK OF TIME!
32. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT that the plane lands on water, lifejackets are stored under your seats.
33. Katy HAS BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR the sales department, she’s a bit nervous but very excited.
34. Gerald has been PUT IN CHARGE OF finding a catering company for the Christmas party.
35. I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE/ WAS TAKEN ABACK when they asked me to take over from Jon as finance manager.
36. Bob is IN DANGER OF GETTING SACKED/FIRED if his bad behaviour continues.
37. In the end they PLACED THE BLAME ON a group of local teenagers for the vandalism to the church.
38. Sorry but I HAD THE IMPRESSION/WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION that this was a permanent contract.
39. I WAS LED TO BELIEVE that the salary would be €2000 a month.
40. The runner who finished second told the press that she had NO INTENTION OF RETIRING and that she’d be back to compete next year.
41. It’s really difficult TO COME UP WITH GOOD IDEAS in such a short space of time.
42. The young actress STANDS EVERY CHANCE OF BEING offered a big role soon.
43. Dinner WILL BE FOLLOWED BY a performance by the school orchestra.
44. No FEWER THAN THREE PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED to operate this machine.
45. Please don’t HESITATE TO CALL (US)/ HESITATE TO GIVE US A CALL if you have any questions or doubts.
46. John’s failure to answer all the interview questions COST HIM THE JOB.
47. We SPENT HALF AN HOUR LOOKING for a parking space in the city centre.
48. The pay rise CAME AS A SURPRISE TO me.
49. THERE’S NO DENYING MY disappointment at not being given the job.
50. Looks as IF TONY HASN’T BEEN sleeping well
51. I’m not going TO PUT UP WITH your behaviour anymore.
52. I’m really not SURE HOW I WOULD HAVE REACTED in that situation.
53. Novak Djokovic BROKE DOWN IN TEARS AS he was given the trophy.
54. Would you HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO ME taking the rest of the day off?
55. Her LACK OF EXPERIENCE might AFFECT her ability to do the job.
56. It (HAD) NEVER OCCURED TO ME to ask my grandfather for help with my history project.
57. Oh dear, I think we might HAVE TAKEN THE WRONG TURNING/TURN a few miles back.
58. We WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CARRIED / WOULD HAVE LIKED TO CARRY ON playing for a few more hours but it started raining.
59. The project will GO AHEAD ACCORDING TO PLAN.
60. You really need to MAKE UP YOUR MIND about which uni you want to go to.
61. IT’S HIGH/ABOUT TIME YOU GOT your hair cut.
62. The school IS HIGHLY SPOKEN of in the local area.
63. He was ON THE POINT OF LEAVING the restaurant when she finally turned up.
64. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF they didn’t win this match, they’re far better than the other team.
65. I am IN NO DOUBT that event will be a resounding success.
66. I’m sorry but I don’t HAVE ANY RECOLLECTION OF meeting you before.
67. We had TO PUT IN a claim with our car insurance company.
68. They have NO CHANCE OF WINNING after that red card.
69. The students TOOK NO NOTICE OF what the teacher was saying.
70. The police have almost GIVEN UP HOPE OF FINDING any more survivors.
71. It’s just A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE that car breaks down, it’s so old.
72. I really can’t SEE THE POINT IN/OF LEARNING Latin anymore.
73. The cat MADE A FAST RECOVERY after its operation.
74. I DIDN’T USE TO LIKE olives when I was a kid but I love them now.
75. He’s really MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF in the fashion world.
76. We CAN AFFORD THIS HOLIDAY AS LONG AS we save up €100 a month.
77. I HANDED IN MY NOTICE at work last week, 4 more weeks until I become my own boss!
78. I haven’t got 10 cents, LET ALONE 1 euro.