Session 23
April 23, 2026 · Intermediate → Upper-Intermediate
This session has two review sheets, so its list of words is longer than most.
- Medical vocab
- bravery & ethics
- everyday expressions
1 Corrections
How you said it, the natural version, and why. These are your own sentences.
How you said it
They dress closely to us.
The natural version
They dress close to us.
After "dress," use the adjective "close" — not the adverb "closely." Think: close = how similar; closely = how carefully.
How you said it
My calendar is full.
The natural version
My calendar is fully booked.
In scheduling, the natural phrase is 'fully booked' — 'calendar is full' alone sounds incomplete.
How you said it
He lie on his patient.
The natural version
He lied to his patient.
'Lie on' = to recline on a surface. 'Lie to' = to tell someone something false.
How you said it
1 + 1 = 3. That is sense.
The natural version
That doesn't make sense.
Use 'make sense' as a fixed phrase: 'It makes sense' / 'It doesn't make sense.'
How you said it
Which is similar to our style.
The natural version
Which is close to our style.
"Similar" is not wrong, but "close" is more natural when describing resemblance in fashion or habits.
How you said it
You ask yourself with how?
The natural version
How do you ask yourself that? / How do you know what to say?
Don't add "with" before question words like "how." Drop it entirely.
How you said it
I dedicate a part of my time.
The natural version
I allocate a part of my time.
"Allocate" = set aside time or resources. "Dedicate" = commit with strong purpose or emotion. For scheduling, use "allocate."
How you said it
He sweared at me.
The natural version
He swore at me.
'Swear' is irregular: swear → swore (past). 'Swear at' means to use rude words toward someone.
How you said it
They dress close to us.
The natural version
They dress closely to us.
'Close' is an adjective (near). 'Closely' is the adverb form — it describes how they dress.
How you said it
He are very brave.
The natural version
He is very brave.
He / she / it always takes 'is' in the present tense.
How you said it
The operation went smooth.
The natural version
The operation went smoothly.
After an action verb (went, felt, ran), use an adverb (-ly), not an adjective.
2 Grammar tips
Adverbs describe HOW an action happens
Add -ly to an adjective to describe the verb: smooth → smoothly, clear → clearly.
The surgery went smoothly and the patient recovered quickly.
Lie to vs. lie on
'Lie to someone' = to deceive (فعل يتعلق بالكذب). 'Lie on something' = to recline (فعل جسدي). Two completely different meanings.
Please lie on the bed. / He lied to his patient.
Prepositions change verb meaning
"Swear" = make a promise or oath. "Swear AT" = curse someone. Same verb, completely different meaning.
I swear I didn't do it. / He swore at me in the street.
Subject–verb agreement with 'be'
He / She / It → IS · I → AM · You / We / They → ARE. Never mix these up.
He is brave. / I am scared. / You are right.
Brave (adj) vs. Bravery (n) vs. Courageous (adj)
Use 'brave' and 'courageous' before nouns or after 'is/are/was'. Use 'bravery' where a noun is needed.
He is brave. She is courageous. Most businesses require bravery.
Adverbs after action verbs
When a verb shows action (go, run, feel, operate), describe it with an adverb (-ly), not an adjective.
The operation went smoothly. He spoke calmly.
Subject–verb agreement
He / She / It → is | I → am | You / We / They → are. This rule applies every time, no exceptions.
He is brave. I am a doctor. They are fearless.
Adjective vs. adverb after action verbs
Some verbs (dress, look, feel, taste) take an adjective — not an adverb. Say "She dressed close to us," not "closely."
The operation went smoothly. / She dresses close to our style.
Make sense — fixed phrase
'Make sense' is always used together. Positive: 'It makes sense.' Negative: 'It doesn't make sense.' Never split these words.
It doesn't make sense to hide a diagnosis from a patient.
Swear vs. swear at
'Swear' alone = to make a solemn promise. 'Swear at' = to use rude or offensive words toward someone.
I swear I didn't do it. / He swore at the nurse.
Word choice: allocate vs. dedicate
Allocate = distribute time/money/resources. Dedicate = commit with passion or purpose.
I allocate two hours for paperwork. / I dedicate my career to my patients.
Irregular past: swear → swore
Some verbs don't follow the -ed rule. 'Swear' becomes 'swore' in the past tense.
He swore he didn't do it. She swore at him.
3 New words and phrases
4 Pronunciation
- ·calculatedStress the first syllable: KAL. Four syllables: KAL · kyuh · lay · ted.
5 Practice sentences
01I allocate two hours every morning to see my patients before the afternoon surgeries.
02The operation went smoothly — the patient was awake and talking within an hour.
03From my perspective, a doctor who lies to their patient is not fit to practice medicine.
04I cannot tolerate corruption or misdiagnosis in my hospital — the stakes are too high.
05He is fearless when it comes to making difficult decisions, which is why I trust him.
06My calendar is fully booked this week, but I can book an appointment for you on Monday.
07It doesn't make sense to take a risk without thinking — every decision must be calculated.
08What goes around, comes around — I always try to be fair, even when it's hard.
09He swore at the nurse, and I had to ask him to leave the ward immediately.
10We need justice and we need to fight corruption so that Syria can recover from its downfall.
6 Model sentences
Read these out loud three times.
The surgery went smoothly, and the patient was discharged two days later in good condition.
As a doctor, I believe in being fair and honest — I would never lie to a patient about their diagnosis.
From my perspective, a fearless leader is not someone who ignores danger, but someone who takes calculated risks.
I allocate time every week for reading, because staying current is part of being a good doctor.
He swore at the nurse in front of patients — that kind of behavior I simply cannot tolerate.
It doesn't make sense to apply a rule without understanding the reason behind it.
We all hope for justice, but corruption continues to be the downfall of so many systems.
7 Mini-dialogue
- A
Doctor, how did the procedure go today?
- B
It went smoothly, thank goodness. The patient is resting now.
- A
Was there anything unexpected?
- B
There was a misdiagnosis at first, but we caught it in time and corrected the treatment.
- A
That must have required a lot of courage.
- B
You have to be fearless in this field — sometimes you need to take calculated risks.
- A
Can I book a follow-up appointment for next week?
- B
Let me check — my calendar is almost fully booked, but I can see you on Thursday morning.
Read A, say B's line yourself, then check.
8 Homework
- Write 5 sentences using words from today's session — try to use: allocate, fearless, calculated, tolerate, and perspective.
- Practice saying these words out loud 3 times each: misdiagnosis, courageous, corruption, calculated, perspective.
- Use 'what goes around, comes around' and 'make sense' in two real conversations this week.
- Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) about a time you had to be brave or take a calculated risk at work.
- Record yourself reading the Mini-Dialogue (both roles A and B) and listen back — notice your stress and rhythm.
- Review the difference between 'swear' and 'swear at', and 'lie to' and 'lie on' — write one example sentence for each.
9 Self-check
I noticed I sometimes use adjectives after action verbs — for example, 'smooth' instead of 'smoothly.' I need to remember that after verbs like 'went,' 'felt,' and 'ran,' I should always use the -ly adverb form.
The word I will try to use most this week is 'allocate,' because I talk about managing my time at the hospital every day — and this word fits perfectly.
I'm still thinking about the difference between 'brave' and 'courageous.' My tutor explained that 'courageous' tends to be used in more formal, serious contexts (speeches, war, fighting for a cause), while 'brave' is more everyday. I want to pay attention to how native speakers use them.