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English grammar

At risk, under way, beyond repair: phrases that work as adjectives

C1 · Advanced Place and direction Questions 10

The rule

A preposition + noun often works like an adjective describing a state: at risk, at stake, at a loss, at odds with, in charge (of), in debt, in doubt, in vain, in demand, on hold, on strike, on offer, out of order, out of date, out of stock, out of reach, under way, under pressure, under threat, under review, under control, under construction, beyond repair, beyond doubt, beyond belief, off limits. They follow be, seem, remain or become, and they can follow a noun (the plans under review, the jobs at risk). The preposition is fixed and not predictable from other languages — under construction, not in construction; on strike, not in strike; beyond doubt, not out of doubt — which is exactly where advanced learners still slip. Learn each phrase as one unit.

Pattern

at risk / stake / a loss / odds with · in charge / debt / doubt / vain / demand · on hold / strike / offer · out of order / date / stock / reach · under way / pressure / threat / review / control / construction · beyond repair / doubt / belief · off limits

Examples

  1. Thousands of jobs are at risk if the factory closes.

  2. Repairs to the bridge are already under way.

  3. The old boiler was beyond repair.

  4. The lift is out of order again.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: The new stadium is in construction.

    Right: The new stadium is under construction.

    The fixed phrase is under construction.

  • Wrong: Her guilt is out of doubt.

    Right: Her guilt is beyond doubt.

    The fixed phrase is beyond doubt.

  • Wrong: The plan is in hold.

    Right: The plan is on hold.

    The fixed phrase is on hold.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Fill in the gap.

    Work on the new hospital is already _____ way.

    1. under
    2. at
    3. on
    4. in
    Show answer

    Answer: A Work on the new hospital is already under way.

    under way = in progress.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What does at stake mean?

    With the final tomorrow, a lot is at stake.

    1. Is safe
    2. Is being cooked
    3. Could be won or lost
    4. Has already been lost
    Show answer

    Answer: C Could be won or lost

    at stake = at risk, depending on the result.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The printer is out of order again.
    2. The printer is off order again.
    3. The printer is out of ordered again.
    4. The printer is in out of order again.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The printer is out of order again.

    out of order = not working.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    The matter is in review by the committee.

    1. The matter is on review by the committee.
    2. The matter is beyond review by the committee.
    3. The matter is under review by the committee.
    4. The matter is at review by the committee.
    Show answer

    Answer: C The matter is under review by the committee.

    The fixed phrase is under review.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Use a phrase with beyond.

    The damage cannot be repaired.

    1. The damage is beyond repair.
    2. The damage is under repair.
    3. The damage is out of repair.
    4. The damage is off repair.
    Show answer

    Answer: A The damage is beyond repair.

    beyond repair = impossible to repair.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    The situation is now under control

    Show answer

    Answer: The situation is now under control.

    under control = managed, no longer dangerous.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    What does at a loss mean here?

    I was at a loss for words.

    1. I did not know what to say.
    2. I talked too much.
    3. I lost a bet.
    4. I lost some money.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I did not know what to say.

    at a loss for words = unable to think what to say.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. The coast path is off the limit during the storm.
    2. The coast path is off limits during the storm.
    3. The coast path is on limits during the storm.
    4. The coast path is out limits during the storm.
    Show answer

    Answer: B The coast path is off limits during the storm.

    off limits = not allowed to go there.

  9. 9Fill in the gap.

    You are describing a shop’s problem.

    Sorry, that model is _____ of stock at the moment.

    1. beyond
    2. under
    3. off
    4. out
    Show answer

    Answer: D Sorry, that model is out of stock at the moment.

    out of stock = none left to sell.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    Which sentence means the same?

    Her views are at odds with the rest of the party.

    1. Her views are strange and funny.
    2. Her views conflict with the party’s.
    3. Her views match the party’s.
    4. Her views are unknown to the party.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Her views conflict with the party’s.

    at odds with = in disagreement with.

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