When talking about the future, don't use the future tense after as soon as. Use the present tense: i'll call you as soon as I get home (not 'as soon as I will get home').
enough, he returned to Barcelona.
A
IMMEDIATELY
^ opposite later/at a later time
D immediately
immediately /rmiidiatli/ [adul quickly
and without any delay: If there's an accident in the school, you must report it immediately. 1 When I saw her face, I knew immediately that something was
as soon as possible/as soon as
you can /эz su:n эг 'pos^tol, 3Z ,su:n эг ju: kaen||-pa:s-/ as soon as it is possible for you to do something: Several other students need this book, so please return it as soon as possible. I We got back as soon as we could.
instantly /'instentli/ [adv] immediately - use this when something happens at almost the same time as something else: It
was a head-on crash, and both drivers died instantly. I I knew instantly that Kathy and I were going to be good friends.
at a glance^ э gla:ns||- glaens/ can see/ know/tell sth at a glance to know or realize something immediately, after only looking for a very short time: I could see at a glance how serious the situation
was. I He can tell at a glance whether it's a real diamond or a fake.
IMPORTANT/ NOT IMPORTANT
^ see also don t care, famous, serious
Usomething that is important
important |im'p:xrunt/ [adj] something that is important has a big effect on people s lives and on the way things happen in the future, and a lot of things depend on it: Next Thursday's game is very important - if Italy lose they will be out of the World Cup. I I have an important announcement to make, so please listen carefully. I She didn't realize how important school work was until it was too late.
importancefn U] how important something is
+ of the importance of Einstein's discovery
signi/icant/signifikdnt/ [adj] significant
events, changes etc are important enough to be noticed and considered or talked about: There has been a significant change in people's attitude to the environment. I Winning the award was a significant achievement. I a significant new discovery, which will improve our understanding of the AIDS virus
big/big/ \adj only before noun] big deci- sion/event/occasion/day/moment an
important decision, event etc, especially one that will affect the rest of your life: This is a big decision - you'll have to give me time to think. I Graduation Day is one of those big occasions when everyone wants a souvenir photograph.
cutfie big day especially spoken (=a very important day in someone's life) I hear you're getting married - when's the big day?
r\ Big Is more informal thanjmp0rtant..
historic /hi'siDrikl-'sto:-, -sta:-/ [adj only before noun] a historic event, moment etc is remembered as a part of history because it brings important changes that have a good effect for a long time: the historic moment when Nelson Mandela was released from prison I In his book, Churchill describes that historic first meeting with Roosevelt.
crucial /'kru:J^l/ [adj] something that is crucial is extremely important because everything that happens afterwards depends on it: Euans scored two crucial points just before the end of the game. + to The result of these talks could be crucial to the future of the school.
ж Don't say very crucial'. Sa^bsolutely crucial •
Q important and necessary
important /impotent/ [adj) something that is important should be given special attention because it is very necessary: Young children should be given a healthy diet ~ that's very important. it is important to do sth It is important to read the instructions carefully before you start
it is important that It is important that everyone understands the risks involved in this plan.
importance [n U] how important and
necessary something is + of Most people realize the importance of getting enough sleep.
vital /'vaitl/ [adj] something that is vital is very important and necessary, and if it is not done correctly or dealt with there could be serious problems: nurses, police officers and other workers who provide vital services
+ to His evidence was vital to the defence case.
379 IMPORTANT/NOT IMPORTANT
it is vital that It is vital that leaking gas pipes are fixed immediately.
more important than anything else
the most important /бэ msost
mVpD:rL?ntI the most important scientific
discovery of the 20th century I For Muslims, this is the most important day of the year.
the most important thing If there is a fire, the most important thing is to get all the students out of the buildmg immediately.
main/ckief/principal /mem, tjnf, prin
sJ,pI/ ladj only before noun] more important than anything else: What was the main purpose of your visit? I Our chief concern
A
is for the safety of the children. I Coffee is the country's principal export.
Main, chief, and principal mean the same thing, but main is much more common than chief or principal. Chief and principal are used especially in written or formal spoken English.
biggest /'big^st/ [adj only before noun] the biggest decision, problem, event etc is the most important decision that you have to make, the most serious problem you have to deal with etc: This music festival is the biggest thing that's ever happened in Knoxville. I Getting married was the biggest mistake of my life.
A Biggest is more informal than most important, main etc.
major /'me[d33r/ [adj only before noun] one of the most important or serious things - use this especially when there is a small number of really important things, but a larger number of less important things: Smoking is a major cause of heart disease. I All the world's major sporting events can be seen on HHS TV. I /t's the Chief Executive who makes all the major decisions.
IMPORTANT/NOT IMPORTANT
basic /'beisikI [adj only before noun] use this about something that you need more than anything else, especially in order to do something or in order to live: This book gives you the basic information about choosing a college course. I People's basic needs are food, housing, and health care.
above all /э,Ьлу 'э:1/ use this to emphasize that what you are going to say is more important than the other things you have mentioned: Keeping him in prison is pointless, expensive, and above all it's completely unfair. I Above all, she will