Circumstances

investigating the circumstances

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a substantial amount of money from the company accounts.

depend on the circumstances

If you saw somebody drowning, would you try to save them?

> It would depend on the circumstances. If the sea was really rough, then no, but if it was in a lake, then I probably would.

know the circumstances

If we knew more of the circumstances around the child’s death, the police would have a much better idea of where to start.

adapt to circumstances

In the world of medicine, everything develops so quickly that you need to be able to adapt to new and continually changing circumstances.

circumstances change

I am sorry to say that at present you are not entitled to any benefit. Please contact this department if your circumstances change.

die in circumstances

The little girl died in very tragic circumstances when she ran out into the road.

exceptional circumstances

All essays must be handed in by the 12^th of April. This deadline will only be extended in exceptional circumstances.

suspicious circumstances

Police said that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. They think she died of natural causes.

present circumstances

She’s unlikely to accept the job – given her present circumstances. She has a young family and an aging parent to look after.

unforeseen circumstances

The concert had to be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. The main singer became ill and had to be taken to hospital.

exact circumstances

The press are anxious to know how the pop star died. The police have yet to reveal the exact circumstances of his death.

happier circumstances

I wish we’d met again in happier circumstances. Why do we only meet at funerals!

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I think abortion is justifiable in certain circumstances. For example, if the mother might die, then I think it is right to go ahead.

Under no circumstances must you leave the children on their own.

It’s never right to take a life, so we oppose capital punishment in any circumstances.

Under the circumstances, my parents coped very well when I told them I was leaving my wife. I thought they would have been very upset.

Considering the circumstances of the company at the time of the fire, It’s no wonder people were suspicious.

After the bride didn’t turn up, canceling the wedding was the only thing to do in the circumstances.

In the circumstances, nobody could complain that the picnic was canceled, it just rained and rained all day long.

Considering the circumstances of the takeover, the union’s refusal to cooperate with the new management was perfectly understandable.

Notes   

Note the following:

• The fees charged for the course will vary according to individual circumstances.
• They have been forced by circumstances to sell their house.

A common excuse for delayed flights or trains is ‘circumstances beyond our control’.