Tighten vs. Compress vs. Press

[ranky]

Business English Courses, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #67 "Business dialogue on the phone", question 3

Bob: The one in your office is fine. Do I need to ......... anything special to get out of the building?

(a) tighten
(b) press
(c) compress
(d) dial

Business English Courses, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #67 "Business dialogue on the phone", answer 3

Bob: The one in your office is fine. Do I need to dial anything special to get out of the building?

Correct answer: (d) dial
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What is the meaning of tighten , press, compress?

ranky

[Alan]

Hi,

You tighten the top of a bottle - you screw - turn it tighter because you don't want the liquid to come out.

You press a bell at someone's front door so that they know you have arrived.

You compress something you have written so that it is shorter - no so many words in it. It means reduce in size.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Luby]

Good Evening!
What is the difference between 'press' and 'dial'?

[Alan]

Hi Luby,

'Press' suggests 'push down'. 'Dial' usually involves turning something around.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[IanChou]

Hello Alan:

I have a chat with my Aussie friend.
He will pick "press" but also "dial"
His explanation is "Dial" is used on old rotary dial phones.
Nowadays, most of phones are button phones.

Ian