 Re: "in a word"
I agree with your students - I think it has a more dramatic effect when it is followed by just one word, but it's certainly not a rule.
Here are some examples I got by googling it, restricting the search to British sites only :
In a word -marvellous.
in a word said when you are going to give your opinion about something briefly ... In a word, she's lying. (from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary) ...
In a word, gobsmacking! (said by Jeremy Clarkson - who else! Sue)
in a word, if we compare them ...
It was, in a word, brilliant.
"In a word, the robustness of the software is amazing with the powerful user subroutines, we are able to perform a wide range of complex analysis. “
Perhaps in a word, the use of facilities is hardly a problem, as these are already present. The problems revolved more around how TBL can be set up, ... (from the British Council Site) |