Grammatical categories of collocation ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 3

Grammatical categories of collocation

A	Verb + noun verb noun example meaning of verb draw up a list a contract Our lawyer drew up a contract for us to sign. prepare something, usually official, in writing pass up a chance an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up the chance of seeing Hong Kong, so I agreed to go on the trip. fail to take advantage of withstand pressure the impact The police officer’s vest can withstand the impact of a bullet. bear
B	Noun + verb noun verb example opportunity arise An opportunity arose for me to work in China, so I went and spent a year there. standards slip People feel educational standards slipped when the government cut finances.
C	Noun + noun • Noun + noun collocations used to describe groups or sets: There’s been a spate of attacks/thefts in our area recently. [unusually large number  happening in close succession] The minister had to put up with a barrage of questions/insults from the angry audience. [unusually large number, happening at the same time] • Noun + noun collocations used with uncountable nouns: By a stroke of luck I found my keys in the rubbish bin! [sudden, unexpected piece of luck] She gave me a snippet of information which is top secret. [small piece of information]
D	Adjective + noun This is not an idle threat; I will call the police if this happens again! [simply a threat] He waited in the vain hope that the minister would meet him. [unlikely to be fulfilled hope] There is mounting concern/criticism/fury over the decision. [growing concern, etc.] The simple/plain truth is that no one was aware of the problem.
E	Adverb + adjective The article provides an intensely personal account of the writer’s relationship with his sons. Joe’s sister was a stunningly attractive woman.
F	Verb + adverb or prepositional phrase The teenager tried to persuade his mother that he was innocent but he failed miserably. I don’t like to travel with my brother because he drives recklessly. [wildly, without care] As soon as the singer came on stage she burst into song. If your dog starts to foam at the mouth, you should take it to the vet immediately.
G	More complex collocations Mary was looking forward to retiring and taking it easy for a while. It’s time you put the past behind you and started focusing on the future.

EXERCISES

3.1	Match a word from each box to form collocations. Not all the collocations appear on the opposite page, so use a dictionary such as the Cambridge Online Dictionary to help you if necessary.
3.2	Complete each sentence using a collocation from 3.1 in the appropriate form. 1 The scientific _____________ human beings first emerged in Africa. 2 The _____________ was _____________ all night and it was raining, so I couldn’t sleep. 3 The machine has to be made of materials that can _____________ a lot of _____________. 4 Oh, no! There’s a fire. Look at the _____________ from those buildings. 5 It was so cold I couldn’t stop my _____________ from _____________. 6 Our survey shows that parents believe _____________ have _____________ at the school. 7 You must accompany Mason on one of his business trips to Asia, if the _____________ ever _____________. 8 An alarming new _____________ is _____________ among cattle in the south of the country.
3.3	Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence using a collocation from the opposite page. 1 I don’t want to say no to the chance of meeting such a famous person. 2 We’ll have to write a contract before you start work, as it’s a new position. 3 You’re working too hard. You should try to relax for a short period of time. 4 This new bullet-proof car can take the impact of a rocket-propelled grenade. 5 Do you have any interesting little bits of information about our new boss to tell us? 6 The minister faced a large number of questions from reporters. 7 I had some luck last week. The police found my stolen wallet and nothing was missing. 8 There’s been a number of violent attacks in the area recently. 9 After her divorce Mandy was determined to forget the past and build a new life.
3.4	Answer these questions. 1 Who do you think is the most stunningly attractive person you have ever seen? 2 What should you do if you are in a car with someone who is driving recklessly? 3 Do you prefer walking in the country if there is a gentle breeze or a strong wind? 4 Would you write your most intensely personal thoughts and feelings in your diary?
3.5	Choose the correct collocation. 1 He said he would throw us out, but it was just a(n) vain / idle / lazy threat. 2 They rushed the victim to hospital, in the idle / simple / vain hope of saving her life. 3 The government is encountering mounting / climbing / rising criticism of its policies. 4 There is raising / mounting / vain concern across the world about climate change. 5 The horse was fuming / foaming / fainting at the mouth, so we called the vet. 6 Suddenly, without warning, Marta busted / bustled / burst into song. 7 The right / straight / plain truth is that I hate my job. 8 I tried to persuade her but I’m afraid I failed desperately / miserably / wholeheartedly.

ANSWER KEY