Negative opinions about people ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 43

Negative opinions about people

A	Lecturers and students Students these days are not what they used to be. Half of them are bone idle1 and the others have an attitude problem2. They seem to let anyone in to university these days. I have one very slippery customer3 in one of my classes. He’s more interested in mindless violence than books and is ready to pick a fight4 at any opportunity. 1 (informal) extremely lazy 2 a negative, uncooperative attitude 3 (informal) someone who cannot be trusted 4 provoke a fight Lecturers these days say that students have no respect for authority but they seem to hold us in contempt5. I always seem to take the flak6 if there’s a problem in class, as they have decided that I am a disruptive influence7 who poisons the atmosphere for other students. But, as I see it, if a class is a disaster, the blame rests8 fairly and squarely with the lecturer. They shouldn’t be allowed to shirk their responsibilities9 to us students. 5 despise 6 be held responsible 7 someone who encourages others to behave in a negative way 8 it is the fault of 9 pay no attention to their responsibilities
B	Critical exclamations These collocations are quite forceful, but can also be used humorously. A rising intonation combined with a smile will soften them. ‘I am appalled that you would stoop to that level!’ [do something as bad as that] ‘That was a really dirty trick to play!’ [nasty/dishonest thing to do] ‘I think Ron is a nasty piece of work!’ [an unpleasant, untrustworthy person] ‘Your behaviour was totally out of order!’ [very inappropriate] ‘It was a downright disgrace to behave like that!’ [absolutely disgraceful] ‘I wouldn’t trust Eva an inch!’ [wouldn’t trust at all]
C	Other collocations relating to opinions about people example meaning I’ll never tell you a secret again. You have totally betrayed my trust. disappointed me because I trusted you He did really well, given that he is only a child. It’s not fair to belittle his achievements. make what he has done seem unimportant You’re letting his good looks cloud your judgement. affect your judgement negatively Your essay was not bad, but I have a few minor niggles. small complaints How did you manage to overlook such a glaring error? obvious mistake He said he was leaving me because he was sick of my constant nagging. complaining or criticising all the time Common mistakes Note that we say deep dissatisfaction, NOT strong dissatisfaction. For example, I am writing to express my deep dissatisfaction about …

EXERCISES

43.1	Look at A. Find a collocation that matches each of these definitions. 1 an untrustworthy person 2 senselessly violent behaviour 3 not take one’s duties seriously 4 provoke a fight 5 be blamed 6 spoil the mood 7 despise 8 someone who has a negative impact (on others)
43.2	Find a collocation on the opposite page that could be used about these people. 1 A colleague, Sara, doesn’t seem to you to do any work at all. Sara’s ________________________________________. 2 Another colleague, George, seems to be making the atmosphere at work less pleasant than it used to be. George is at work________________________________________. 3 You suspect your neighbour, Glyn, is involved in some illegal activity. I wouldn’t ________________________________________. 4 You always thought your sister, Josie, was rather silly but now she has done something particularly bad. (give two answers) Josie’s behaviour was ________________________________________. 5 You are not completely satisfied with the translation work done by your student because there are a few small errors. I have some________________________________________ with your translation. 6 You think your new neighbour looks like a very unpleasant person. My new neighbour looks ________________________________________.
43.3	Complete these collocations using a verb from the box. belittle betray cloud have have hold pick play rests stoop 1 _____________ someone’s trust 2 _____________ in contempt 3_____________  an attitude problem 4 _____________ a fight 5 the blame_____________. 6 _____________ someone’s achievements 7 _____________ someone’s judgement 8 _____________ a dirty trick 9 would never _____________ to that level 10 _____________ no respect for
43.4	Complete each sentence using the word in brackets in the appropriate form. 1 The papers are increasingly full of __________ stories of violence. (MIND) 2 Your work is full of __________ errors. (GLARE) 3 I’m afraid your daughter is a __________ influence in my lessons. (DISRUPT) 4 Such dreadful behaviour is a downright __________. (GRACE) 5 It’s very unkind to belittle her __________ in that way. (ACHIEVE) 6 His parents’ constant made __________ him keen to leave home. (NAG)

ANSWER KEY