Social life ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 19

Social life

A	Organising your social life ••• Reply Forward Hi Nadia, How was your weekend? My old school friend Emma came on a flying visit1, which was fun. We had a girls’ night out on Saturday with a couple of other friends. We went out for a meal to a local restaurant. So much for me sticking to my diet! Emma was here for a surprise party for her parents on Sunday. She and her brother wanted to spring a surprise on2 them for their 30th wedding anniversary – they thought 30 years together definitely called for a celebration3 – so they decided to throw a party for them. The vicar who’d married them even put in an appearance4! They asked me along too and it was lovely, a really special occasion. I was just sorry I couldn’t spend much quality time5 with Emma, but it was only a whirlwind visit6. What about you? Is life its usual busy social whirl7? Do you still go clubbing every weekend? Claire 1 a visit that doesn’t last long 2 to surprise 3 meant that a celebration was appropriate 4 came just for a short time 5 time where people can give their complete attention to each other 6 brief and very busy visit 7 non-stop set of social events
B	Formal entertaining PENNISTON INTERNATIONAL YOUTH FESTIVAL Dear Councillor Patel, First let me thank the County Council for playing host to1 the welcome reception for our international colleagues and for making us so welcome at County Hall last week. We were also grateful that you were able to find time to pay us a visit at our weekly meeting, where we were delighted to hear that you intend to join the festivities at the opening ceremony of the festival. We would further like to invite you and your spouse to attend a formal function, to be held at the Castle Hotel, Penniston, on 27 July, at 7.30 pm, to mark the closing of the festival. Yours sincerely, Mark Janowski (Committee Chair) 1 providing the facilities for 2 social event where a family comes together, usually to celebrate something 3 take out for dinner and drinks 4 (rather formal) a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere 5 place where a public event or meeting happens Common mistakes We say organise a barbecue or have a barbecue, NOT make a barbecue.

EXERCISES

19.1	Complete the conversation words from the opposite page. Marta: How was Will’s (1) _______________ retirement party? Dave: Great. You should have seen his face; he really had no idea about it and he was so moved. It was a really nice gesture for the company to (2) _______________ a party for him like that. They really wined and (3) _______________ us. And even the MD put in an (4) _______________ ! What happened to you? I was surprised not to see you there. Marta: Oh, well I was planning to come, but then my friends (5) _______________ a surprise on me too that same night. Dave: Was it a (6) _______________ occasion? Marta: Yes, it was my birthday and my friends had arranged a girls’ (7) _______________ out and invited lots of friends that I hadn’t seen for ages. Dave: Sounds great. Happy birthday, by the way.
19.2	Choose the correct collocation. 1 My parents have always gave / made / had my friends feel very welcome. 2 My aunt came on a quality / whirling / flying visit last week. 3 It’s quite difficult to hold on / keep with / stick to a diet when you’re eating out with friends. 4 You’ve passed your exam! Well, that takes / gives / calls for a celebration! 5 We hope you will give / find / spend time to visit our exhibition of students’ artwork. 6 It’s important to try to spend plenty of welcome / convivial / quality time with your family. 7 My sister’s life is a constant special / active / social whirl. 8 I recommend you pay / spend / go a visit to the folk museum while you’re in Dekksu. 9 Athens threw / gave / played host to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
19.3	Rewrite each sentence using a collocation from the opposite page. Then say whether the sentence you have written is more or less formal. 1 We could go to a nightclub later. 2 The restaurant has a really friendly atmosphere. 3 Rio de Janeiro held the Olympics in 2016. 4 She has a mad social life. 5 I have to go to a formal function on Thursday. 6 We invite you to join in the fun at the opening of the Arts Festival. 7 Grapsley Park is a great place for an outdoor concert.
19.4	Which do you prefer: 1 when you’re too tired to cook, ordering a takeaway or eating out? 2 plain food or rich food? 3 having a family gathering or having a barbecue with friends? 4 giving a dinner party or going out for a meal? 5 paying your friends a visit or playing host to friends at your own home? 6 a whirlwind visit from a friend, or a relative who stays for a week?

ANSWER KEY

19.2 1 surprise 2 throw 3 dined 4 appearance 5 sprang 6 special 7 night 19.2 1 made 2 flying 3 stick to 4 calls 5 find 6 quality 7 social 8 pay 9 played 19.3 1 We could go clubbing later. (more informal) 2 The restaurant has a convivial atmosphere. (more formal) 3 Rio de Janeiro played host to the Olympics in 2016. (more formal) 4 Her life is a social whirl. (more formal) 5 I have to attend a formal function on Thursday. (more formal) 6 We invite you to join the festivities at the opening of the Arts Festival. (more formal) 7 Grapsley Park is the perfect venue for an outdoor concert. (more formal) 19.4 Author’s answers: 1 eating out 2 plain food, as long as it’s cooked properly 3 a barbecue with friends 4 I like both, but giving a dinner party can be a lot of work. 5 I much prefer playing the host. 6 definitely a whirlwind visit! Guests are always best when they don’t stay long!