Change ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 51

Change

A	Collocations with change as a noun There have been dramatic changes in the climate of the Arctic region in the last decade. [very sudden or noticeable changes] The government is proposing fundamental changes to the laws on marriage and divorce. [basic changes, and more important than anything else] There was a radical change in party policy in 2013. [great or extreme change] The new manager made sweeping changes to the way the company was run. [change affecting many people/things] Let’s go swimming this morning instead of running. It would make a change. [be pleasantly different to one’s usual routine] Read the teacher’s comments on your essays, then make any necessary changes. The changes in the system will be implemented soon. [will be put into operation/practice] The change in the electoral system came about because of widespread public protest. Many changes had taken place in my home town – and not always for the better.
B	Collocations with change as a verb, adjective or adverb Things can change dramatically, fundamentally or radically but NOT sweepingly. Pronunciation changes imperceptibly over the years. [changes so slowly that you hardly notice it] In the ten years since our last meeting, Irena had changed beyond recognition. [changed so much one couldn’t recognise her] If we call someone a changed man/woman we mean that he or she has changed for the better. Life in the village remained unchanged for centuries. [formal: stayed the same] Some people are much better than others at adapting to changing circumstances.
C	Other ways of talking about change example comment The hotel had undergone a transformation since our last stay. also undergo a revival The exchange rate has been fluctuating wildly over the last few days. = going up and down in an unpredictable way (also used with temperature(s) and share prices) We have had a modest increase in students enrolling on our courses. also a modest improvement, modest gain, modest recovery, where modest = slight or small There has been a sudden shift in public opinion in favour of the ban on smoking. also a dramatic shift Amy’s work shows considerable improvement. one opposite might be: There is room for improvement in her work. Our children’s lives were turned upside-down when we moved. = changed dramatically, usually for the worse Elderly people sometimes find it difficult to move with the times. = keep up with changes and adapt to them Common mistakes Profits show an increase/decrease and show an upward / a downward trend, NOT have an increase, etc. Figures increase dramatically or significantly, NOT increase strongly.

EXERCISES

51.1	Answer these questions about the collocations on the opposite page. 1 What is the opposite of: a) to change imperceptibly         b) to cancel planned changes 2 Which of these words suggest major changes and which minor changes? a) dramatic         b) slight            c) fundamental           d) superficial             e) radical 3 Which is the more formal alternative in each pair? a) The town remains unchanged. The town is the same. b) Over the years the school has changed a lot. Over the years many changes have taken place in the school. 4 If someone says Emma is a changed woman, do they approve of the change in Emma? 5 Is it easier for a young person or an elderly person to adapt to changing circumstances? 6 If someone says ‘It made a nice change going out for a meal last night’, what changed – the fact that they went out, or the restaurant they went to?
51.2	Complete each sentence using a word from the box in the appropriate form. dramatic make implement increase recognise show times turn undergo wild   1 The figures _________ a dramatic increase in the number of women in paid employment in the 1940s. 2 My grandmother loves her ebook reader and her smartphone – she has no problem moving with the _________. 3 I can’t face moving house again – I don’t want to have my life _________ upside-down another time. 4 The pop music of the 1980s seems to be _________ a bit of a revival. 5 The weather’s been odd this month – temperatures have fluctuated _________. 6 We have experienced a modest _________ in profits this year. 7 I _________ some changes to the document but forgot to save them! 8 I think you’ll find that the school has changed beyond _________. 9 The new leader promised that things would change _________ and for the better. 10 When are they planning to _________ the changes to the school curriculum?
51.3	Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets. 1 Your coursework assignment is still not quite as good as it should be. (ROOM) 2 Public attitudes towards the issue of capital punishment suddenly changed. (SHIFT) 3 There were several changes in our management structure last year. (PLACE) 4 The school programme has changed a lot since I was a pupil here. (SWEEPING) 5 Some quite significant changes took place last year. (CAME) 6 Penny has been much nicer since she got the job she wanted. (CHANGED) 7 My life changed dramatically when I lost my job. (TURNED) 8 It’d be nice to do something different and stay in a hotel rather than go camping this summer. (CHANGE)
	Over to you Go to www.bbc.co.uk and search for ‘climate change’. Click on one of the items, read it and make a note of any collocations relating to change that you find in it.

ANSWER KEY

51.1 1 a) to change beyond recognition    b) to implement planned changes 2 a) major b) minor c) major d) minor e) major 3 a) The town remains unchanged.  b) Over the years many changes have taken place in the school. 4 Yes. 5 It’s usually easier for a young person than an elderly person to adapt to changing circumstances. 6 The fact that they went out.   51.2 1 show/showed                 6 increase 2 times                              7 made 3 turned                             8 recognition 4 undergoing                     9 dramatically 5 wildly                             10 implement   51.3 1 There is room for improvement in your coursework assignment. 2 There was a sudden shift in public attitudes towards the issue of capital punishment. 3 Several changes in our management structure took place last year. 4 There have been sweeping changes to the school programme since I was a pupil here. 5 Some quite significant changes came about last year. 6 Penny has been a changed woman since she got the job she wanted. 7 My life turned / was turned upside-down when I lost my job. 8 It’d make a change to stay in a hotel rather than go camping this summer.