Describing groups and amounts ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

 

ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS IN USE (ADVANCED)

UNIT 54

Describing groups and amounts

A	Groups of animals When we describe a group of animals, the word we use depends on the animals we are talking about. So, we talk about a pack of dogs, hounds or wolves but a herd of cattle and elephants (and other large herbivorous mammals). We say a swarm of bees/locusts (and other flying insects) but we say a flock of birds and also a flock of sheep. Other more unusual examples include a pride of lions, a shoal or school of fish or sardines (or other specific small fish), a pod of dolphins or whales, a troop of monkeys or baboons.
B	Feelings and behaviour Here are some collocations using ‘amount’ words relating to feelings and behaviour. Note that the further collocations listed in the third column do not all relate to feelings or behaviour. example comment further collocations There was a flurry of activity as the children fetched their paints. Flurry suggests a sudden, short period of interest or activity. a flurry of interest/excitement/ speculation/snow I didn’t detect even a flicker of emotion in his cold eyes. Flicker suggests a brief expression of emotion. a flicker of hope/interest The company’s figures are beginning to offer a glimmer of hope for the future. Glimmer suggests a faint indication of something. a glimmer of interest/light/ understanding There was a touch of sadness in her voice as she told us her news Touch suggests a small amount of something. a touch of humour/irony a touch of class = sophistication I’ve experienced the whole gamut of emotions from joy to sorrow. Gamut means the entire range of something. collocates very strongly with emotions, though it can also be used about colours or musical notes Inviting José to join our project team was a stroke of genius. A stroke of means a bit of. a stroke of luck; he never does a stroke of work (always used with the negative)
C	Food   1 thick slice (of cheese, bread or meat) 2 one piece taken from a head of garlic 3 small lump of butter 4 large spoonful of jam or cream 5 small amount of liquid 6 small amount of herb or spice

 

EXERCISES

54.1	Look at A. Which creature in each group has a different group word? 1 birds, bees, flies 2 zebras, cattle, wasps 3 sardines, sheep, birds 4 whales, dolphins, fish 5 elephants, baboons, monkeys 6 wolves, lions, dogs
54.2	Complete the answers to the questions using words from the opposite page. 1 A: What have the stock exchanges been like this morning? B: Well, there was a __________ of activity first thing but it’s quietened down now. 2 A: Would you like your coffee black or white? B: Can I have just a __________ of milk, please? 3 A: (on the phone) What’s the weather like with you? B: Cold! There was even a __________ of snow here this morning. 4 A: Do you think it was a good idea to write our new advert in verse? B: It was brilliant, a __________ of genius! Everyone’s talking about it. 5 A: Do I need to do anything more to finish off the sauce? B: Add a __________ of brandy and a __________ of herbs and it’ll be perfect. 6 A: What do the critics say about the film? B: The Times critic says it takes viewers through the whole __________ of emotions. 7 A: Shall we have our picnic here? B: No, look at that __________ of ants. Let’s go a bit further. 8 A: Do you think the pupils enjoyed the lecture? B: Well, I saw an occasional __________ of interest but it didn’t last. 9 A: Do you think she knows what’s going on? B: I thought there was a __________ of understanding in her eyes but I’m not sure.
54.3	Which is bigger? 1 a dash of cream; a dollop of cream 2 a slice of bread; a hunk of bread 3 a head of garlic; a clove of garlic 4 100 g of butter; a knob of butter
54.4	Match words from each box to form collocations. _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
54.5	Here are some more ‘group’ or ‘amount’ words. Complete each sentence using a word from the box. You will need to use some of the words twice. Use a dictionary if necessary. grain pack pad pinch suite swig torrent   1 Pass me that _________ of paper, please. I need to write some thank-you letters. 2 I think his story was just a _________ of lies without even a _________ of truth in it. 3 The film star is staying in a _________ of rooms at the Grosvenor Hotel. 4 I’d like to play patience. Have you got a _________ of cards? 5 The speaker was met with a _________ of abuse. 6 Sometimes Ian doesn’t seem to possess even a _________ of common sense. 7 Don’t forget to add a _________ of salt. 8 I’m so thirsty. Could I have a _________ of lemonade?

ANSWER KEY

54.1 1 birds (flock of birds) – swarm of bees/flies 2 wasps (swarm of wasps) – herd of zebras/cattle 3 sardines (shoal of sardines) – flock of sheep/birds 4 fish (shoal/school of fish) – pod of whales/dolphins 5 elephants (herd of elephants) – troop of baboons/monkeys 6 lions (pride of lions) – pack of wolves/dogs   54.2 1 flurry           6 gamut 2 dash            7 swarm (could also be an army or a colony of ants) 3 flurry          8 flicker 4 stroke        9 glimmer 5 drop; sprinkling   54.3 1 a dollop of cream 2 a hunk of bread 3 a head of garlic 4 100 g of butter   54.4 a bed of rice                  a drop of brandy                    a flurry of speculation gamut of colours          a glimmer of hope                  a pack of hounds a pod of whales            a shoal of fish                         a touch of humour   54.5 1 pad or pack (A pad of paper is paper glued together at the top intended for handwriting, while a pack of paper refers to the loose sheets of paper sold together for printing.) 2 pack; grain 3 suite 4 pack 5 torrent 6 grain 7 pinch 8 swig