Reading: Vocabulary in Context (Nuance & Range): B2 Lesson 3: Recognizing Collocations and Fixed Expressions

Reading: Vocabulary in Context

B2 Lesson 3: Recognizing Collocations & Fixed Expressions

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to recognize common collocations and fixed expressions to improve your reading speed and make your own English sound more natural.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary

Understanding these concepts is essential for mastering natural word use.

Collocation

A natural combination of words that are often used together (e.g., 'heavy rain').

Fixed Expression

A phrase used in a fixed form with a specific meaning, like an idiom.

Common Collocation Patterns 🤝

Fluent speakers think in "chunks" of language, not single words. These natural word partnerships, or collocations, often follow patterns.

Pattern 1: Verb + Noun

• make a decision (We need to make a decision soon.)
• take a photo (Can you take a photo of us?)
• save time (Taking the new bridge will save time.)

Pattern 2: Adjective + Noun

• strong coffee (I need a cup of strong coffee this morning.)
• heavy rain (Driving during the heavy rain can be dangerous.)
• a major issue (Pollution is a major issue for the community.)

Pattern 3: Adverb + Adjective

• highly successful (Her new restaurant has become highly successful.)
• bitterly disappointed (He was bitterly disappointed by the news.)
• fully aware (Are you fully aware of the risks?)

Common Fixed Expressions

Some collocations are very "fixed" and act like a single vocabulary item with a specific meaning.

• from time to time
  Meaning: sometimes; occasionally.
  Example: I don't go to Phnom Penh often, but I visit from time to time for work.
• at the end of the day
  Meaning: ultimately; the most important thing is...
  Example: We can argue, but at the end of the day, we must solve the problem.

Practice What You Learned 🎯

Quiz: Complete the Collocation

Choose the word that forms the most natural collocation.

1. To learn a new skill, you have to _______ an effort.

• A. do
• B. make
• C. take

→ Answer: B. make. The common collocation is "to make an effort."

2. I was running late, so I had to take a _______ shower.

• A. fast
• B. quick
• C. rapid

→ Answer: B. quick. While all mean fast, the most natural partnership is "a quick shower."

Key Vocabulary Reference

• Collocation (Noun) | ការរួមតំរៀបពាក្យ
  A natural combination of two or more words that are often used together (e.g., 'heavy rain').
• Fixed Expression (Noun Phrase) | ឃ្លា​ដែល​ប្រើ​ក្នុង​ទម្រង់​ថេរ
  A phrase that is used in a fixed form and has a specific meaning, like an idiom.
• Word Partnership (Noun Phrase) | ភាពជាដៃគូនៃពាក្យ
  Another term for a collocation; words that "work together" as a team.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Go on a Collocation Hunt!

Read an English news article or blog post this week. Your goal is to find and write down three different collocations.

For each one, write the collocation and its pattern.

Example:
If you read, "The government hopes to attract foreign investment," you would write:
- attract investment (verb + noun)