Reading: Vocabulary in Context (Nuance & Range): B2 Lesson 3: Recognizing Collocations and Fixed Expressions
CEFR Level: B2 (Upper Intermediate)
Target Reading Sub-skill: Vocabulary in Context (Nuance & Range)
Specific Focus: Recognizing Collocations and Fixed Expressions
What You Will Learn
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand what collocations are and why they are important for natural-sounding English.
- Recognize common collocations (e.g., verb + noun, adjective + noun).
- Understand what fixed expressions (including some common idioms) are.
- Recognize and understand the meaning of common fixed expressions in context.
Hello Cambodian Learners!
As you become more advanced in English, you'll notice that some words just "sound right" together, while others don't, even if they seem grammatically correct. These natural word partnerships are called collocations (e.g., we "make a decision," not "do a decision"). Also, English has many fixed expressions or idioms where a group of words has a special meaning (e.g., "it's a piece of cake" means "it's very easy"). Recognizing these will greatly improve your reading comprehension and help your own English sound more fluent, whether you're discussing business in Phnom Penh or talking about daily life in Battambang.
Collocations and Fixed Expressions
1. Collocations (Words that Go Together)
Collocations are words that frequently appear together. Using the correct collocations makes your English sound more natural.
- Verb + Noun: make progress (not 'do progress') Example: Students in Cambodia are making great progress in learning English.
- Verb + Noun: take a chance (not 'get a chance' in the same way) Example: He decided to take a chance and start his own business.
- Adjective + Noun: heavy rain (not 'strong rain') Example: The heavy rain caused some flooding in the village.
- Adverb + Adjective: deeply concerned (not 'strongly concerned') Example: She was deeply concerned about the environmental impact.
2. Fixed Expressions (and Idioms)
Fixed expressions are groups of words that have a specific meaning when used together, which often cannot be understood from the individual words. Many idioms are fixed expressions.
- by the way Meaning: used to introduce a new, less important topic. Example: I saw your brother yesterday. By the way, did you finish that report?
- on the other hand Meaning: used to introduce a contrasting point. Example: Living in the city is exciting. On the other hand, it can be very noisy.
- break the ice Meaning: to make people feel more comfortable when they first meet. Example: He told a joke to break the ice at the beginning of the meeting.
- get the hang of something Meaning: to learn how to do something. Example: Learning to ride a motorbike was difficult at first, but I soon got the hang of it.
Practice Time!
Activity 1: Choose the Correct Collocation
Read each sentence. Choose the word that best collocates (goes naturally with) the other words to complete the sentence.
Activity 2: Understand the Fixed Expression
Read each sentence with a highlighted fixed expression. Choose the best meaning for the expression.
Quick Quiz!
Great Job!
Recognizing collocations and fixed expressions will significantly improve your understanding of natural English and help you use the language more accurately and fluently!