Vocabulary: Collocations (Advanced & Natural Use) (C1) - Lesson 4: Powering Your Academic English: Key Collocations

C1 - Lesson 4: Powering Your Academic English

Key Collocations for Research & Argument

Writing and speaking in an academic¹ context requires more than just formal words; it requires using the conventional "power phrases" of research and debate. These collocations signal to your audience that you are familiar with the academic critique² process and can present your ideas within an established intellectual framework³. This lesson provides a toolkit of collocations to make your academic English more powerful and credible.

1. Collocations for Introducing Research

• to address a gap in the literature: To research an area that has not been studied before. (Ex: "This thesis aims to address a gap in the literature concerning pre-colonial Cambodian trade routes.")
• to lay the groundwork for: To provide the initial foundation for a future study or argument. (Ex: "Our initial study will lay the groundwork for a more extensive, long-term project.")
• to set the stage for: Similar to above, to create the conditions for something to happen. (Ex: "The political reforms set the stage for a period of rapid economic growth.")

2. Collocations for Analysis & Discussion

• to play a pivotal role in: To have a very important and central part in something. (Ex: "The development of irrigation systems played a pivotal role in the success of the Angkorian empire.")
• to draw parallels between: To highlight similarities between two different subjects. (Ex: "In her essay, she draws parallels between the poetry of two different eras.")
• to take into account/consideration: To consider a particular factor when making a decision or judgment. (Ex: "We must take into account the environmental impact of the project.")

3. Collocations for Presenting Findings

• to provide empirical evidence: To offer evidence based on observation and experiment, not just theory. (Ex: "The experiment provided empirical evidence to support the hypothesis.")
• a growing body of evidence suggests...: A phrase showing that multiple research studies are pointing to the same conclusion. (Ex: "A growing body of evidence suggests a strong link between diet and health.")
• the findings indicate/suggest...: A cautious and conventional way to present your results. (Ex: "Our findings suggest that the new teaching method is more effective.")

Discourse in Action: A Research Abstract

Notice how these collocations are used in this abstract from a fictional research paper.

"This study addresses a gap in the literature by examining the long-term effects of saltwater intrusion on rice farms in the Kampot region. Our work **lays the groundwork for** a new agricultural model. We **take into consideration** both economic and environmental factors that **play a pivotal role** in community well-being. The initial **findings provide empirical evidence** that new farming techniques can mitigate the damage. This research **lends weight to** the argument for government investment in climate adaptation strategies."

quiz Check Your Understanding

1. If a professor says your essay needs to "provide empirical evidence," what do you need to add?

• a) Your personal opinions and feelings.
• b) Evidence based on real-world observation and data.
• c) A more creative and interesting title.

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) Evidence based on real-world observation and data.

2. A politician says, "Education will _________ in our country's future." Which is the strongest and most natural collocation?

• a) have a big part
• b) be a main piece
• c) play a pivotal role

Click to see the answer

Answer: c) play a pivotal role

3. A scientist researches a topic that no one has ever studied before. Her work...

• a) ...draws parallels between old ideas.
• b) ...addresses a gap in the literature.
• c) ...takes into consideration many previous studies.

Click to see the answer

Answer: b) ...addresses a gap in the literature.

edit Your Mission

1. Build an Argument: Write one sentence arguing for something you believe in (e.g., better public transport, more green spaces). Use the collocation "to make a case for...".
2. Identify a Weakness: Think about a movie you've seen or a policy you know about. Write one sentence that uses the collocation "to identify the shortcomings of...".
3. The Academic Challenge: Write a short, three-sentence paragraph about a subject you are studying or interested in. Your mission is to use at least two of the academic collocations from this lesson to make it sound formal and credible.

book Lesson Glossary

1. Academic (adjective) - Khmer: ដែលទាក់ទងនឹងការសិក្សា (dael teak-tong nung kaa sek-saa) - Relating to education and scholarship. ↩
2. Framework (noun) - Khmer: ក្របខ័ណ្ឌ (krɔɔp-kʰan) - A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text. ↩
3. Critique (noun) - Khmer: ការរិះគន់ (kaa rih-kɔɔn) - A detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory. ↩