C1 - Lesson 1: Advanced Collocations
Strength, Style & Nuance
At the C1 level, fluency is measured not just by the number of words you know, but by your ability to combine them naturally and precisely. A collocation1 is a natural partnership between words. While you already know many basic collocations (e.g., `make a mistake`), this lesson focuses on advanced collocations that convey a specific strength, style (register2), and nuance3. Mastering these is a clear sign of an advanced English user.
1. Collocations of Strength and Intensity
Choosing a different word partner can dramatically change the intensity of your meaning.
- Instead of `a big difference`:
- For a small difference: `a subtle difference`, `a slight difference`
- For a large, important difference: `a significant difference`, `a fundamental difference`
- For a very large, life-changing difference: `a world of difference`
- Instead of `an important impact`:
- For a big, lasting impact: `a profound impact`, `a lasting impact`
- For a bad impact: `a detrimental impact`, `an adverse impact`
Example: "Switching to a monolingual dictionary made a world of difference to my English."
2. Collocations of Formality (Register)
Some collocations are more appropriate for formal, academic, or professional contexts.
| Neutral / Informal | Formal / Academic |
|---|---|
| do research | conduct / carry out research |
| get results | obtain / yield results |
| give a reason | provide a rationale |
| find a solution | devise a solution |
Example: "The scientists will conduct research to test their hypothesis." (This is more formal than 'do research').
3. Collocations That Carry Specific Nuance
Some collocations have a very specific meaning that you must learn as a chunk.
- to draw a conclusion: To make a logical judgment after considering the evidence. (Neutral/Positive)
- to jump to a conclusion: To make a judgment hastily, without enough evidence. (Negative)
- a resounding success: A very great, complete success, often used for projects, performances or victories.
- to meet a deadline: To finish something by its deadline. (The natural verb is 'meet', not 'finish' or 'complete').
Discourse in Action: A Book Review
Notice the powerful collocations used in this formal review of an academic book.
"In her latest work, the author provides a rationale for a new approach to urban planning. There is a fundamental difference between her theory and that of her contemporaries. She has conducted research over ten years, and the book has been celebrated as a resounding success within her field. Her work will undoubtedly have a profound impact on future urban development. She is careful to only draw conclusions that are strongly supported by her data."
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. If a new policy has a very negative effect on the environment, you could say it has...
- a) a profound impact.
- b) a subtle impact.
- c) a detrimental impact.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) a detrimental impact.
2. Which verb collocates most naturally and formally with "research"?
- a) to make
- b) to conduct
- c) to perform
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) to conduct
3. Your friend hears a rumor and immediately thinks it's true. This person tends to...
- a) draw conclusions.
- b) meet conclusions.
- c) jump to conclusions.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) jump to conclusions.
edit Your Mission
- Rank the Strength: Arrange these collocations from weakest to strongest: `a slight improvement`, `a significant improvement`, `a marginal improvement`.
- Choose the Right Verb: Fill in the blank with the best C1-level verb: "After weeks of work, the engineers finally ________ a solution to the problem." (Hint: it means 'to invent or plan a solution').
- Collocation Hunt: Read an article from a reputable English news source (e.g., The Guardian, New York Times, BBC). Find and write down three strong collocations that you think are good examples of C1-level language.
book Lesson Glossary
- Collocation (noun) - Khmer: ពាក្យដែលប្រើជាមួយគ្នា (peak dael praə chie-muəy kʰnie) - Two or more words that often go together naturally. ↩
- Nuance (noun) - Khmer: ន័យបង្កប់ (ney bɑng-kɔp) - A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound. ↩
- Register (noun) - Khmer: កម្រិតភាសា (kɑm-rət pʰie-sa) - The level of formality of a piece of writing or speech, from informal to formal. ↩