Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 2

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

a strong accent

a broad accent

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

generally in agreement with someone

in broad agreement

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

factors or circumstances that lessen the blame for someone found guilty

mitigating circumstances

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

factors or circumstances that lessen the blame

mitigating factors

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

reddish-brown hair (a term that only collocates with hair)

auburn hair

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

extremely happy

deliriously happy

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

a big smile

a broad smile

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

a very pretty location

a picturesque location

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

to have a pause or rest during a meeting

adjourn a meeting

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

a very pretty town

a picturesque town

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

to have a pause or rest during a legal trial

adjourn a trial

Identify the collocation that matches the definition.

(very formal) unpleasant weather

inclement weather

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

Melissa has quite a strong Scottish accent.

a broad accent

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

Bad weather led to the cancellation of the President’s garden party.

inclement weather

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

We were all very happy when we heard we’d won the award.

deliriously happy

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

Their new home was in a very pretty location.

a very picturesque location

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

Because there were circumstances that made the theft less serious, the judge let him off with a warning.

mitigating circumstances

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

I think we should stop the meeting now and continue it tomorrow.

ajourn the meeting till/until tomorrow

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

She had a big smile on her face when she arrived.

a broad smile

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

She has lovely reddish-brown hair.

auburn hair

Paraphrase the sentence using a collocation with a similar meaning.

I think we’re generally in agreement as to what should be done.

in broad agreement

Think of as many collocations as you can for the given word. Decide whether it is weak or strong.

extremely ___

extremely happy, difficult, cold, impressive, hot, tired, easy, expensive

This is weak because "extremely" can collocate with almost any gradable adjective.

Think of as many collocations as you can for the given word. Decide whether it is weak or strong.

___ an effort

• make an effort

• require an effort

• be an effort

• put an effort

• exert an effort

Strong. "Effort" can collocate with a few different verbs.

Think of as many collocations as you can for the given word. Decide whether it is weak or strong.

cancel ___

cancel a meeting, a match, an appointment, a contract, a class, an agreement

Weak. "Cancel" is used with a very broad range of nouns.

Think of as many collocations as you can for the given word. Decide whether it is weak or strong.

deliver

deliver a letter / a warning / a baby / a parcel / goods / a speech

Weak. "Deliver" has many distinct applications

Think of as many collocations as you can for the given word. Decide whether it is weak or strong.

___ a living

earn / make / scrape a living

Strong. This is relatively strong because only a very limited number of verbs collocate with "a living."

scrape a living (idiom) to only just earn enough money to provide yourself with food, clothing, and a place to live: He settled in Paris, where he scraped a living writing short stories and magazine articles.