English Collocations in Use - Key Concepts and Vocabulary

These flashcards cover the fundamental definitions and key collocations regarding adverbs, verbs, and various social/environmental topics found in the McCarthy and O'Dell text.

Collocation

A pair or group of words that are often used together and sound natural to native speakers, such as "fast cars" or "a quick glance."

Compound

A unit of meaning formed with two or more words where the meaning can usually be guessed by the individual words, such as "car park" or "teapot."

Idiom

A group of words in a fixed order that has a meaning that cannot be guessed by knowing the meaning of the individual words, such as "pass the buck."

Register

The style of language used in a particular setting, such as formal (e.g., "prosecuted"), informal (e.g., "bored stiff"), or specialized (e.g., "submit a tender" in business).

Highly

An intensifying adverb used with probability words like "unlikely" or "unusual," and generally combines with positive words like "successful" or "recommended."

Absolutely / Utterly

Intensifying adverbs used with adjectives that have extreme meanings (e.g., "ridiculous," "exhausted") where "very" cannot be used.

Bitterly

An intensifying adverb that carries a feeling of deep sadness, commonly collocating with words like "disappointing," "resent," or "cold."

Make

The basic meaning is about producing something; used in collocations like "make arrangements," "make a decision," or "make a mistake."

Do

The basic meaning is about performing an action; used in collocations like "do your best," "do damage," or "do homework."

Go

A verb used for changes in people's personality, appearance, and physical abilities, such as "go bald," "go grey," or "go mad."

Turn

A verb that often collocates with colors to describe changes, such as "the sky turned gold" or "tomatoes turn red."

Gain

A verb used with abstract nouns relating to political authority or personal benefit, such as "gain power," "gain control," or "gain a reputation."

Beat / Defeat

Verbs used to describe overcoming an opponent or a team in a competition (e.g., "defeat an opponent").

Metaphorical Collocation

Using a word in a way that is slightly different from its basic meaning to be expressive, such as "sunny smile," "ideas flow," or "heated discussion."

Unbroken sunshine

A weather collocation meaning only sunshine with no clouds in the sky.

Bumpy flight

The opposite of a "smooth flight," used to describe travel through turbulent air.

Unspoilt countryside

Countryside that has not been changed by industry or modern buildings.

Sprawling city

A city that is spread over a large area, often used with slightly negative connotations.

Urban wasteland

A city area which is empty and in a bad condition, often considered dangerous.

Inner city

The central part of a city where poorer people live and where there are often social problems.

Razor-sharp mind

A character collocation used to describe someone who is highly intelligent.

Immaculately groomed

An appearance collocation describing someone whose appearance is always tidy and looked after with great care.

Broken home

A phrase describing a family where the parents have separated or divorced.

Love at first sight

A relationship collocation used when someone falls in love the moment they meet another person.

Blissfully happy

A collocation meaning extremely or very happy, often used in the context of weddings or new relationships.

Gourmet meal

A high-quality meal, often used in food and restaurant contexts.

Box-office hit

A film that is extremely successful with audiences and generates significant revenue.

Groundbreaking research

A collocation in academic writing referring to original and very important research that changes the field.

Hardened criminal

A crime-related collocation describing someone who has committed many serious offences.

Reasonably priced

A collocation describing something that is neither too cheap nor too expensive.