FCE / B2 First - Collocations & Expressions

Flashcards covering 50 high-value English collocations and expressions with patterns, usage examples, and FCE exam tips.

make an effort

Pattern: make an effort to do sth. Example: You need to make an effort to improve your English.

Прилагать усилия

make a decision

Example: I need to make a decision by Friday.

Принять решение

make a mistake

Example: Everyone makes mistakes when learning a language.

make progress

Example: She has made considerable progress in English. FCE note: make progress, NOT do progress

make a difference

Example: Regular practice can make a big difference.

make a good impression

Example: He wanted to make a good impression at the interview.

make sure

Pattern: make sure (that)… Example: Make sure that you lock the door.

make sense

Example: His explanation doesn't make sense.

do your best

Pattern: do your best to do sth. Example: I'll do my best to finish on time.

do someone a favour

Example: Could you do me a favour?

do research

Example: Scientists are doing research into climate change.

do damage

Pattern: do damage to sth. Example: The storm did serious damage to the building.

take part in

Example: More than 100 students took part in the competition.

take advantage of

Example: You should take advantage of this opportunity.

take responsibility for

Example: You must take responsibility for your actions.

take into account

Example: We need to take all the costs into account.

take place

Example: The meeting will take place on Monday.

take care of

Example: She takes care of her younger brother.

pay attention to

Example: Pay attention to the instructions. FCE note: attention TO

have difficulty (in) doing sth

Example: I have difficulty remembering new vocabulary.

have an effect on

Example: Lack of sleep can have an effect on concentration.

have something in common

Example: We have a lot in common.

have the opportunity to do sth

Example: I had the opportunity to study abroad.

keep in touch with

Example: I still keep in touch with my school friends.

keep an eye on

Example: Could you keep an eye on my bag?

get in touch with

Example: I'll get in touch with you next week.

get rid of

Example: I need to get rid of these old clothes.

get used to doing sth

Example: It took me months to get used to getting up early. FCE note: TO + -ing

be used to doing sth

Example: I'm used to working under pressure. FCE note: TO + -ing

be willing to do sth

Example: She is willing to help us. FCE note: prepared to do something by choice

be likely to do sth

Example: Prices are likely to rise.

be responsible for

Example: She is responsible for organising the event.

be interested in

Example: I'm interested in learning languages. FCE note: IN + -ing

be capable of doing sth

Example: He is capable of solving the problem. FCE note: OF + -ing

be aware of

Example: Are you aware of the risks?

be involved in

Example: She was involved in organising the project.

be proud of

Example: You should be proud of your progress.

be familiar with

Example: Are you familiar with this software?

be suitable for

Example: This course is suitable for B2 students.

be worth doing

Example: This book is worth reading. FCE note: worth + -ing

depend on

Example: Success depends on regular practice. FCE note: depend ON, NOT depend from

succeed in doing sth

Example: She succeeded in passing the exam. FCE note: IN + -ing

prevent somebody from doing sth

Example: Nothing prevented him from taking part. FCE note: FROM + -ing

apologise to somebody for something

Example: He apologised to me for being late.

accuse somebody of doing sth

Example: They accused him of lying. FCE note: OF + -ing

congratulate somebody on something

Example: I congratulated her on passing the exam.

insist on doing sth

Example: He insisted on paying for dinner. FCE note: ON + -ing

look forward to doing sth

Example: I look forward to hearing from you. FCE note: TO + -ing

in spite of

Example: In spite of the bad weather, we went out. FCE note: followed by noun/-ing, not a full clause

as a result of

Example: The match was cancelled as a result of the heavy rain.