Advanced English Collocations in Use | Unit 6

Register

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

Thank you for the party. It was a blast.

It was a blast. = It was fun.

(very informal)

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

The police are investigating / looking into the arms deal.

Either version is neutral.

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

The cops are trying to dig out info about the arms deal.

Informal

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

The police are conducting an investigation into the arms deal.

Formal: longer words of Latin or Greek origin often indicate more formal language.

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

Police to probe arms deal.

Neutral, journalistic: “probe” is typical of newspaper headline style.

Give the definition of the phrase in bold. Identify the register: formal, neutral, or informal.

The arms deal may be subject to police investigation.

Formal, legal and official: “subject to investigation” is typical of bureaucratic or legal style.

What is the neutral alternative to this sentence?

Students must submit their assignments by 1 May.

Students have to hand in their assignments by 1 May

What is the neutral alternative to this sentence?

Students may request an extension after consulting their tutor.

Students can ask for an extension after they’ve talked to / had a word with their tutor.

What is the informal alternative to this sentence?

I have no idea.

• I haven’t a clue.

• I haven’t the foggiest idea what you mean.

What is the informal alternative to this sentence?

We can have a snack.

We can grab a snack.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

Do not alight from the bus until it stops.

alight from (F) → Do not get off the bus until it stops.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

I feel dead tired all the time.

dead tired (I) → I feel very/extremely tired all the time.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

We were all bored stupid by the poetry reading.

bored stupid (I) → We were all very/extremely/utterly bored by the poetry reading.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

Currency exchange offices are located in the arrivals lounge.

offices are located (F) → There are exchange offices in the arrival lounge.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

She conducted a study of single-parent family units.

conducted a study (F) → She did a study of single-parent families.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

She did her degree in London and found work there in 2001.

did her degree (N)

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

I just got the latest software so my computer is bang up-to-date.

bang up-to-date (I) —> I have just bought the latest software and so my computer is fully up-to-date.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

Affix a passport-size photograph to the application form.

affix a photograph (F) → Stick a passport photo on the application form.

Mark the sentence F (formal), I (informal) or N (neutral). Which collocations indicate the register? Paraphrase the formal and informal sentences to make them neutral.

Jake asked his tutor for an extension to complete his dissertation.

asked (his tutor) for an extension (N)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• This is breaking … here on Global TV Extra.

This is breaking news here on Global TV Extra. (J)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• These are the songs that are climbing the … this week.

These are the songs that are climbing the charts this week. (E)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• There are tons of good … for not studying law.

There are tons of good reasons for not studying law. (IC)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• Visitors must keep to the designated … at all times.

Visitors must keep to the designated areas at all times. (N)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• In any such case, customers shall forfeit the … to compensation.

In any such case, customers shall forfeit (lose) the right to compensation. (L)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• Fuel … may vary according to model and … conditions.

Fuel consumption may vary according to model and road conditions. (T)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• I'll … you a ring after dinner.

I'll give you a ring after dinner. (IC)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• The Minister will tour Asia in a bid to win … for the plan.

The Minister will tour Asia in a bid to win support for the plan. (J)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• Joss Engold … in the latest blockbuster from Star Studios.

Joss Engold stars in the latest blockbuster from Star Studios. (E)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• A microchip is a miniaturised … circuit.

A microchip is a miniaturised electronic circuit. (T)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• Please restrict your … of the fitness machines to 20 minutes.

Please restrict your use of the fitness machines to 20 minutes. (N)

Complete the collocation. Then label each sentence with the appropriate register from the list below.

Registers: informal conversation (IC), journalism/news (J), entertainment (E), technical (T), legal (L), notices (N)

• A witness may be asked to … for a second time.

A witness may be asked to testify for a second time. (L)

Complete this conversation between a doctor and a patient, using the verbs in the box in the appropriate form. The language is quite informal, without technical medical terms.

come, clear, do, feel, get, run, take, write

Doctor: What can I (1) __ for you, Mr Wilson?

Patient: Well, Doctor, I've been (2) __ a temperature for the last couple of days and I've (3) __ out in a rash on my neck. Do you see? These red spots here.

Doctor: Hmm. Let's (4) __ a look.

Patient: It's very irritating and I have trouble (5) __ off to sleep at night. Then I (6) __ down all day and can't concentrate on my work.

Doctor: Right. I don't think it's anything serious. I'll (7) __ you out a prescription for some lotion which should help to (8) __ up the rash.

Doctor: What can I (1) do for you, Mr Wilson?

Patient: Well, Doctor, I've been (2) running a temperature for the last couple of days and I've (3) come out in a rash on my neck. Do you see? These red spots here.

Doctor: Hmm. Let's (4) take a look.

Patient: It's very irritating and I have trouble (5) getting off to sleep at night. Then I (6) feel down all day and can't concentrate on my work.

Doctor: Right. I don't think it's anything serious. I'll (7) write you out a prescription for some lotion which should help to (8) clear up the rash.

Look at how the doctor describes the case in his records using more technical language. Choose the correct word from the choice provided. Use a dictionary to help if necessary.

A patient (1) presented / represented this morning with an (2) elevating / elevated temperature. He was also (3) exposing / exhibiting a neck rash. He further (4) complained / grumbled of an (5) inability / impossibility to concentrate.

A patient (1) presented this morning with an (2) elevated temperature. He was also (3) exhibiting a neck rash. He further (4) complained of an (5) inability to concentrate.