This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Language, Register & Fixed Expressions. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
simple truth
The simple truth is that clear language prevents unnecessary confusion.
not mean any harm
The speaker did not mean any harm by the comment.
really get to
The final example seemed to really get to the learner after a long lesson.
completely separate
The tutor explained that spelling and pronunciation are completely separate skills.
qualify fully
She will qualify fully as an interpreter after completing the final assessment.
spell disaster
Using machine translation without checking it can spell disaster for a legal document.
bring to a halt
The organisers had to bring the event to a halt because of the storm.
yawning gap
There is a yawning gap between the policy's wording and how people interpret it.
lead a seminar
She will lead a seminar on how register changes in professional emails.
totally separate
The course treats grammar and vocabulary as totally separate areas at first.
light reading
The magazine provides light reading for students on the train home.
flatly contradict
The witness flatly contradicted the claim.
bad language
The teacher warned the class that bad language was not acceptable in a formal presentation.
make a discovery
While comparing dialect maps, the linguist hoped to make a discovery about regional vocabulary.
use plain language
Public notices should use plain language whenever possible.
make an apology
The presenter had to make an apology for misquoting the guest.
have a word with the learner
The teacher asked to have a word with the learner after class.
totally dependent
In a language workshop, the outcome was totally dependent on careful planning.
plain truth
The plain truth is that the message was too vague for readers to understand.
pack of dogs
A pack of dogs barked beyond the village while the students recorded sound effects.
draw up a list
Before the lesson, the teacher asked students to draw up a list of useful phrases.
coin a phrase
Journalists were quick to coin a phrase for the unexpected political alliance.
totally different
A spoken apology and a written apology can feel totally different.
standards slip
Standards slip when a company stops investing in training.
four-letter word
The editor removed a four-letter word from the family version of the article.
coin a term
The researcher decided to coin a term for the new style of online interaction.
not utter a word
The child did not utter a word throughout the appointment.
not have much luck
The applicant did not have much luck finding a suitable job.
formal education
Access to formal education gives many learners a foundation in academic writing.
make improvements
After feedback, the writer decided to make improvements to the clarity of the instructions.