This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Time, Space & Quantity. 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.
vacant parking space
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the vacant parking space.
A substantial quantity of food was prepared for the festival
A substantial quantity of food was prepared for the festival.
epic proportions
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the epic proportions.
large percentage
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the large percentage.
sprinkling of cinnamon
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the sprinkling of cinnamon.
troop of monkeys
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the troop of monkeys.
small minority
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the small minority.
tradition dates back to the nineteenth century
Within the Time, Space & Quantity topic, the town's summer festival tradition dates back to the nineteenth century.
waste of space
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the waste of space.
A significant number of passengers changed trains at the station
A significant number of passengers changed trains at the station.
lasting contribution
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the lasting contribution.
occur at regular intervals
The maintenance checks occur at regular intervals throughout the year.
meet with a stony silence
In an event-planning meeting, the organisers will meet with a stony silence.
foreseeable future
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the foreseeable future.
wide variation
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the wide variation.
exceed the permitted limit
In an event-planning meeting, the organisers will exceed the permitted limit.
enter their PIN
In an event-planning meeting, the organisers will enter their PIN.
over the course of time
Over the course of time, the neighbourhood developed a stronger identity.
A substantial amount of evidence supported the legal claim
A substantial amount of evidence supported the legal claim.
unknown quantity
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the unknown quantity.
bygone era
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the bygone era.
A significant amount of funding was allocated to the research project
A significant amount of funding was allocated to the research project.
incessant noise
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the incessant noise.
wide variety
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the wide variety.
touch of sadness
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the touch of sadness.
put the nose to the grindstone
In an event-planning meeting, the organisers will put the nose to the grindstone.
A significant quantity of waste was removed from the river
A significant quantity of waste was removed from the river.
A good number of residents attended the town-planning meeting
A good number of residents attended the town-planning meeting.
take up a lot of space
The old equipment takes up a lot of space in the office.
inordinate amount
At an event-planning meeting, the event plan featured the inordinate amount.