This lesson practises 31 C2 collocations on Writing, Argumentation & Research. 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.
support the hypothesis
The results support the hypothesis that sleep improves recall.
firm conviction
It was the researcher’s firm conviction that the evidence supported the conclusion.
jump to a conclusion
It is easy to jump to a conclusion after one striking result.
clear distinction
The paper draws a clear distinction between correlation and causation.
foregone conclusion
Approval was not a foregone conclusion after the negative reviews.
world of difference
A clear definition can make a world of difference to readers.
substantiate a claim
The data help substantiate a claim about changing demand.
compare favourably with
The revised drafts compare favourably with the first version.
undertake a study
The university will undertake a study of local air quality.
acknowledge methodological limitations
The article should acknowledge methodological limitations before presenting its findings.
unreliable evidence
The conclusion rests on unreliable evidence from an unverified source.
exhaustive account
The monograph provides an exhaustive account of the debate.
select a research topic
Students should select a research topic that can be investigated responsibly.
practical value
The study has practical value for classroom teachers.
strikingly different
In a research seminar, the argument was strikingly different.
be difficult to pin down
The exact cause of the software fault can be difficult to pin down.
vital clue
The handwritten note provided a vital clue to the archive's origin.
back up conclusions
The author must back up conclusions with evidence from the data.
in marked contrast to
The conclusion was in marked contrast to the earlier research findings.
vigorous defence
The author mounted a vigorous defence of the original interpretation.
jump to conclusions
Researchers should not jump to conclusions from a tiny sample.
the other side of the argument
At a research seminar, the research paper featured the other side of the argument.
cover a lot of ground
Reviews can cover a lot of ground in only twenty pages.
not bear comparison with
The inexpensive model does not bear comparison with the professional version.
research indicates
Recent research indicates that regular exercise improves sleep.
working hypothesis
The team adopted a working hypothesis before collecting data.
subtle difference
There is a subtle difference between the two definitions.
draw a comparison between
The essays draw a comparison between cost and quality.
bear little resemblance to
The two final essays bear little resemblance to the original outline.
provide a rationale
The author should provide a rationale for the selected method.
slightly different
The second question asks something slightly different.