2 Collocations

As you study the vocabulary you need for FCE, you will soon realise that
it’s not enough to study single words. It’s important to know how words
combine with others to form partnerships, or collocations. This will help
you to produce language of the level required
to do well in the examination.
2.3
Paper 3

borrow
concentrate
congratulate
decide

1 She
a higher salary.
Verb + preposition A

A Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs below and the preposition
from or on. Use each verb once only.

2 He might come. It will

3 You must
4 He got very annoyed and
depend
differ
economise
escape
insist
operate
prevent
recover
rely
resign
retire
suffer

her job after she was offered another with more responsibility and

how he feels.

the road when you’re driving!

seeing the manager.

5 The surgeon her immediately and saved her life.

6 I decided to my job early even though it meant I wouldn’t get such a

Collocations are important in every part of the examination, but your good pension.

7 It will take her weeks to

at work for some time.
such a major operation so she won’t be back

8 We had security men on the door to unwanted guests getting into

knowledge of them is especially tested in Paper 3 (Use of English). the party.

9 I’ve sent her a card to
10 The bank wouldn’t lend me the money so I had to
her passing her test.
it my parents.
11 This design slightly the first one I showed you.
12 I backache so I have to go to a physiotherapist once a week.

In Part 2 of this paper you have to use one word to fill in a blank, for 13 After weeks of discussion they’ve finally
staff canteen.
14 They managed to
the new colour scheme for the

the prison by bribing a guard.

15 You can Frances to keep you up to date with all the latest gossip.

example: 16 With less money coming, we’ll have to food and other necessities.

Jimmy made his way to the station exit. This was the first time he
10

had been to London (10) his own and he was

feeling a bit scared. Revise &
Organise

B Now put the correct preposition in each group of collocations.

In this exercise you have to think of the word yourself. In Part 1, however, 1 borrow (a book) the library 9 insist good service
my parents seeing her

you are given a choice: 2 concentrate

a friend of his

your work
driving
10 operate
punctuality

a patient

what I’m doing

3 congratulate  his results 11 prevent  doing something

10 A by B for C on D in 4 decide
her success
winning

a colour scheme 12 recover

leaving
cheating

a cold
which to choose a serious illness
the (blue) one a nasty shock

The correct answer is C because the expression is on his own.

5 depend imports 13 rely every employee
how I feel you
if I have time the bus service

6 differ the others 14 resign the committee

what I expected his job
what I wanted

As you read through that extract, did you notice another useful collocation, 7 economise fuel
electricity
food
15 retire work at 65

made his way? 8 escape prison

this routine
the crowd
16 suffer a headache
toothache
a bad cold

Notice when you need an -ing form of the verb. This is important in the exam.

Collocations are also important in part 3 of the Use of English paper. You
complete a sentence so that it means the same as the first sentence you 11

are given, for example:

There must always be somebody with her.

own
She should not be left at any time.

The answer is on her own.

Being aware of these partnerships will enable you to build up your

vocabulary so that you can use it when you take your exam.

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2.1 Adjective + preposition A
Paper 3

A Complete each sentence with an adjective from the list on the left and a preposition from
the list on the right. You must use each adjective once only but you can use each preposition
more than once.

at
accustomed capable good relevant
for
afraid dependent jealous responsible
of
ashamed famous proud sensitive
on
aware full ready typical
to

1 She was her friend because she had a better dress.

2 The wast paper bin was Full on crumpled sheets of paper.

3 This computer is Capable of producing sophisticated graphics.

4 The town is especially Famous for its elegant architecture.

5 I felt very ashamed of making such a stupid mistake.

6 After weeks of preparation the hall is nearly ready for the grand opening.

7 Could you add this up for me? I’m not very good at maths.

8 Who is aware of writing those words on the wall?

9 She was so proud to her nephew’s achievement that she couldn’t stop talkingabout it.

10 It took some time to get accustomed to the slower pace of life in the country after thefrantic
atmosphere of the town.

11 We try to eat food which is typical at the region in which we are travelling.

12 Are you responsible for any reason why he should be late?

13 They built nuclear power stations so as not to be dependent on coal as their mainsource of energy.

14 This is not really relevant to our discussion so can we get back to the main pointof the meeting?

15 He sleeps with the light on because he’s afraid of the dark.

16 Be careful what you say to Scott. He’s very sensitive to criticism and sulks for days.

6
 Revise &
Organise

B Complete each group of collocations with the correct preposition.

1 accustomed peace and quiet 9 good at her job adding up

getting up late English
so much noise
10 jealous of what other people do
2 afraid of the dark her rich friends
making a mistake his English!
saying something silly
11 proud to her grandson
3 ashamed of yourself his work
what I’ve done what he’s done
doing a thing like that
12 ready for anything
4 aware of a strange smell bed
people staring the next question
looking rather untidy
13 relevant to the argument
5 capable of high speeds our discussion
working fast the problem
anything!
14 responsible for the equipment
6 Dependent on imports making a mess
how he feels France and Italy
what happens
15 sensitive to that detergent
7 famous for its museums any movement
making pottery criticism
his paintings
16 typical at the region
8 full on pridefun the way he acts
dark blue liquid people who …

Test yourself from time to time by covering the words that follow each adjective. How many
collocations can you remember?

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2.2 Adjective + preposition B
Paper 3

A Complete each sentence with an adjective from the list on the left and a preposition from
the list on the right. You must use each adjective once only but you can use each preposition
more than once.

at
for
absent keen short suspicious
from
better late similar terrible
of
guilty opposed sorry terrified
on
harmful satisfied suitable tired
to
with

1 Because of the flu epidemic many staff were absent from work.

2 They were suspicious of strangers so they kept following us around and watchingwhat we were
doing.

3 I feel really terrible for her because she has to do all the work while the others goout and enjoy
themselves.

4 They won’t be sorry to just a small party! They’ll want to invite every single oneof their friends!

5 I must hurry or I’ll be late for work.

6 She’s never been very keen of going to meetings so I wouldn’t be surprised ifshe doesn’t turn up.

7 The jury found him guilty of robbing the bank.

8 We’re totally tired from the road-widening scheme and will fight it all the way.

9 She’s much better of driving than he is.

10 I’m a bit short of money at the moment so could you pay?

11 She’s not really suitable for this job. We wanted someone with more experience.

12 This incident is very similar to what happened yesterday except that it was later on in the day.

13 She wouldn’t tell her father because she was terrified of what he might do if helost his temper.

14 I can recognize faces but I’m satisfied with remembering names!

15 He got opposed on hearing the same old excuses, day after day.

16 Some chemicals are harmful to the environment because they kill beneficial insects.

8
 Revise &
Organise

B Complete each group of collocations with the correct preposition.

1 absent From school 9 short Of money

work breath
the meeting time

2 better Of sport than me 10 similar To my dress

explaining things what I saw
maths the one I’ve got

3 guilty Of wasting time 11 sorry To yourself

murder what I said
not listening being late

4 harmful To people with asthma 12 suitable For handicapped people

certain insects children
the environment the time of year

5 keen Of football 13 suspicious Of strangers

making models everything he says
fashion people who ask questions

6 late For the meeting 14 terrified Of missing the train

work what he’ll do
school being alone

7 opposed On this scheme 15 terrible For maths

paying so much spelling
wasting more money remembering names

8 satisfied With the result 16 tired From this weather

what I’ve done eating this stuff
how things went waiting

Test yourself from time to time by covering the words that follow each adjective. How many
collocations can you remember?

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2.3 Verb + preposition A
Paper 3

A Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs below and the preposition
from or on. Use each verb once only.

borrow depend insist rely

concentrate differ operate resign
congratulate economise prevent retire
decide escape recover suffer

1 She resign from her job after she was offered another with more responsibility anda higher salary.

2 He might come. It will depend on how he feels.

3 You must concentrate on the road when you’re driving!

4 He got very annoyed and escape on seeing the manager.

5 The surgeon operates on her immediately and saved her life.

6 I decided to retire from my job early even though it meant I wouldn’t get such agood pension.

7 It will take her weeks to recover from such a major operation so she won’t be backat work for some
time.

8 We had security men on the door to prevent unwanted guests from getting into the party.

9 I’ve sent her a card to congratulate her on passing her test.

10 The bank wouldn’t lend me the money, so I had to borrow it from my parents.

11 This design differ slightly from the first one I showed you.

12 I suffer from backache, so I have to go to a physiotherapist once a week.

13 After weeks of discussion they’ve finally decide on the new colour scheme for thestaff canteen.

14 They managed to economize on the prison by bribing a guard.

15 You can rely on Frances to keep you up to date with all the latest gossip.

16 With less money coming, we’ll have to insist on food and other necessities.

10
 Revise &
Organise

B Now put the correct preposition in each group of collocations.

1 borrow (a book) From the library 9 insist On good service

my parents seeing her
a friend of his punctuality

2 concentrate On your work 10 operate On a patient

driving
what I’m doing

3 congratulateOn his results 11 prevent  From doing something

her success leaving
winning cheating

4 decide On a colour scheme 12 recover From a cold

which to choose a serious illness
the (blue) one a nasty shock

5 depend On imports 13 rely On every employee

how I feel you
if I have time the bus service

6 differ From the others 14 resign From the committee

what I expected his job
what I wanted

7 economise On fuel 15 retire From work at 65

electricity
food

8 escape On prison 16 suffer From a headache

this routine toothache
the crowd a bad cold

Notice when you need an -ing form of the verb. This is important in the exam.

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2.4 Verb + preposition B
Paper 3

A Complete each sentence with the correct form of one of the verbs below and the preposition
of, for, in or to. Use each verb once only.

accuse belong hope search

apologise blame object specialise
approve consist pay succeed
believe forgive remind thank

1 The test I took consist of two written papers and an interview.

2 I’ve kept the luggage label as a souvenir to remind me to the wonderful holidaywe had.

3 After taking a general course she decided to specialize of tropical medicine.

4 After trying for an hour I finally succeed in starting the car.

5 Where will I find the money to pay for a new suit?

6 That coat belong to Andrew and this is Ricky’s.

7 Some guests have search of having to pay extra to use the swimming pool. I’mnot surprised
they’re annoyed!

8 Army helicopters were brought in to help hope for the missing children.

9 I had never believe in ghosts until I stayed at a mysterious old house inthe country.

10 He wrote a letter apologize for all the trouble he had caused and asking her toforgive him.

11 He’s the person in charge. I blame him for the mix-up.

12 From the way she spoke you could tell that she didn’t approve of the arrangementsfor the wedding.

13 I don’t think I’ll ever forgive her for making me look such a fool in front of all thosepeople.

14 The policeman accuse him of breaking into the house, but he said he could provehe had been
somewhere else.

15 Let’s object for the best. You never know – the weather might clear up.

16 I’d just like to thank you for your help. I couldn’t have managed without you.

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 Revise &
Organise

B Now put the correct preposition in each group of collocations.

Pay careful attention to the expressions which are followed by the -ing form of the verb.

1 
accuse Of murder 9 hope For the best
breaking in a good result
not caring better luck next time!

2 apologise For my mistake 10 object For the by-pass

being late paying extra
forgetting using my phone

3 approve Of all-night TV 11 pay For the meal

his friends having my car fixed
smoking wasting so much time

4 believe In healthy exercise 12 remind To my holiday

eating well the time we …
ghosts something

5 belong To my dog 13 search Of the solution

a friend of mine the missing children
everyone somewhere to stay

6 blame For the disaster 14 specialise Of fast food

what happened commercial French
getting angry selling furniture

7 consist Of two parts 15 succeed In my attempts to …

three sections meeting her
five papers passing my exam

8 forgive  For what he did 16 thank  For the present

leaving me your help
not asking coming

Cover the verb and see whether you can remember it by just looking at the preposition.

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2.5 Verb + noun + preposition A
Paper 3

A In this exercise you must complete each sentence with a suitable verb and preposition from
the lists below. You may use each verb or preposition more than once. Make sure you use the
correct form of the verb!

catch lose pay take

of on to
keep make put

1 She keep advantage on her father’s good mood and asked if her boyfriend could stay for dinner.

2 Was anybody put attention on what she was saying?

3 Could you keep care on our dog while we’re on holiday?

4 She take charge of the project when Mr East was away.

5 I’ve make count of the number of times he’s said that.

6 Could you keep an eye on the washing while I’m out?

7 I wish she wouldn’t make such a fuss of her nephew! You can see he really hates it!

8 Keep no notice on him! He’s just showing off!

9 The salesman started to make pressure of her to sign the agreementstraightaway.

10 While I was watching the match, I catch sight to them standing at the back ofthe crowd.

11 We must make a stop of all this arguing.

12 Don’t forget you’ll have to pay tax to that money you earned, so you’re not asrich as you thought you
were!

13 Bill make great exception of Mary’s remark and didn’t speak to her forthe rest of the day.

14 My new supervisor was so bossy that I lose an instant dislike of him

Look back at the exercise and underline the

complete word partnership in each sentence
(for example, catch sight of someone).

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 Revise &
Organise

B Complete the first column with partnerships from the exercise on page 14 or these
four expressions:

make sense play a trick set fire take pity

Space has been left for you to add your own partnerships.

PHRASE MEANING

1 make sense of benefit while you can

2 take pity of look after
3 make sense of be in control
4 play a trick of not remember how many
5 take pity of hug, kiss, give presents etc.
6 play a trick of ignore
7 make sense of understand
8 set fire of see suddenly
9 make sense on watch, check now and again
10 take pity on feel very sorry for
11 play a trick on try to persuade
12 make sense on give money to the government!
13 play a trick on deceive
14 make sense to listen carefully
15 set fire to start something burning
16 play a trick to not allow to continue
17 play a trick to immediately dislike
18 set fire to be very upset about

Test yourself later by covering the phrases on the left in the first column and looking at the
definitions on the right. Can you remember which partnership belongs to each definition?

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