C1 Stage 1: Sentence
Exact words and natural word pairs
Collocations in English writing: natural word pairs
You can use exact words and word pairs that good writers use, instead of general words like 'good', 'big' or 'a lot'.
This guide is for B2 writers moving to C1. It is a stage 1 skill: write one sentence (8-50 words).
When to use collocations
In every piece of writing, on any topic. Before you check, look for good, bad, big, thing, very and a lot, and replace them with something exact.
Collocations: how to do it
Good, bad, big, thing, very and a lot are fine when you speak, but in writing they say very little. Use exact words, and words that naturally go together: we 'pose a risk', 'raise concerns', 'have a significant impact on', 'meet a demand'. Word pairs like these are called collocations.
Useful language for collocations
- pose a threat / risk
- raise concerns about
- have a significant impact on
- meet the demand for
- a growing body of evidence
- widen / narrow the gap
Example of collocations
Single-use packaging poses a growing threat to marine wildlife, and consumers are increasingly demanding alternatives.
Topic: Plastic packaging
How the BetterWrite coach checks collocations
The BetterWrite coach checks 3 points for this skill, plus accuracy and staying on topic, and quotes your own words when one is not there yet.
Try it
Write ONE sentence about air pollution with precise words and at least one strong word pair (words that naturally go together, like 'raise awareness'). Do not use good, bad, big, thing, very or a lot.
Write 8-50 words (one sentence).