English Collocations in Use Series#
English Collocations in Use is a specialized vocabulary series published by Cambridge University Press. It teaches collocations: combinations of words that commonly occur together in English, such as make a decision, heavy rain, and take responsibility.
Learning collocations helps learners express themselves more naturally and accurately in both speaking and writing. Instead of learning a word’s meaning in isolation, learners discover which words commonly go together and how to use those combinations in context.
English Collocations in Use Levels#
- Intermediate: B1–B2
- Advanced: C1–C2
English Collocations in Use – Intermediate#
Designed for intermediate learners at B1–B2. It helps learners expand their vocabulary and use common English word combinations more naturally.
Topics include everyday English, travel, weather, business, the internet, education, relationships, time, change, feelings, and agreeing or disagreeing. The book also cover different types of collocations and common patterns in how words combine.
English Collocations in Use – Advanced#
Designed for learners at C1–C2. It focuses on a wider range of advanced collocations and helps learners choose precise, natural combinations for different contexts.
Topics include areas such as marketing, commuting, social English, and discussing issues. The book also highlights register, helping learners choose language appropriate to formal, academic, and professional situations.
How Is Each Unit Organized?#
Each unit follows a clear two-page format:
- One page: Collocations are introduced and explained, often with examples in context.
- Opposite page: Exercises help learners practise and review the combinations.
The books also include an answer key and an index, supporting both classroom use and independent study.
Which Skills Does This Series Improve?#
English Collocations in Use focuses on vocabulary and collocations, but practising them can also support:
- Speaking: Expressing ideas more fluently and naturally.
- Writing: Choosing more accurate and appropriate combinations.
- Reading: Recognizing common word combinations in texts.
- Listening: Understanding collocations in everyday speech.
Collocations and Exam Preparation#
Collocations can be useful in language exams because they help learners produce more natural and precise English, particularly in speaking and writing. Cambridge identifies the series as useful preparation for exams such as IELTS and Cambridge English qualifications.cambridge.es
Who Is This Series Suitable For?#
This series is a good choice for learners who:
- Want to speak English more naturally.
- Aim to write more accurately and effectively.
- Find it difficult to choose the right word combinations.
- Want to expand their vocabulary beyond individual words.
- Are preparing for IELTS or Cambridge English exams.
- Are studying at intermediate or advanced level.
- Need a focused vocabulary resource to use alongside a main coursebook.
Key Features Of The Series#
- More than 1,500 word combinations
- Collocations taught in context
- 60 two-page units in each book
- Clear explanations and practice exercises
- Topic-based organization
- Suitable for self-study and classroom use
- An answer key and index for reference
- Support for preparation for IELTS and Cambridge English
Why Choose English Collocations in Use?#
A learner may know the meaning of each word but still produce an unnatural phrase by combining them incorrectly. For example, the natural expression is make a decision, not do a decision.
Learning collocations helps learners use the vocabulary they already know more naturally, accurately, and confidently.