Collocations for C1 Advanced (CAE)

 Collocations for C1 Advanced (CAE) – 100+ Essential Word Combinations to Boost Your Vocabulary Score

If you want to achieve a high score in C1 Advanced (CAE), learning isolated vocabulary is not enough. At C1 level, examiners expect you to use natural word combinations — not just advanced words. This is where collocations for C1 Advanced become essential.

Collocations are words that frequently and naturally go together in English. Native speakers don’t consciously think about them — but examiners immediately notice when they are wrong.

In C1 Advanced, collocations are tested in:

• Multiple Choice Cloze
• Open Cloze
• Word Formation
• Key Word Transformations
• Writing tasks
• Speaking tasks

Strong collocation knowledge demonstrates lexical control, precision, fluency and naturalness. In this guide, you will learn:

• What collocations are
• Why they matter at C1 level
• 100+ high-frequency collocations
• Verb + noun combinations
• Adjective + noun combinations
• Academic collocations
• Formal writing expressions
• Speaking collocations
• Common mistakes

Let’s build your vocabulary properly.

What Are Collocations?

A collocation is a natural word partnership.

We say:

✔ make a decision

✔ heavy traffic

✔ take responsibility

We do NOT say:

❌ do a decision

❌ strong traffic

❌ have responsibility

At C1 level, accuracy with these combinations separates good students from excellent ones.

High-Frequency Verb + Noun Collocations

These are extremely common in Use of English.

Make

Make a decision

Meaning: to choose between options; to decide something formally or carefully.

• After careful consideration, the committee made a decision to postpone the project.

Make progress

Meaning: to improve or move forward towards a goal.

• The company has made significant progress in reducing carbon emissions.

Make an effort

Meaning: to try hard to achieve something.

• If you make an effort, you will improve your writing skills.

Make a contribution

Meaning: to give something (money, time, ideas) that helps achieve something.

• Scientists have made a valuable contribution to medical research.

Make a complaint

Meaning: to formally express dissatisfaction.

• She made a complaint about the poor customer service.

Make an impression

Meaning: to have a noticeable effect on someone; to influence someone’s opinion.

• She made a strong impression during the job interview.

Make a difference

Meaning: to have a positive effect; to improve a situation.

• Small changes in daily habits can make a big difference.

Make a commitment

Meaning: to promise to do something; to dedicate yourself to something.

• The government made a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Make an assumption

Meaning: to accept something as true without proof.

• It is dangerous to make assumptions without sufficient evidence.

Make a prediction

Meaning: to say what you think will happen in the future.

• Economists have made predictions about future market trends.

Take

Take responsibility

Meaning: to accept that something is your duty or fault; to be accountable for something.

• Leaders must take responsibility for their decisions.

Take action

Meaning: to do something in response to a problem or situation.

• Governments must take action to reduce pollution.

Take measures

Meaning: to implement specific steps to solve or prevent a problem (more formal than “take action”).

• The government has taken measures to improve road safety.

Take into account

Meaning: to consider something when making a decision.

• We must take environmental factors into account.

Take advantage of

Meaning 1: to use an opportunity effectively.

Meaning 2: to exploit someone unfairly (negative meaning).

Examples (positive meaning):

• Students should take advantage of educational opportunities.

Examples (negative meaning):

• He took advantage of her kindness.

Take part in

Meaning: to participate in an activity or event

• Many students took part in the debate competition.

Take control of

Meaning: to gain authority or power over something

• The new manager took control of the department.

Take steps

Meaning: to take action in a gradual or organised way

• The company is taking steps to reduce waste.

(Note: This collocation is very common in formal writing.)

Take place

Meaning: to happen or occur (formal alternative to “happen”)

• The meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon.

Take a risk

Meaning: to do something that involves danger or uncertainty

• Entrepreneurs often have to take risks.

Have

Have access to

Meaning: to be able to use or obtain something

• Many students do not have access to high-quality educational resources.

Have difficulty (in)

Meaning: to find something hard to do

• Some learners have difficulty understanding complex grammar structures.

(Note: You can say have difficulty doing something or have difficulty in doing something — both are correct, but the first is more common.)

Have an impact on

Meaning: to influence or affect something

• Social media has had a significant impact on communication.

Have influence over

Meaning: to have power to affect decisions or behaviour

• Parents often have influence over their children’s choices.

Have potential

Meaning: to have the ability or capacity to develop or succeed

• Renewable energy has enormous potential for future development.

Have a tendency to

Meaning: to often behave in a particular way

• People have a tendency to underestimate long-term risks

Have the opportunity to

Meaning: to have the chance to do something

• Students have the opportunity to participate in exchange programmes.

Have concerns about

Meaning: to feel worried about something

• Many citizens have concerns about rising living costs.

Have an obligation to

Meaning: to have a duty or responsibility to do something (formal)

• Governments have an obligation to protect their citizens.

Have confidence in

Meaning: to trust or believe in someone or something

• Investors have confidence in the company’s long-term strategy.

Give

Give rise to

Meaning: to cause something to happen (formal)

• The new policy has given rise to public debate.

This collocation is excellent for essays because it sounds formal and academic.

Give priority to

Meaning: to treat something as more important than other things

• Governments should give priority to environmental protection.

Very useful in problem–solution essays.

Give consideration to

Meaning: to think carefully about something (formal)

• The committee will give consideration to all proposals.

This sounds much more advanced than simply saying “think about.”

Give permission

Meaning: to allow someone to do something

• Parents must give permission before students join the trip.

Give advice

Meaning: to offer guidance or recommendations

• The teacher gave helpful advice before the exam.

(Note: We say give advice, not “give an advice.” Advice is uncountable.)

Give support

Meaning: to provide help or encouragement

• The organisation gives support to vulnerable communities.

Give evidence

Meaning: to provide proof or information that supports something (formal)

• The study gives strong evidence of climate change.

Very useful in academic writing.

Give a speech

Meaning: to formally speak to an audience

• The president gave a speech about economic reform.

Give an example

Meaning: to illustrate something with a specific case

• The teacher gave an example to clarify the concept.

Give feedback

Meaning: to provide comments or evaluation about performance

• Teachers should give constructive feedback on essays.

This collocation is extremely useful for academic contexts.

Adjective + Noun Collocations for C1 Advanced

These are powerful in Writing Part 1 and Speaking Part 3.

Pressing issue

Meaning: an urgent and important problem that requires immediate attention

• Climate change is a pressing issue that demands global cooperation

Major challenge

Meaning: a very difficult problem or obstacle

• Economic instability poses a major challenge for governments.

Serious concern

Meaning: something that causes significant worry

• Air pollution is a serious concern in urban areas

Growing awareness

Meaning: increasing understanding or recognition of an issue

• There is growing awareness of the importance of mental health.

Strong argument

Meaning: a convincing and well-supported point of view

• There is a strong argument for investing in renewable energy

Compelling evidence

Meaning: powerful and convincing proof

• The study provides compelling evidence of climate change.

Long-term solution

Meaning: a solution that works over an extended period

• Education is a long-term solution to poverty

Short-term benefits

Meaning: advantages that last for a limited time

• The policy may bring short-term benefits but cause future problems.

Key factor

Meaning: an important element that influences a situation

• Education is a key factor in economic development.

Mutual understanding

Meaning: shared agreement or comprehension between people

• Dialogue can promote mutual understanding between cultures.

Significant impact

Meaning: a strong and noticeable effect

• Technology has had a significant impact on education.

Widespread support

Meaning: approval or backing from many people

• The proposal received widespread support.

Economic growth

Meaning: an increase in a country’s production and wealth

• Investment can stimulate economic growth.

Social inequality

Meaning: unfair differences in wealth, opportunities, or status

• Social inequality remains a global challenge.

Environmental sustainability

Meaning: maintaining environmental balance for future generations

• Environmental sustainability should be a national priority.

Political stability

Meaning: a situation where a government functions effectively without unrest

• Political stability encourages foreign investment

Technological advancement

Meaning: progress in technology and innovation

• Technological advancement has transformed communication.

Public perception

Meaning: how the general public views or understands something

• Media coverage influences public perception

Ethical considerations

Meaning: moral factors that must be taken into account

• Ethical considerations are crucial in medical research.

Cultural diversity

Meaning: the presence of different cultures within a society

• Cultural diversity enriches communities.

Academic & Formal Collocations

Pose a threat

Meaning: to present a danger or risk (formal)

• Climate change poses a serious threat to global stability.

Play a crucial role

Meaning: to be very important in a situation

• Education plays a crucial role in social development.

Reach a conclusion

Meaning: to decide something after considering evidence.

• After analysing the data, researchers reached a conclusion.

Raise concerns

Meaning: to cause people to feel worried

• The report raised serious concerns about safety standards.

Meet expectations

Meaning: to satisfy what people hope or expect

• The product failed to meet expectations.

Address an issue

Meaning: to deal with or try to solve a problem (formal)

• The government must address the issue of unemployment.

Implement a policy

Meaning: to officially introduce and apply a rule or plan

• The government implemented a new environmental policy.

Conduct research

Meaning: to carry out a study or investigation

• Scientists conducted research on climate patterns.

(Note: We say conduct research, not “make research.”)

Reach an agreement

Meaning: to come to a mutual decision

• The two countries reached an agreement after negotiations.

Draw attention to

Meaning: to highlight or emphasise something

• The campaign aims to draw attention to climate change.

Exert pressure

Meaning: to apply influence or force.

Examples:

• The public exerted pressure on the government.

Face consequences

Meaning: to experience negative results of actions

• Companies must face consequences for environmental damage.

Bring about change

Meaning: to cause change (formal)

• Education can bring about positive change.

Achieve a goal

Meaning: to successfully reach an objective

• She worked hard to achieve her goals.

Encounter difficulties

Meaning: to experience problems

• Many startups encounter financial difficulties.

Undertake a project

Meaning: to begin and carry out a project (formal)

• The company undertook a major infrastructure project.

Fulfil a requirement

Meaning: to meet or satisfy a condition

• Applicants must fulfil specific requirements.

Comply with regulations

Meaning: to obey rules or laws (formal)

• Companies must comply with environmental regulations.

Allocate resources

Meaning: to distribute money, time or materials for a purpose

• Governments must allocate resources efficiently.

Adopt a strategy

Meaning: to choose and begin using a plan

• The company adopted a new marketing strategy.

Collocations with Prepositions

Responsible for

Meaning: having a duty to deal with something or being the cause of something.

• She is responsible for managing the project.

Aware of

Meaning: knowing about something; conscious of something.

• She is aware of the risks involved.

Capable of

Meaning: having the ability to do something.

• She is capable of solving complex problems.

Committed to

Meaning: dedicated to something; willing to work hard for it.

• The organisation is committed to environmental sustainability.

Opposed to

Meaning: disagreeing with or against something.

• Many residents are opposed to the construction project.

Dependent on

Meaning: relying on something else.

• The outcome is dependent on several factors.

Concerned about

Meaning: worried about something.

• Parents are concerned about online safety.

Involved in

Meaning: participating in something.

• She is involved in several community projects.

Relevant to

Meaning: connected to or related to the topic.

• This information is relevant to the discussion.

Similar to

Meaning: almost the same as something else.

• This situation is similar to last year’s crisis.

Interested in

Meaning: wanting to know more about something.

• She is interested in studying abroad.

Engaged in

Meaning: actively involved in something (more formal than “involved in”).

• The company is engaged in international trade.

Focused on

Meaning: concentrating on something.

• The company is focused on innovation.

Associated with

Meaning: connected to something, often in people’s minds.

• The brand is associated with quality.

Beneficial to

Meaning: helpful or advantageous for someone or something.

• Regular exercise is beneficial to health.

Collocations for Argument & Opinion (Speaking Part 4)

Express an opinion

Meaning: to state what you think or believe about something.

• Students should feel confident enough to express their opinions during discussions.

Reach a consensus

Meaning: to come to a general agreement after discussion.

• After several hours of negotiation, the committee reached a consensus.

Take a stance

Meaning: to adopt a clear position on an issue.

• The government must take a firm stance on climate change.

Challenge an idea

Meaning: to question or dispute a concept or suggestion.

• The professor encouraged students to challenge established ideas.

Justify a decision

Meaning: to explain the reasons for a choice in order to show it is reasonable.

• The manager had to justify her decision to cut costs.

Support a claim

Meaning: to provide reasons or evidence that show something is true.

• The researcher used data to support his claim.

Reject a proposal

Meaning: to refuse to accept a suggestion or plan.

• The board rejected the proposal due to financial concerns.

Provide evidence

Meaning: to present proof or information that supports something.

• The lawyer provided evidence to strengthen the argument.

Draw a comparison

Meaning: to identify similarities between two things.

• The speaker drew a comparison between modern society and ancient civilisations.

Highlight an issue

Meaning: to emphasise or bring attention to a problem.

• The report highlights the issue of rising unemployment.

Collocations for Describing Change

Undergo a transformation

Meaning: to experience a major change in appearance, structure, or character.

• The city has undergone a transformation over the past decade.

Experience growth

Meaning: to develop, expand, or increase over time.

• The company has experienced steady growth in recent years.

Witness a decline

Meaning: to observe or experience a reduction or decrease.

• The region has witnessed a decline in industrial activity.

Gain popularity

Meaning: to become more widely liked or accepted.

• Online learning platforms have gained popularity among students.

Lose credibility

Meaning: to lose trust or reliability in people’s eyes.

• The organisation lost credibility after the scandal.

Increase significantly

Meaning: to rise by a large or noticeable amount.

• Energy prices have increased significantly over the past year.

Decrease gradually

Meaning: to reduce slowly over time.

• Pollution levels have decreased gradually due to stricter regulations.

Improve dramatically

Meaning: to become much better in a noticeable way.

• Her speaking skills improved dramatically after months of practice.

Deteriorate rapidly

Meaning: to become worse quickly.

• The situation deteriorated rapidly after the negotiations failed.

Remain stable

Meaning: to stay steady without major change.

• Despite economic uncertainty, inflation rates have remained stable.

Common Collocation Errors

❌ do a mistake → make a mistake

❌ strong rain → heavy rain

❌ powerful argument (in academic context) → strong argument

❌ big importance → great importance

❌ do research → conduct research

❌ make homework → do homework

❌ big difference → significant difference (formal writing)

Examiners notice unnatural combinations immediately.

How to Learn Collocations for C1 Advanced Effectively

Do not memorise random lists. Instead:

✔ Learn collocations in chunks

✔ Record them in phrases, not single words

✔ Notice them when reading

✔ Practise them in sentences

✔ Review them regularly

For example:

Instead of learning “impact,” learn:

• have an impact on
• significant impact
• impact of

This is how fluency develops.

Final Thoughts about Collocation for C1 Advanced

At C1 level, vocabulary is not about knowing long words.

It is about knowing natural combinations.

Collocations:

• Strengthen your Use of English score
• Improve your essay quality
• Make your speaking sound fluent
• Reduce unnatural phrasing
• Show lexical sophistication

Fluent English is built in chunks — not word by word. Start noticing patterns. Start collecting collocations. Start using them naturally. That is how you move from B2 to C1.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collocations for C1 Advanced

What are collocations in C1 Advanced?

Collocations are natural word combinations such as make a decision or pose a threat. They are heavily tested in the C1 Advanced exam.

How many collocations should I learn for CAE?

There is no fixed number, but building a strong bank of high-frequency collocations for C1 Advanced will significantly improve your vocabulary score.

Are collocations tested in Use of English?

Yes. Collocations for C1 Advanced appear frequently in Multiple Choice Cloze and Open Cloze tasks.

How can I improve collocations for C1 Advanced?

Read widely, notice natural word combinations and practise using collocations in essays and speaking tasks.

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