Collocations (Upper Intermediate, B2), Part 1.
Upper Intermediate collocations
Collocations are pairs or groups of words that are often used together, creating expressions that sound right to those who speak the language fluently. They are important for language learners because they add authenticity to speech and writing, and improve fluency. For those at an upper-intermediate level, understanding and using these more advanced collocations helps articulate more sophisticated thoughts and ideas.
- Big deal: A "big deal" refers to something very important or significant. It can also imply a lot of fuss or excitement about something.
- Safe and sound: "Safe and sound" means being completely unharmed or undamaged, often used after a journey or potentially dangerous situation.
- Love at first sight: This phrase describes the situation where one person feels romantic love for another immediately upon seeing them for the first time.
- First impression: A "first impression" is the initial judgement or perception you have of someone or something when you encounter them for the first time.
- Bright future: A "bright future" suggests a period of time coming up that is likely to be successful or positive.
- High expectations: "High expectations" means expecting a lot from someone or something, believing that they will perform well.
- Open-minded: Being "open-minded" means being willing to consider and accept new ideas or perspectives.
- Last-minute: "Last-minute" refers to something done or happening just before the latest time possible or before a deadline.
- Big fish: A "big fish" is a person with a lot of influence or importance, especially within a specific domain.
- Critical thinking: "Critical thinking" involves making reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought out. It's a way of thinking where you don't simply accept all arguments and conclusions you're exposed to, but question them instead.
- Common sense: "Common sense" refers to the basic level of practical knowledge and judgment that we all need to help us live in a reasonable and safe way.
- Positive attitude: A "positive attitude" means having an optimistic outlook, expecting the best possible outcome in every situation.
- Creative thinking: "Creative thinking" involves looking at things from a new perspective, coming up with unique solutions or ideas.
- Brainstorming session: A "brainstorming session" is a meeting where people come up with a lot of ideas about a particular issue or problem.
- Communication skills: "Communication skills" are the abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information.
- Problem-solving skills: "Problem-solving skills" are the methods and techniques you use to solve difficulties or challenges.
- Time-consuming: If something is "time-consuming," it takes a lot of time to do.
- High-quality: "High-quality" refers to something that is of excellent standard or grade.
- Heavy traffic: "Heavy traffic" means a lot of vehicles on the road, often causing slow movement or congestion.
- Personal touch: A "personal touch" is a distinctive feature or quality that makes something feel unique or special.
- Professional attitude: A "professional attitude" means behaving in a way that's appropriate for the workplace, such as being reliable, respectful, and competent.
- Relaxed atmosphere: A "relaxed atmosphere" means a calm, comfortable, and stress-free environment.
- Formal dress: "Formal dress" refers to clothing that is suitable for serious or important occasions.
- Serious relationship: A "serious relationship" is a long-term committed partnership between two people.
- Long-term relationship: A "long-term relationship" is a romantic relationship that has lasted for a significant period of time.
By learning and using these collocations, you can take your language abilities to the next level, allowing you to communicate with more precision and fluency. These collocations will help you sound more like a native speaker and enhance your ability to express more complex ideas clearly and naturally.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary in English language can be thought of as a toolbox that you use to express yourself and understand others. It's important to continue expanding and refining it. This means learning new words, phrases, and idiomatic expressions and understanding how to use them in different contexts. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the more effectively you can communicate and understand others. Having a broad vocabulary also allows you to understand and engage with more complex texts and ideas, giving you access to new information and opportunities. Additionally, having a strong vocabulary is essential for academic and professional success, as it allows you to express yourself clearly and persuasively in writing and speaking. Like a carpenter who continues to learn new tools and techniques to improve their craft, expanding your vocabulary is an ongoing process that will help you improve your communication skills.
Vocabulary for Upper Intermediate/B2 English Level
Vocabulary for Upper Intermediate/B2 English level refers to the set of words and phrases that learners at this level are expected to know and use in the language. These learners have a solid foundation of vocabulary and grammar and are able to communicate effectively in most situations. At this level, learners are expected to have a good command of a wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures, and to be able to use them to express themselves in a clear and detailed way. They are also expected to understand and use more complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, such as phrasal verbs and collocations, to communicate nuanced ideas and express themselves in a more sophisticated way. Additionally, learners at this level are expected to have a good understanding of vocabulary related to a variety of topics such as work, school, leisure, and current events. They are also expected to be able to understand and use vocabulary from different specialized fields, such as business, science, and technology. B2 level learners are expected to have a very good command of the language, and this level is considered as the level of a proficient user of the language.
B2 | Upper Intermediate
B2, or Upper Intermediate, is the fourth level on the CEFR scale. It marks the point where you move from "getting by" to genuinely comfortable communication — handling complex topics, expressing nuanced opinions, and understanding most of what you read or hear in real-world contexts.
What a B2 user can do
At this level, you're expected to:
- Understand complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your own field.
- Follow extended speech and lectures, even when the structure isn't entirely clear, as long as the topic is reasonably familiar.
- Interact fluently and spontaneously enough that conversations with native speakers flow naturally — without strain on either side.
- Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects, using connectors and cohesive devices to build well-structured arguments.
- Explain and defend a viewpoint on a topical issue, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of different options.
- Recognize implicit meaning — reading between the lines in demanding, longer texts.
What B2 grammar looks like in practice
B2 is where grammar stops being about isolated rules and starts being about flexibility and precision. You're expected to control structures like:
- Advanced conditionals and mixed conditionals — moving beyond simple if-clauses to express hypothetical and counterfactual meaning.
- Passive voice in varied tenses and contexts, not just present and past simple.
- Reported speech with correct sequence of tenses, including backshifting and reporting verbs.
- Participle clauses and the distinction between participles and gerunds.
- Comparative and superlative structures beyond basic -er/-est, including double comparatives and qualifying expressions.
Errors still happen at B2, but they rarely cause misunderstanding. The goal is controlled, flexible use of language across social, academic, and professional settings.
How B2 fits in the CEFR progression
B2 builds directly on the foundations of B1 (Intermediate) and prepares you for C1 (Advanced). Many university entrance exams, professional certifications, and immigration requirements target B2 as the minimum standard.
Self-check: If you can read a newspaper editorial, follow most of a TED talk without subtitles, and write a clear essay arguing a position — you're likely operating at B2.
Ready to test yourself? Try Is your English level B2/Upper Intermediate? or practise specific B2 grammar with challenges like Basics. Advanced Conditionals And "wish", Basics. Passive Voice, and Sequence of Tenses in Indirect Speech.
Difficulty: Easy
Easy difficulty. Difficulty levels represent author's opinion about how hard a question or challenge is.