Casa · C1 Advanced · Lesson 15 of 20 · Step 2
Collocations and Fixed Expressions for Formal Writing
Words · tap a card to see it used
Grammar
Collocations are word combinations that frequently occur together and sound natural to native speakers. In formal writing, accurate collocations signal proficiency: 'reach a conclusion' (not 'arrive at a conclusion' informally), 'pose a threat' (not 'give a threat'), 'address a concern' (not 'fix a concern'), 'draw a distinction' (not 'make a distinction'). Fixed expressions include: 'in the interests of', 'with a view to', 'in the wake of', 'on the grounds that', 'by virtue of'. Mastering these at C1 level is essential for producing natural, authoritative academic and professional writing.
Exercises · type, then check
1. Complete each sentence with the correct collocation.
2. Match each formal collocation with its less formal equivalent.
Reading
In the wake of the pandemic, digital transformation accelerated at a pace that few had anticipated. Organisations that had resisted change for decades were compelled to adopt new technologies virtually overnight. The distinction between digital-first and traditional businesses, once merely theoretical, became existential. Companies that failed to address the challenge of interoperability between legacy systems and modern platforms found themselves at a severe competitive disadvantage. With a view to future-proofing their operations, many corporations undertook comprehensive reviews of their entire technology infrastructure. The transformation poses significant challenges for the workforce: automation threatens to render certain roles obsolete, while creating demand for skills that the education system has been slow to supply. On the grounds that unmanaged disruption could exacerbate inequality, governments have begun to explore policies that draw a distinction between productive innovation and what economists term 'rent-seeking' behaviour — the extraction of value without creating it. By virtue of its scale and speed, the current wave of digital transformation has no historical precedent. In the interests of social cohesion, it is essential that the benefits of this transformation be distributed more equitably than those of previous technological revolutions.
1. What accelerated digital transformation, according to the passage?
2. What distinction do economists draw regarding innovation, as mentioned in the passage?
Speaking · say it out loud, with a partner or alone
Writing
Write a formal paragraph (6–8 sentences) about the impact of digital transformation on a sector you know well. Use at least five formal collocations or fixed expressions from this unit.
Check your exercises first, then mark the lesson done.