Cambridge Glossary - Use of English

Here is a glossary of terms that are important for you to know when you are preparing for the Cambridge Use of English exam. 

Use of English

Collocations

Collocations are words that are friends. They appear so often together that if you used the wrong word it would sound really weird. In English you make a friend, which means you start a new friendship with someone. In many languages, do and make are the same word. If you told me that you did a new friend today, I would give you a weird look. It's not right, because do and friend are not friends, they don't collocate.

Different word classes collocate, noun + noun, adjective + noun, adverb + adjective, etc.

Noun + Noun
library book, computer program, birthday card
Adjective + Noun
expert opinion, unexpected turn of events, fast food
Adverb + Adjective
completely empty, absolutely right, extremely hot/cold
Verb + Noun
go on safari/an adventure/a tour, take drugs/medicine, hold a meeting
Noun + Verb
the plane took off/landed, the light went on/off, the store opens/closes
Verb + Adverb
speak quietly/loudly/clearly, (not) take (something) lightly, sleep well

How are you supposed to know which words collocate? Look it up in a dictionary. Write them down, practice using them when you speak and when you write. 

Phrasal verbs
A phrasal verb is a verb + preposition. When you add a preposition to the verb, it creates a new meaning. Work + at simply means working at a place. Work + out means to do exercise, so work out is a phrasal verb, and work at isn't. 
Phrasal verbs are a great way to expand your vocabulary, and you will be tested on your knowledge of phrasal verbs in Parts 1, 2, and 4 of the Reading and Use of English test. In your Writing test you will be assessed on if you have a 'wide range of vocabulary and grammar', and phrasal verbs are a great way to make sure you don't repeat yourself over and over again, and they look very impressive.

Something that makes phrasal verbs so difficult is that there is no logic or reason behind them. You can take someone out, which either means take someone on a date, or assassinate someone. Why? God only knows. To find out what verbs can become a phrasal verb, type in the verb to a dictionary and scroll down to see them. You can also search in Google 'common phrasal verbs', write them down, write synonyms for them, and practice using them.

Dependent prepositions
Dependent prepositions are like collocations and phrasal verbs, but the use of the preposition does not change the meaning, and the reason they are called 'dependent' prepositions is because if you don't use it, it sounds weird.
For example, a common sentence I hear as a teacher is I listen music. This sounds very wrong. When the word listen has no object, you do not need the word to, as in The students are listening. But, Who are they listening to? They are listening to the teacher. To is a dependent preposition with the word listen when it has an object.

Different word classes can have dependent prepositions. 

Noun + preposition
opposite of, solution to, reason for
Adjective + preposition
afraid/tired of, interested in, good/brilliant/bad/rubbish at
Verb + preposition
wait for, protect from, introduce to

To find out if a word has a dependent preposition, look it up in a dictionary, write it down, and practice it. You can also search in Google 'noun and dependent prepositions', 'verb and dependent prepositions', etc.